What a full tear off exposes
Going down to the deck is the only way to know what you have. Soft or delaminated sheathing gets replaced, and we find it on a meaningful share of Ottawa roofs, usually at the eaves and in valleys where ice has been sitting.
Shingling over an existing layer hides all of that, adds weight and shortens the life of the new roof. We do not recommend it.
With the deck exposed we also correct the details that matter here: ice and water membrane extending well up from the eave, membrane in the valleys, new flashings, and properly sized ventilation.
Ventilation and insulation while the roof is off
A roof replacement is the cheapest moment to fix attic ventilation, because access is open and the crew is already there.
That means confirming intake at the soffits is not blocked by insulation, exhaust at the ridge is adequate, and bathroom fans are ducted outside rather than into the attic.
Adding attic insulation at the same time is usually the best value energy upgrade available in an Ottawa house, and it directly reduces the ice damming that damaged the roof in the first place.
Snow load, and why the eave detail matters most
Ottawa roofs carry real snow load, and the eaves take the worst of the freeze and thaw cycling. That is why the membrane at the eave is not an optional upgrade in this city.
We extend it well past the minimum on low slope sections and problem elevations, which costs a little more material and prevents the most common failure we get called about.
What a roof replacement quote includes
- Measured area and pitch: quoted from the actual roof, not an estimate.
- Tear off and disposal: all layers removed, bin included.
- Sheathing allowance: what happens if soft deck is found.
- Membrane and underlay: coverage at eaves, valleys and penetrations.
- Ventilation: intake and exhaust reviewed and corrected.
- Warranties: manufacturer product warranty plus our workmanship.
Where roof replacement sits in the bigger job
This work is part of our general contractor service, so it can run on its own or as one stage inside a larger project. When it is part of a bigger renovation we sequence it with the other trades rather than treating it as a standalone visit.
Clients booking this often pair it with roof repair, new roof installation, brick repair or stone masonry. One contract covers whichever combination you need, with a single schedule and one point of contact.
Roof Replacement across the Ottawa area
We take this work on throughout the greater Ottawa area. Recent jobs have run through Nepean, Merivale, South Keys, Kanata and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The consultation is free wherever you are in the city.