Welcome to Cambie roofing
Green roofs in our daily lives are becoming more and more commonplace. Developers, architects, and even residential homeowners are searching for ways to improve their carbon footprint and provide sustainable (and beautiful) building solutions; green roofs are one of the best ways to do that.
That being said, there are some serious pros and cons to consider about green roofs. Let’s take a look.
If you live in (or near) Vancouver, you’re no stranger to heavy rain and seasonal snowfall, making a well-installed roof a vital part of protecting your home or building. You’re no doubt aware that any roof – even a “flat” roof – must still be installed with some sort of slope.
Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or strata manager [link to blog about building managers], understanding why roof slope matters can save you from costly repairs and structural issues down the line.
Let’s be honest: how often do you see a roof colour other than grey, brown, or black?
Even here in Vancouver, where many older homes boast bright paint colours like pink, green, or blue, it’s rare that a homeowner will elect to choose a bold, colourful roof – even though they do exist.
What you may not be aware of, however, is that roof colour can affect more than just the overall aesthetics of your home.
Blistering and alligatoring are two of the most common problems that plague Vancouver roofs (of any kind), but most people aren’t sure what they look like – or what the difference is.
If you’re a commercial property manager, you likely are already aware of the importance of regular roof inspections and maintenance. Though many people tend not to think about their roofs at all after installation, no roof is guaranteed for life.
That being said, if you want to inspect your roof yourself, you may not be totally sure what to look for – or how to inspect your roof safely.
“Why should I remove the moss from my shingles? It looks nice, and it suits the Pacific Northwest so well!”
While moss on your roof can add a quaint, cottage-esque sort of charm to your Vancouver home, it can actually be detrimental to the overall health of your roof.
It’s a tricker question than you might expect. It seems obvious that any significant improvements or renovations made to your home would improve the value, but what if you live in an apartment building or townhome?
Are you a property or building manager in need of roofing services, but you’re daunted the thought of choosing a company? Before you go choosing blindly, let’s gather some insight on what you should be seeking by examining some things about the roofing industry in Vancouver.
If you’re a property owner or business owner – or even a car owner – you’ve probably agonized over whether or not you should invest the time and energy into repairing something, or take the easier (but costlier) route of replacing the entire thing.
When it comes to commercial roofs, the issue gets a little complicated.
Knowing Your Roof System
Knowing when to repair or replace your roof is a skill that few have. The reason? You really have to know how your roof works. In a residential setting that might seem easy enough – damage to shingles or clogged gutters is generally quite obvious – but there are often smaller and less obvious signs that could indicate that something is very wrong.
A commercial building often presents further challenges. Commercial buildings usually use flat roofing, which is unlikely to use shingles in favour of built-up roofing or modified bitumen roofing, which are generally covered in a layer of asphalt.. Some commercial or industrial buildings may even have a combination of flat roofing, metal, sloped metal, and/or shingled roofing, in which case you’ll have a lot of different things to watch out for.
Safely Inspecting Your Roof
This may go without saying, but please remember to be cautious when inspecting your roof! Even walking across a simple flat roof can be extremely hazardous. Visually inspect as much as you can from the ground before you climb onto the roof. If your roof is too dangerous, consider hiring a professional for an inspection.
Repairing vs Replacing your Roof:
Here are a few common roofing problems you may encounter during an inspection of a damaged roof. Use the guide below to determine whether the best course of action is to replace or repair.
Minor Damage (Repair It) | Major Damage (Replace It) |
Minor Leaks: If you notice small water stains on your ceiling or in your attic after rain or snow, it’s a sign of a leak. Small leaks can often be repaired without the need for a full roof replacement
| Large, Persistent, and/or Widespread Leaks: Multiple leaks or a history of recurring leaks in different areas of the roof suggest systemic failure. Ongoing water intrusion can cause structural damage, rot, or mold.
