Friday 27 March 2015

Beginners Guide to commercial flat roofing systems maintenance

Many people believe that flat roofs are maintenance free, . . . Wrong!

There are simple things that one can do to look after a flat roof installation and save a lot of money in the long run. You can do some preventative maintenance yourself, but don't hesitate to consult commercial roofing contractors or a roofing specialist in modern roofing.

The first things you need to look at in commercial roofing systems are drains.
Are they plugged?
Are the drain screens clear of debris?
Do the roof drains even have screens?

Simply take the screen off and clear the leaves, needles or moss and place in a garbage bag. Re-install the screen once you are done. Some modern roofs don't have a roof drain, but scuppers. They work the same way and generally don't have a screen. Scuppers drain through the outside parapets of your home or building. If your scupper does not have a screen contact your local commercial roofing supply store; locating a screen is hard. The screen for a scupper actually looks like the end of your kitchen whisk you beat your eggs with. You could make a whisk into a screen by using wire cutters and cutting about 3.5 inches out the end of the whisk; should work up to a 2.75 inch drain. 

Some flat roofing systems in will have a straight drip edge (torch on roofing) or what we call a gravel stop detail flashing (for low sloped roofs, tar & gravel) where your roof will drain into a continuous eaves-trough. These flashings can be problematic. At every joint where the flashing overlaps the next piece; there is usually a tiny split or separation. You can try to fix this yourself, but we highly recommend calling a professional. A good roofing technician will fix the splits first time. However a home owner or building maintenance for commercial roofing can pour a liquid cold process sealant over the defects. Unsuccessful cold process sealing can complicate the repair and will drive up roofing technician costs afterwards. Cured cold liquid membranes are difficult to scrape and remove.

The eaves-trough gutters should be regularly cleaned out once or twice a year depending on how many trees are nearby.

Moss growing on your roof?
It does happen on modern roofing too.  Just scrape it off and spray the area with a good environmental moss or mold killer.  When scraping it off be careful not to puncture the membranes. It is best to use a plastic tool so it eliminates that risk. Moss growing on your low sloped roof will eventually rot out the membranes. Look for any deficiencies like bubbles or ridges that could be poking through the tar & gravel. These imperfections should be fixed else persons like your satellite installer, chimney guy and even your heating/ air conditioning guy who can step on these defects will puncture the membranes . . .  then you have problems! Always consult with your roofing expert if you spot anything out of the ordinary.

High tech roofing - On your roof look at the chimney and roof penetration flashings. Chimney collars require being re-caulked every three to five years. Mulco Supra Expert or Titebond are good brands to start with. Your local hardware store won't usually stock these brands. Just do a Google search and it should point you to a supplier.

Call me now for any advice about flat roofs or visit my website.

Modern roofing - flat roof leak repair
Chris Fraser, founder and owner of XL Roofing Edmonton Alberta.
(780)-466-1601
chris@xlroofing.ca

Monday 9 March 2015

Condition of your Shingle Roof in Edmonton

The condition of your roof is one of the most important aspects of home maintenance in Alberta. Your roof keeps you safe and comfortable in your home 24 hours 7 days a week. That is why it is necessary to know what kind of shingle roof you have, its condition and taking care of it. Don't wait till summer comes! When the winter snow melts is the best time to assess your roof for any roofing problems. Specialists at Edmonton roofing company XL Roofing are ready to provide you with excellent service and advice.

Climate in Canada makes us having to pay more attention to shingle roofs than in warmer countries. We at XL Roofing can help you repair any kind of damage caused by high humidity, snow, rain, hail and wind.

Let’s take a look at common problems with shingle roofs:

  • Buckling Shingles 
Buckling is the result of moisture getting under the shingle. If new shingles are laid without removing the old ones or when there is no proper ventilation, bucking will appear.

  • Damaged Flashing
Leaks are one of the first signs of damaged flashing that causes cracking or drying. You need to remove and replace the flashing and shingles around the damaged area as soon as possible.

  • Curling
There are many reasons that make your shingles curl. To understand the problem and get professional advice Edmonton roofing company XL Roofing is ready to help.

·         Ceiling Spots
Ceiling spots tell that your roof leaks. Don't ignore this as it can cause major damages and expenses.

·         Rotting
Rotting is a serious roofing problem caused by moisture absorption at the core of the shingle. A rotting roof can cause major leaks and is a sign that your roof’s integrity has been seriously compromised.

·         Missing Shingles
Missing shingles have to be replaced by a professional to ensure that the roof’s integrity remains intact and no leaking occurs. Our Edmonton shingle roof repairs company will examine your roof to ensure the integrity of the roof system.

  • Blistering
"Bubbling" is the problem that causes blistering and occurs just under the surface of the colored granules. Shingles that have open blisters, where the asphalt becomes visible, are at greater risk of premature failure. Shingle blistering retains moisture in wet weather.

·         Missing Granules
Granules are the tiny ceramic-coated rock specks that cover the surface of asphalt or Fiberglas shingles. It is normal for granules to be loose, and for some of them to come off during installation or during the life of the shingle. However, if a noticeable number of granules are missing, exposing the shingle surface, they will need to be replaced.

·         Algae
Algae are a very common problem causes by the air-borne particles. It effects the color of your roof, but may not be the reason for serious damage.

Take care of your shingle roof with XL Roofing inspections and preventative maintenance and enjoy your stay at home every day, care free!
 
Chris Fraser, founder and owner of XL Roofing Edmonton Alberta.
(780)-466-1601
chris@xlroofing.ca