Edmonton Roof Replacement Warning Signs: When Your Roof Looks Fine but Isn’t
We are back with Ryan Harbison from Alberta Skylights Elite Roofing, and we have a topic today that’s pretty interesting for homeowners in the Edmonton area and throughout the whole region. Why does my roof need to be replaced when it looks fine from the ground?
It looks fine from the ground. So, let’s get into it. Number one, we have old-style shingles. You had paper-based shingles, and then you’ve got fiberglass-based shingles. Tell me what the problem is. What’s the difference between the two and then the solution?
For many years, we used to have what’s called organic shingles. They were made very similar to modern-day shingles. The key difference was the skeleton, the matting, the center part of your shingle. That used to be made out of recycled papers, cardboard, newsprint, etc. They were all ground up and turned into a mat, and then saturated with asphalt. That was the foundation of your shingle.
Probably around 2010 to 2012, that technology went away. What we now have is a fiberglass mat. The fiberglass mat is a lot more consistent and predictable. You’re not at the mercy of whatever recycling inputs come your way. Did you end up with a whole bunch of newsprint, which absorbs asphalt at a different rate than cardboard? It’s just a much more predictable product, which has also led to a much longer warranty. Roofs used to have 20-, 25-, or 30-year options. Now roofing shingles start at 50-year warranties. Technology has come a very long way.
Fiberglass Shingle Problems Edmonton Homeowners Should Know
It’s also changed how shingles age. With the older organic shingles, whenever they got worn out and lost some granules, that fiberglass mat would get wet. When it dried out, the paper curled up, which caused shingles to curl. Fiberglass shingles will never do that because there is no paper there.
When fiberglass shingles start to let go, they still look like they’re in good shape from the ground. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are.
Some warning signs you could look for are similar between organic shingles and fiberglass shingles. The biggest one is granule loss. The granules are there to protect that asphalt from the sun as well as to look good. As shingles age, the granules start to flake off. The asphalt becomes more exposed, dries out faster, and starts failing much quicker.
After a good rainstorm or windstorm, if you’re noticing a whole bunch of granules at the bottom of your downspouts or on your deck, that’s your first warning sign. When you’re cleaning your gutters and they are full of granules, that’s another sign your shingles are starting to age.
If you have a two-storey home and can see part of the roof from an upper window, you may notice shiny white spots. That’s the fiberglass showing through the shingles. That’s another strong indicator that something is going on with your roof.
Another issue with fiberglass shingles is cracking. Organic shingles could crack too, but it is much more common in fiberglass shingles, especially earlier versions. Once cracks form, water gets inside, freezes, and compromises the integrity of the roof.
Common Roof Aging Issues in Edmonton’s Climate
Ryan started roofing in 1999 and has completed roofing projects all over Alberta, including Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and St. Albert.
Back in the 2008 to 2012 era, contractors commonly used organic shingles for peaks, hips, and ridges while using fiberglass shingles on the field of the roof. Because of that, it’s very common for ridge caps to wear out much faster and look terrible compared to the rest of the roof.
Today, fiberglass ridge capping is available, so the whole roofing system is matched properly.
Another issue we are seeing is the seal strip between shingles starting to fail once roofs hit around 15 to 18 years old. The glue strip or tar strip starts letting go, and shingles begin flapping in the wind. During a major windstorm, shingles can blow off completely.
There is a process called hand tabbing where each shingle is lifted and roofing cement is applied underneath to reseal it. It’s labor-intensive, but it can extend the life of a roof significantly if the shingles themselves are still in decent shape.
The downside is that once shingles are glued down again, servicing them later becomes much harder. Previously, individual shingles could be removed and replaced easily. After hand tabbing, trying to remove shingles usually damages them.
Still, hand sealing can buy homeowners another five to seven years of roof life. On a simple bungalow, that process may cost around $1,100 to $1,200 and can be a worthwhile investment.
Roof Repair vs Roof Replacement in Edmonton
When Alberta Skylights Elite Roofing is already on-site, they also inspect other vulnerable roofing components. Plumbing boots are a major example. These commonly start rotting out after 10 to 14 years and are relatively easy to replace.
Ryan explains that homeowners do not always need a full roof replacement just because something is going wrong. There are many service options available that can extend the life of a roof.
That approach is one thing that separates Alberta Skylights Elite Roofing from contractors who immediately recommend tearing off and replacing the entire roof.
Instead, they work with homeowners to determine the best long-term solution for their specific situation.
The key question is not just what the roof is doing, but why it is doing it. If shingles were installed incorrectly and nails were placed too high, the roof may already be structurally compromised. In those cases, repairs may not make sense.
But if the roof was installed properly and is simply aging naturally, repairs and maintenance can often extend its lifespan significantly.
Edmonton Roof Maintenance Tips to Extend Roof Life
One of the best things homeowners can do is simply have their roof inspected regularly. Roofs are generally “fire and forget,” but inspections are still important. At minimum, homeowners should have their roof checked every other year.
There are also several things homeowners can monitor themselves:
- Check for exposed caulking
- Look for nails backing out
- Watch for loose shingles
- Test whether shingles still have a proper seal
- Inspect gutters for excessive granule buildup
- Examine roof vents for cracking roofing cement
When checking vents or flashing, it’s important to use silicone products that are compatible with asphalt. Not every sealant works properly on roofing materials.
These are simple preventative maintenance steps that can save homeowners significant money and help avoid major roofing problems down the road.
All right, awesome. Thanks so much, Ryan, for sharing with us today. If you’re a homeowner in the Edmonton region and you’re looking for a roof replacement, roofing advice, or a professional inspection, contact Alberta Skylights Elite Roofing.
Thanks so much for joining us. We’ll see you on the next one.