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Missing or Damaged Shingles: High winds, heavy rain, and other weather conditions can cause shingles to crack, curl, or go missing. Replacing these shingles can often remedy the issue if the damage is not widespread. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for loose asphalt granules, which can indicate wear and tear.
| Widespread Shingle Damage: While individual shingles can be replaced, extensive damage such as large areas of missing shingles, curling, cracking, or shingles that have lost their granules indicates that the roof is failing. Check for large quantities or loose asphalt granules, which can indicate significant wear and tear.
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Minor Flashing Damage: Metal flashing around vents, chimneys, and roof intersections is crucial for preventing water from entering through cracks.. If the flashing is cracked, bent, or loose, it can often be repaired or replaced to restore the roof’s integrity.
| Significant Storm Damage: After a severe storm, roofs can suffer extensive damage that is beyond repair, including holes, split seams, irreversibly damaged flashing, or missing sections, necessitating a full replacement.
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Clogged or damaged gutters, downspouts, or drains: Gutters and drains direct water off your roof and away from your property. If they’re clogged, leaking, or detached, repairing them promptly can prevent further damage.
| Puddles on a flat roof If you have a flat roof, puddles are always a bad sign. Water on a roof should always be directed toward a gutter or drain; if water is sitting, it could be a sign of structural damage.
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Sagging Gutters or Downspouts: Sagging or damaged gutters can lead to water damage on your roof and siding. Repairs or replacements are relatively easy, and can prevent potential roofing problems.
| Sagging Roof: A sagging roof is a sign of structural issues, such as weakened support, rot, or even foundational issues. This can be a serious safety hazard and often necessitates a complete roof replacement.
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Small Moss and Algae Growths on the Roof: When checking the surface of your roof – or the attic below – look for clusters of moss or algae. Their presence indicates moisture retention, which should be addressed to prevent damage.
| Mold or Rot Beneath the Roof Mold is a big problem that not only affects the overall health of a building – it can affect its inhabitants, too. If you see rot due to water ingress, your roof likely needs to be replaced – and further work needs to be done to reverse the damage inside.
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Bonus note for commercial property owners: depending on the wording of your lease, repairs and maintenance may be the tenant responsibility. By conducting a series of repairs over years, instead of a complete roof replacement, much of the cost would be passed to your commercial tenant.
How Can We Help?
If you still aren’t sure what course of action is best, feel free to give us a call! Whether your roof is metal, shingled, flat, or otherwise, we’re very capable of guiding your decision making regarding what will be best for your property – and your wallet.
Get in touch today – we’d love to hear from you!
BONUS POINT FOR BUILDING OWNERS: Depending on the wording of your lease, repairs and maintenance may be the tenant responsibility. By conducting a series of repairs over years, instead of a complete roof replacement, much of the cost would be passed to your commercial tenant.
Here’s How Doing Regular Roof Maintenance Can Help You Save Money
Most people don’t think about roof maintenance. Whether in a residential or commercial setting, a roof is just another part of the building that simply exists without them even needing to think about it. It’s above them, silently doing its job; out of sight, out of mind.
What they don’t realize is that even the most perfectly installed roof isn’t guaranteed for life – especially in rainy cities like Vancouver.
Maintaining the World Around Us
There’s almost nothing in the world that doesn’t require some degree of maintenance. Cars need oil changes and tune-ups. Bikes need chain oil and brake checks. Plants, gardens, and lawns need water, pruning, and weeding. If you think about it, even people need maintenance; doctor’s visits, optometry, and dental cleanings are all crucial elements of personal upkeep.
Roads need maintenance. Buildings need maintenance. Plumbing, sewer systems, computers, windows, trees, electronics, furniture – the list is neverending.
In other words: we’re surrounded by objects, possessions, and infrastructure – things that support our everyday lifestyle – that need a little upkeep. If it exists in a physical form, it likely requires some kind of periodic maintenance.
Your roof is no different.
Roof Maintenance in Vancouver
As a general rule of thumb, anything exposed to bad weather is likely to wear out pretty quickly. Here in Vancouver, we’re blessed with a relatively mild climate; however, the rain, wind, and snow that we face throughout the year make roofs very susceptible to wear and tear.
