Roof Removal and Reinstallation

When a roof has reached the end of its service life, patching it only postpones the inevitable. A full removal and reinstallation lets us inspect the roof deck directly, replace any soft or rotted sheathing, and install new underlayment, flashing, ventilation and shingles as a single, properly integrated system.

Every reinstallation begins with an on-site assessment and a written estimate that sets out the materials, the scope of deck repair allowances, and the warranty that applies. During the work, you can follow each stage of the project online, from permitting and material delivery through tear-off, installation and final inspection.

Signs it is time for a new roof

• Shingles that are curling, cracked, missing or worn smooth, with their granules collecting in the gutters
• Leaks that keep coming back, or new leaks in different places
• Soft or sagging areas, seen from the ground or from inside the attic
• Daylight, damp sheathing or dark stains visible in the attic
• An asphalt shingle roof more than 20 years old, especially under trees or in an exposed spot near the water

One or two of these signs can often be repaired. When several appear together, a new roof is usually the better value, and we will tell you which applies to your home after we have looked at it.

Choosing your roofing material

Most homes on Southern Vancouver Island are roofed with asphalt shingles, and for good reason: they are the most affordable choice, they come in a wide range of colours, and today's laminated (architectural) shingles handle wind far better than the flat three-tab shingles many older homes still have. The shingles we install, and every colour they come in, are listed on our line card.

When we bring samples to your estimate, we compare the product lines on the things that matter here: wind rating, impact resistance, resistance to algae staining in our damp climate, and the warranty that comes with each one. We will also tell you plainly if a premium line is more than your home needs.

How a roof replacement works, step by step

• Estimate and planning: we inspect the roof and attic, measure, and give you a written estimate with materials, deck repair allowances and warranty terms.
• Permits and materials: we confirm whether your municipality needs a permit and look after it when it does, book a start date around the forecast, and have materials delivered shortly before work begins.
• Protecting your property: gardens, patios and siding are covered, and a disposal bin is placed where it will do the least harm to your driveway or lawn.
• Tear-off: the old roofing comes off down to the deck, and only as much as we can make watertight the same day.
• Deck repairs: soft or rotted sheathing is replaced, and you see photographs of what we found and what we replaced.
• Underlayment and protection: synthetic underlayment, ice and water protection at the eaves, valleys and other vulnerable spots, and new drip edge.
• Flashing and ventilation: new flashing at chimneys, walls and skylights, and intake and exhaust ventilation balanced so the attic can breathe.
• Shingles and ridge: shingles, starters and ridge caps installed to the manufacturer's instructions, so the warranty stays valid.
• Cleanup and final walk-through: debris removed, a magnetic sweep for nails, and a final look at the finished roof with you. Your warranty documents are kept in your online project account.

How long it takes

Most houses take one to three working days from tear-off to cleanup. Large or complex roofs, steep pitches and wet or windy weather can add days. We plan each day so the roof is never left open overnight, and you can see in your project account which stage the work has reached.

What affects the price

• The size of the roof and how steep it is
• The number of old layers to remove
• The condition of the deck once the old roofing is off
• Chimneys, skylights, dormers, valleys and other details that need flashing
• Access for the crew and the disposal bin
• The product line you choose

Your written estimate shows each of these, along with how any deck repairs are priced, so there are no surprises when the old roof comes off.

Why the hidden layers matter on the coast

Long, wet winters, wind-driven rain and moss are hard on roofs here. Most leaks we are called to on newer roofs start not in the shingles but in what lies beneath them: missing ice and water protection, poorly fitted flashing, or an attic without enough ventilation. Getting those layers right is what lets a new roof last as long as it should.

What is included

• Complete tear-off to the roof deck
• Deck inspection and sheathing replacement where required
• New underlayment, ice and water protection, flashing and ventilation
• Manufacturer-approved installation methods
• Site protection, magnetic nail sweep and full cleanup
• Written workmanship warranty

Questions about roof removal and reinstallation