Hi GG, attaching a photo would give a better idea of what's going on. But here are my thoughts; it is more typical for full on roof leaks to be localized to a small area, and the spot goes dirty/black looking quickly. Also the ceiling may have a downward bulge (if its a typical drywall or plaster ceiling). I think what is going on with this house is there is moisture trapped in the attic, rather than a roof leak. When you hire an inspector, make sure they check the soffit vents. They might just be blocked or non-existent. Good luck to you and congratulations on buying your first home.

Hey Cam, Please do not consider this a redflag at all. Asking a roofing contractor for the price of a bundle of shingles is like asking for the cost of the hamburger patty at McDonald's. The price of a bundle is misleading because contractors typically purchase large quantities, like $500,000 worth of shingles, and might sell you $15,000 worth. They still need to store the rest and cover overhead costs like warehouse staff, heavy equipment, and buildings. You'll pay a premium for the shingles through the roofer, but it will be significantly less than buying from a supplier. In my experience, large roofing companies with annual revenues of $5 million to $10 million rarely disclose their shingle costs, even for insurance claims.

Hey Jon, It's pretty unprofessional to send a message like that without any explanation. If he had provided some reasoning, I might see it as a good-faith concern—but these vents are completely fine. They're ASTM code compliant for Ontario and virtually every other North American jurisdiction. Unless you start noticing excessive heat in your attic during the summer or moisture stains on your ceiling, I wouldn’t give his texts much thought.

$17k is far too much unnecessary risk for a deposit on a contract that is 4 months away. I would suggest asking if you can deposit $1k to secure the work for August, and pay the other $16k before materials are delivered. It's not uncommon for roofing companies to pay for material with your deposit a week or so before the job is set to begin. It sounds like your roof is in the $50k range and I'm sure the contractor is happy to serve you, and not lose your business — negotiate terms that you are comfortable with.

Hey Mik, Business for these home builders never stops! It seems likely that the roof was installed during the winter. The primary issue with winter roof installation is that asphalt shingles cannot properly seal, as they need temperatures of around 10°C to do so. Until then, they may not be able to withstand their wind rating. The builder should have the roofers return to your home and replace any shingles that get blown off throughout the season. This is a common practice and something that roofing companies working in new developments during the winter are prepared for. Your home will be covered by the Ontario Home Warranty. If there are any issues when you take possession of the home, your builder will be legally obligated to make the necessary repairs.

Thanks for the quick and easy question :) It is definitely unusual to leave shingles on a ridge for 4 months. Shingles are heavy and should not be stacked more than two bundles high on the ridge. While it is unlikely to cause structural issues, it can certainly happen. Additionally, the bundles can trap moisture between themselves and your existing roof, which could lead to water damage to your existing shingles, potential mold or mildew growth, and weakening of the roof deck beneath. The weight could also cause deformation of your existing shingles, especially in warmer weather or if there is any flexibility in your roof structure.

Hi Peter, The area in question is known as a "Dead Valley," and as you might expect, it does not adhere to building code standards. I understand this may not be your preferred solution, but I strongly recommend considering the installation of a Roof Cricket. The estimated cost for this would be around $4,000 to $5,000. In the meantime, I suggest installing a high-quality membrane composed of two layers of self-adhesive modified bitumen over the flat section. To ensure optimal protection, the membrane should extend at least 3 inches up onto the sloped portion of the roof. Shingles should only be reinstalled on the steep section. Additionally, a metal drip edge should be placed along the perimeter of the flat section, overlapping the lower sloped areas to improve water drainage. Given the complexity of this roof structure, consulting an experienced roofing professional is highly advisable to ensure proper installation.

Hi Josh 😊 The southern states of the US has had really bad storms this year, leading to a shortage of shingles. Many companies who manufacture shingles in Canada have increased their runs to help with supply shortages throughout other states. Now, with these GAF shingles in particular, these are actually thicker shingles due to the more stringent code requirements we have here.

Having icicles dropping off your eavestrough usually indicates that there is a gap in your insulation. Your home is warming up a part of your attic, melting the snow on the shingles, then when the water drips over your eaves, it freezes again. Call your builder and ask them to take a look in the attic for missing insulation. You want to have between 16 - 22inches (depending on the insulation type) throughout the entire attic. You may also have your 1 year inspection coming up where you can add this as a line item.

We've had an abundance of snow this year! Generally, unless your roof is leaking, there's no need to shovel it off. For low-sloped roofs, you can create 4-6 "roof salt socks" (check them out online) and place them on the roof to prevent ice dams. Walking on a roof — especially shoveling it — can cause more damage and wear than the benefits would justify. The chances of a roof collapsing are extremely low. If your house is old, there might be some rot in the material, but it would take over 100 inches of snow to be at risk of collapse. I've never personally witnessed or heard of a roof collapsing due to snow, and I've been in the home construction business for several decades now.

For an asphalt shingle roof, I haven't seen many roofers tear off old roofs to install in the snowy months. With that being said, there is no real reason a roof cannot be installed in the winter other than hardships of working in the cold with snow and ice. It does have to be a little bit warm. Usually around 5°c so the shingles settle and don't get ripped off by wind.

Hi folks, Ice buildup typically happens for one of two reasons: Improper gutter drainage: While you've cleaned your eavestrough, it's important to ensure they are properly sloped to direct water towards the downspouts. If they aren't, water can accumulate and freeze. Insufficient insulation: This is likely the main cause. If there's missing insulation in your ceiling, it can heat your roof, causing water to melt and then freeze into icicles. It's a good idea to have someone inspect your attic for areas lacking insulation.