I'm sorry to hear about this situation. It appears that your roof underwent a "roof-over," meaning the old shingles were left in place when the new ones were installed. While this isn't entirely uncommon in roofing practices, it’s not considered the best approach. The issue seems to be that the roofers didn’t use longer nails capable of penetrating through the multiple layers. Without this support, the shingles were unable to withstand the weight of heavy snow, which ultimately caused them to come loose. Although you mentioned the shingles themselves appear to be in good condition, based on the image you shared, the roof needs immediate replacement. Unfortunately, removing the additional layers of shingles will likely lead to higher replacement costs.

The best way to ensure you're getting a fair price from a roofing contractor is to collect at least three quotes. Make sure each quote covers the same scope of work—such as re-flashing all chimneys, using the same type of underlayment, and applying the same ice and water shield. The quality and cost of these materials can vary significantly, so consistency is key for an accurate comparison. When it comes to materials, it’s usually best to go with the roofing contractor’s supplier. Contractors often receive substantial discounts due to the high volume of materials they purchase annually. Savings that individual homeowners typically can’t match.

The first step is to contact an independent roofing inspector to conduct a thorough assessment. Be sure to request a sample report—ideally one that’s both clear and professionally formatted. So you’ll have documentation to forward to your insurance company if any issues are discovered. During the inspection, ask the inspector to pay particular attention to the following: 1. Check that the shingles are not high-nailed, as this can compromise their effectiveness. 2. Confirm the roof deck that was replaced is at least 1/2" thick—or even 5/8", depending on the type of shingles installed. 3. Ensure the roof deck was properly replaced where needed. A rotting deck means there’s no solid surface to secure nails, which can lead to further damage. Wishing you the very best with the process. If you have any other questions, feel free to email us—we’re always happy to help!

Hi Garage Guy, Those quotes seem quite steep. If your roof is walkable and the design is straightforward, a 2,000 sq ft building should typically fall in the $10K–$12K range, depending on the type of shingles you choose. We're a bit outside your area, but our bid would be $11.5K using Owens Corning shingles. Best of luck with the project, and be sure to send your blueprints to 3 other roofers for quotes.

Proper ventilation is key to having a 'healthy' roof. It prevents mold and rotting, and keeps your home cool in the summer. A general rule is that you need 1 roof vent for every 300sqft of pitched roof area. It is also equally as important to check that ridgevents, soffits and other vents are not blocked, as this is where cool air will enter the attic area to then be vented out the top. Good luck and great question

Hi there It’s quite rare for a roof leak to be caused by high-nailing. Typically, when a shingle is high-nailed, it prevents proper bonding with the roof, making it more susceptible to being blown off or shifting over time. Overall, I’d agree that replacing the entire roof is the best course of action, as repeatedly replacing individual shingles will likely lead to ongoing issues. I recommend reaching out to the original roofing company to see if they will honor a warranty for the work. High-nailing is absolutely a valid reason to file a warranty claim—it does not meet manufacturer specifications and should be corrected by the original roofer, regardless of whether their workmanship warranty has expired.

Hey Jay! It looks like your roof had another layer of shingles installed on top of the old layer. Roofers and home owners should not be doing this, but it does still follow Ontario Building Code. When it is installed like this, roofers need to make sure they use nails that are long enough to reach the roof deck through all the old shingles, and it doesn't look like that was done here. It will probably need to be replaced and you should expect much higher costs to remove and dispose of 2 (or potential more) layers of shingles.

Hey Katherine, You can call a professional roofer to remove it — and yes it needs to be removed immediately. As moss grows, it will start forcing its way under the shingles. It’ll break the seals, cause damage, and eventually leaks. Kill it with any off the shelf moss killer. Once it’s dead you can spray it off with a hose and a broom if needed. Don’t be too rough or you’ll damage the shingles. Good luck!

Hi there, great question! First off, it’s important to understand that building permits are handled by local municipalities, which means the rules can vary dramatically depending on where exactly you live—even across the street. If you're located within the City of Toronto (and not in a historical heritage area), you do not need a permit for a typical roof replacement. However, if the project involves replacing a significant portion of the roof decking or making any structural modifications, then a permit is definitely required. In cases where you're unsure, it’s wise to err on the side of caution—have your roofer document every stage of the work thoroughly. That way, if the city ever requests a retroactive permit, you’ll have the evidence you need.

Hey Tom, I’m fairly confident this is the result of a bad installation. What you’re describing sounds like one of the most common issues—about half of poor installs come down to high-nailing the shingles. Since you mentioned it’s only happening on one side, I’d suspect that someone inexperienced nailed too high on those shingles. Modern shingles are made of two loosely bonded layers: a top layer and a bottom layer. They’re not perfectly aligned, and when nails are placed too high, they often miss the bottom layer entirely because of that offset. It’s likely the bottom layer is being torn off by wind, snow, or other harsh weather. I recommend having the installers come back to inspect the problematic side and replace any affected shingles. good luck!

Hi Parath. I've sent you an email. The workmanship on this roof is scary bad. You should consult with a professional roofing contractor to obtain an accurate estimate for the repair costs. Once you have that information, pursue legal action to claim damages.

Hi Felix. insurance work in Quebec is tough because the regulations are so unfavorable to homeowners it makes having a happy customer hard, and not worth the risk. I would suggest you call back a professional roofing company to inspect. Its really impossible to tell the reason why. It could be because of water damage from the rain, or it may have not been repaired correctly the first time. Sorry you're dealing with this but I wish you the best on it.