The Roofing Blog

For the third instalment in our series of How to Prepare Your Vancouver Roof for the Winter, let’s talk about TPO roofs. How can you prepare your TPO roof for winter? Part 3: How to Prepare Your TPO Roof for Winter in Vancouver, BC Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) roofing is a popular choice for flat or low-slope roofs because it is durable, energy-efficient, and resistant to the elements. However, like all roofing systems, TPO roofing requires specific maintenance to ensure it withstands Vancouver’s winter conditions. Here are some tips to help you get your Vancouver TPO roof ready for winter: Conduct a Thorough Inspection Start with a thorough inspection of your roof. Look for: Inspect for Tears, Cracks, and Seams – TPO roofs are known for their durability, but the seams can wear over time, especially under heavy rainfall or freezing conditions. Inspect the entire surface of the roof and TPO membrane for any tears, cracks, or holes. Pay close attention to the seams and edges, as these are where leaks are most likely to develop. Use a TPO-compatible roofing adhesive to patch any small cracks, or consult a professional for more extensive repairs. Check the Drains and Gutters – TPO roofs are typically equipped with drains to help manage water runoff. Check that all drains, scuppers, and downspouts are clear of blockages. Standing water on a flat roof can lead to leaks and pooling, which can worsen during freezing temperatures. If you notice that the drains are clogged or damaged, you should make repairs or clean them out to ensure proper water flow. Ensure Proper Drainage – Vancouver is known for its heavy rainfall, and inadequate drainage can lead to significant issues on a TPO roof. Ensure that your roof is sloped correctly and that there are no areas where water could pool. If necessary, consider installing additional drainage systems or modifying the slope of the roof to allow for better runoff. Keep Your Roof Clean and Watertight Clean the Roof Surface – Debris, such as leaves, dirt, and branches, can accumulate on a TPO roof and cause drainage issues. Since TPO roofs are flat or low-slope, it’s important to ensure that water can flow off the surface. Make sure you clear away debris, and use a gentle cleaning solution to wash the roof. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could degrade the TPO membrane. Make sure the roof surface is free of oils, dirt, and mold that could affect its performance in wet conditions. Inspect and Reseal Roof Penetrations – Penetrations from HVAC systems, vents, and pipes can be vulnerable areas on a TPO roof. Check these areas for any signs of wear or gaps in the seals. Reseal around these penetrations using a TPO-compatible sealant. Ensuring these areas are watertight will help prevent leaks during the rainy and snowy months. Plan Ahead Trim Overhanging Branches – Branches that hang over your roof can pose a risk during winter storms. Trim any branches that could fall or scrape against your roof, preventing potential damage and reducing debris accumulation. Schedule Professional Maintenance – Prevention is key to avoiding costly repairs down the line. If these steps seem daunting, our you prefer not to carry out these inspections and repairs on your own, reach out to a trusted roofing service for help. In fact, you may want to arrange a professional maintenance check up every few years to ensure nothing is missed. Eco Exteriors offer thorough inspection and maintenance to ensure that you get the best value for your TPO roofing system. By following the steps outlined in these blog posts for each roof type, you can ensure that your roof is ready to withstand the challenges of the wet, cold winter months. Whether you have a metal, asphalt, or TPO roof, regular maintenance and attention to detail can save you from costly damage and ensure your home stays safe and dry all winter long.

