What to Do About a Sagging Roof

A sagging roof can quickly become a major problem if it isn’t promptly repaired by a professional. You may notice the issue when looking at your roof covering—if it seems to have shifted or has a hole in it, your roof may be sagging. 

Les Couvreurs Duro-Toit explain how to recognize the signs of a sagging roof and act on them before the problem gets worse. 

What causes a roof to sag?

The first thing you need to know about a sagging roof is that the frame may also be affected. You may notice sagging on the roof or on the wooden frame itself. 

This type of sagging can have significant consequences. If the problem is left for too long, the following may occur: 

– Your roofing may warp

– An increased risk of water infiltration and mould growth 

– The roof may crack 

– The roof may collapse 

To prevent this from happening, it’s important to check: 

– How your roof truss is aging 

– Ground movement, particularly if you are located in a high-risk area 

– Cracks, water infiltration and mould

– Snow accumulation and ice dams on your roof during winter

– The state of your insulation and ventilation 

– The presence of pests

How to fix a sagging roof

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best solution for a sagging roof is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Keep an eye on the condition of your roof, and have a professional conduct inspections regularly. They will be able to tell you what shape your roof is in and what you need to do to maintain it.

Call a professional 

If you’re concerned about the condition of your roof, the first thing to do is call a professional. If your roof is sagging, we recommend having a professional inspect it as soon as possible. They can even perform thermal imaging to help determine the cause! 

Once they have made an on-site assessment, they will be able to give you a detailed report and recommend solutions to address the cause of your sagging roof.

Address the cause of the sagging roof 

If your roof is sagging due to wood-eating insects that are weakening its structure, getting your roof treated will be an integral part of the solution.

With pest control treatment and regular roof maintenance, you may be able to mitigate the sagging caused by the infestation.

You will still need to do partial renovations, such as filling in any holes, in order to make your roof serviceable again.

Sagging roof repair

In the worst-case scenario, if the sagging is caused by the roof’s age or poor condition rather than pests, you will have to carry out extensive renovations or replace the roof entirely. 

Unlike pest control treatment, replacing the roof comes with a steep price tag, so do everything in your power to avoid ending up in this situation.

Who to contact for a sagging roof 

Regardless of the cause and extent of your roof sagging problem, you will need to contact roofing and structural professionals like Les Couvreurs Duro-Toit. 

Make sure to choose your roofer carefully in order to avoid any fraudulent activity or unfinished work. 

It’s best to contact your insurance company the moment you notice roof damage to inquire about the details of your coverage.

Insurance coverage for a sagging roof 

In Canada, home insurance policies differ from province to province, but there are certain conditions that are consistent throughout. Generally speaking, sagging roof repairs will be covered if the problem is caused by environmental conditions such as wind, ice, hail or water damage.

Note that this is a generalization—contact your insurance company to obtain the details of your coverage.

Contact Les Couvreurs Duro-Toit for sagging roof repairs

A sagging roof is a situation that can become increasingly dangerous over time. To mitigate the damage and avoid any additional complications, it’s best to contact a professional roofer without delay. The experts at Les Couvreurs Duro-Toit offer renovation services for flat roofs and pitched roofs throughout Montreal and the surrounding area. Contact us for all of your roof inspection and renovation needs!