When buying a home you might find one where the roof was just replaced before your purchased it, which is a very attractive thing since no one really wants to replace a roof in the first few years of home ownership. Eventually, though, you are going to have to attend to the roof and you will have to either perform regular maintenance or hire a professional company to do it. Before that happens, you might wonder what the most common issues are and what you might be expecting in terms of a Toronto roof repair.
The Fascia This is actually just a technical term for a band that runs horizontally along the edge of the roof or, in regular language, it’s roofing trim. It is usually made of sheet metal, but could also be made of wooden boards. The function of this is to protect the roof from the elements, and the interior of your home from damage caused by these elements, especially water. Moisture is the most common factor to cause damage to the fascia so look for rot or mold to determine if it’s been compromised.
The Flashing This is a part of your roof that is only installed where there’s edges or valleys, like where the roof meets a chimney or a skylight, for example. The function of flashing is to create a seal around the edge so that moisture doesn’t get in between the roof and the fixture, causing damage to the inside of your home. Most roofing companies will cut out their own flashing so it can be custom measured on the job site, but you can also purchase pre-fabricated flashing from your local home improvement store.
Gutters These have been designed in such a way that they keep water running away from your house and away from the foundation, so as to protect the structural integrity of your home. In order to keep the gutters performing this function, it is important to make sure they are kept clean and free of debris. If there’s a buildup of anything in the gutters the backup can cause mold or moisture to build up and eventually work its way into your home. Make sure the gutters are on a slope pointing down and away from your home. You should also consider a gutter extension which will attach at the bottom of a drain spout and make sure the water doesn’t pool around your foundation as that can also cause issues with your home’s structural integrity.
Knowing which issues are the most common is very helpful when it comes time to replace or deal with some of these problems. Toronto roof repair companies will likely have a lot of experience with all of these issues – and many more – but it’s important for you as a homeowner to ensure you know exactly what’s happening with the roof repair when it comes time to tackle it.