Fall Maintenance Checklist for Your BC Roof

Now that summer has officially come to an end and as winter weather draws closer, it’s the ideal time to perform some routine maintenance for your BC roof. These small and simple tasks can prevent costly damage from harsh winter storms. Use the following checklist to ensure your roof is ready!

General BC Roof Maintenance
• Check for any signs of damage to roofing material.
• Repair or replace missing shingles or tiles.
• Repair or replace missing flashing.
• Check around vents, skylights and chimneys to ensure seals are intact.
• If you have a chimney, have it inspected and cleaned, if necessary, to prevent dangerous chimney and roof fires.
• Trim back tree branches that are growing too close to your roof so there is 3-4 feet of clearance.

Clean Gutters & Downspouts
• Remove debris that might have accumulated on your roof since the last maintenance checkup.
• Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. This may need to be done more than once during the fall months.
• Ensure that water is flowing properly through the guttering system and away from the foundation of your home.

Check Ventilation
• Be sure attic vents in the eaves are not covered by insulation to allow proper ventilation.
• Clear debris away from ridge and soffit vents.
• Keep out unwanted guests with bird and rodent screens on attic vents.

If you would rather not deal with the hassle of fall roof maintenance, Crown Roofing LTD can assist you with comprehensive roof inspections and professional repairs. We’ve satisfied thousands of homeowners in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and throughout southern British Columbia. Call us today at (877) 907-3066.

How Shingle Color Affects Roofing in BC

Author: Jason Bradley

There are many considerations when choosing shingles for roofing in BC. It’s important to go with a proven brand that offers quality and a reliable warranty, such as GAF. You’ll need to decide what kind of look you want to achieve, which will determine the style of roofing material you select. Finally, you’ll want to choose a color. But which shingle color is best? Will light colors keep your home cooler in the summer? Do dark colors make it hotter?

GAF Roof

According to experts, while shingle color does not affect lifespan, it does affect efficiency of roofing in BC somewhat. Generally, the closer a shingle color is to white, the more efficiently it performs. This is because the surface reflects more light. The closer a shingle color gets to black, the more absorbent and less efficient the surface becomes. Test conditions and results vary, but the difference in temperature between a white and black shingle when exposed to the same amount of sunlight is generally stated to be from 20° to 40°F.

40°F does seem like a big difference, but if you don’t care for the look of white shingles, don’t despair. A professional roofing contractor in Vancouver will tell you that shingle color should be based more on personal preference than on temperature concerns. Proper roof ventilation is the real key to keeping your attic cool and ensuring shingles last their intended lifespan. With adequate ventilation and the recommended amount of insulation, you can then determine what kind of performance you want out of your roof and what look you prefer.

Crown Roofing LTD can answer any questions you may have about shingle color, roof temperatures or roof ventilation. There are many options to enhance the look of your roofing in BC, as well as your budget. For expert advise and quality installation, call our professionals at (877) 907-3066.

Advantages of Quality Richmond Roof Ventilation

Author: Jason Bradley

When a roof fails, most homeowners will jump to the conclusion that the roof was improperly installed or constructed of inferior materials. While these problems certainly do occur, in reality it’s improper maintenance or neglect that’s the leading cause of premature roof failure. One of most common ways a Richmond roof is improperly maintained is through poor roof ventilation. Little or no roof ventilation frequently shortens the lifespan of a roof, deteriorating decking and insulation, and causing metal components to rust.

Did you know that the average home produces between four and five pounds of water vapor per day? Using the washing machine, dishwasher, bathtub, shower and dryer generates significant amounts of moisture in the air. This vapor has to go somewhere, and when a home has improper roof ventilation, or none at all, the vapor will become trapped and condense on the wooden roof deck.

Keep in mind that quality Richmond roof ventilation requires two components: an exhaust and an intake. When functioning together, these features reduce the difference between the inside temperature of your home and the outdoor temperature. This prevents the formation of condensation, which also eliminates accompanying problems such as dry rot, mold and mildew.

Many effective roof ventilation products are available, including ridge vents, power vents, static vents, solar-powered vents, gable-mounted vents, louvers, rotating turbines and more. For dependable guidance on choosing the best type of roof ventilation for your home, or if you would like a roof inspection, call Crown Roofing LTD in Vancouver at (877) 907-3066. We will be able to identify existing problems and offer solutions that can extend the life of your Richmond roof 10 years or more.

Extend the Life of Your BC Roof with Proper Attic Ventilation

Author: Jason Bradley

You might be surprised to find out that one of the most common problems we see when performing BC roof inspections has nothing to do with shingles or guttering. A high percentage of roofs — even those installed recently — are underventilated. Improper attic ventilation can lead to a number of issues, including higher energy bills and even roof failure. In fact, the National Roofing Contractors Association reported in 2007 that the number one cause of premature roof failure in the United States was improper ventilation.

If your attic is not allowing air to circulate as it should, it’s actually working against you rather than for you. An attic with proper ventilation will allow hot air to escape, lessening the load on your air conditioning unit in the summer. You will also want to be sure that your attic has adequate levels of insulation to prevent heat loss during colder months.

Another important benefit of an adequately ventilated roof is that it will prevent the build-up of moisture in your attic space. This is essential in the Lower Mainland, where the environment is already humid. High levels of humidity will reduce the effectiveness of attic insulation, permit the growth of mold and mildew, and over time could cause dry rot that leads to premature roof failure.

Improper ventilation causes many problems for homeowners in the Vancouver area, including:

• Higher heating and cooling bills.
• Increased wear on HVAC systems.
• Shorter roof life and decreased roof value.
• Mold and mildew growth that triggers respiratory and other health issues.
• Hidden structural damage.

If you have concerns about your roof ventilation system, call the professionals at Crown Roofing LTD at (877) 907-3066 to schedule a free inspection. With a few modifications, we may be able to help you save a huge amount on energy bills and even prevent structural repairs or roof replacement.

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