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residential roofing

5 Reasons to Hire Roofing Contractors For Repairs

A roof is a critical part of any home. It keeps the weather elements out and helps protect your family and belongings from damage. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your roof is in good condition, and that means hiring roofing contractors for repairs when necessary. Here are five reasons why you should hire a professional roofing contractor for your roof repair.

1. Roofing Experience and Expertise

Roofing contractors have the experience and expertise to properly assess the damage to your roof and make the necessary repairs. They will also be able to recommend the best course of action to take to prevent further damage from occurring.

2. Safety

One of the most important reasons to hire a roofing contractor for repairs is for safety reasons. Working on a roof can be dangerous, and it’s important to have someone who knows what they’re doing when it comes to making repairs. A professional roofing contractor will have the necessary safety equipment and training to safely repair your roof.

3. Quality Roof Materials

When you hire a roofing contractor for repairs, you can be confident that they will use high-quality materials to make the repairs. This will help to ensure that your roof lasts for many years to come.

4. Roof Repair Warranties

When you hire a roofing contractor, they will often offer warranties on their workmanship and materials. This can give you peace of mind in knowing that if something goes wrong with the repairs, you’re covered.

5. Save Time and Get a Quality Repair

Hiring a roofing contractor to make repairs can actually save you time and money in the long run. They will be able to quickly assess the damage and make the necessary repairs, which can save you from having to do more extensive (and expensive) repairs down the road.

When it comes to roof repair, hiring a professional roofing contractor is always the best course of action. They have the experience and expertise to properly assess the damage and make the necessary repairs. Hiring a roofing company with experienced and a warranty is very important. Armour Shield Roofing is a leading roofing company in London, Oakville, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and surrounding nearby areas. Contact us today for a roofing estimate.

How To Find Roof Leaks

Your roof is essential to the protection of your home. A leaky roof can cause a lot of damage, so it’s important to find and fix any leaks as soon as possible. Water stains that cover ceilings or trickle down walls are likely the result of a leaking roof. In this post, we will teach you how to find roof leaks and who to contact to repair them fast and effectively.

Look For Signs Of Water Damage

If you think you might have a leak, the first step is to check your attic. Look for any signs of water damage, such as stains on the ceiling or dripping water. Water pouring into your attic through your roof may be identified by following the water’s flow back from the brown patch on the ceiling or wall. Look for damp spots at the bottom of the roof deck starting in the attic near where the leak is visible on the ceiling. If you notice water damage on your walls or ceilings, there could be mold damage as well. Check for mold damage on the interior of your home, this can indicate a leak that has been there for awhile. If you see any evidence of a leak, it’s important to contact a roofing professional right away. They will be able to inspect your roof and determine the best course of action for repairs.

Check Your Roof Outside

Another way to check for leaks is to go outside on a rainy day and look for any water that’s pooled on your roof. If you see any areas where water is collecting, it’s likely that there’s a leak in that spot. You can also check for any roof damage on the exterior of the home.

Fixing A Roof Leak

Once you’ve found a roof leak, it’s important to have it fixed as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the leak, you may be able to do some repairs yourself. However, if the leak is significant or if you’re unsure how to fix it, it’s always best to contact a roofing professional. They will be able to quickly and effectively repair your roof, ensuring that your home is safe and protected from further damage.

new grey roof

Are There Any Roofing Projects I Can DIY? -3 Dangers to Consider

You might ask, ’How hard is it to install your own roof?’ There are several reasons that you should not try a DIY roof replacement. Unless you have previously worked as an employed roofer and have your roofing legs, you will be taking a substantial risk.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

The 3 Dangers of DIY Roofing:

  • The number one reason to avoid doing your own roofing is your risk of falling and the incredible injuries that can result.
  • The number two reason to avoid doing your own roofing is your lack of proper, safety-regulated equipment that makes a roofer’s job easier and safer.
  • The number three reason to avoid doing your own roofing is a lack of roofing expertise and an understanding of secondary concerns.
 

This highly skilled job is best left to the professionals. It is because a roof appears simplistic, that so many DIYers are injured.

