Comparing Roof Estimates

Tar and gravel roof systems are commonly being replaced with torch on membrane roof systems. There are many different combinations of materials and processes that can be called a torch on roof system. It is important that you are able to tell the difference so you can make an informed decision. All torch on roof systems are not created equal. The guarantees may be similar but the performance and life expectancy will certainly not be. You want to ensure you are comparing exact systems when collecting competitors’ quotes. The saying is “Apples to apples and oranges to oranges”. Do not be misguided by a contractor naming his roof system a two-ply, three-ply or other. A name is just a name and naming is not governed by any agency. For example, I could call my roof system a “ten ply”. Would that make it any better than what it really is?

The critical component of any torch on roof system is this: Ensure the first layer of material put down is a rigid board so the remaining roof system components (layers of membrane) have a firm and solid surface to build on. This board is known by several names including Torchsafe Board or Sopraboard. You then need to determine how many layers of membrane are fully torch applied to that rigid surface. Ensure that they do not have nails holding them down. It is not a layer of waterproofing if it has nail holes in it! Finally, make certain the perimeter edge receives the required additional layer called “stripping” (as per Manufacturer’s specifications) on both the base sheet ply and the cap sheet ply. This is a step that is, unfortunately, commonly omitted as it is both time and material consuming. Do not be misguided – stripping is a critical component.

Other components adding to the quality of the roof system are using aluminum plumbing vent stacks and not the old fashioned lead plumbing vent stacks. Insist on a 26 gauge baked enamel flashing. Both 28 and 30 gauge are available but they are lighter and thinner and therefore inferior. Ensure adequate exhaust ventilation is added. This will help keep the attic or ceiling space cooler in the summer time and thus your living space more comfortable also. Not to mention it will extend the life span of the torched roof system as it will not be “baking” from the underside.

I was reading my 2 year old daughter the story of the Three Little Pigs and I thought it was an interesting comparison tool to that of roof systems. You can buy a straw house, a wood house, or a brick house. The important thing is that you know which one is the straw house, which one is the wood house and which one is the brick house. You don’t want to pay for a brick house and receive the quality of a straw house. It’s the same with roofing. You have the good, better and best options. You need to know what quotation is specifying which quality of roof system. It is only then that you can make the correct decision for you.

Call Crucial Roof Services for all your roofing needs: 604.561.8798, or request a torch-on roofing quotation.

Common roof leaks

The most common leak on cement tiles, concrete tiles and clay tiles occur around skylights and to a lesser degree, chimneys. In fact it is not the Columbia Skylight or Velux Skylight that is leaking, but more so likely the roof system around the skylight that is failing.

The attached picture shows what a typical skylight looks like when the tiles have been removed around it. The style or color of the tile is not important in this example however the most common roof tile is like these, with a Roman profile, but only in red. All skylights are designed the same way. Same too with chimneys! What commonly happens is the metal pan flashing around the skylight/chimney fills with debris and blocks a clean and clear passageway for the rain water to flow. In the case pictured you can see the debris building up in the pan flashing. You will also notice that the vertical containment lip on the outside edge of the pan flashing has been pinned down (is white in color in the photo) or pushed down by the weight of the tiles that usually sit on top of the flashing. As this vertical containment lip is forced down, the containment capabilities of the pan flashing are reduced. When the containment lip is almost flat with the pan flashing and there is a build up of debris nearby this compromised area, a leak is only a matter of time from happening.

The service package we offer includes removal of the tiles to expose the pan flashing, cleaning and straightening of the pan flashing, caulking as necessary and reassembly of the system. Sometimes it is necessary to use a diamond blade grinder to “notch out” the underside of the tile so it is no longer in contact with, or sitting on top of, the containment lip. Our skylight maintenance pan flashing service package includes digital photos e-mailed to you of your skylights disassembled to substantiate all work actions. In fact, there is no need for anyone to be home.

Crucial Roof Services is your Lower Mainland tile roof specialists. We service all municipalities in the GVRD including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moddy, New Westminster, Langley, White Rock, Ladner, Delta, Tsawwassen, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Mission and Abbotsford.

Concrete Tile Roof

Concrete tile roof – Overview

Today’s concrete tile roofs, cement tile roofs and clay tile roofs are rarely installed according to current known and best practices in the Lower Mainland Area. What I mean by that is ideally one should install a tile roof system over top of a sheeted and waterproofed layer of plywood. This is rarely done due to the costs associated with this degree of waterproofing. We commonly see an underlayment sheet, draped over trusses with 1×4 cross straps nailed over top of that. These cross straps are hopefully spaced accordingly to allow for a 3” head-lap between rows. A good salesman calls this underlayment draping a waterproofing, but that is giving it far too much credit. If it is a waterproofing why is there all these nail holes in it and why are the vent protrusions not sealed to the vent pipe? In some cases it is an organic cardboard which will deteriorate and rot over time and in other cases it is just a thin sheet of polyethylene (clear plastic) which only lasts a couple years until it dries up and disintegrates. Simply put – the underlayment is merely a stop draft addition and should not be given much credit as a membrane.

If I was to build a house and wanted to put on a Monier or Columbia tile roof system, here is what I would do. Sheet the rafters, making a deck surface of ½” plywood and H-clips. Install a peel and stick waterproofing system. There are many acceptable products to choose from by every manufacturer known. Ensure that, at this layer, I am 100% watertight at all transitions, protrusions and terminations. Now, install 2×2 runners up the existing rafters followed by gridding your roof using 1×4’s and allowing for the required 3” head-lap suggested by manufacturers. Your tiles can now be installed.

