It is generally accepted that severe winter weather in Toronto can be very damaging to a commercial or residential roof, resulting in maintenance or replacement costs when spring arrives. Bitterly cold temperatures, freezing-and-thawing cycles, ice storms, and whipping winds can all be extremely detrimental or destructive to roofing materials, roof structures, eavestroughs, and downspouts.
But what about the harmful effects to a roof or eavestrough that may result from the severe summer weather conditions experienced in Toronto?
Warmer temperatures, bright sunshine, and extended daylight hours can lead to property owner complacency with respect to roof inspections and maintenance needs and, in a certain sense, deflect attention away from identifying any damage caused by:
- Torrential rainstorms
- High winds
- Wind-blown debris
- Hailstorms
- Excessive humidity
- Extended periods of searing heat
- Prolonged exposure to shade/moisture
- Insects
While roof inspections and any related maintenance activities should be completed on at least an annual basis (in the spring) and preferably semi-annually (spring and fall), it may prove beneficial to inspect the roof and eavestrough periodically throughout the summer months also. This could be a particularly important and cost-preventative process after any of the severe weather conditions listed above – identifying potential or fledgling maintenance issues before they get out-of-hand can lead to significant savings in terms of repair or replacement costs over time.
If personal safety is a concern, or perhaps there is just some hesitation in walking about a roof, property owners might consider the professional roof inspection services offered by a Toronto roofing contractor such as Avenue Road Roofing.
Is Your Checklist Ready For Roof And Eavestrough Maintenance Inspections?
Should you decide to perform a personal inspection of your residential or commercial roof and eavestrough this summer, it will be important to have a plan or process in place that will help in terms of:
- What to look for
- Where to look
- Maintenance actions
The following checklist may be useful in answering the above questions during a summer roof inspection:
- Clear debris from eavestrough and downspout openings
- Ensure that eavestrough is securely fastened along its full length
- Check for missing, cracked, bubbled, or loose shingles
- Brush off/wash off any and all moss or fungus
- Inspect caulking around vents, boots, flashing, skylights for cracks/separation
- Remove any debris around chimneys and skylights
- Trim/cut back any overhanging branches
- Look for visible or potential openings/homes for birds, squirrels, wasps, etc.
- Examine soffits and fascia for water stains (signs of a leak)
- Confirm that all chimney bricks and mortar are secure
- Identify any areas where roof may be sagging
As an added step, you may wish to take photographs throughout the process every time that you perform an inspection. In this way, you will have an historical record of your observations which will in turn allow for before-and-after type comparisons; you will be able to clearly and readily identify if anything has changed for the worse – and whether any roof maintenance work may be needed – since the last time the roof was inspected.
Once again, if for any reason you would feel more comfortable using the services of a professional roof inspection company in Toronto, the experts at Avenue Road Roofing are just a phone call away.
Make Avenue Road Roofing your preferred choice for all roof and eavestroughing needs in Toronto. Call today at 416-785-5129 to arrange a free consultation for your residential or commercial roof.