The following are just two incidents that happened to real people: A client sustained a debilitating brain injury from falling onto his concrete driveway due to a rotted facia board that upended the ladder, (not safely attached), on which he was climbing. Another client working overconfidently on his own roof, fell from his ladder and subsequently broke his heel. Approximately 12,000 people are injured annually from falling from a height. One-third of falls from roofs result in fatalities and unfortunately, a head injury is the third most common outcome. Statics from Ontario Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) show homeowners’ and workers’ falls from roofs are increasing.

Falls occur because fall-protection equipment is misused or is not used at all.

Not understanding job procedures, a lack of training and the use of shortcuts make up the second group of reasons that falls happen. A lack of edge awareness and poor lines of sight are common reasons for accidental falls from roofs. A damaged roof is a dangerous thing to navigate, even for experienced roofers. Like the rotted facia board that caused a client’s ladder to fall sideways, a structural weakness can begin to fail beneath you and give you little or no time to react. Tripping on vent pipes, snagging gear, a rope or a tool on something attached to the roof’s structure while on the roof, is always a risk. Slipping on a steep roof. Workers wear special safety roofing footwear; paramount to having firm footing. Not having roofing legs (experience). Roofs constructed with areas of different levels and variable heights, can cause sudden tripping or stumbling, especially when carrying a large piece of plywood as a gust of wind occurs.  

Many fall accidents happen, not while on the roof itself, but from climbing up or down the ladder.

Roofing employees are taught safe ladder and climbing techniques while accessing a roof. Special equipment is used to stabilize and tie off a ladder properly, crucial to avoiding an injury. Every employee is required to graduate from a government-approved working at heights training program, additionally, equipment-specific training is required. Roofing contractors take their profession very seriously. Roofers are trained to inspect the facia and roof even before their attempt to climb a ladder is made.

Curb appeal is a smart reason to make sure your roofing project is done by a professional.

There’s a reason that painting is one of the most common DIY projects for a homeowner to take on. It is because it seems easy. However, we still easily distinguish between a painting job done by someone who should never have picked up a roller or paintbrush and one by someone who has clearly perfected the task. Even if you feel you mastered heights, having taken heights safety classes, do-it-yourself roofing is very much about knowing what you’re doing. Shingles laid by a DIYer are very often easy to see. Laying shingles correctly as per manufacturers’ guidelines, and having the knowledge and experience to contend properly with typical or unforeseen roof problems, is essential. According to a May 12th, 2021 article written by Clayton DeKorne, Canadian Cost versus Value Report by ZONDA, roofing came in 12 out of 22 projects with the highest Return on Investment (ROI). 61% of your investment is returned. Keep in mind the time of its installation and the time of the home’s resale. Painting anything was not on the list.

You likely will not invest in, or have the storage for, the proper equipment that makes a roofer’s job easier and safety-regulated.

As an example, even the equipment and products required for painting is expensive to acquire; rollers, extension poles, ladders, good brushes and the price of quality paint are enough to turn people off DIY painting. The storage of painting equipment is sometimes reasonable if you have the space for it all. When it comes to roofer’s equipment, what on earth will you do with those items afterward: safety harnesses, hard hats, goggles, ladders, ladder hoist, tool belts, safety roofing-shoes, tin snips, tape measure, chalk line, nail gun, roof rakes, roof brooms, magnetic sweeper, tarps, roofing tools, plus the left-over underlayment, extra shingles, left-over felt paper, the old shingles and dumpster when the project is finished?

Armour Shield Roofing can help with your roofing concerns, whether it results in a repair or a complete roof replacement. With an A + rating from the Better Business Bureau and dozens of 5-Star reviews from appreciative clients, you can feel assured you are dealing with a caring and experienced company. 

Read the blog post ‘How do I Know When I Should Replace my Roof?’

Please call Armour Shield Roofing at (519) 858 5044 for your roof replacement or roofing associated service work.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.
man holding glass ball

How do I Know When I Should Replace my Roof?

