frequently asked questions


If you have roofing questions, you’ll find the answers you need in our roofing FAQ.

A roof replacement might not be quite as exciting as a new deck or other home remodel project, but it’s certainly a significant home improvement investment. It can bring long-lasting protection to your home, improve the look and curb appeal of your home, as well as improve the property value of your home.



Since a new roof gets installed on a home relatively infrequently, most homeowners aren’t familiar with the process: how to choose a roofer, what to look for in a roofing company, knowing the best roofing shingles, understanding roofing materials, and more. And that’s okay. These are all important roofing questions!

There’s a lot more to putting on a new roof than we can fit on this Roofing FAQ page, but these roofing questions are ones we get asked the most frequently and are a good place to begin.



We encourage you to contact us at Elgin Roofing Inc for a more detailed explanation of how we can best help protect your home with a new roof, why choose Elgin Roofing, and more. Call us at 519-808-4201 for a no-obligation consultation customized to your unique home needs.



How do I know that I need a new roof?


Roofing shingles and wood shake usually have a 15-30-year lifespan, depending on the quality of the original shingles, how well the roof was installed, and the location and tree cover of your home.

A Canadian roof is subject to weather extremes, wide temperature swings, snow, ice, hail, ice dam issues, direct sunlight, wind, and even poor deck ventilation—all of which play a part in the longevity of a roof. These extreme conditions are a perfect illustration of why it’s so important to choose an experienced and professional roofer that does the job with precision and chooses the best roofing materials.

While the roofing shingle manufacturers we use today, like GAF and Certainteed, offer lifetime warranties, in the past, this wasn’t always the case. We advise our customers that 15-25 years is a good guideline to consider a replacement, but again it depends on the above factors.

Here are some issues to watch for:
Evidence of water leaks on your ceiling (water spots/discolouration)
Discoloured or cracked interior drywall
Curling shingles
Hail / wind damage
Loss of the asphalt granulation / bald spots on the shingle
Decayed shingles
Cracked / Damaged / Missing shingles
Missing or rusted flashing

If your residential roof has any of these issues, or is over 12-15 years old, we encourage you to call us for an inspection. Not all damage is visible to the untrained eye from the ground, and having a professional up on the roof for a closer inspection can ensure any damage is spotted early enough to avoid expensive repairs down the road.



If I see any of these roof damage warning signs, does that mean I need basic roof repair or a total roof replacement?


That depends on the condition of the shingles and if they’re collectively past their prime or not—and also if the original roofing contractor installed the roof improperly or not. Roofing shingles in good condition can be repaired as long as the integrity of the shingle hasn’t been damaged too much. For roof shingles that are decayed, damaged, or just old, it can be more economical for your home’s protection and investment to have us perform a roof replacement.



How much does a new roof replacement cost?


There are several factors that determine the cost of your new roof. These include the professionalism and quality of your roofing contractor, the type, brand, and grade of roofing shingle that you select, the size of the roof, as well as the slope and shape of your roofline.

Don’t choose your roofing contractor based on cost alone!
Yes, price is a factor, but there are many other components to consider in getting the quality roof that your home deserves. Remember that roofing contractor workmanship and high-quality roofing materials have significant value. Simply hiring the cheapest roofing contractor could end up costing more in the long run if you need more frequent repairs due to shoddy work as well as the need for an earlier roof replacement.

Elgin Roofing can provide a no-obligation roofing estimate to get a fair and accurate cost for your unique home’s needs.



How do I choose the best roofing shingle for my roof and budget?


This roofing question is one that brings aesthetics and finances into the equation. Elgin Roofing has been a roofing contractor for 20+ years, and we can highly recommend GAF and Certainteed asphalt, fiberglass, and metal shingles without hesitation. These roofing shingles provide the best value for your dollar as well as attractive appearance for your home’s curb appeal.



Would I have to replace downspouts and gutters at the same time?


If your downspouts and gutters are in good shape, our Elgin Roofing team can simply work around them. And we won’t remove and reinstall them once your roof is complete to avoid damaging them. However, if your gutters need repair or replacement, Elgin Roofing can provide this service too.



How long will it take your roofing company to install my new roof?


As one might expect, there are multiple factors that affect all roofing projects: weather, if there is a second layer to remove, flashing issues, and more. But overall, our professional roofers at Elgin Roofing can be finished with your new roof—from taking off the old roof to cleaning up—in two to four days, depending on the above factors.

Our crews are very efficient in the roof removal, new roof installation, gutters, and cleanup. Our professional roofers are trained to stay on schedule and ensure your complete satisfaction with your roofing installation. These factors take coordination, and at Elgin Roofing, we pride ourselves in being organized, efficient, and professional.



Do I need to do anything before the roofing company starts?


Since roof replacement and roofing repair can be a noisy and messy process, you may wish to consider going somewhere else for a few hours once the roofing contractors begin pulling off the old shingles to avoid the noise. Consider your pets as well. Unfortunately, there’s no way around this, but we do our best to minimize inconvenience during this roofing process.

– Park your vehicles in the street or down the block. The roof removal trucks will need to occupy your driveway, and relocating your vehicles helps keep them safe and out of the way of stray shingles and nails. We are very efficient in our clean-up and use mobile bins to collect shingles and materials. So, you won’t have a big dumpster on your property for a few days, we remove this dumpster at the end of every workday unless otherized otherwise.

– While we have done thousands of jobs without issue, we still encourage customers to protect any item that has high value. Since we will be walking on your roof, the vibrations could upset something that is unsecure.

– Cover your swimming pool if you have one. If you don’t own a pool cover, we will place tarp over it.

– Cover or move anything of value from the yard. We’re not as familiar with your yard as you are. So, either move or alert us to any item we need to avoid affecting.

– We will take all precautionary measures to protect the items on your property, from covering items with tarp in the garage or yard to using a blower to remove any residual dust. If you have a decorative driveway or sidewalk, we’ll take care to protect it from vehicles, debris, and footsteps.



What happens if my new roof leaks?


It’s covered. The GAF and Certainteed shingle manufacturers we work with offer lifetime warranties, and most are transferable to any new homeowner for a small fee. And that’s just the shingles.

We take great pride in our workmanship and have done thousands of roofing installations without issues. But if any leaks come about, we will repair any leak and any damage to sheetrock, insulation, or paint.

Our warranties and commitment to professional craftsmanship are how we’ve earned the trust of thousands of customers in Elgin County and the surrounding area, and we look forward to speaking with you about your roofing and exterior needs as well.

Feel free to contact us at 519-808-4201 for a no-obligation consultation, and learn why Elgin Roofing is considered one of the best roofing companies in Elgin County and surrounding area!