What a tune-up is
Most roof leaks start as something small: a lifted shingle tab, a dried-out bead of sealant, a flashing that has worked loose, a gutter full of leaves that sends water back under the edge of the roof. A tune-up is a scheduled visit to find and fix those things while they are still cheap. It is not a re-roof, and it is not a leak hunt. It is the roofing equivalent of a service on a car.
What's included
- Inspection. A full check of the roof surface, flashing, vents and eavestrough.
- Shingle repairs. Replacement or securing of up to 10 damaged, loose or missing shingle tabs.
- Sealant and flashing. Re-sealing or upgrading around chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents and other roof penetrations, and securing any loose flashing.
- Debris removal. Twigs, leaves and buildup cleared from the roof and eavestrough so water drains properly.
Where the roof needs more than that, we tell you what we found, show you where, and quote the extra work separately. Nothing gets added without you agreeing to it first.
How often to book one
Every one to two years, ideally in spring or fall. Spring is the chance to catch what winter did: ice, wind and the freeze-thaw cycle are hard on flashing and sealant. Fall is the chance to get the roof and eavestrough clear before the leaves and snow. A roof that is checked on a schedule rarely surprises you.
Who it suits
- Homes with an asphalt shingle roof that is a few years old and has never been looked at.
- Anyone with a roof that is mid-life and wants to know where it stands before it leaks.
- Buyers and sellers who want a written view of the roof's condition.
- After a wind or ice event, when there is no leak yet but you would like to be sure.
- Flat and low-slope roofs, where seams, drains and flashing are checked as part of the inspection. See flat roofing and commercial roofing.
Vents, ventilation and the eavestrough
The inspection covers roof vents and the eavestrough because they are common causes of trouble: blocked or damaged vents, and eavestrough that overflows onto the roof edge or the fascia. If the problem is bigger than a tune-up, such as poor intake ventilation or damaged soffit and fascia, we will say so, and it is covered on our eavestrough, soffit and fascia page.
Tune-up, repair or replacement
If you already have a leak, you want roof repair and leak detection, where we trace the water back to its source. If the roof is at the end of its life, you want a new roof, and the inspection will tell you. A tune-up sits in between and is the cheapest of the three, which is the point.
Booking a tune-up
Call or text (519) 400-3840 or use the form below. Tell us roughly how old the roof is and what it is made of, and we will arrange a time and quote the visit. We work across Hillsburgh, Erin, Guelph, Fergus, Elora, Rockwood, Acton, Georgetown, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Orangeville.
Common questions
What does a roof tune-up include?
An inspection of the roof surface, flashing, vents and eavestrough; replacement or securing of up to 10 damaged, loose or missing shingle tabs; re-sealing or upgrading flashing and sealant around chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents and other penetrations, and securing loose flashing; and clearing twigs, leaves and buildup from the roof and eavestrough so water drains properly.
How often should a roof have a tune-up?
Every one to two years is a sensible rhythm, ideally in spring or fall. That is often enough to catch weather wear early, while it is still a small repair, and to keep records of maintenance if you ever need them for a manufacturer's warranty or an insurer.
Is a tune-up the same as a roof inspection?
An inspection tells you what condition the roof is in. A tune-up is an inspection plus the minor repairs and maintenance done on the same visit. If you only want a look, for example before buying a house or after a storm, say so and we will do an inspection and give you a written assessment.
What if the tune-up shows the roof needs more than that?
Then we tell you what we found and quote it separately: a larger repair, or replacement if the roof is at the end of its life. We would rather say so honestly than sell you a roof you do not need, or a tune-up on a roof that is past it.