Fall is one of the best times for Hamilton homeowners to take a close look at their roof.
Summer storms, high winds, heat and general wear can leave behind problems that may become much more serious once snow, ice and freezing temperatures arrive.
The good news? You don’t necessarily need to replace your roof just because it has a few problems. A professional inspection can help determine whether your roof needs maintenance, a small repair or a full roof replacement.
Here are 10 things Hamilton homeowners should check before winter.
1. Are any shingles missing, cracked or curling?
Look at your roof from the ground, preferably with binoculars. You’re looking for shingles that are:
– Missing
– Cracked
– Curling at the edges
– Buckling
– Loose
– Visibly damaged
Canadian Conservation Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recommends checking roofs for loose, cracked, bulging, curled, worn or missing shingles as part of seasonal home maintenance.
A few damaged shingles don’t necessarily mean you need a new roof. However, they should not simply be ignored.
Our opinion: If you can see obvious shingle damage from the ground, it’s worth having a roofer investigate before winter. Small repairs are generally easier to deal with before a roof is exposed to months of snow, ice and freeze-thaw conditions.
2. Check the roof flashing
Flashing is installed around areas where the roof meets another structure or where something penetrates the roof, including:
– Chimneys
– Skylights
– Plumbing vents
– Roof valleys
– Walls and other roof transitions
These are common areas for water intrusion.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) identifies poor flashing at hips, valleys and chimneys as potential sources of moisture entering an attic.
Our opinion: Flashing is one of the areas homeowners should pay particular attention to during a fall inspection. A roof can look perfectly healthy from a distance while still having a flashing problem that allows water into the home.
3. Look for signs of a roof leak
Don’t wait for water to drip through your ceiling before investigating a potential leak.
Inside your home, look for:
– Water stains on ceilings
– Discolouration around roof penetrations
– Damp or stained attic insulation
– Musty smells
– Darkened roof sheathing
– Evidence of previous leaks
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) recommends checking the underside of roof sheathing and rafters for water marks and identifying moisture problems before they cause further damage.
A leak that appears inside your home may not originate directly above the visible stain. Water can travel along roof components before entering the living space.
4. Are your eavestroughs and downspouts clear?
Your roof drainage system is an important part of winter preparation.
Leaves and debris can restrict drainage and contribute to water and ice buildup.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recommends cleaning leaves from eavestroughs and roofs in the fall and testing downspouts to make sure water drains properly.
Our opinion: Don’t think of your roof and eavestroughs as completely separate systems. A roof that sheds water effectively still needs a clear path for that water to leave the property.
5. Check for excessive granule loss
Asphalt shingles naturally lose some granules over their lifetime, but significant granule loss can indicate that shingles are aging or deteriorating.
Check your eavestroughs for excessive amounts of roofing granules.
Granule loss should be considered alongside other factors such as the roof’s age, shingle condition and any visible damage.
Our opinion: Granules in the eavestrough aren’t automatically a reason to panic. But if you’re seeing substantial granule accumulation together with bald-looking shingles, curling or other deterioration, it’s time to have the roof assessed.
6. Inspect your attic for moisture
The roof isn’t just the surface you see from outside.
Your attic can provide valuable clues about the condition of the entire roofing system.
Look for:
– Frost
– Damp insulation
– Water staining
– Mould or mildew
– Condensation
– Rotting or damaged wood
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) explains that moisture can enter an attic through roof failures, flashing problems, air leakage and ice-dam-related leaks.
During cold weather, frost accumulation in the attic can also indicate condensation problems.
7. Is your attic properly ventilated?
Roof ventilation and attic moisture are closely connected.
A properly designed attic assembly helps manage moisture and temperature. Problems with insulation, air sealing or ventilation can contribute to condensation and ice-dam problems.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) recommends addressing moisture problems and ensuring appropriate attic conditions rather than simply adding insulation without identifying the source of the moisture.
Our opinion: This is one reason a good roof inspection should go beyond simply looking at shingles. If you’re replacing a roof but ignoring an underlying attic moisture problem, you may not be solving the entire problem.
8. Look for potential ice-dam problems
Hamilton winters can bring repeated freezing and thawing.
Ice dams form when snow melts on a warmer section of the roof and then refreezes near the colder roof edge. Water can back up behind the ice and potentially enter beneath roofing materials.
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) explains that ice dams commonly form during freeze-thaw cycles and recommends measures such as keeping eavestroughs clear and checking insulation and roof ventilation.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) also identifies attic heat transfer, insulation, air leakage and roof design as factors that can contribute to ice dam formation.
Don’t wait until January to discover an ice-dam problem.
9. Check areas around chimneys, skylights and vents
Roof penetrations deserve extra attention because they’re potential pathways for water intrusion.
Look for:
– Damaged flashing
– Gaps
– Deteriorated sealants
– Damaged shingles around the penetration
– Water staining inside the attic
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) specifically identifies chimneys, plumbing stacks, exhaust vents and other penetrations as areas where moisture problems can occur.
10. Consider the age and overall condition of the roof
A roof shouldn’t be judged solely by age.
Two roofs of the same age can be in very different condition depending on installation quality, materials, ventilation, weather exposure and maintenance.
However, an older roof with several warning signs deserves closer attention.
Ask:
– How old is the roof?
– Has it required multiple repairs?
– Are shingles deteriorating?
– Are there recurring leaks?
– Is there attic moisture?
– Has the roof experienced storm damage?
If several of these issues are present, a professional inspection can help determine whether repair or replacement makes more financial sense.
When should you have a roof inspected?
If your roof has visible damage, recurring leaks, significant deterioration or is approaching the end of its expected service life, don’t wait until winter.
Fall is particularly useful because it gives homeowners an opportunity to address problems before snow and ice arrive.
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) recommends checking roofs and eavestroughs for potential ice dams as part of winter preparation.
You can perform a basic visual inspection from the ground and inspect accessible areas of your attic.
However, climbing onto a roof introduces fall risks and can also result in accidental damage to roofing materials.
Our opinion: Homeowners don’t need to climb onto their roof to perform a useful first inspection. If you see something suspicious from the ground or inside the attic, let a qualified roofing professional investigate it.
What if I find a small problem?
Don’t automatically assume you need a complete roof replacement.
A professional assessment may determine that the appropriate solution is:
– Replacing a few shingles
– Repairing flashing
– Fixing a localized leak
– Improving drainage
– Addressing an attic moisture issue
– Repairing another localized roofing problem
On the other hand, widespread deterioration or repeated failures may indicate that replacement is the better long-term option.
Our advice for Hamilton homeowners
A fall roof inspection isn’t about finding reasons to replace your roof.
It’s about finding problems before they become expensive problems.
Hamilton homeowners have to deal with snow, ice, wind and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Spending a little time checking your roof in the fall can give you an opportunity to deal with issues while they’re still manageable.
If you’re unsure about the condition of your roof, Platinum Dash Roofing can assess the roof and help you understand whether repair, maintenance or replacement makes the most sense for your home.
The best time to discover a roofing problem is before it becomes an emergency.