When should I replace my roof? How long a roof lasts depends on a lot of variables.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

Sun effects, climate ramifications, inadequate attic insulation or roof venting, can all contribute to a roof’s shingles’ doing any of the following: buckling, blowing-off, blistering, cupping, losing granules, ice damming, telegraphing and ageing, any of which can point to imminent shingle replacement. It is no wonder we never quite know when we should be calling the roof doctor to repair or replace your roof in London, Ontario. However, your roofing instincts are about to get better.

Assaad, owner of Armour Shield Roofing of London, has been rated an exceptional roofing company since he started his company in 1996. Here, he answers your questions of how you should know when to consider a roof replacement.

He even goes a step further to suggest:

  • How long your roof has left once an indicator arises.

  • Helpful hints that might solve a shingle problem.

 

The following is a list of sure signs it is close to the time that you should replace your roof shingles.

 

Blown off shingles could mean it is time to replace your roof:

A couple of things can cause shingle blow-off; if nails from the uppermost shingle are placed too high, they do not go through the shingle beneath it, allowing the lower shingle to loosen.

However, when you see this happening to a large extent, it could also be due to improper roof venting, a lack of attic insulation or it is shingle-age related. Through old-age or moisture degradation from roof deck rot, shingles lose their adhesive hold, which allows the nail holes to loosen; in turn, the shingles eventually blow off.

Helpful Hint: Read Armour Shield Roofing’s roof repair page  By focusing on the roof areas that have been damaged by a tree or in a storm, it makes sense as a way of extending your roof replacement. Armour Shield adds the proper venting which helps damp air from your attic escape, lessening the likelihood of your roof deck transferring moisture through to the back of your shingles.

Time left? At some point, you will weigh the time spent on these temporary repairs against a total roof replacement or venting.

 

Missing granules or aggregates could mean shingle ageing:

Have you laid awake wondering what those granules are that you see in the eve trough or on the ground? The aggregate on the surface of a shingle is just that, crushed rock covered with a ceramic coating and heated onto the surface of the shingle. As the shingles age, the bond between the granules and the shingle face disintegrates.

Helpful Hint: A small amount in your gutter is normal breakdown.

Time left? If there is a lot of granule loss, two-thirds or more of your expected roof life is gone.

 

Curled or cupped shingles allow water to migrate behind them:

Curled shingles are caused by the sun drying a shingle that has first had a granular loss. Curled (or cupped) shingles allow water to migrate behind them, eventually causing more water damage to the roof base. 

Helpful Hint: Since 1996, Assaad of Armour Shield Roofing has emphasized that when one roof section deteriorates, usually that which faces the southwest exposure, the rest of your roof is not far behind.

You can spend more money perpetually fixing one roof section at a time. It is best to replace the roof as one unit. Check your roof during high winds and thunderstorms; if you see shingles blowing off, it is time to call your roofing specialist to have a look.

Time left? It is best not to leave this for long. 0-2 years once you notice one of your roof sections has curled shingles.

 

Winter ice damming across your roof can cause a lot of damage:

A lot of snowfall can cause snow build-up on eaves, the approximate lower three feet across a roof. If the roof experiences heating from the attic, the snow collects, then melts and refreezes in place. The water can back up under the shingles during its thaw, especially if they are older and have experienced granular loss and cupping (or curling). The refreezing of the trapped water lifts the shingle, leading to more shingle cupping and eventual water damage to the roof face.

Helpful Hint: Ice dams are mostly caused by inadequate attic insulation, allowing warm house air to enter the attic, and heating the underside of the roof which contributes to the thawing and freezing of snow on your roof.

Proper roof vents allow attic heat to exit, soffit vents allow cool outside air to enter the attic modulating its temperature and keeping the roof cold which is imperative to prevent the freeze and thaw of ice damming. Clogged eave troughs do not allow the thawed roof water to drain. Read our post about evestrough maintenance.

Time left? If you complete the necessary attic insulation and or additional venting, that may be enough to solve the problem. However, if this has been a yearly occurrence for a long time, accumulated roof damage may already be established.

 

If your roof is 10 – 20 years old, it is nearing the end of its lifetime:

A typical roof lasts from 15 – 25 years. (Depending on the quality of the shingle) However, weather-weary shingles, especially in Canada’s climate, often show their age long before their shelf-age.

