At Urban Siding, we pride ourselves on our expertise and customer satisfaction. This is because we treat every roof as if it were the one covering our own home. When you have your roof repaired or a new roof installed by our roofing contractors, you’ll receive the highest quality installation possible. However, not all roofing companies have the same standards, resulting in inferior work or poor installation techniques that can lead to costly repairs down the road. Do you know the signs of a poorly installed roof?

Uneven Look

Your roof should look the same from every part of your home. The asphalt shingles should be laid flat and close together to keep water from reaching your attic. Further, the shingles should all be the same size and color to give you the best appearance and protection. If you notice that the shingles on your roof look like a patchwork quilt or are not uniform in size across the structure, this may indicate that only a portion of the roof was replaced and could mean problems for your roof later on.

Wood Rot in the Attic

If a roof is installed without the proper ventilation, moisture can become trapped under the roof’s underlayment and inside your attic. Over time, the warm, damp air can lead to mold and mildew growth, wood rot, and warping of your shingles. While shingles are easy to replace, your support structure in your attic is not. Rotten wood can’t support the weight of the roof and can warp and sag over time, resulting in the need for a full roof replacement.

Leaking

Roofs are designed to prevent leaks in your home. A properly installed roof will keep excess moisture and damaging weather from getting into your home. Roofs that have defects or mismatched shingles have vulnerable points where water can seep in. Over time, and especially during the spring when snow and ice are melting, water can leak through the underlayment and into your walls. You’ll want to get the leaks fixed immediately in order to keep the problems from getting worse.

Missing Shingles

Properly installed shingles can withstand severe weather relatively well; however, improperly secured or damaged shingles can fall victim to severe winds and rain. If you notice that you have large patches of shingles missing from your roof after a severe storm, there’s a good chance that your roof was installed poorly. Each manufacturer recommends specific securing methods for their shingles, and if your contractor did not follow them, the shingles may fall off easily. Missing shingles do need to be replaced immediately as they protect your roof from rain and moisture. Leaving bare patches only increases your home’s risk of leaks.

Missing Roof Flashing

If the shingles run right up to your chimney and stop at the base, there’s a chance that your roof flashing was installed incorrectly. Roof flashing protects the vulnerable areas where shingles come into contact with chimneys, air vents, and skylights from damaging moisture. When properly installed, the flashing directs water away from the seams between materials and sends it down the shingles towards the rain gutters. Missing roof flashing could indicate that you have existing damage to your roof. Call an expert to have your roof inspected for water damage as soon as you notice this problem.

Whether you’re concerned about an old roof or believe that your last roof replacement was not as well done as you’d like, Urban Siding is here to help. We’ll help get your roof back into ideal condition. Contact us today to schedule your on-site estimate in Airdrie.

When your roof is damaged by hail or wind, the repair process can seem daunting. The first thing you’ll want to do is file an insurance claim with your homeowners insurance company. Since most homeowners won’t have to do this often, filing a claim can seem like a difficult and confusing task. At Urban Siding, we have plenty of experience working with insurance companies to address your insurance claims. Here, we’ll take a look at a few tips to help get you through the process.

Review Your Policy

Before filing a claim, you’ll want to review your homeowners policy so you’ll fully understand what is and isn’t covered by your insurance. Unfortunately, some policies will restrict the amount of funding on roof replacements for older roofs. Some companies factor in the depreciation of the roof after a certain number of years and will only give you the money for that estimated value. Other policies will cover repairs completely. Review your policy so you know what to expect.

Take Pictures

In order to help document your insurance claim, take pictures of the damage. It can be helpful to take pictures immediately after repair work is done, so you’ll have a set of before and after images for your insurance company, should your roof be damaged again.

Work with An Experienced Roofing Company

Urban Siding has worked with insurance companies in the Calgary and Airdrie area for more than five years and has the necessary experience to get you through the estimate and claims adjustment process. We offer competitive estimates and will work with your insurance company to ensure that all repairs meet the requirements they deem necessary.

Urban Siding is your trusted roofing company in Airdrie and Calgary. We stand by our repairs and guarantee that our work meets the Alberta Building Code. Let our experienced contractors help you through the insurance claims process and restore your roof.

Damaged shingles can spell disaster for your roof. Leaks, pests, and damage to the insulation of your attic can all result from damaged shingles. Hail, wind, and extreme weather all place your asphalt shingles at risk. One of the most easily identifiable signs of damage is curling.

What is Curling?

Yes, curling is a fantastic sport, but it’s also an early warning sign of roof damage. When asphalt shingles are damaged, their edges curl up or under the shingle, giving the appearance that the material is bent. When left untreated, these shingles pose a hazard to your roof’s integrity, increasing the risk of leaks and wind damage.

What Causes Curling?

There are many causes of curling shingles.

Exposure to continuous dry and wet cycles causes moisture to accumulate on the underside of the shingle as it never evaporates completely. This can cause the edges of the shingle to curl up.
During snowy periods, the shingles may curl due to the low temperature. When snow sits on the roof, the temperature of the shingles lowers to the point that the surface material contracts and bends while the underside struggles to remain flat.
Poor installation can lead to curling. If the shingle was not nailed down properly, the shingle may move over time, placing strain on the material.
Poor roof ventilation causes a buildup of moisture in the attic. As the moisture condenses, it can accumulate on the underlayment and the shingles, resulting in a curled shingle.
Improperly installed adhesive keeps the shingle from laying flat against the roof. Over time, exposure to weather and changing conditions will cause the shingle to expand and contract.

The best way to prevent curling is routine maintenance. Having a licensed roofer, like the experts at Urban Siding, inspect your roof twice a year will go a long way in reducing your risk of leaks.