Halifax Roofing – Why Details Matter.
At the end of the day roofing isn’t rocket science but it does involve great attention to detail. It’s not just a matter of ripping off the old roof and pounding on new one. There are very specific ways to do many aspects of the trade and is not something that is recommended to just go “give a try”. These details often separate the good roofing companies in Halifax from the best roofing companies in Halifax.
The roof is the part of a house that takes the most vicious punishment from the elements. It constantly has the sun beating down on it and frequently gets pounded by gusts of wind, rain and snow. In Nova Scotia, most roofs spend many months covered in snow and ice that is constantly freezing and toughing. We are also a stone through away from the Atlantic Ocean that frequently delivers big storms.
Areas the require the most attention:
Many areas on a roof need special attention. Here are some of the most common:
Valleys:
The valleys are the area where two sections of roof intersect (mostly where dormers meet the main roof). Valleys are where water gets directed to so it is especially important that they are done correctly. Nails must be kept back far enough so that water cannot find a way to penetrate the roof deck. The appropriate length of shingle must be installed as well.
Style:
We always cut our valleys instead of weaving then. This provides a much sharper finish and in my opinion is more watertight. Valleys are always sloped to the ground so you can often see how straight the line is cut from the ground. If it is even slightly crooked you will instantly be able to tell. I know personally this would drive me insane. This is one area where good roofers will make their money.
When working with designer shingles we upgrade the valleys to open metal “W” Valleys. This is also a metal detail that can look good on any house.
Penetrations:
Naturally, any thing that puts a hole in a roof is going to require a lot of attention. Penetrations range from vents to plumbing stacks to solar panels to chimneys and many more. Each penetration is handled differently but many use the same concepts.
Flashings:
When parts of a roof are tied into different sections of the house like a wall, a dormer, or penetrations, metal flashing is often used. Knowing how each part of the system works is key to properly installing flashing. This is often where we find problems and the fixes can be quite difficult.
Style:
When done correctly, mental flashings can make all the difference in a look of a roof. Metal can be used on the chimney flashing instead of lead flashing to make for a very good-looking chimney.
The details are also very much important throughout the process of installing a roof.
Clean Up, Clean Up, Clean Up.
For me, one nail left behind can be the difference between a good job and a great job and we aspire for greatness. We also make sure that everything is swept up and that no garbage is left behind.
Safety
No brainer. Safety is second to nothing on our priority list.
Respect property
It is important to me that we treat all of our customer’s homes like I treat my own house. That means we keep our tools and equipment neat and tidy on sight. It also means that we pay a high degree of attention to anything that could damage the house.
If the details are as important to you as they are to us when having your roof done, head over to our Contact Page to arrange for a free quote!
