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.

Choosing the right type of shingle for your home is an important step in replacing your old or damaged roof. While there are many materials available, each has its own distinct benefits and downsides. Today, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of wood shingles.

The Pros

Wood shingles provide a natural roof style with a distinct character unlike more common asphalt shingles. Over time, the color will fade from the light cedar brown to a silver gray, giving your home a classic look.
These shingles are available in a variety of sizes to work with your roof and design.
Wood shingles are incredibly light and will not require additional structural improvements to support the weight of the roof. Materials like clay tiles and slate often require reinforcement of the roof structure due to the increased weight of materials.
When properly treated, wood shingles are less likely to sustain damage from storms and may last longer than asphalt shingles.

The Cons

Wood shingles are more expensive than metal and asphalt shingles due to the cost of material and difficulty of installation. While many people are able to install asphalt shingles, it takes more experience to properly install wood shingles on a roof.
They require more frequent maintenance than other roofing materials due to the porous nature of the wood. Over time, mold and lichen will build up on the shingles and must be cleaned to prevent damage.
Wood shingles are less likely to resist pests. Just like wood siding, shingles are vulnerable to termite damage and may need to be replaced if the damage is extensive.

When you’re ready to upgrade your roof’s appearance, talk to the experts at Urban Siding.

Now that winter has passed, many people in the Calgary area are looking to replace their old or damaged roof. Replacing your roof is not a simple undertaking. Your old roof has to be removed and new material laid down. However, before you get the replacement, you’ll have to pick out the right material for your new roof. While your contractor will be able to offer suggestions based on your budget, having an idea of what you’re looking for can help expedite the process. Here are a few things to consider before you schedule your estimate.

Appearance

Your roof’s appearance will largely depend on the type of shingle you select. Wood shingles give a more rustic look while metal sheeting provides a contemporary and durable style. If you want a more standard look, consider using asphalt shingles. These shingles are available in a wide range of colors sure to tie in with your home’s look.

Material

Roofing materials are all designed to protect your home, but some offer distinct benefits over others. Metal roofs offer fire and wind resistance, but can be damaged by hail. Wood shingles require frequent maintenance, but are great for windy areas. If you’re unsure of what you need, ask your Urban Siding roofer for advice.

Budget

Your budget will often be a determining factor in the type of material you choose for your roof. While wood shingles give your home a natural look, they’re more expensive than asphalt options. Fortunately, many asphalt shingles can mimic the aesthetics of more expensive material, making it easier to achieve the look you want without going over budget.

The decision to get a replacement for an old roof in Calgary needs to be made with the best considerations in mind. You should know that not all roofs types are the same as each building is unique in its own way even if they resemble each other. Given the products available in the marketplace, you need to research and find the best product for impressive roof renovations. If you are not sure, it’s always best to consult with experts in the roofing industry to obtain an independent professional opinion on what is best for your building.

Background and Future Plans for Successful Roof Repairs
Before contacting roofing contractor Calgary establishment, you need to be well versed about the building you intend to repair. The selected roofs to be used in repairs should be of superior quality to give the best results. Unlike building new roofs, your options are limited because the structure of the existing building also dictates the type of roof repairs to be carried out. There are technical specifications that need to be adhered to ensure maximum safety and enhance durability of the roof. Having a history of the building as well as future expectations helps you to identify the best approach to use.
You should be in a position to remember any challenges you have had with the old roof and why a new one is needed. For instance, if your roof needs replacement because of hail damage, your primary focus should be to have a roof that offers enhanced protection and minimizes damage from hailstones.

Are There Any Customized or Planned Expansions for the Calgary Building?
Most building owners carry out roof repairs without thinking about future expansion plans. Repairs give you an opportunity to amend some of the mistakes you could have made initially when putting up the building. So, it’s best to make use of this chance. Issues of current and future occupancy of the building, roof maintenance schedules, as well as insulation and aesthetic appeal, should be considered.
Putting all of the above factors into consideration helps to determine budgetary allocation for roof renovations. Facilities that are used for specific tasks may determine the nature of repairs to be undertaken. For instance, the nature of repairs you would carry out for a roof of a residential home wouldn’t be the same as those of a commercial warehouse.

Roof Repairs to Include Energy Friendly Materials
In the recent times, there’s demand from governments and environmentalists to embrace environmentally friendly building materials, roofs included. Companies that do Calgary renovations have slowly begun to embrace the use of materials that are considered energy efficient. Roofs that keep buildings cooler and keep air conditioning costs low now seem to be a favorite. To have a deeper understanding of energy efficient roofs, Urban Siding and Exteriors have experts to shed light on how to best conserve energy with your roof.

How Roof Installation Services Company Inspections Can Help You Maintain Your Roof

For many people shopping for a new home, the property’s roof is often an afterthought at best. Home shoppers look at the doors, windows, flooring and walls; but often give very little thought to what it is covering their heads, (unless it needs major repairs). Many people just want to know that the roof is going to do a good job of keeping out the elements. However, if problems do begin to arise, correcting them can be a frustrating process, not to mention expensive!
There are many factors that can influence your roof’s condition. Heavy precipitation, falling debris, high winds or human and animal interference can all play a part in compromising the integrity of your roof. In Calgary, where the winters are harsh, heavy snows and low temperatures typically increase the chance of damage to all of our roofs. Luckily, there are some relatively easy ways to keep your roof in good shape. Here are a few:

Carefully inspect the surface of your roof for any visible problems.

Prune any vegetation that makes contact with the roof. Even a small branch can cause problems over many months. If the branch rubs a shingle on your roof for too long, it will erode and weaken its structure.

Examine overhanging tree branches. If they look like they could fall within the next six months, cut them down or hire someone to cut them down.

Closely check the interior of your home for water spots indicating leaks or fracturing that may imply that the weight of your roof is settling in an unsafe way.

If you’re not sure what a roof problem looks like or if you have any doubts whatsoever, it’s best to call a company that provides roof installation services and get a professional inspection.

Hiring a professional is the right choice in most cases because you don’t want to miss something important.

In addition, it’s impossible to check for and repair hail damage to your own roof and hail damage is a very common problem that most of us have here in Calgary. Hiring a company to do a professional inspection will make sure that you address the small things before they get worst. Our inspectors are Haag Certified!

While it may seem initially like paying this much attention to a roof that’s in reasonably good condition is a waste of time, taking the necessary precautions to keep your roof up can help you to avoid a much more troubling situation later on. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Contact us today!