Needs repair. Completed repair.

Here is the information you have always wanted to make an informed decision on the condition of your roof. We cover all the basics for shingle roofs and flat roofs. In addition, we provide helpful tips on how and when to repair chimneys, parapet walls, house walls, animal intrusion and soffits, fascias & eavestrough systems. Among other things, you will discover when a leak has absolutely nothing to do with the shingles on your roof.

Need an emergency roofing repair?
Call 416-785-5129

You also need to know that expert repairs by Avenue Road Roofing are a budget friendly (ask about our attractive payment plans) alternative to a full roof replacement, plus you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are getting the very best materials and workmanship and can take advantage of our attractive payment terms.

Questions about roofing? Ask Craig for the answers

We tried to cover everything that will help you make a better decision. But if you still have a question, you can always use our “Ask Craig” feature to send a question to roofing expert Craig Bennett.

Yes, we also provide expert repairs
of roof decking and masonry

Help is always available because Avenue Road Roofing offers a dedicated emergency repair service seven days a week for both sloped and flat roofs. You can get in touch with us by completing an online request for assistance or call 416-785-5129.

Targeted repairs that can extend the life of a shingled roof

1. Replace individual slopes of the roof. Most roofs have uneven wear because some slopes are exposed to more extreme weather conditions; replace the worn slope this year, leave the other slopes for future years. This is known formally as “phased roofing”.

2. Replace worn valleys. Wear often appears first in the valley of roof (where two sides join). Look for severe granule loss or holes/tears.

3. Replace damaged flashing detail. Examine the metal flashing around chimneys, walls dormer sides and sills. If it is pulled away and/or damaged, you can have a leak that has nothing to do with your roof.

4. Repair the seal around plumbing stacks. Common problems include split lead gaskets, caulking that has dried out.

5. Replace damaged vents. Animals such as raccoons and squirrels can damage a vent in an attempt to gain entry into the roof. Look for crushed or missing vents.

6. Fix holes. Can you see any spots on the roof where shingles are missing? You could have a hole caused by animal damage, a fallen tree branch or wood rot. Prompt repair can prevent the development of much bigger problems requiring a bigger repair or complete roof replacement.

7. Repair leaking skylights. A skylight can leak because of a seal failure or improper installation. Other problems can include damaged flashing detail, cracked lenses, condensation, self-flash plastic frames.

8. Caulking replacement. The condition of caulking can vary, depending on weather conditions. It can also fail because of improper installation around roof flashings, doors, windows and siding abutments.

9. Correct inadequate venting. Over 50% of homes have inadequate venting, even after a roof was recently replaced. Venting problems can be the result of insufficient venting through soffit areas or they can be a byproduct of changes made in other areas of the home, such as upgraded interior insulation levels and tighter thermal windows and doors.

Often soffits are blocked inside the attic by insulation or aluminum vented soffit panels have been installed without completion of the proper pre-step, which involves cutting holes through the underlying original wood soffit. Homes which have minimal overhangs often suffer from insufficient intake because brick walls are pocketed inbetween rafter spaces.

Improper ventilation is a major concern because it can cause “super heating” – cooking of the shingles from the underside.

Another common problem is bathroom exhaust vents that exhaust into the attic instead of through a wall or roof.

Keep in mind that proper ventilation is often required in manufacturer warranties and insufficient venting could void the warranty. You also need to know that venting contributes to the efficient heating and cooling system of a building.

10. Plug air leaks. We often find air leaks around pipes protruding through the attic. You can also find air leaks where walls adjoin to roof rafters. Another common source of air leaks is winter ice damming.

Targeted repairs of chimneys, parapet walls and house walls

1. Fix brick deterioration. Water leaks can be caused by this problem (known more formally as tuck-pointing of degraded mortar joints) leading to even more brick deterioration. Homeowners often report “roof leaks” when the problem is actually brick deterioration or problems with a chimney cap and or flue tiles (prevent moisture entry into chimney). The solution can be pre-cast or it could be poured, a necessary step for large or intricate chimneys.