The sun and its drying effects, winter freeze and thaw, and other factors can shorten the life of a roof face by a decade.

Helpful Hint: As you reach the life span of your roof, check it after high winds or a thunderstorm for blown-off shingles, granular loss and curled shingles. Armour Shield Roofing will provide you with a detailed assessment of your roof.

Armour Shield Roofing is an A + rated roofing company with ZERO customer complaints. Give them a call at 519 858 5044 for roof replacement and service work.

 

The people at Armour Shield Roofing have parents too.

We realize the vulnerability associated with one’s age; so, we have created our ‘Seniors Roofing Promise’ to alleviate any concerns. You can read it here.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

man on clipboard

What Should be in an Accurate Roofing Quote?

  1. What should be included in a roofing estimate to repair your roof in London, Ontario? To compare roofing company’s quotes more easily, make a list of what to ask each company. London’s, Armour Shield Roofing has put together a checklist of roofing quote comparisons.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

Decide on your points for comparison and email or call your potential companies to go through them. In this way, you can more easily compare the cost estimates of a few companies.

Should the company send someone up to look at the roof? Not necessarily. Not all roofs are easily accessible; some roofs of contemporary houses have steep pitches and many dangerous angles. An experienced roofing specialist can determine the wear of your shingles from an accessible visual inspection point. The Roofing Safety Board insists on regulations including harnesses and extra men; these expenses are not practical for quotation purposes.

Interpreting the quotes can be confusing. When you compare roofing companies, a similar type of shingle and the same request for work done is often priced differently between companies. We provide some explanations below.

If you are interested in a roof replacement, Armour Shield Roofing provides only the best quality service. Please see our Residential Roofing Services here. 

The succinct checklist below offers elements that should be in an accurate roofing quote: 

A contract:
• Make sure there will be an eventual contract to sign between you.

Licenses, warranties, and guarantees:
• Read the warranty compliance requirements of the roofing system and have a conversation about them with the contractor.
• You should be shown a valid Liability Insurance certificate, a Workman’s Compensation certificate, and a Contractor License.

There should be timelines:
• The project start date, payment expectation dates, and the project end date.

Payment expectations:
• Are there project aspects that the contractor is outsourcing; does it affect your payments, and to whom will secondary payments be made?
• Is there a down payment and when is it expected?
• Are there interim payments?
• When is the final payment required?
• There should be a provision for you to hold back your final payment until you are satisfied with the job.

Costs to remove the old roof: This one can vary if a company feels it can add another layer of shingles over your existing roof. Costs should include:
• Dumpster rental.
• Debris removal.
• Recycling fees.

A complete description of installation work:
• The specific shingle or roofing material chosen.
• Other possible products anticipated: ice and water shield or new flashings for example.
• Where the delivered material will be placed on your property.
• Protection for plants, lawn, decks, or pool.
• The type of clean-up performed after installation.

A mention of unanticipated or possible work provisions such as:
• Replacement of attic vents.
• New flashing.
• Unknown structural replacement.
• Eavestrough replacement.

There should be signatures:
• The quote should include both of your signatures.

Contractor’s legal access to the utilization of a construction lien for non-payment by a homeowner:
• You should be aware of what a ‘construction lien’ is. It is a form of legal security for contractors to recoup unpaid services by a homeowner.

After comparing cost estimate quotes, there are still valid reasons for a higher quote beyond the product and labour costs.

Here are two other subjects to consider:

A company’s excellent reputation has the most value.
If you notice a quote is higher, it may be that a contractor has added value because of their service reputation. They will make themselves available to you and will have put controls in place to ensure a quality installation that takes dedication and a lot of energy. An excellent reputation should be, and is, rewarded in the form of monetary worth.

You should look up their online reviews and also read how their company responds to small concerns.

The contractor’s good communication skills can point to the company’s customer service skills.
Make sure there are open and polite communications between you and the company. During each contractor interview, get a sense of how the contractor interacts with you by asking a potentially triggering question.

It is worth paying more if the contractor illustrates an inclination for authentic conversation without defensiveness. A strong communicative ability usually reflects the company’s standards and expectations of its crew. Of course, good communication skills should go both ways.

