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What are the black streaks on my roof?
Usually visible on North-facing light coloured roofs ranging from five years old, discolouration or streaking is sometimes mistaken as dirt, moss, or granule loss. It is actually caused by algae growth that propagates in areas of the roof that receive less direct sunlight, and thereby retain a higher level of moisture. Although most noticeable on light shingle colours, the algae affects all asphalt shingle roofs, including darker colours. The discolouration caused by the algae is in no way indicative of a shingle defect. This is an aesthetic concern and will not harm the shingle or shorten the life of the roof. The algae discolouration is difficult to remove from roofing surfaces, but may be lightened using various solutions available at most lumberyards.
Notes:
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Cleaning the shingles is a temporary solution as it will eventually grow back due to higher humidity levels in areas of limited exposure to direct sunlight. The cleaning process will have to be repeated every few years.
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Care must be taken when cleaning the algae as to not remove excessive amounts of granules that are attached to the surface of the shingles.
Why is my roof leaking?
Leaking roof: Normal weathering of asphalt roofing shingles will not cause leaking. Causes:
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Flashings are crucial areas that must be watertight to avoid leaks. These are the areas most frequently identified as the causes of leaks.
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Damaged shingles leave the roof exposed to leaks and should be repaired without delay.
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When installing shingles take note of the alignment of the cutouts, depending on the type of BP shingle chosen, as well as the nailing location as these areas are crucial to the ease with which water can infiltrate a roof. They should always be covered by overlying shingle tabs.
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Inadequate ventilation can cause ice-damming, frost and condensation accumulation. These problems can all be easily prevented with proper air circulation.
Why are there sections of my roof where the shingles are buckling or puckering?
Fishmouthing looks like buckling, but it is usually random on the roof. The front edge of the shingle is raised, and tapers back into the shingle. Although it does not usually affect the durability of the shingle, it should be addressed. Possible Causes:
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Moisture build-up in the attic can cause wetting & drying cycles in the shingles. Improving attic ventilation can prevent this.
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Installing wet shingles on a dry day, or dry shingles on a wet day will almost guarantee the appearance of fishmouthing.
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Nails that are 'popping' out can also cause fishmouthing. Simply correct the position of the nail.
This phenomena is mainly an aesthetic issue that can be repaired in most cases. The most common repair method would be to use hot melt adhesive to glue down the distorted shingle rendering it flat. To proceed, the sealant bond of the affected shingle should be broken first. These types of repairs are best carried out in mild (not too hot) weather conditions.
Why are there granules in my gutter?
Granule loss is a normal process in the weathering and aging of any asphalt shingle.
Common causes of additional granule loss:
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Traffic on roof;
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Shingles applied on very slight slopes (2" in 12" or less), are prone to increased levels of granule loss due to the poor drainage capabilities of the roof.
A certain amount of granule loss is to be expected. Shingles are made with an excess of granules on the surface called "hitchhikers".If the underlying asphalt is prematurely exposed, the appearance and service life of the shingle may be affected.
Why are the shingles bubbling or bumpy?
Small bubbles or bumps will sometimes develop on the surface of roofing materials. This is referred to as blistering that will generally appear within 2-3 years of product installation. Small rash blisters, 7mm (1/4") or less, will not normally affect the performance of the shingle. Larger blisters, often up to 2.5cm (1") in diameter, can shorten the life of the shingle as they often break, exposing the underlying components of the shingle. Causes include trapped moisture, inadequate ventilation of the attic, excessive use of adhesive, or the use of non-compliant adhesive.
What can you tell me about roofing under cold weather conditions?
Cold weather guidelines:
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Traffic on the roof should be avoided as ice, snow and frost make the surface hazardous and can also cause shingles to break or crack.
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When removing snow, avoid direct contact with the shingles as this will scrape off the protective granules.
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When applying shingles in temperature below 0°C (32 °F), handle the product with care as the shingles become more brittle. Never force or drop shingles in cold weather as they may crack or break.
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If shingles are installed during the colder months, the tabs of the shingles should be sealed down manually using BP Multi-Purpose Plastic Cement, as the sun is not warm enough to activate the adhesive strips.