Moreover, Vancouver is a very green city; most of our streets are lined with tall, healthy deciduous trees that, while lovely to look at, drop thousands of leaves during the fall – many of which end up on our roofs, clogging gutters and drains and decaying into murky sludge – especially on flat roofs.
Consequently, roofs around here – on any type of building – often require a little more maintenance and cleanup than you might expect.
Why Roof Maintenance is Important
There are many, many reasons why roof maintenance is important, but the most compelling, convincing reason is very simple:
Roof maintenance saves you money in the long run.
To explain it simply: in terms of both time and money, the cost of fixing your home after your roof fails is astronomical compared to the cost of hiring someone to perform preventative maintenance.
Think of your roof like a suit of armour: even the most miniscule fault leaves you mortally vulnerable. If even a small amount of water gets into your home, it can ruin walls, floors, electronics, furniture, and more – and saddle you with massive repair bills. If you’re in a commercial setting and your roof fails, your entire business could potentially be ruined by the ensuing damage.
Here are a few other ways that roof maintenance can save you money:
Roof maintenance extends the life of your roof, meaning you’re less likely to need to replace the entire thing down the road, which is extremely costly.
A well-kept, insulated roof improves energy efficiency, keeping your heating bills lower.
A well-maintained roof helps maintain property value. It immediately suggests to potential buyers and realtors that the entire home has likely been well-cared for.
A well-maintained roof prevents pest infestations by sealing off entry points for birds, rodents, and insects.
What Can You Do?
Remember, your roof is an asset; maintenance keeps it from becoming a liability. The best thing you can do as a commercial business owner or property owner is to perform regular roof inspections and cleanups, which should entail:
cleaning your gutters and downspouts
clearing debris and leaves
checking your attic for moisture, rot, or mold
If you own a commercial property, check out our post about protecting your commercial roof.
Inspecting your Roof: How to Spot Signs of Wear or Damage
You should inspect your roof every six months (minimum). Here are a few things to look out for:
Missing, cracked, curled, or damaged shingles
Shingles protect the wooden components of your roof from water damage. If the shingles are breaking, then it’s extremely likely that water is getting through.
Moss, algae, or fungus growth
Moss, algae, and fungus only propagate in damp/moist environments. If you’re seeing signs of any of them, it’s likely that your roof is holding on to more moisture than it should be.
Sagging or puddles in flat roofs
Whether your roof is flat or sloped, any sagging is very likely a sign that water is getting through – and has already done some damage. A well-installed roof should never have any sagging or puddles.
Leaking or water stains
Leaks are an obvious sign that something is very wrong. Get any leaks fixed ASAP.
Slow-draining drains
Are you in a commercial building or strata with a flat roof? It likely has built-in drains, and if those drains are clogged – by leaves, dirt, or debris – then the water on your roof will have nowhere to go. A big puddle of water on your roof isn’t only a leaking hazard – it’s a structural hazard.
Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts
A clogged gutter can cause water to back up and sit where it shouldn’t.
A sudden increase in heating and energy bills
An unexpected increase in heating or cooling bills could be due to air escaping through your roof. Adequate insulation and a properly sealed roof help maintain your home’s energy efficiency.
It’s also extremely important to be aware of the age of your roof. If your roof is more than 5 years old and hasn’t been inspected or repaired recently, consider getting an inspection asap.
How Can We Help?
Your roof is the barrier between you and nature’s harshest elements.
If you’re a homeowner, property owner, property manager, or business owner, you likely already know how much work it is to keep everything pristine, so something like your roof – which may look fine, at a glance – might end up on the back burner.
But even if it seems like your roof is probably in good shape, it’s important to remember that the smallest damage to your roof – whether your roof is flat, sloped, shingled, torch-on, or otherwise – can cause massive, expensive problems down below. The cost of maintenance simply doesn’t compare.
If you’re interested in getting repairs done – or if you’d like an inspection for peace of mind – consider getting in touch. With over 75 years in business, we’d like to think we know a thing or two about protecting, repairing, and maintaining roofs. We’d love to hear from you!