Armour Shield Roofing is consistently recognized with 5-star reviews as a London, Ontario roofing company with integrity.

Call us at (519)858-5044  for an always fair and carefully prepared quote. We specialize in roofing replacements, repairs, eavestrough cleaning and roof inspections.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

Know your rights when starting a home renovation. Visit the Consumer Protection Ontario page regarding renovations.

new roof

3 Types of Roofing Warranties

Your roofing warranty details should be as clearly understood as the products. Knowing the high cost of your home’s protective weather shield, you should be aware of some easily misunderstood aspects of the 3 types of Roofing Warranties offered.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

1) Product Warranties: 

The often-heard 15–50-year shingle:  The time frame associated with the shingles (15-50 years) refers to the expectant number of years of life of a type of shingle in its ideal conditions, but not to the number of years it will last on your house before needing a roof repair while exposed to nature’s variables in London, Ontario. Understand these ‘numbers’ in the context they were developed.

Most of us have learned the ‘numbers’ true meaning after we have imagined a life, free of roofing worries for 50 years, only to discover several years down the road that the manufacturer warranty is pro-rated to offset the implied climate and weather effects. The south-facing roofing plane will be subject to greater heat and drying and harsher freeze and thaw consequences.

Product warranties insure against shingle manufacturing defects. Material and labour costs to remove and dispose of the defective shingles are part of a typical shingle-defect manufacturer warranty. The warranty time frame depends on the quality of the original shingle installed.

The adage “you get what you pay for” holds true. A 50-year/ time-expected shingle is a much higher quality shingle and will have a longer product warranty. 

Extended warranties can be purchased at the time of your roof installation, with 20- or 50-year protection against shingle manufacturer defects, available.

2) Workmanship or Installation Warranties:

The workmanship or installation warranty is possibly the most important of the three to which to pay attention. It provides a promise of service to your roof without cost to you for the offered period. They may vary quite a bit, usually, the coverage largely depends on the product you have chosen for installation, and whether your project is residential or commercial. See our 10 Point Roofing Integrity Promise here.

You should balance the installation warranty with the reputation of the installation company. If, for example, three installation companies offer installation warranties similar in length, the company background will also provide you with a sense of their workmanship.

What to also consider with an installation warranty:

Look at the company’s Google and website reviews. Often these reviews can give you valuable insight into other people’s experiences with the company. A bad review is not always a bad thing. As we all know, people differ in their expectations, often a prior bad experience can create unintentional anxiety that is brought forward in any contracting project. It is how a company responds to these occasional frictions that can make you feel less anxious about your future interactions with a company if a disagreement arises.

Is there a feeling of consistency between what the company says and how they present the information? For instance, how long has the company been in business, and has the company been under the same ownership for all those years? Do they mention they have long-time employees? Do they make a point of talking about the importance of cleanliness, and training?

3) Extended Product Warranties: 

It is common to be provided with the option of an extended product warranty. Without a doubt, the last time you purchased your television or your laptop, you were asked if you wanted to purchase an extended product warranty.

In the case of your roofing, an extended warranty offers longer insurance coverage on your shingle-manufacturer defects. Material and labour costs to remove and dispose of the defective shingles are part of a typical shingle-defect manufacturer’s extended warranty. 20- or 50-year warranties are available.

Please see Armour Shield’s full range of roofing related services here.

Call (519) 858 5044 for help with any roofing questions.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

woman on phone

When Should You Book Your Roof Replacement?

Are you thinking about a new roof or a roof repair for next year? Well, the early bird gets the worm. In London Ontario, you should book your ideal roofing company during the winter.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

The ball never stops rolling for popular roofing companies that have a 5 star reputation; the most desirable companies are usually the busiest.
In most cases, a roofing company with a great reputation needs to be scheduled several months in advance, even November and December. Read Armour Shield Roofing’s numerous satisfied client testimonials here. In 26 years, we have not had a single complaint.
That’s why you should take the initiative now and get a date confirmed on your calendar. If you choose to wait, you may run into some problems down the road.  