The finishing details would be as follows – I want to use a 26 gauge drip edge flashing at all rake and gutter edges. All tiles in contact with a hip shall be cut accordingly and fastened to the 1×4 strapping or the hip rafter so as to not fall out of place, or slide down, as is too commonly witnessed in the Vancouver area. I want lead cover patches on all my multi-tile intersections. I want containment lips bent on all my galvanized vent flanges. I want gooseneck vents used to ventilate my attic space. I want lead stacks for my plumbing vent pipes. I want to use 26 gauge metals on my valley flashings. And finally I want to use a pan flashing network around my skylights and grind out the underside of the tiles so they don’t compress the containment lip over time.

If you’ve got a concrete, clay or cement tile roof and want an assessment to learn what needs to be done to reduce the probability of leakage, contact Crucial Roof Services at your soonest convenience.

EPDM membrane bridging

Staying with the topic of EPDM membrane hidden gutter systems I would like to touch on the topic of membrane bridging. This evolving deficiency occurs on almost all rubber gutter systems. It is due primarily to the fact that the gutter itself was merely loose-laid into the trough and not chemically adhered to the wooden substrate with a bonding agent. Through the lifecycle of the rubber, it dries and shrinks and becomes in non-contact with the underlying deck. This shrinking action results in the pulling-away from the wooden deck and a bridging of the membrane.

The bridging primarily affects the desired water flow of the system to the drain. When a membrane bridges, it causes a rise in the level of the rubber and sometimes builds an obstacle that the water cannot bypass to get to the drain. The end result is a gutter that constantly holds water. This is not an extreme issue of concern if the gutter is installed according to today’s accepted practices. Where this becomes an issue is if the initial installer’s workmanship is failing. Standing water plus poor installation details commonly result in an accelerated fascia board and soffit rot problem.
Extreme cases of membrane shrinkage result in water overflow down the fascia boards instead of the intended flow through the drains and downspouts. Membrane shrinkage can also cause poorly sealed seams to tear apart and become water ingress locations.

Resolution of such bridging problems can be brought about by adding additional drains at critical points or cutting out the extreme bridge locations and patching the resulting cut/hole with appropriate and compatible rubber products applied with accepted and proper means.

If you notice standing water, fascia board and/or soffit damage and are concerned about the cause, contact Crucial Roof Services for a free consultation and estimate.

Is a Torch On (Torch Down) Roof Right for You?

Torch On Roofing

Torch on roofing is similar to tar and gravel, consisting of layers of flexible fibreglass and polyester with bitumen. But unlike tar and gravel, it is applied with a torch instead of a hot mop. You don’t experience the unpleasant odours associated with tar and gravel. Sheets are torched down during installation, using large torches that melt the asphalt at the seems, joining them permanently together. The final result is the vulcanization of a large rubber sheet to a flexible fibreglass base. The process is often referred to as modified bitumen because asphalt is mixed with rubber compounds. Torch down roofing provides added strength and resistance to flat and low sloped roofs. It has an average life expectancy of 20+ years.

Torch on roofing is generally considered a more attractive roof than tar and gravel. Its flexibility makes it a good choice for the climate change and extreme weather conditions of the West Coast. It can shift as required and resists brittleness. Torch on provides excellent waterproofing and it is a fire, wind and hail rated roofing system.

Self adhering modified bitumen sheets are available, making patch repairs both practical and cost effective.

» Get a quote for Torch On Roofing in Vancouver

Gutter repairs

Gutters are commonly found in two formats. Hidden gutters and exposed gutters. Hidden gutters are usually waterproofed using a single ply EPDM membrane. Exposed gutters are aluminum troughs hanging on the face of your fascia boards. I’ve recently done two full repair jobs to rubber gutters. The original installation is never done according to today’s accepted standards. Either the builders didn’t want an expensive system or the chosen roofer was uneducated in Carlisle or Firestone membrane procedures. I find most hidden gutters are leaking at the corners and where the drains are located. It is not necessary to replace the entire gutter membrane because of a leak or several leaks. Although the problem is systemic, it can be fixed by installing patches to all seams and corners. The patches are applied using compatible products. The membrane must first be dried, cleaned and primed. A special uncured membrane patch must be prepared and also primed. The patch is laid in, rolled with a steel roller and then finished with a compatible caulking.

The attached photo shows three new patches on an EPDM gutter repair. Crucial Roof Services should be on your call list for rubber gutter repairs.

Rainy season roof maintenance suggestions

It is now the season for leaves to fall and rain to come hard so we have a few suggestions to hopefully prevent a roof leak. Firstly, if you can, get a ladder and get on your roof to look for and remove any leaves or other debris that has collected in or near your drains. If your drains become clogged, water will build up and could enter the building through an unlikely point. Ensure your drain screens are effective as debris entering your drainage system has the potential to cause large drain tile problems.
Ensure your downpipes are clear. This may require removing them to shake out leaf dams or snaking them out to ensure that all clogged leaves etc., is removed allowing for better flow of rainfall. IF in doubt of any of your roof system components, call a professional to inspect and report on their findings. This inspection service is free at Crucial Roof Services.