NOTE: The amount of plastic cement used when sealing down shingles should not exceed two spots under each tab, no larger, or thicker than a quarter.
What are ice dams? How can they be avoided?
Ice dams are formed by continual thawing and refreezing of melting snow. Large masses of ice develop as snow on the upper part of the roof melts. The water runs under the snow and refreezes at the edge of the roof. Additional snow melts and forms pools against the dam, gradually causing water to back up the roof, often getting under the shingles and eventually leaking into the house. Causes other than heat escaping from the home include:
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Bright sunshine melting the snow.
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Insufficient attic insulation allowing the heated air of the attic to reach the roof deck and melt the snow. (This could happen anywhere on the roof surface).
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Naturally occurring ice accumulation due to various weather conditions.
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Poorly placed gutters prevent snow and ice from sliding off the roof.
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Inadequate attic ventilation.
How to avoid ice dams:
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Install PROGARD PLUS or GRIPGARD Waterproofing Membrane on eaves and in valleys to prevent water from penetrating the roof.
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Improve attic insulation keeping the attic space cool, thereby reducing the amount of melting snow.
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Improve attic ventilation to ensure that the attic remains cold.
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Make sure that your gutters or eaves troughing are lower than the slope of the roof allowing snow and ice to glide off.
Why are the corners of my shingles turning up?
Corners of shingles turning up is refered to as Curling and it is generally caused by excess moisture attacking the underside of the shingle. Inadequate ventilation causes the entrapment of heat and moisture in the attic. This will eventually penetrate the roof deck and cause the shingles to curl. Improving air circulation within the attic space can stop the progress and rectify the situation if the curling is not too severe. In some rare instances, curling can reveal itself only under cold weather conditions. This would be refered to as winter curling. The corners of the shingles will slightly curl up from the roof deck when cold, then lay flat again during warmer weather. This is especially prevalent during damp winter conditions when frost forms on the top surface of the shingles. This cooling on the top surface will cause the shingle to contract, while at the same time, the underside of the shingle in contact with the roof, receives a certain amount of passive heat from the attic space. The variation of temperature between the top side and underside of the shingle will result in some minor curling. This does not affect the shingle's durability and effectiveness to shed water.
What are the aging signs in shingles?
All shingles, whether organic or glass based, will be subjected to UV rays from the sun, causing the asphalt coating to dry, loosening the granules covering in the long run. Other visible signs are pieces of torn shingles, curled tab corners, as well as, centerline cracks.
Why do different shingle types carry different warranties?
In today's market, there are many types and styles of shingles available. The various types of shingles come with warranties representative of the life expectancy of each type. Generally speaking, the heavier the shingle, the longer the warranty. All other things being equal, the weight difference comes from the amount of waterproofing material (asphalt) used during manufacture.
Is it necessary to remove the plastic cellophane tape on the back of shingles?
It it not necessary to remove the plastic cellophane tape that is applied on the back of shingles. This tape is applied during the manufacturing process and prevents the shingles from sticking together in the package.
Is the use of asphalt shingles environmentally friendly?
Yes. Asphalt shingles are stable and non-toxic. They have been used for weather protection for centuries. Rainwater flows over asphalt roof surfaces and asphalt pavements into lawns and gardens, and into water filtration plants, with no known problems.
My shingles don't have a consistent colour. Why?
Colour variation or shading of asphalt roofing shingles is normal and unavoidable. This phenomena is an aesthetics issue and it does not affect the durability of the roof in any way. Possible Causes:
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The application of more than one production run, which is cautioned against. (Production codes are printed on each bundle produced by Building Products of Canada).
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Talc or back surfacing, used to prevent shingles from sticking together, sometimes transfers onto the next shingle. It will wash away with the rain and normal weathering.
To reduce the potential of shading, Summit Roofing Kingston does the following:
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We never mix shingles with different production codes on the same roof.
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Shingles should be installed starting from the bottom of the roof, then working across and up. This will blend shingles from one bundle to the next and minimize any shade variations.
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We blended colours rather than solid colours to reduce observable shading.
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In the case of talc or back surface transfer, allow sufficient time for backing materials or oil stains to weather out.
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We never stack bundles of shingles higher than the manufacturer's recommendations.