Continuing our series of how to prepare your Vancouver roof for the winter, let’s talk about asphalt roofs. Asphalt is a common shingle roofing system popular for its durability and cost-effectiveness, but proper maintenance is crucial to extend its lifespan and prevent damage. Here are some tips to help you get your asphalt roof ready for winter. Part 2: How to Prepare Your Asphalt Roof for Winter in Vancouver, BC Here are a few essential tips to prepare your asphalt roof for winter this year: Conduct a Thorough Inspection Start with a thorough inspection of your roof. Look for: Cracked or Missing Shingles – Asphalt shingles are designed to withstand various weather conditions, but age and wear can lead to damage. Missing or cracked shingles can expose your roof to leaks, so address these issues promptly. Flashing Issues – Ensure that the roof valleys and flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights are intact. Properly installed flashing is critical for keeping water out of vulnerable areas. Check the flashing for signs of rust, wear, or separation. The valleys are especially important, as they channel water off the roof, so make sure they are clear of debris and that the flashing is secure. Signs of Mold or Mildew – Check for any signs of mold or mildew on your roof. If you find any, address it promptly to prevent it from spreading. Regular maintenance can help keep your asphalt roof in top shape, reducing the risk of costly repairs. Keep Your Roof Clean and Watertight Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts – Clogged gutters can lead to water backing up and pooling on your roof, increasing the risk of leaks and ice dam formation. Clean out leaves and debris, and make sure downspouts are directing water away from your home’s foundation. If you notice any sections of your gutters that are sagging or disconnected, repair or replace them to ensure proper water flow. Debris Accumulation – Remove leaves, branches, and other debris. Accumulated debris can trap moisture, increasing the risk of mold and moss growth, which can deteriorate asphalt shingles over time. Trim Overhanging Branches – Branches that hang over your roof can pose a risk during winter storms. Trim any branches that could fall or scrape against your roof, preventing potential damage and reducing debris accumulation. Seal Vulnerable Areas – Using roofing cement or a high-quality sealant, reseal any areas where the flashing is no longer properly sealed or to caulk around chimneys, vents, and other areas where water might penetrate. This is especially important for asphalt roofs, as they need to be watertight to perform effectively under heavy rain and snow. Plan Ahead Plan for Snow Removal – Heavy snow can be particularly problematic for asphalt roofs. If you anticipate significant snowfall, invest in a roof rake to safely remove snow buildup. Be cautious not to damage the shingles while doing so, and always work from the ground when possible. Prevent Ice Dams with Heat Cables – Ice dams are a common problem for asphalt roofs in colder regions. In Vancouver, where snow can accumulate and then melt during the day, ice dams can form when the water refreezes at the edge of the roof. To prevent this, you can install heat cables along the roof edge to keep the temperature consistent and help melted water flow off the roof. Be sure to hire a professional to install them to ensure they are safely and effectively positioned. Schedule Professional Maintenance – If you’re unsure about the condition of your roof or feel uncomfortable performing these checks yourself, consider hiring a professional roofing contractor. Eco Exteriors, a trusted Vancouver roofing company, offers comprehensive inspections and maintenance for asphalt roofs. Their expertise ensures that your roof remains durable and functional throughout the winter Preparing your asphalt roof for winter in Vancouver is essential for protecting your home from the elements. By following these steps, you can ensure that your roof remains in good condition and provides the protection your home needs throughout the rainy and snowy months. Asphalt roofing offers durability and longevity, but regular maintenance is key to maximizing its benefits. Stay warm and dry this winter!

As winter approaches in Vancouver, ensuring that your roof is ready to withstand the season’s challenges is crucial. With our rainy winters, proper preparation not only protects your home but can even extend the lifespan of your roof. To help you weatherproof your home, welcome to our Preparing Your Roof for a Vancouver Winter series.  In this series, we’ll highlight three eco-friendly roofing types, explaining how to prepare each one for Vancouver’s specific weather challenges. These essential tips will help you extend the lifespan of your roof, saving you money and helping our environment in the long run! Part 1: How to Prepare Your Metal Roof for Winter in Vancouver, BC One of the most appealing features of a metal roofing system is its low maintenance. Metal roofs are an excellent eco friendly option for Vancouver’s unique climate, easily withstanding heavy rains, winds and snow storms for 50+ years. So how can you ensure that your metal roof will stand the test of time and withstand our unpredictable winter weather? Here are a few essential tips to prepare your metal roof for winter this year: Thoroughly Inspect Your Metal Roof Wear and Tear – Look for signs of wear and tear, such as rust spots, loose panels, corrosion around fasteners or damaged flashing. Inspect Seals – Inspect seals around vents, chimneys, and other roof penetrations to ensure they are intact and watertight. Check for Signs of Damage – Check for any signs of damage, such as loose fasteners or dents. Ensure that all panels are securely fastened to prevent any lifting or gaps where water can seep in. An early inspection can help identify issues that could worsen in harsh winter conditions. If you’re unsure what to look for, consider hiring a professional for a detailed metal roofing inspection. This proactive step can save you from more extensive repairs later. Keep Your Roof Clean Properly installed eco-friendly metal roofs often feature designs that promote effective drainage, reducing the risk of water buildup. In addition, keeping your roof clean is essential to ensure your home remains dry and safe throughout the winter. Remove any Debris – Our beautiful city is known for it’s nature – trees, animals, birds, greenery. However, this may result in debris settling on your roof, especially in areas with a lot of trees. Regularly remove any leaves, twigs, etc on your roof to ensure proper drainage. Avoid Unnecessary Damage – Vancouver winters can bring unexpected storms with strong winds and even snow. To prevent branches falling onto your roof, or snow and ice falling and causing damage, trim overhanging branches before winter. Gutters and Downspouts – Gutters and downspouts on a metal roof are critical for ensuring that rainwater and melting snow can flow off the roof efficiently. Clogged gutters can lead to standing water, which can freeze in colder temperatures. This can cause damage to the roof or the underlying structure. Clean out all debris from the gutters and check that the downspouts are not clogged or frozen. Give It a Rinse – Perform a gentle rinse with a hose once or twice a year to remove dirt and debris. Regular cleaning helps maintain the integrity of your metal roofing and prevents long-term damage. Repair Damage Promptly Rust, corrosion, loose fasteners or flashings, and punctures or tears need to be addressed promptly to prevent further issues. While metal roofs are low maintenance, consider scheduling a professional inspection every few years. The experienced team at Eco Exteriors can identify any potential problems and provide proactive solutions to keep your roof in optimal condition. Preparing your metal roof for winter in Vancouver is essential for protecting your home from the elements. By conducting a thorough inspection, ensuring proper drainage, and addressing any damage or needed repairs promptly, you can enhance the durability of your metal roof while contributing to a more sustainable environment. If you’re unsure about any of these steps, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Eco Exteriors for assistance. With the right preparation, your metal roof will be ready to handle whatever winter throws its way!

