Before the Snow Flies Part 1: Five Signs Your Roof Should Not Go Through Another Winter

A Toronto winter is hard on a roof. Snow load, ice, and months of freezing and thawing will find any weakness that is already there and make it worse. A roof that is merely tired in October can be leaking by February, when very little can be done about it. Top Roofers closes for the season on December 1 and reopens in March. That leaves fewer than eight weeks to assess, schedule, and complete work this year. If any of the following signs apply to your home, now is the time to act.

1. Shingles that are curling, cracked, or missing

You can see this from the ground. Asphalt shingles that curl at the edges or have lost their flat profile are no longer shedding water properly. On a cedar roof, look for shakes that have split, cupped, or slipped out of place. Every gap is a way in for meltwater.

2. Granules in the eavestroughs

Asphalt shingles shed their protective granules as they age. If you see coarse, sand-like grit collecting in your eavestroughs or at the base of your downspouts, the shingles are nearing the end of their life.

3. Stains or damp spots inside

Water marks on a top-floor ceiling, or dark staining on the underside of the roof deck in the attic, mean water is already getting through. These leaks rarely stay small, and winter is when they grow.

4. Ice dams last winter

If heavy ice built up along your roof edge last year, or large icicles formed along the eavestroughs, the conditions that caused it are almost certainly still there. Ice dams force water back up under the roofing and into the house.

5. Worn flashing and failing details

Roofs seldom fail in the middle. They fail at the chimney, in the valleys, around skylights, and along the edges. Rusted or lifted flashing, crumbling mortar on the chimney, and peeling or soft fascia boards are all signs that water has a path into the structure.

What to do next

One of these signs is reason enough for a professional assessment. Several of them together mean the roof should not be asked to get through another winter as it is. Timing matters more than usual at this point in the year. Premium materials such as cedar, rubber slate, and metal need to be ordered, and the calendar fills quickly as December approaches. The earlier you call, the more options you have. Contact Top Roofers today to book your assessment before the snow flies. When it comes to protecting your home, go for the TOP.