Slate Roofing Maintenance Tips You Must Know

Do you have slate installed on your home’s roofing? It’s known to have an incredible life span and is extremely durable. But that doesn’t mean it’s invulnerable to damages brought by improper care and weather. Find out how you can make your slate roof last a lifetime by following these tips:

Routine checks
At least once a year, you will need to carry out an inspection of your slate roof. Do this in the fall so your roof will be effectively maintained for winter. It’s important not to introduce too much foot traffic on your roof and, when you do, a ladder safely hooked onto the roof edge is the best way to carry out a full and detailed inspection as this will help to spread your weight. If it’s absolutely necessary to walk on the slates, walk on the middle of the slate and use soft-soled shoes. Wear a safety harness at all times when working at height. Source: DoItYourself

Watch out for damaged slates
The most basic repair is the slate itself. You are bound to have broken and slipped slates from time to time, especially if you have large trees around your home or there has been a strong storm. A trained slater can repair individual slates easily. Small, chipped corners on slate may look ugly but will not cause a leak. Instead, keep an eye out for missing or badly broken slates. Source: AngiesList

Only hire experts
Furthermore, you should be exceedingly cautious regarding which roofing professionals you allow to evaluate and service your slate roof. Even more so than negligence on your part, the biggest threat to the life of a slate roof is shoddy or inexperienced workmanship from roofers accustomed to working with asphalt and/or those who simply want to rip a slate roof down to put up their own (familiar) materials. Especially in historical homes, it’s important that you only allow experienced slaters to work on and advise about your roof, or you risk losing significant value and historical integrity. Source: HomeAdvisor

With over 55 years in the business, we’ve handled pretty much all kinds of roofing problems and repairs. Let us take care of your slate roof and ensure that it’s always in its best shape. Call us!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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Important Tips When Building Roof Trusses

The structural framework of your roof should be built with precision and expertise to avoid premature damage. Make sure your contractor follows these tips to ensure the best outcome:

Larger roofs require larger lumber
If your home is going to have a very large roof to cover the square footage of your home, you will need larger dimension lumber. For example, a house that covers over 2,500 square feet will use 2×6 roof trusses rather than 2x4s.

Metal connectors are necessary
Trusses are not built by screwing the wood together. They are connected through the use of flat, galvanized metal connectors. They will help form the triangle construction needed for the pitch of your home.

Use perpendicular supports
Starting in the center, and working your way out, add perpendicular 2×4 supports that will help distribute the weight load. Add new vertical support that angles from the bottom of the center support on each side of the 2×4. Source: DoItYourself

Align the trusses
Most roof trusses need to be installed in a specific direction even when the webbing looks exactly the same. Some trusses are painted so that the framer can see where they need to be installed while others have tags at the bottom of the truss where they require additional load-bearing points. Source: RealtyTimes

Protect materials from the weather
A little moisture isn’t going to hurt most building materials, but if a project is delayed or you know you’re in for a long run of wet weather, cover your materials with a tarp. Long exposure to wet conditions can promote mold as well as cause engineered lumber to delaminate and framing lumber to warp and twist. Plus, no one wants to work with wet lumber! Keep the tarp a little loose at the bottom for air circulation. Source: FamilyHandyman

If you haven’t found a reliable contractor that can build your roofing needs with care and decades of expertise, look no further! With over 50 years in business, you can trust that we will only let our best and most qualified tradesmen handle your home projects. Give us a call today!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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3 Ways to Clean Gutters and Downspouts

How often do you give attention to one of the most vital parts of your home’s exterior? Keep your gutters and downspouts clear to prevent water damage and foundation problems. Here are 3 easy steps you can do:

Use a power washer
Has it been a long while since you last cleaned your gutters? A layer of dirt and debris may have built up over time. Blast it away with the fine-spray nozzle of your power washer. (This type of cleaning can get messy; be prepared to rinse the roof and exterior walls afterward.) For clogged downspouts in particular, there’s no better recourse than a power washer. Simply point the nozzle down the hole and rinse the shaft until water can run freely through it. Source: BobVila

Wear gloves and remove debris by hand
Scoop out leaves, muck, and dirt with your tool of choice from the gutters, but make sure you don’t reach further than an arm’s length away in the process of cleaning out the gutters. It is much better to move the ladder one more time than to risk a fall. If you are using a metal tool, be careful not to damage and scrape the bottom of the gutter.

Make sure to check for leaks as well; clogged gutters are bad, but leaky ones can be even worse, as the water might end up inside your walls. Pour a bucket of water into the gutters – this will not only allow you to check for any leaks and examine whether the water is flowing as it should, but also help to get rid of additional dirt. Source: Cleanipedia

Make a gutter bag
Take a plastic bucket and cut and bend the handle so it can be hooked over the edges of the gutters as you work. Here, you will also cut off the bottom of the bucket, creating a bottomless bucket. Now, fasten a trash bag around the bucket just under the metal handle. You can fasten it tightly with a large rubber band, duct tape or a large Velcro strap.

As you scoop dry leaves into the bucket, they will funnel down into the trash bag. This method works well with dry leaves that are bulky but light, but it will not work with heavy, wet gutter debris. Make sure not to overfill the bag so it is too heavy to easily carry down the ladder. Source: TheSpruce

Cleaning gutters and downspouts can be dangerous if you don’t have the right tools. If you’re thinking twice about going up there, it’s better to leave the task to the pros. Call us!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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The Basics of Rubber Roofing

Leaking can easily be considered as one of the most common roofing problems homeowners have to face. Because of it, there’s been a rise in demand for a roofing material that can prevent such problem and provide more benefits. Get to know more about it below:

What are Rubber Roofs?
Single-ply synthetic membrane rubber roofing is ideal for use over low-sloping or flat roofs because it is durable, pliable, and waterproof. Whether they are made from synthetic rubber polymers or are made from plastic polymers, rubber roofs are designed to go in places where asphalt shingles don’t perform well.

Synthetic single-ply roof systems are not the cheapest way to re-roof a home in the short term (roof material is generally measured by the “square”, which translates to 100 square feet; rubber roofing is likely to cost about $300 or $400 per square, while asphalt shingles are usually less than $100 per square). Rubber roofs, however, can last twice as long as other types of roofing and can save on energy costs, so they save you both time and money in the long run. Source: HomeAdvisor

Advantages and Disadvantages
While rubber roofing is often a good option, there are some disadvantages. Here are some pros and cons of rubber roofing that will help you make a decision on whether or not it is the way you want to go:

Pros	Cons
Should last 40-50 years Requires little-to-no maintenance Quick installation Repairs are easy and inexpensive “Green” choice Highly energy efficient Extremely fire-resistant Withstands high winds Cost is lower than most other roofing options	Not as aesthetically pleasing May be hard to find a experienced installer Repainting required after 10-12 years Traditionally used for flat or low-sloping roofs Not as many colors to choose from

Source: Fixr

Care and Maintenance
Like any roofing material, rubber expands and contracts as temperatures fluctuate. For leaks and cracks in the rubber, simply cover them with a latex tape or sealant. If a portion of your roof is especially wrought with cracks, you may want to consider patching it with new rubber shingles or with a smaller roll of rubber roofing.

To be safe, many homeowners with rubber roofs opt to coat the entire rubber roof system in liquid rubber or a similar liquid sealant to prevent upkeep and maintenance down the road. Source: Home.HowStuffWorks

Do you have any roofing needs? We’ll take care of it you. Give us a call today and get a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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