 

Book early to use the best roofing company:

You never want to compromise quality or your peace of mind by working with a less desirable roofing company. When you wait until the last minute to reach out, you may find your ideal company is heavily booked.
We’ve all heard horror stories about disastrous customer experiences that were never resolved. Working with a less-reputable company brings a greater risk of poor quality workmanship or customer service. To avoid this risk, it’s safer to book in advance with a well-known company.

 

Waiting for a contractor can see your roof condition worsening:

If you find your ideal roofing company is booked up for several months, you can choose to wait until they are available. That decision may save you some trouble working with another company. If you’re worried about your roof’s condition, you may be able to tarp the worst areas. Ask your favourite roofing contractor.

Letting a small roofing problem become a bigger one usually leads to roof leaks. Minor storm or tree damage can worsen dramatically over time. In most cases, if the roof is past its useful-life time you need to replace your roof and other roofing associated products such as roof vents, flashing and eavestroughing.

 

A small leak should be inspected right away:

A leak that’s left neglected long enough can allow enough water into your home to cause damage. Insulation and attic space may need additional work. Large build-ups of moisture like this are the perfect breeding ground for mould.

This problem is complicated because the average person cannot know the full extent of their roof’s condition without climbing a ladder and looking. This is work that must be left to a professional roofer. Consequently, if you have to wait for at least a few months, we recommend trying to get a professional inspection done in the meantime. That will give you an idea of how urgently your roof needs work. Read Armour Shield’s blog post: ‘Are There any Roofing Projects I Can DIY – 3 Dangers to Consider’

 

Booking a company early allows everyone better flexibility:

As mentioned, it can be challenging to find a reputable roofing company that isn’t booked at least a few months in advance and if you can find a company on short notice, it’s unlikely they have much flexibility for dates.

By booking far in advance for next year, you can ensure that you get an ideal date and time that works with your schedule.

 

In conclusion:

The best roofing companies are almost always the busiest. If you’d love to work with a reputable company, you should contact them as soon as you can. When people wait too long, they can find themselves dealing with less desirable companies, worsening roof conditions, and a lack of schedule flexibility.

To help you decide, please read Armour Shield’s blog post ‘What Should be in an Accurate Roofing Quote?’

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

gutters with leaves

Should I Get an Eavestrough Inspection before Winter?

Your to-do list ramps up in the fall in Canada. Here in snowy London ON, there are a few must-do projects like removing leaves from your eavestroughs and downspouts before they freeze in place. If your facia boards and eavestroughs are older, call a roofing contractor to assess their useful life. 

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor. Your eavestroughs are an essential part of your home. They divert water away from your home through downspouts helping prevent problems like flooding, structural damage, mould growth, and flooding on your property. All of this can be a substantial cost to deal with. Prevention is almost always more affordable than necessary roofing repairs. Armour Shield Roofing has provided London Ontario and the surrounding area with exceptional 5 Star service since 1996. We certify and train our employees professionally for all roofing projects. Read just a few of our hundreds of client testimonials here.

Signs You’re Overdue for a Cleaning:

Armour Shield recommends having a regular inspection done every three years and cleaning your gutters every fall and spring. Some of the warning signs you’re overdue for professional cleaning:
  • Plants are growing in your eavestroughs.
  • There’s no moisture at the lower end of your downspouts.
  • Your eavestroughs are overflowing with water cascading over the sides.
  • Water damage and stains appear on your home’s siding.
  • You can’t remember the last time you cleaned your eavestroughs.

Taking Care of Your Eavestroughs and Downspouts:

Taking good care of your eavestroughs and downspouts will help prolong their life, saving you money, stress and time down the road. At the very least, you need to have them inspected in the fall before winter arrives in full force. There is a good chance your eavestroughs are clogged with fallen leaves, twigs, branches and other debris from the fall. When this happens, water isn’t able to flow through them smoothly and away from your home. Downspouts can also become blocked with debris. When temperatures drop and blockages freeze they’re extremely difficult to remove. Suddenly the work becomes more tedious and expensive. You should also consider the potential cost of structural damage and mould. Read about Ice Dams and Eco Friendly Ways to get Rid of Them.’ When a clogged eavestrough freezes in winter, water from melting snow on your roof has nowhere to go. When it freezes again, it forms an ice dam. This causes water to build upon your roof and gradually seep through shingles. Some parts of your home to which ice dams can inflict water damage are your attic, insulation, drywall, and electrical work. There is also a strong potential for mould to develop as a by-product of any water damage in your home. The weight of the water, leaves and debris in eavestroughs and downspouts can tear them away from the facia boards. You might need to have them repaired or replaced entirely depending on their useful life left. To ensure your eavestroughs last a long time and function correctly, have them inspected by a professional roofing company. Neglecting them can lead to a wide variety of problems that end up costing you more in the long run.  Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.
handshake

