Let It Rain! - Whats it's like to be a Roofer in Vancouver BC?

Let It Rain, Let it rain, Let it rain…. Being a roofer in Vancouver Canada has its challenges. Vancouver’s annual rain fall is an average of 1154 mm in about 166 days and, at its most extreme, a daily rainfall can be up to 80 mm. You had better have your boots on if you want to jump in our puddles. We have even had record breaking 50+ days of straight rain with only a day’s break after 42 days to change your scuba tanks. Add winds of up to 115K and some slushy snow to the mix, it’s a roofing disaster waiting to happen. Your roof had better have been installed to perfection, cause it’s going to be tested here, and there’s no room for errors.

Now I’m not saying that we are the only place on earth where a roofing system gets tested, we all have our coffee shop stories of environmental challenges. The sun in Nevada, The Ice in Ontario and the snow in Alaska can prove to be just as challenging an environment as Vancouver’s. (I’ve heated my nail bucket in Toronto) I just feel that rain is the big test for a roof, and we get tested 166 days of the year. Not to mention the struggle to install a roof in Vancouver’s winter weather is a test of character. After 18 years of gazing out over the Burrard Street Bridge, analyzing the forecast from five different websites and news stations, throwing leaves in the air and licking my finger, I could moonlight as a Meteorologist for our local cable station. At least I wouldn’t have to be “as” perfect, there’s always room for weather predicting error in the news room. How do we make our asphalt pitched roofs more waterproof in Vancouver? The first step is applying an SBS Eaves and valley underlayment. This is a very durable SBS modified bitumen roll roofing product. The inner membranes of the roll consist of a tough, non-woven, glass fiber mat, which has been impregnated and coated with specially formulated modified bitumen with exceptional elasticity. This prevents moisture penetration caused by ice dams.

Next we apply a Synthetic underlayment over the entire remaining roof deck. RoofGard-SB is a good quality underlayment and is made of a synthetic material that is completely waterproof. It forms an effective water-shedding barrier under shingles. Even in cold weather, it`s incredibly flexible, and easy to work with. RoofGard-SB has the slip-resistant surface which allows roofers to walk on it safely. Next we apply Peel & Stick Ice & Water Shield to all the penetrations (Chimney, Skylight, Plumbing Stacks, B-Vents, Air Vents, etc.) and all the walls. Ice & Water Protector is an economical modified bitumen roll roofing product with a self-adhesive backing protected by a silicone-treated release sheet, which is easily removed during installation.

Next we install all new 26g Baked-on Enamel metal flashing (W-Valley, steps, wall flashing, back-pan, and gable and eaves drip edge). Next we install a high quality Laminate shingle (Certainteed, IKO, Gaf) to and above local industry standards and manufacturers specifications. All protrusion flashings and vents are replaced, nothing is reused. All revealing nails are sealed using a high quality polyurethane caulking. And last but not least, having a highly skilled, properly trained installer that has extensive experience in the Vancouver roofing industry is a must. No corners cut, no hour to long, only 100%. Do it right the first time!