How to fix roof leaks or prevent them

Maybe you’ve moved into a Metro Vancouver house and discovered that there’s a leak. Or maybe you’re considering moving into an older house and want to make sure it’s in good condition. Now would be a good time to learn how to prevent and fix roof leaks before your next move.

Prevention is the best cure: get a roof inspection before buying a house

First, know your rights before buying and moving into a new house. CBC has reported that sellers in every province are required to disclose every major defect to prospective buyers, regardless of whether it is hidden or not. That means you should pay attention to the house’s disclosure statement, which should list any roof defects in the house.

If the disclosure statement is clean, you may want to hire a home inspector anyway. As we saw in the above CBC article, a disclosure statement may not be enough to protect you from a leaky roof (the article was about a basement leak, but the same disclosure problems could arise from leaking roofs.) If a leak is uncovered soon after you buy the house, sellers can still argue that either they didn’t know about the leak or that the damage occurred after you moved into your new home.

So to be extra safe, it’s probably best to enlist the help of a certified home inspector. There are no guarantees that they can uncover any or all roof leaks or defects, but it’s probably a good idea to get an impartial third party to assess your potential new Vancouver house.

If a leak gets uncovered quickly after you buy the house, you may be able to get the seller to pay for the damage if you can prove they sold you a defective home. Sfgate.com has some good tips for this situation that you may want to check out.

How to fix roof leaks

Let’s say you’ve settled any possible disputes over who is responsible for the leak. Now it’s time to start the repairs on your new house in the Lower Mainland. If the roof leak is minor, you may be able to fix it yourself. WikiHow has a great guide that gives pointers on making minor roof repairs, if that is the case.

If you choose to use professional help, perhaps one of the most important things to keep in mind is to make sure the roofing contractor that you choose has liability insurance. This is extremely important, because it will protect you from any liability if a roofer gets hurt while on the job. Ask for a copy of the insurance certificate before hiring a roofing company and make sure they have proper coverage.

Choose your roof!

These repairs can be an opportunity to give your house a new roof! There are a variety of roofing materials, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In brief, here are a few examples.

Asphalt composition shingles: are relatively inexpensive with good wind and fire resistance, but not very durable, according to todayshomeowner.com. These tiles are made from organic paper fiber or fiberglass mixed with asphalt. Generally speaking, it is not very eco-friendly but it can be taken to landfills later. This type of roofing material comprises 80 per cent of the residential housing market’s roofs.

Metal roofing: you have many choices when considering metal roofing. Tin, zinc, aluminum, copper and steel are all examples of the options available. This means metal roofing can be quite customizable in terms of look and function, Homefixcos.com says. According to the site, metal roofing is often one of the most durable materials, with many lasting between 40 to 70 years. The main downside is that this material can be very expensive.

Clay tile roofing: is extremely durable once installed. It reflects heat and light, meaning it can help with insulation. According to selfhelpandmore.com, clay has been known to withstand hurricane-force winds and does not shrink and expand with temperature like wood. It also comes in different shapes and sizes, which means you can customize the look of your house more easily. However, two major drawbacks are the cost and the weight of the material, the above article says. It is very expensive and some houses may not be strong enough to support clay. Support beams sometimes need to be added before installation.

This is just scratching the surface of what makes a good roof. We encourage you to explore more options, and try mixing and matching styles and materials.

Call Ferguson Moving Company in Vancouver

At Ferguson Moving & Storage, we have a lot of experience assisting people who are moving into or designing their new dream homes. Call us, and we can at the very least provide some good referrals to roofers. We may even be able to assist with moving and transporting roofing material.

For all your moving & storage needs, whether you’re moving within Vancouver or moving abroad, contact Ferguson Moving and Storage at 604-922-2212 and find out more about us online!