The Characteristics of a Great Roofing Company

When you need to replace the roof on your home, you need to do your research. Perhaps that’s what brought you to this website in the first place. However, knowing how to choose the best roofing company comes before you research them. 

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

Replacing your roof is one of the most significant investments you’ll make for your home so you’ll want it to go smoothly. Working with a reputable company you trust is the only way to ensure this happens. 

With dozens of roofing companies to choose from in London, ON, it can be tough to make a more informed decision.

Reliable Warranties and Guarantees:

A great roofing company stands behind their work and has a track record of doing so. The better the guarantee, the higher the likelihood that you’ll receive high-quality work. There should be a warranty on both the materials and the workmanship.

However, be cautious of companies that haven’t been in business for longer than 10 years but offer an incredible warranty. It’s not uncommon for younger companies to overextend themselves on warranties and guarantees. Some day they may no longer be able to afford to adhere to their promises.

If you ever have a problem with your home’s new roof, you want to be able to reach the company you worked with and have your concern addressed.

The Age of the Company Can Help You Decide:

A company’s age can be a telltale sign of how reputable they are. Very few companies can say they’ve been in business for 25+ years and still provide reliable warranties. Another factor to consider is how long the employees have worked with the company.

Armour Shield Roofing has been in business since 1996 with a solid 5 star rating during which time we have proudly never received one complaint. We have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and won their 2012 Business Integrity Award, acquiring the finalist position for two other years.

When you ask a roofing company to provide a quote, ask the representative how long the company has been in business and how long they themselves have worked with the company.

Lastly, make sure you are working with a company with employees and not just an independent contractor. They typically have lower pricing but sacrifice quality in materials, warranties and workmanship.

Easily Look up a Company’s Community Reputation:

An excellent roofing company has a distinguished longstanding reputation in the community they serve. The best place to search for these companies is on the Western Ontario Better Business Bureau Website. You’ll want to search “roofing company” in the search bar and make sure your location is set for London, Ontario.

Companies with an A+ rating have the best reputation in the eyes of the Better Business Bureau. These ratings represent the BBB’s opinion of how the business is likely to interact with its customers, and standards are very high for achieving an A+ rating. You can also read customer reviews for each company through the Better Business Bureau.

Read Google Reviews and Their Website Testimonials:

Do your research online before deciding which company you’ll have to visit your home for an inspection and quote. Online reviews and testimonials are an effective way to weed out companies you can’t depend on or don’t align with your needs.

It’s tough for companies to fabricate reviews on platforms like the BBB, Facebook and Google. If you’d like to take it a step further, you can contact previous customers and inquire about their experiences for more details.

There Should be no Pressure During Your First Meeting:

If you’ve ever had a company out to provide a quote and they were a bit pushy, you remember how uncomfortable it was. If you feel pressure during your first appointment with a company to make a buying decision or sign something, you should be concerned.

Great roofing companies are almost always booked months in advance and never need to be pushy for sales. Replacing your home’s roof is a significant investment, so you want to watch for warning signs like this. It’s vital to work with a reputable company that has your best interests in mind.

A Quote or Estimate Should be Written and Detailed:

Armour Shield Roofing is transparent and shows you all the insurance, permit and licensing costs that are associated with your roofing project.

Make sure the quotes you get are written in a concise way, not vaguely or as a simple flat fee. A great roofing company should be able to provide accurate costs. Learn more by reading Armour Shield’s blog post ‘How Many Roofing Quotes Should I Get?’

