Typically, homeowners can expect a new roof to last approx. 10-20 years. However, the actual lifespan of a roof varies greatly depending on the type of materials used, the quality of installation, and its exposure to the elements. If you opt for more economical materials, such as lighter shingles, thinner underlayment (or no underlayment at all), then you can expect the lifespan of the roof to be on the lower end of the spectrum even if the installation is solid. More premium materials, such as heavier shingles, synthetic underlayment and an ice & water shield, when installed by certified and accredited personnel, will perform much better over the long-term and, ultimately, yield a longer roof life.
It’s not the roof that’s leaking! This is a condensation issue masking itself as a roof leak, which is a common occurrence for many homeowners over the winter months; they hear a dripping sound, notice a stain on the ceiling or see water droplets around a skylight and immediately assume there’s an issue with their roof. Condensation occurs when hot or humid air comes in contact with a cold surface, resulting in the formation of water droplets. In most homes that see these types of leaks, the culprit is usually a) inadequate ventilation, b) kitchen or bathroom fans venting into the attic, or c) gaps, holes or missing sealant at various junction points around the home. If you think you have a condensation issue, schedule your Roof Tune-Up® today and one of Dominion’s technicians will perform a thorough inspection and provide a path forward to resolve the issue.
Yes. Dominion Roofing offers the best warranty in the business – a 10-year labour warranty on all new roof installs (5-year for flat roofs) on top of any manufacturer’s warranty.
Yes and no. If the eavestrough system is functioning normally and you’re not experiencing any pooling, overflowing or dripping, it’s not essential to replace it. But be aware that a newly installed roof will shed water at a much faster rate than your old roof, which may expose weaknesses in the eavestrough system and lead to drips, pooling, overflowing and possibly ice damming in the winter months. The age and condition of the trough system is a key factor when deciding on replacement, so be sure to speak with your roofing professional about options as it’s always easier to replace both the roof and the troughs at the same time.
Step one is to schedule a Roof Tune-Up® and have the roof inspected and assessed. Sometimes the most cost-effective solution is to have the roof replaced, while other times a partial replacement or a more extensive repair can provide a few more years of life for your roof. There are many roofing companies out there whose goal is to sell you a new roof no matter what, so be sure that you have the roof inspected first and equip yourself with all available options so you can make the best decision for your property.
Three reasons –
Every shingle manufacturer specifies how their product is to be installed in order to maximize its life and validate the warranty. Just because the shingles have a 25, 30 or even 50-year lifespan, if they’re not installed correctly you can expect the roof to fail prematurely.
Shingles make up only one component of the roofing system. Installing a new roof isn’t just replacing shingles; it includes replacement of the ice & water shield, underlayment, valleys, flashings, vents and, if necessary, the roof deck (plywood or roof boards) and eavestroughs. Installing 25-year shingles on a roof without examining the rest of the system’s components will not only result in the roof failing prematurely, but will also allow other issues (i.e. leaks, mould, wood rot, etc.) to brew beneath the shingles and cause issues well before the 25-year mark. Most shingle manufacturers are clear in their warranty that in order to maintain the lifespan of the shingles other components from their product line must also be installed on the roof, as the products work together forming one complete system.
Ventilation is the most important component of any roofing system, hands down. It doesn’t matter whether you install standard, premium or top-of-the-line shingles – if you don’t vent the roof properly the shingles will suffocate, which will lead to curling, cracking and buckling, and, ultimately, a premature failure of the roofing system.
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of the roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The melted snow then backs up behind the dam and can cause leaks, damage to shingles and other components, and premature roof failure. Ice damming is generally the result of inadequate ventilation, poor drainage (aged, blocked or incorrectly sloped eavestroughs), or a deficient install. While in some cases ice damming cannot be eliminated permanently, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the damming and ensure that even if ice dams are present, they do not penetrate into the home and cause interior damage.
Two possibilities – 1) the deficiency was repaired but there is residual water that will show until it evaporates, or 2) the origin of the leak was not properly assessed and repaired. Leaks are tricky; just because they appear on the kitchen ceiling, around the bathroom light or inside the bedroom closet, doesn’t mean that the source of the leak is directly above that area. The origin of the leak can often be 10-20 feet away from where it’s actually appearing in the home. Water always follows the path of least resistance, which means that you could have a leak on one side of the home that shows up on the other side. The key is to have your roofing professional thoroughly assess the entire roof – not just the area where you see the leak. Doing so will allow them to uncover the true source of the leak and make the appropriate repairs.
The duration of every roof install is unique to each home. Depending on size, pitch, square footage, condition of existing roof and deck, and the intricacies of the building envelop itself, a new roof can be installed in as little as a day, or take as long as two weeks.
No. Shingles make up only one component of a roofing system. The entire system needs to be assessed and quoted accordingly in order to ensure the home is properly protected for as long as possible. It is not recommended to just install shingles, especially by an unlicensed or non-certified installer, as there is no warranty associated with the replacement of shingles alone.