Do I need to install felt under my shingles? What does Building Products of Canada recommend?
Summit Roofing uses Felt Underlayment on EVERY roof we install. Unless otherwise requested by the homeowner.
Felt underlayment is mandatory under the following conditions of application:
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All glass-based shingles installed on slopes less than 8/12. It is optional for slopes greater than 8/12.
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Underlayment is required under Building Products of Canada's Eclipse laminated shingles on slopes less than 6/12. It is optional for slopes greater than 6/12.
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In order to achieve fire-resistant ratings (Class A or C), an underlayment must be used regardless of the type of shingle being installed.
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A minimum of 2 layers of felt is required for roofs with slopes less than 4/12. In such cases, the application must meet the requirements for low slope roofs.
Advantages of using underlayment include:
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Reducing the risk of water infiltration due to wind driven rain, or if shingles are torn or cracked;
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Act as a buffer area between the shingles and the deck.
Considering the relatively low cost of felt underlayment, Building Products of Canada recommends it be used under the vast majority of roof applications.
Can I install new shingles overtop of the old shingles?
It is possible, but we recommend removal of the existing shingles to ensure the shingles perform to the manufacturer's specifications and to keep your manufacturer's warranty intact. Installing new shingles over the existing can trap moisture from the old shingles and cause premature deterioration of the new shingles.
What are fiberglass shingles?
It is an asphalt shingle consisting of a layer of fiberglass to resist rotting, warping, curling and fire and helps to seal out rain, sleet, snow and ice.
I have moss on my roof, is there anything I can do?
If the moss build-up is slight, you can leave it. If it is severe, you can apply a solution of zinc sulphate mixed with hot water. Do not pressure wash the roof.
What is the best way to remove moss from a roof?
The best way to remove moss from a roof is to apply powdered zinc sulphate mixed with water to the recommended strength and to apply directly to the moss and surrounding area. The zinc sulphate is usually available from leading drug stores. This mixture can simply be applied with a low pressure applicator similar to those used to spray fruit trees and the like. It is best to apply on the moss when it is damp and thriving as in the spring or fall. Spray the formula to the moss to the point of saturation. As the zinc solution could be toxic to fish and plants you should take care not to spray to the point of run-off. Hose down adjacent vegetation with freshwater if there has been overspray. This should cause the moss to die in a few hot months and then you can direct a light stream of water at the dead moss and it should simply wash off.
Why are my shingles doing the wave?
Buckling shingles can become humped or wavy, usually running in a straight line up, or across the roof. Possible Causes:
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Deck or felt movement often caused by varying moisture levels in the material under the shingles. The shift will cause the nails to move in accordance with the deck forcing the shingles closer or farther apart depending on the situation.
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Improper nailing - nails will 'pop up' creating the buckling effect.
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Shingles nailed too tightly together.
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Thin decking (3/8") over 24" centers can be the cause due to clips, meant to hold the decking in place, coming lose or coming off.
Depending on the cause of the buckling, improving attic ventilation to eliminate excess humidity, removing fasteners and refastening or replacing distorted shingles can be some possible solutions.
How long will it take to roof my house?
It takes approximately 1 - 2 days for Summit Roofing to roof the average house.
Do you have insurance?
Summit Roofing carries a comprehensive $1 million liability insurance policy.
Is Summit Roofing covered by W.S.I.B. ?
All of our employees are covered by W.S.I.B. and it is our policy to ensure that all guidelines are strictly adhered to.
I have just had new asphalt shingles installed. Why are the granules coming off?
This is very common with new shingles. When manufactured an excess amount of granules is applied and these wash off. This will stop after the first few rainfalls.
Why is ventilation so important?
Ventilation is a crucial factor in the life of a roofing shingle. Heat build-up in the hot summer months, as well as the cold weather of winter will accelerate the aging process of your asphalt roofing shingles. Proper air circulation, regardless of the weather outside, will greatly reduce the chances of leaking, blistering, distortion, curling, rotting of wood structure, wet insulation and many other potential problems.
It is also important to note that adequate ventilation is required to validate the shingles manufacturer warranty. In Canada, for example, minimum requirements prescribed in the National Building Code must be respected. In all cases, the most stringent applicable building codes must be followed.
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