Rain, wind, snow, and hail — it’s as if Mother Nature had a bone to pick with homes in the Pacific Northwest. As roofing specialists, Eco Exteriors completes thousands of dollars worth of repairs every year that could have been limited or prevented with a roofing inspection. After a torrential rainfall or a raging windstorm, even a new roof can sustain damage. Often enough, those damages have nothing to do with the installation of your roof, but rather the power of modern storms. This is especially true in North Vancouver, or anywhere in the Vancouver area. One of the best ways to avoid replacing an entire roofing system is to book an inspection. Indeed, roofs that are expertly checked each year last longer on average than those that are not. But what exactly is a roofing inspection and when is the best time to book one? Below, we detail everything you need to know about this crucial piece of maintenance, including how often you should have a professional see to your roof and what is covered in your professional inspection. What is a roof inspection? A roof inspection is a special appointment that ensures that your roof is healthy and ready to withstand the heavy rains and winds that are worsening every year in the Lower Mainland. This is an easy, money-saving call that provides assurances that your family will be protected all year, no matter what comes sweeping in from the coast. Here are some of the signs you need an emergency roof inspection: • Lost or damaged shingles • Green algae spots • Leaning or crumbling chimney • Dead tree limbs or branches on roof • Dry, Cracked, or loose caulking • Torn or sagging flashing • Rusty or dislodged gutters Eco Exteriors’ professional inspectors use non-destructive techniques and the latest in infrared technology, which means they will not rip open your shingles or pull away your flashing. What they will do, however, is offer you peace of mind that your roof will make it through the rainy season unharmed. 6 reasons to get a roof inspection Even the most well-made roofs can crack or wear. Even though you may have a warranty or lifetime guarantee, that doesn’t stop nature and time from pelting your roof with hot days, rough rains, and cold snaps. Your roof is the number one protection from the outside world, and as such, it is a primary cause for costly and unplanned repairs. Here are the top six reasons your roof may need an inspection. Aging and Weathering No roof is immune to the effects of time, which is why aging and weathering is the number one reason to call for an inspection. If you’ve gone a year or more without an inspection, you should give Eco Exteriors a call to assess the potential damage from the previous years’ weather. Signs of an aging roof are asphalt granules in your storm drains, fissures or tears along ridges, and faded or eroded areas near your flashing or gutters. Secondary Installations Damage If you’ve had technicians in to repair a roof AC unit, satellite dish, or install an addition, then you need to call for a roofing inspection. Professional and assiduous installers can accidentally puncture decking or dislodge some shingles without noticing. A roofing inspection can check the surrounding area after the work has been completed and note any required repairs. These are often quick fixes that cost significantly less than they will later, once water and mold have eaten away at the underlayment or attic. Inadequate Drainage Drainage is an essential part of any roofing system. The proper flow of rainwater and snowmelt expels moisture from your roof and keeps your home dry and safe. During the winter months, ice can build up in your gutters and sit in one place for too long, which causes roof rot. Also, bent or disfigured gutters can push water underneath your shingles and reduce their efficacy. We recommend two seasonal roofing inspections a year for this very reason: one in the spring and one in the fall. To maintain your gutters and to ensure adequate drainage, we also offer a gutter repairs service. Leaks and Tears A leak can happen even if you don’t see the evidence in your walls or ceilings. Sometimes, a tear in your roof can damage your home for a year or more before you notice its there. But what you cannot see a professional roofing inspector can. Eco Exteriors can detect leaks and tears before excessive damage, saving you money. Storm Damage A brutal rainstorm or ice storm can decimate a roof. Sometimes the damage is obvious, such as a tree branch leaning on your shingles. But other times, the torn shingles or punctured panel isn’t seen upon first glance. After a heavy Lower Mainland storm, it’s best to call for a roof inspection. Debris and Organic Matter Fall leaves can build up in your gutters or eaves can cause more problems than you realize. Algae and mold, once it’s set in, eats away at your roof and lowers its ability to reflect sunlight and shed water. The worst part? Algae spreads. So it’s best to catch debris and organic matter build-up before it’s too late and you have to replace your roof. What Is Covered by a Roof Inspection? A professional roof inspection is a thorough examination of your roof; this isn’t a drive-by visit. Instead, you get expert advice on a range of factors that determine the health of your roof. This includes not only exterior factors bu interior ones, too. Here’s a full three-step breakdown of what’s covered in your Eco Exteriors’ roof inspection 1. Thorough Roofing Surface Inspection Your roof inspection begins with an examination of your shingles, panels, and seals. Any missing shingles or torn membranes will be found and noted in the inspection report. Also, gutters and eaves will be checked for blockages or deterioration. 2. Detailed Roofing Sub-Structure Inspection The real value of a

