The roof over our heads is one of the most important pieces of construction, but we don’t really think of its importance before something critical happens. Pre-planning and preventative measures to take care of your roof can be the difference between your property being safe from extreme weather and a total disaster.

Considering the importance of keeping our roofs secure, we have put together six important factors to consider during roof construction:

KNOW YOUR ROOF

The roof of your home is critical as it is constantly exposed to all types of weather. From the beating sun of the summer, to the heavy rains of spring, and the ice/snow combination in winter. When shingles are worn or damaged the rest of the home is at risk too. It’s important to know what condition your roof as in so you can be proactive, as certain areas could weaken sooner than others.

COST vs QUALITY

Most homeowners are used to asphalt shingles as they’re a less expensive option, but you can anticipate their life expectancy to be less than 20 years. Also, consider Canadian weather swings – from cold, wind, rain to severe heat – that occur over short periods and can damage or curl the shingles. Then a severe storm can come in and rip them right off the roof, leaving the home exposed and at risk of further damage.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIALS

As mentioned above, a less expensive option are the traditional asphalt shingles but there are other options to consider.

Metal roofing is stronger and can handle more severe wind and hailstorms. They are better at shedding snow and are not susceptible to ice damming. Metal roofs can last up to 50 years.

Another material to consider is rubber. Rubber roofs have a long life as well, with the average lifespan being 30-50 years, and are known for their malleability and resistance to severe weather conditions.

Clay, like steel, is also UV and fire-resistant. If wind is a major factor in your area, look at tile, slate, and metal roof options.

ROOF RATINGS MATTER

Fire ratings for roofs are classified under three categories: “A” includes concrete or clay roof tiles, “B” are fibreglass asphalt composition shingles, and “C” are metal roofs. The materials are then rated Class 1 through 4 depending on how they hold up again the impact of steel balls, mimicking the impact from hail stores.

HURRICANE-PROOF, JUST IN CASE

Our home will never be exposed to a hurricane, right!? That’s what many have believed over the years but when the worst case occurs, they wished they did more. Consider installing hurricane ties onto roofs at their trusses. This is a relatively inexpensive addition at the time you’re installing a new roof and could make a huge difference if the worst case were to happen.

SPRING & FALL CLEANING

As with most homeowner maintenance tasks, it’s important to have your roof thoroughly cleaned during the spring and fall. It’s not a fun job to clean out the gutters, clean and clear vents, and to remove any built-up moss that can cause mold between the shingles, but can pay dividends by extending the lifespan of the roof.

Keeping an eye on your roof and ensuring that it’s kept in good condition can go a long way towards preventing significant damage to not only your roof, but the rest of your home too. Working with a Staebler Broker helps you rest easy that you have the coverage you need in case the worst happens.  Contact us today to talk about your home or tenant insurance needs.

A special thank you to Canadian Underwriter for their ideas that helped contribute to this blog.

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Be Wise. Staebler Insurance is a general insurance broker specializing in auto insurance, home insurance, small business, and commercial insurance. Staebler brokers proudly serve Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Listowel, Fergus, Elora, Wellington County, Perth County, Waterloo Region and southern Ontario. Get started with a free quote today.