Understanding Your Roof Insurance in Canada

Your roof is a critical shield for your home, especially with Canada’s diverse and often harsh weather. Knowing what your home insurance covers when it comes to roof damage can save you from unexpected and significant repair costs. Let’s break down common roof insurance claims in Canada and what’s typically included in your coverage.

Common Roof Insurance Claims in Canada

Here’s a quick overview of the five most frequent roof insurance claims we see in Canada:

  • Storm Damage: This often includes damage from high winds, hail storms (common across the prairies and parts of Ontario), and falling trees – but generally excludes damage resulting from neglect or roofs simply reaching the end of their lifespan.
  • Fallen Debris: If a sudden impact from debris (like a tree branch in an ice storm or wind storm) damages your roof, repairs and debris removal are usually covered.
  • Fire Damage: Coverage typically extends to fire damage, smoke damage, and water damage caused by firefighting efforts. This is crucial in areas prone to wildfires or even house fires started by electrical issues.
  • Leaks from Insured Events: Leaks that result from a covered event, like a storm, are generally included. However, slow leaks due to wear and tear are usually not covered. This is especially relevant in regions with freeze-thaw cycles that can weaken roofing materials over time.
  • Ice, Snow, or Sleet Damage: Sudden structural damage from heavy snow loads or ice buildup is often covered. However, insurance usually won’t cover damage from gradual snow accumulation or ice damming if it’s considered a maintenance issue. This is particularly important in provinces with heavy snowfall like Quebec, Newfoundland, and parts of British Columbia.
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Fixing Ice Dams: Prevention and Solutions

Ice dams can cause major headaches during winter, leading to roof damage, water leaks, and even mould growth. The good news? You can prevent them with simple steps like improving attic insulation, clearing gutters, and removing snow from your roof. If ice dams do form, tools like heat cables or professional steam removal can help. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Prevention Tips: Add insulation, ensure proper ventilation, and keep gutters clean.
  • Snow Removal: Use a roof rake to clear snow near roof edges.
  • Fixing Ice Dams: Try calcium chloride or hire professionals for steam removal.

Key Takeaway: Prevention is cheaper and easier than fixing the damage. A well-maintained roof saves money and stress in the long run.

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How to Prepare Your Roof for Winter: Essential Steps

Winter can be tough on your roof, but preparing it ahead of time can save you from costly repairs and keep your home warm. Here’s a quick guide to get your roof winter-ready:

  • Inspect for Damage: Check shingles, flashings, gutters, and your attic for leaks, cracks, or weak spots.
  • Clear Debris: Remove leaves, branches, and clean gutters to prevent blockages.
  • Prevent Ice Dams: Use proper insulation, ventilation, and remove snow from roof edges.
  • Fix Issues Early: Seal leaks and repair weak spots before winter.
  • Improve Insulation: Add insulation to your attic and ensure proper ventilation to manage roof temperature.

Pro Tip: Schedule a professional inspection in early fall to address any hidden issues before snow arrives. A little preparation now can save you from big headaches later.

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Understanding Attic Condensation in Winter: Causes & Solutions for Roof Issues

Hearing that unmistakable drip can be unsettling. Roof leaks are alarming because their cause isn’t always obvious, and they can lead to serious issues like mildew, mold, and moisture damage. However, what you think is a roof leak might not be one at all.

Attic condensation can often mimic the signs of a roof leak, making it tricky to identify the real problem. For those without professional expertise, distinguishing between a roof leak and attic condensation can be challenging.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about attic condensation.

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Roof Insulation

Why Your Roof Is Leaking in the Winter (And How to Prevent It)

It’s wintertime, and the temperatures are dropping rapidly.

In addition to drafty rooms, slick driveways and bursting pipes, you also have another issue to contend with: a wet roof.

You want to think that your shingles will hold up against ice, sleet, and snow. However, the reality is that even the most well-built roofs can fall victim to the damage that extreme winter weather can hurl at our properties.

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Eavestrough Replacement: The $42,000 Mistake – Why It Matters More Than You Think

Last winter, John Martinez of Oakville thought his leaking eavestrough was “just one of those things.” By spring, that small leak had rotted his fascia, damaged his foundation, and flooded his basement. Total cost? $42,000.

“I wish I’d known sooner,” John told us. “You don’t think about eavestroughs until they’re a problem. And by then, it’s usually too late.”

Eavestrough leaks are a common issue that can lead to significant damage if not addressed promptly.

Here in Southern Ontario, where freeze-thaw cycles can be brutal and summer storms can dump a month’s worth of rain in a day, your eavestroughs aren’t just home accessories – they’re your first line of defence against catastrophic water damage.

At T. Simpson Roofing, we’ve seen it all: ice dams that tear gutters clean off houses, basement floods that could have been prevented with proper drainage, and mould problems that started with one tiny eavestrough leak. But we’ve also seen how the right eavestrough system, properly installed and maintained, can protect a home for decades.

In this guide, we’ll share what 30 years of Southern Ontario eavestrough experience has taught us about:

  • The warning signs that your eavestroughs are failing (and the one most homeowners miss)
  • Why the “cheap fix” often costs more in the long run
  • The truth about DIY installation (and when it’s actually a good idea)
  • How to choose the right material for our climate
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Cleaning Gutters

Eavestrough Cleaning Tips

Since gutters are at the top of your house and out of sight, they’re easy to neglect. New homeowners should know the importance of keeping your gutters clean to prevent blocked gutters, which can lead to serious issues like leaky roofs and basement flooding. Cleaning gutters means a well-kept and functioning home. It may easily become a task that you tend to ignore or push off, but doing so comes at a cost.

Learn how and why to keep your gutters clean now so that you can maintain the appearance and quality of your new home. Cleaning them regularly will save you money and headaches down the road. Letting debris build up in your gutters could lead to pests, mold, leaks, and structural damage to your new home.

In this article, we’ll cover the reasons to clean gutters regularly and the tips you should follow when cleaning gutters.

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3-Types-of-Roofing

3 Roofing Options to Consider for Your Home

Your home’s roof does more than just provide protection from the elements; the choice of roofing material plays a key role in shaping your home’s appearance and enhancing its energy efficiency. With so many roofing types available, choosing the right one can be tough. This guide highlights three popular choices: asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and wooden roofing. We’ll cover each material’s pros and cons so you can decide what fits your budget, style preferences, and climate conditions.

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