Roof Maintenance Tips for Ontario Homes

Every roof needs some looking after, and Ontario weather makes sure of it. However, how much roof maintenance your Ontario home needs depends mostly on the roof you choose. Here are the basics for any roof, and why a direct-to-deck metal roof needs so little.

Roof maintenance tips for any roof

• Look at your roof twice a year. In spring and fall, check it from the ground for loose, damaged or missing pieces. There’s no need to climb up. Here’s why we’d rather you stay off the roof.
• Keep eavestroughs and downspouts clear. Blocked eavestroughs back water up at the roof edge. Clean them after the leaves fall and again after the spring thaw.
• Watch for ice dams in winter. Big icicles and ice along the eaves are a sign that heat is escaping into the attic. Good ventilation and insulation help. Here’s how roof venting works.
• Keep an eye on vents, chimneys and skylights. On any roof, these are the spots where leaks usually start.
• Trim overhanging branches. Branches that rub the roof wear it down and drop debris into the eavestroughs.
• If something looks wrong, call your installer. They know your roof, and their work won’t affect your warranty. If they’ve gone out of business, here’s what to do.

Asphalt shingles: the most upkeep

Asphalt shingles crack, curl and lose granules as they age, and storms loosen them. In Ontario, we typically see them last 9 to 13 years. Here are the signs you need a new roof, not just a repair.

Batten metal roofs: hidden maintenance

Metal roofs on battens (strapping) usually have exposed screws with rubber washers. Over the years, the washers crack and the screws work loose, so they need replacing. On top of that, the gaps under the panels collect moisture. Here’s more on direct-to-deck vs batten (strapping) roofs.

Direct-to-deck metal roofs: next to nothing

Our roofs go directly on the deck, with panels that lock on all four sides and fasteners hidden out of the weather. There are no screws to tighten, and nothing to crack, curl or lose granules. That’s why we call them maintenance-free. Even so, keep the eavestroughs clear and look the roof over from the ground now and then.