Preventing Commercial Roofing Disasters

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XL Roofing #roofing being among the top roofing contractors in Edmonton is sometimes asked to repair or re-roof mistakes made by other roofing companies.

Commercial buildings are more complicated than residential roofing and so the cost is higher.

Often below average Edmonton roofing contractors come in at lower prices to compete for the contract, resulting in big losses for the customer.

Listen to a recent project gone wrong that highlights the importance of using a good roofing contractor!

Last year we urgently repaired a commercial building roof near Lloydminster AB . . . a job previously done by another company. #roofrepairs

Usually it is not possible to save money from PVC mechanically fastened roof systems; however this
particular contractor cut significant dollars at the cost of quality.

They pocketed money by not installing 5 foot sheets of perimeter flashings on the outer roof edges and using ¼ of fasteners required. #flatroof

This resulted in serious wind damage: The high wind pressure lifted the roof up.

Also reusing old metal caps on the edges that detached from the walls caused the roof to blow into the wind.

The minute the fasteners pulled out, the roof self destructed in minutes.

The roofing contractor got involved in a law suit to cover damages, a huge waste of time and money for the owner.

There are many similar horror stories, so beware of very low bidders!

This goes double for Alberta commercial roofing projects, because Alberta is a very windy place.

Always consider at least 3 bids before assigning a contractor.

For help call or email XLRoofing in Alberta Canada

(780)-466-1601
chris@xlroofing.ca
http://www.xlroofing.ca

AFRAID of Hiring the WRONG Roofing Contractor?

AFRAID of hiring the wrong roofing contractor?

Putting on a new roof or doing a major repair is a great cost to you. So before giving the job to any roofing company you need to do your homework!

Research the credentials of roofing contractors and check for any complaints from unhappy clients.

Be skeptical of bids you get that sound too good to be true.

Finding the right contractor requires investment in both your time and money. Companies claiming to be the best are not!

Here is a list of 7 very important things you must do when Hiring a Roofing Contractor 

1   Physical Location

You need must know the physical location of the roofing company and all their contact information. 

2   Local Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Check if there are any complaints that have been filed against the contractor and the nature of the complaint. 

3   Warranties and Guarantees

A good roofing contractor will offer a guaranty in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty; Check out the duration and coverage. Five-year or more is a good warranty, and keep a copy.

4   Payment Terms and Estimates

Roofing companies provide prospects with written estimates that include materials needed, nature of work, estimated completion date and total cost, protecting you from unexpected charges.

5   Permits and License

Alberta laws demand that roofing contractors have licenses in order to carry out roofing jobs, so ask to see their roofing license, a basic certification that shows they are competent!

6   Insurance Coverage

Good roofing contractors have a comprehensive workers’ compensation and liability insurance.

See a copy of their insurance certificate. Insurance is necessary in case an accident occurs. If the contractor does not have insurance, then you may be liable for all costs.

7   Experience

Ask how many years they have been in the roofing business. Ask for references. Call their customers to find out if they are satisfied with the work.

Hiring a reputable company will ensure your job is done well, the first time. 

You want to know anything about your roofing needs?

Call me now          (780)-466-1601

Send me an email           Chris@ xlroofing.ca

Visit my website              www.xlroofing.ca

You are under no obligation to contract me.

Stop fly-by-night uninsured modern roofing contractors! - Video Dailymotion

Stop fly-by-night uninsured modern roofing contractors! - Video Dailymotion

Beginners Guide to maintenance of residential flat roofing systems

Many people believe that flat roofs, low slope, SBS (torch-on) roofs are maintenance free... Not so!

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 your local roofing contractor/professional for your modern roof. When climbing up on your own roof always take extreme precautions especially if climbing ladders is not in your field of expertise.

Use a ladder with absolutely no defects and always remember to tie it off.  Homemade ladders should not be used.

The first thing you need to look at on your residential tar and gravel roofing system is drains.

Are they plugged?

Do the roof drains have screens?

Are the drain screens clear of debris?

Simply take the screen off and clear the leaves, needles or moss and place in a garbage bag and reinstall the screen. 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 Flat roof/residential roofing supply store. 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.

If your residential roof has parapet walls then you probably have a base flashing running along the cant strip detailed portion of your roof. You can simply easily lift some of these flashings up and look for pollen staining. Pollen staining will let you know how high the water levels are reaching. While you have the flashing lifted also look for cracks in the membrane. If you see any defects or cracked membranes then consult a flat roof contractor that deals with residential homes.

Some flat roofing systems will have a straight drip edge (torch on roofing) where your roof will drain into a continuous eaves-trough. At every joint where the flashing overlaps the next piece there is often a tiny split or separation that you can fix yourself, but we highly recommend calling a professional.

Generally these joints only need to be fixed once throughout the life of a membrane roof. You could attempt to fix this yourself but this practise is not a good idea as it makes it more difficult to repair afterwards because unsuccessful cold process sealing complicates the repair and will drive up roofing technician costs - cured cold liquid membranes are very 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.

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

http://www.xlroofing.ca

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

http://www.xlroofing.ca

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

http://www.xlroofing.ca

XL roofing - Chris Fraser - flat roof major leak repair

XL roofing - Chris Fraser - residential flat roof major leak repair successfully done by Chri's crew in Edmonton Alberta.