It could be tempting to choose the lowest estimate or quote if you have a tight budget. Be cautious. The roofing companies and contractors offering very low rates may be cutting corners with product and workmanship quality to outbid competitors.

A lack of proper business planning is unsustainable, leaving you on your own down the road.

You can feel confident using us in the London ON area for any roofing associated work.

Please call Armour Shield Roofing at (519) 858 5044 or use our Contact Form.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

steep roof

The Real Value of Your Roof

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your property, but frequently, owners don’t think about it until it becomes a repair or replacement concern.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

A roof makes itself heard in a variety of ways, though: are you selling and wondering if you should replace your current roof? Maybe you’ve just found damage and are wondering if you should invest in maintenance or just replace it.

So when should you consider a full roof replacement? 

The connection between roofs and real estate:

According to the National Association of The Remodeling Industry, as of 2019, a new roof can be one of the top exterior improvements to make to your property to increase its appeal to buyers. The cost of installation is frequently more than returned when it comes time for an appraisal.

Overall, the state of repair is vital to your success on the market. An interested buyer will need to know things such as the overall repair, how old it is, and what material it’s made of, but keep in mind that depending on your local market a well-kept roof could be just as valuable as a full replacement.

When it comes to the liability of the seller, however, in Ontario, home defects are separated into two categories:

  • Patent Defects

These are obvious flaws that could not be ignored or overlooked by you or the appraiser. The buyer, if they choose to purchase a property with patent defects, assumes their responsibility so long as the seller does not purposely try to conceal these issues.

  • Latent Defects

The second type is flaws that may not be picked up on by the appraiser or even known to the seller. If the seller is aware of latent defects that may not be immediately obvious, they must disclose these issues. Legal battles can arise if a buyer tries to prove that latent defects were known by the buyer and purposely hidden or misrepresented.

You don’t have to do a full replacement if you don’t know that something is wrong, but with an older roof or a surrounding environment that could be an issue for the overall state of your roof (such as particularly windy or moist areas), it can give you peace of mind down the line.

Roof repair vs. roof replacement:

The question of whether to continue maintenance on a pre-existing roof or to pull the plug and install something new can be stressful for a property owner.

A roof is an investment, and you want to get the most out of it before it’s time to reinvest.

Luckily, owners have options to help them decide if they want to replace or repair. Roofers can offer inspections to give owners a formal idea of where they stand; however, there are some clear indications that a replacement is preferable to a repair, even if a repair is possible.

Good Housekeeping warns that if your roof is over twenty years old and has damage that would normally be repaired, maybe it’s a wiser choice in the long run to do a full replacement. Even if it still looks good, doing a spot repair now could be a waste of money when in five years you’ll have to replace the whole thing anyway.

That number varies, however, depending on location and environment. For instance, in our region of southwestern Ontario (and depending on the kind and quality of shingles used in the initial build), we see our roofs last closer to fifteen years with a high end of twenty. This should adjust the expectation of your roof: it would need to be repaired sooner than perhaps roofs in different areas would.

There are also more obvious signs that a roof is in peril, including:

  • – damaged shingles, including shingles that are missing, broken, or shedding their granules,
  • – obvious gaps visible from the interior and persistent leakage, or
  • – visible structural weaknesses, like a warped surface

If you see one or more of these, it’s recommended that you call a professional right away. On their own, they represent years taken off the lifespan of your current roof: combined, they may represent a far more urgent safety issue.

So why should you replace your roof?

Whether to repair or replace is ultimately up to what the owner feels is best. If a roof is under fifteen years old with good quality shingles, has suffered from no severe damage that could potentially impact the rest of the structure, and the owner has no future plans to sell their property, a repair could work just as well as a replacement.

However, repeatedly repairing an older roof to avoid incurring the costs of a replacement isn’t a long-term solution. A new roof can increase the value of your property to potential buyers, and installation can be completed quickly to minimize disruption. To help make an informed decision, call a professional roofer to give you the whole picture.

Armour Shield Roofing strongly discourages homeowners from going up and down ladders or doing repairs on their roofs. The accidents and fatalities sustained by untrained individuals are tragic and avoidable by calling a professional roofing contractor.

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