2. Repair shaled bricks. A brick becomes shaled when the face crumbles off (usually indicating that moisture has gotten into the brick and become frozen, causing the face to pop off. Shaling can also occur with inferior bricks or roman bricks, which often become porous due to aging. Prompt action is recommended on wall surfaces, particularly if the damage is near ground level or foundation walls.

3. Fix problems with liners. Disconnected or damaged gas liners or the absence of a correct metal liner can pose health and safety hazards.

Targeted repairs that can extend the life of a flat roof

Repair of a residential flat roof is possible if the roof is not comprised of multiple layers and there are not multiple leaks.

1. Fix leaks around a specific appliance. Repairable leaks can appear around a skylight, pipe protrusion, interior drain or tie-in junction of a shingled & flat roof. Most often the flat roof will be under 15 years old.

2. Spot repair of commercial flat roof or large residential flat roof. Spot repair is possible when it is possible to cut out the effected area, replace any wet insulation and patch into an existing membrane which does not have severely degraded asphalt or exposed felt layers.

3. Order a temporary emergency repair. If you need time to determine repair or replacement is the right choice, an emergency repair can be done with dry cement.

4. Extend the life of a tar & gravel flat roof. If you have an aging flat roof that is not leaking, the life of the roof can be extended by scraping back loose gravel, cleaning the surface thoroughly, and completing a repour of hot asphalt and reapplication of gravel.

5. Spot repair of Water Blisters. On tar and gravel flat roofs, Water Blisters can be cut out and patched.

6. Repair leaks near drains. Leaks near drains are commonly caused by backup issues or degraded membrane adjacent to the drain.

7. Repair or replace flashings on perimeter walls or coping details. Damaged flashings can be a hazard for people or property if it is detached and becomes airborne in high wind situations. The liability danger goes up if there are nearby pedestrians, walkways or parking areas.

Targeted repair of damage caused by animal intrusion

Animal damage happens in both residential and commercial buildings. Typical indicators of animal entry include animal feces in the attic or scratching sounds in walls or ceilings.

Common entry points include wood soffit or fascia board areas (where eavestroughs are attached), and roof surfaces (particularly those that are out of sight as animals gravitate to areas where they can avoid being spotted). Animals are also attracted to warm areas, such as chimneys, air vents or valley areas where they are sheltered from wind and can nest their babies.

Step one is to arrange animal removal by professionals who have the training and equipment required to extract a live animal. Thereafter, any damages should be corrected as soon as possible and measures should be introduced to prevent another animal intrusion. For example, meshing can be installed under vents to block entry.

Targeted repair of Soffits, Fascias & Eavestrough Systems

1. Look for water stains through soffits. This is usually an indicator that water is not being properly drained away from your home.

2. Check downpipes for blockages, particularly near ground level. This step should be done annually. Downpipes which enter in-ground clay drains are often cracked and can permit seepage into foundation walls. They should be re-routed out onto lawn areas and the drain holes capped off.

3. Leaks in corner and miter joints of aluminum gutter systems. The usual problem is sealant that has become degraded. Repair involves cleaning out the joints and re-applying sealant. Older galvanized or copper gutter systems have soldered joints which can split. Repair can usually be completed by replacing specific sections.

It’s also important to fix or replace loose spikes, furrels or brackets. Failure to take this step could mean your gutter will be unable to accept the weight of snow loads or the heavy water volumes created by short, intense rain storms.

4. Prevent the accumulation of debris in your gutters. Leaf accumulation can be a big problem in the fall – and an even bigger problem in the winter when the debris goes through freeze/melt cycles. A good solution is to arrange the installation of leaf screens or guards on all gutters or just those that are difficult to access.

Another good idea is to hire a professional to trim away the source of leaf debris (typically tree branches that are hanging over your house). This step can also help prevent animal access to your roof.