Finding a roof leak isn’t as simple or as easy at is sounds. Often, the actual spot where the roof leaks is not always exactly where the water stains appear on your ceiling. In many cases you might not even see water dripping from your ceiling. Most of the time a roof leak doesn’t show up inside the home and you may not even be aware of it! Many homes have extensive overhangs and insulation which prevent you from seeing the leak, and at other times leaks drip down inside walls and not show up as wet spots. So, roof leaks can happen without being visible and often it is these hidden leaks that cause lead to mold, or structural damage. It’s important to have your roof checked regularly, but how do you spot roof damage before leaks appear? Identifying roof damage Perform an Outdoor Inspection: A visual inspection of your roof can help you find missing and damaged shingles, damaged shingles could be curled, cracked or torn. If this type of damage is localized to one area or covers less than 25% of the roof it may be able to be repaired. However, if it’s more extensive then you may need a roof replacement. If you think that your roof is damaged, here is a basic list of all of the things to look out for: Perform an Indoor Inspection: Look for moisture marks, brown, yellow, or grey stains, and peeling paint on walls and/or ceilings. All of these could indicate a damaged or leaking roof. Inspect your attic, if there is excess damp or you see pooled water then that could be sign or a leaking roof. If you experience a sudden surge in energy costs, then it could be a sign that the ventilation in your roof has been compromised. Pick up the phone, call a roofer and get a roof inspection You will be the first person that spots roof damage, but only a professional roofer can give you an actual report. A basic inspection could save you thousands of dollars in roofing repair costs by spotting minor damage before it becomes major. Pay Attention to Roof Flashings The majority of all leaks happen at flashings. This bodes well for roofing repairs because flashings can be easily repaired or replaced. Without good flashings water can enter a home or building and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems. If you get your gutters cleaned from us, we will check these for you. Flashings should be checked as part of a biannual roof inspection and gutter cleaning. Don’t Block Ventilation Proper ventilation is key to the durability of a roof. Without it, heat and moisture build up in an attic. Combined they cause rafters and sheathing to rot and shingles to buckle. Never block off sources of roof ventilation – even in the winter. The NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) recommends a minimum of 1 square foot of free vent area for each 150 square feet of attic floor—with vents placed proportionately at the eaves (e.g., soffits) and at or near the ridge. Maintain Gutters and Downspouts: Melting snow often refreezes at a roof’s overhang due to the surface being cooler. This them forms an ice dam and blocks proper drainage into the gutter. Water backs up under shingles and other roofing materials and then seeps into the interior. It’s super important to maintain gutters and downspouts to prevent roof damage. Keep Trees and Bushes Away from Homes: Certain laws may limit you from this, but it’s important to keep trees and bushes away from homes. Moss and algae can grow on moist wood shingles and shakes, causing rot and deterioration. Trees and bushes should also be trimmed to eliminate damp and shaded areas. This will also prevent your gutters from being blocked. Tree branches that touch a roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials when the branches are blown by the wind. Falling branches can also block your gutters and cause damage to roofing materials. Immediately Replace Missing or Torn Shingles:  With missing shingles your homes interior and roof structure is compromised. Missing shingles mean your home is venerable to water damage and rot, and the problem can spread to nearby shingles which can be easily ripped or blown away. Therefore it is imperative to replace missing shingles as soon as possible. Roof Maintenance is Key Just like preventive maintenance on your car or truck, regularly getting your roof checked out is key, It’s better to keep your roof in good condition, rather than waiting for a serious problem to occur. As well as installing new roofs, we also carry out roofing repairs and guttering repairs! Roof replacement and roof repair costs a lot less when you don’t have to add in the other costs of repairing water damage, so why not use the form below and get in touch with us today?