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As a homeowner, it’s important to understand how proper ventilation can benefit your roofing system. It may be a bit confusing, especially with some of the misconceptions about attic and roof ventilation. This is why we want to give you a better understanding on how attic ventilation works. Here’s what you need to know.
[Read more…]The time to think about ice is before winter sets in and temperatures in the Lower Mainland plummet on a daily basis. In particular, now is the time to work to head off “ice dams” that may form on your roofing in Vancouver this winter, causing significant and expensive damage.
An ice dam forms when the roof deck of your Vancouver area home is warmed by the sun or heat rising from your home’s interior. This melts the snow covering your roof from the bottom up. The melted snow runs down to the edge of the roof where it is again exposed to frigid air and refreezes, either on the roof edge or in a clogged gutter. When an ice dam forms, the additional snowmelt that runs down your roof has no place to go except to be forced back up and under your roof shingles and into the home. Once water gets into your home it can travel anywhere — along the rafters, across ceilings, down walls and even into the basement. The resulting damage can be extensive and expensive, with symptoms including rotted wood, mold, mildew, stains and cracked foundations.
The cause of ice dams is not actually the roof, but the attic that lies beneath. If your attic gets too warm, it heats up the roof deck and causes the snow to melt. The secret to preventing this is to lower the temperature in your attic to match that of the roof. There are two ways to do this, and we recommend using both of them. The first is to install a full-length ridge vent along the peak of your roof. This allows air to circulate under the roof deck and not only prevents freezing, but also helps to avoid the build-up of moisture in the attic.
The second step is to install adequate insulation on the floor of your attic. The insulation should not be directly attached to the underside of the roof deck. Good insulation will keep warm air from your home from rising up to the roof and heating the roof deck, thus causing the accumulated snow to melt. There is an added bonus, as insulation can also help reduce your heating costs.
The best time to take these steps is before the first snow falls on roofing in Vancouver! Ice dams can form without you even knowing it and may not become obvious until the damage is done. For more advice on preventing ice dams, or for expert repair or replacement of your home’s roofing system in British Columbia, call the professionals at Crown Roofing LTD e at (877) 907-3066.
Now that summer has officially come to an end and as winter weather draws closer, it’s the ideal time to perform some routine maintenance for your BC roof. These small and simple tasks can prevent costly damage from harsh winter storms. Use the following checklist to ensure your roof is ready!
General BC Roof Maintenance
• Check for any signs of damage to roofing material.
• Repair or replace missing shingles or tiles.
• Repair or replace missing flashing.
• Check around vents, skylights and chimneys to ensure seals are intact.
• If you have a chimney, have it inspected and cleaned, if necessary, to prevent dangerous chimney and roof fires.
• Trim back tree branches that are growing too close to your roof so there is 3-4 feet of clearance.
Clean Gutters & Downspouts
• Remove debris that might have accumulated on your roof since the last maintenance checkup.
• Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. This may need to be done more than once during the fall months.
• Ensure that water is flowing properly through the guttering system and away from the foundation of your home.
Check Ventilation
• Be sure attic vents in the eaves are not covered by insulation to allow proper ventilation.
• Clear debris away from ridge and soffit vents.
• Keep out unwanted guests with bird and rodent screens on attic vents.
If you would rather not deal with the hassle of fall roof maintenance, Crown Roofing LTD can assist you with comprehensive roof inspections and professional repairs. We’ve satisfied thousands of homeowners in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and throughout southern British Columbia. Call us today at (877) 907-3066.
There are many considerations when choosing shingles for roofing in BC. It’s important to go with a proven brand that offers quality and a reliable warranty, such as GAF. You’ll need to decide what kind of look you want to achieve, which will determine the style of roofing material you select. Finally, you’ll want to choose a color. But which shingle color is best? Will light colors keep your home cooler in the summer? Do dark colors make it hotter?
According to experts, while shingle color does not affect lifespan, it does affect efficiency of roofing in BC somewhat. Generally, the closer a shingle color is to white, the more efficiently it performs. This is because the surface reflects more light. The closer a shingle color gets to black, the more absorbent and less efficient the surface becomes. Test conditions and results vary, but the difference in temperature between a white and black shingle when exposed to the same amount of sunlight is generally stated to be from 20° to 40°F.
40°F does seem like a big difference, but if you don’t care for the look of white shingles, don’t despair. A professional roofing contractor in Vancouver will tell you that shingle color should be based more on personal preference than on temperature concerns. Proper roof ventilation is the real key to keeping your attic cool and ensuring shingles last their intended lifespan. With adequate ventilation and the recommended amount of insulation, you can then determine what kind of performance you want out of your roof and what look you prefer.
Crown Roofing LTD can answer any questions you may have about shingle color, roof temperatures or roof ventilation. There are many options to enhance the look of your roofing in BC, as well as your budget. For expert advise and quality installation, call our professionals at (877) 907-3066.
When a roof fails, most homeowners will jump to the conclusion that the roof was improperly installed or constructed of inferior materials. While these problems certainly do occur, in reality it’s improper maintenance or neglect that’s the leading cause of premature roof failure. One of most common ways a Richmond roof is improperly maintained is through poor roof ventilation. Little or no roof ventilation frequently shortens the lifespan of a roof, deteriorating decking and insulation, and causing metal components to rust.
Did you know that the average home produces between four and five pounds of water vapor per day? Using the washing machine, dishwasher, bathtub, shower and dryer generates significant amounts of moisture in the air. This vapor has to go somewhere, and when a home has improper roof ventilation, or none at all, the vapor will become trapped and condense on the wooden roof deck.
Keep in mind that quality Richmond roof ventilation requires two components: an exhaust and an intake. When functioning together, these features reduce the difference between the inside temperature of your home and the outdoor temperature. This prevents the formation of condensation, which also eliminates accompanying problems such as dry rot, mold and mildew.
Many effective roof ventilation products are available, including ridge vents, power vents, static vents, solar-powered vents, gable-mounted vents, louvers, rotating turbines and more. For dependable guidance on choosing the best type of roof ventilation for your home, or if you would like a roof inspection, call Crown Roofing LTD in Vancouver at (877) 907-3066. We will be able to identify existing problems and offer solutions that can extend the life of your Richmond roof 10 years or more.
