Montreal Roofers :: Roofing & Skylight Troubleshooting
CCQ Inc :: La Corporation des Couvreurs du Quebéc
There are many different types of roof options available depending on the slope of your roof. For sloped roofs there are asphalt shingles, this is the most affordable and common option, depending on certain factors, shingles can last up to 25 years. For mid to higher range budgets, composite shingles are growing in popularity. Composite shingles are comprised of recycled plastics and can come in a wide range of styles to mimic slate, cedar and Spanish tile. These composite roofing shingles can last indefinitely. For higher end budgets you can opt for natural slate, natural cedar or even metal roofs. These options add visual and architectural appeal to your buildings aesthetics.
For flat roofs membrane roofing is the most popular option. Traditionally flat roofs were done using tar and gravel, this creates issues where it becomes very difficult to pinpoint leaks due to the buildup of gravel. With membrane roofing, you can see issues more clearly. Tar and gravel roofs also creates unnecessary extra weight on the roof, with roofers often layering roof over roof. We recommend against tar and gravel roofs to any of our clients. Membrane roofing can come in both torch on or stick down. Another option for flat roofs are EPDM roofing . EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomeris) a synthetic rubberized membrane and is applied from rolls, the seams between each roll are then sealed with either specialized tape or liquid adhesive. This is a popular option for large commercial and industrial roofs, but is available for residential roofs as well. TPO roofing is another option very popular for commercial and industrial roofing. TPO offers great protection against UV penetration and roof degradation, but there can be issues with this type of roof. Over time, the TPO can shrink causing loose seams and roof issues. PVC roofs (Polyvinyl Chloride)offers one of the best protections as often the PVC can be pre-measured to exact requirements according the roof, thus eliminating roof seams. With the elimination of roof seams, you eliminate one of the main issues that cause roofs to leak.
For Green Roofs/ Eco Roofs are growing in popularity in urban areas as a way to add more green living to cities and even roof top gardens. There are many factors involved in determining if your roof is a good candidate for a green / eco roof.
1. What are the main causes of roof leaks?
Often when your roof is leaking or damaged, you will not know until it is too late and there is water infiltration. There are signs that you can look for in order to catch an issue before it creates more damage. Look for any water damage on your ceiling or even exterior walls, lifted and missing shingles need to be repaired as soon as possible to avoid damages. Often the part of the roof that sees the most sunlight will display the most worn shingles. Despite what people may think, it is actually sunlight and UV damage that causes the most wear on a roof. Often in the fall time, roof drains become blocked by leaves and debris and can create drainage issues. It is important to always have a trained professional remove any debris from drains and gutters. Ice damming in the winter and spring can often be a source of leakage. Missing flashing, poor drainage, roof shrinkage, lifted seams are all common leakage issues and can often be fixed with repairs. Most roofs can be replaced and repaired year round, except for shingle roofs, the shingles can not be replaced in cold weather and require heat from the sun in order to set them. Normally shingle roofs will not be replaced after mid-November.
1. How to prolong the life of your roof?
Roofing maintenance is key in prolonging the life of your roof. With constant up-keep you can avoid any major issues or surprises. Roof maintenance means making sure all your roof drains are cleared, as well as the gutters, have any moss removed from the roofs surface, make sure that no tree branches are touching your roof and avoid any unnecessary build up of snow or ice from your roof in the winter.
1. What types of skylights are available?
As with roof types, there are many options for skylight styles, depending on the slope of your roof. For sloped roofs, acrylic dome as well as flat glass skylights are available. For flat roof we offer structural vented skylights, acrylic dome skylights, acrylic pyramid skylights and Low-e tempered glass pyramid skylights.
1. What are common issues regarding skylights?
There are some common issues that arise with skylights. With old style vented pyramid skylights, panes of glass can become dislodged or cracked, allowing water infiltration. Current models offer laminated glass, helping to prevent cracking. Acrylic skylights can dry over time and causing the acrylic pane to fog or crack as it dries out. We do not replace just the Acrylic pane, as often it is comparable to the cost of replacing the entire skylight, but offers no guarantee.
