Roof Replacement in Ottawa: What Homebuyers Should Plan Before Closing
Protect Your Investment Before You Get the Keys Buying a home in Ottawa or Gatineau is exciting and stressful at the same time. You are thinking about offer amounts, closing dates, and where the couch will go. In all that pressure, the roof often gets very little attention, even though it protects everything you are […]
What Is the Best Commercial Roofing System for Buildings in the Outaouais Region?
SBS modified bitumen has been the dominant commercial flat roofing system in Quebec for decades. Its track record in the Outaouais’s freeze-thaw climate is well established. For commercial buildings in Gatineau, retail, office, light industrial, and multi-residential, a two-layer SBS system delivers 35–40 years of waterproofing performance with minimal maintenance requirements. TPO Membrane: Best for […]
What Commercial Roofing Contractors Serve Businesses in Gatineau, Quebec?
What Makes a Commercial Roofing Contractor Qualified in Quebec Quebec law requires all contractors performing roofing work — including commercial projects — to hold an active RBQ licence. For commercial torch-applied membrane work, technicians must hold specific certifications for torch welding operations, which carry additional insurance and training requirements under Quebec regulations. Cossette holds RBQ […]
Hidden Roof Repair Risks in Ottawa’s Older Homes
Hidden Roof Repair Risks in Ottawa’s Older Homes Older homes around Ottawa and Gatineau have a lot of charm, but their roofs often hide problems that are easy to miss. Years of harsh winters, heavy snow, and spring rains slowly wear away at shingles, flashings, and roof structures, even when everything still looks fine from […]
Can You Install a New Roof Over Old Shingles in Quebec?
In some situations, it is technically possible to install new asphalt shingles directly over an existing layer in Quebec. However, most certified roofers in Gatineau and Ottawa recommend against it. While roofing over old shingles can reduce the upfront cost of a project, it introduces a range of technical and warranty complications that often result […]
How Often Should a Residential Flat Roof in Quebec Be Inspected or Replaced?
Spring inspection (April–May): Walk the roof to identify winter damage, membrane cracks, opened seams, displaced flashings, and ice dam residue near drains. Clear all drains before spring rainfall season. Fall inspection (October): Inspect for summer UV damage and ensure drains are clear before freeze-up. Address any issues before the first hard freeze makes them worse. […]
How Much Does Flat Roof Replacement Cost in Gatineau or Ottawa?
The primary cost variables for flat roof replacement in Gatineau are: surface area in square metres, number of membrane layers to remove, condition of the roof deck (rot or damage adds material and labour), amount of rigid insulation being added or replaced, complexity of penetrations and flashings, and drain configuration. Cossette provides itemized estimates that […]
How Often Should You Inspect Your Roof in Gatineau?
You should inspect your roof at least twice a year in Gatineau: once in spring after snow season ends, and once in fall before winter arrives. Quebec’s climate is particularly demanding on roofing systems, with cold winters, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snowfall, ice dams, and hot humid summers. Regular inspections allow you to catch minor issues […]
How Much Does Commercial Flat Roof Replacement Cost in Ottawa or Gatineau?
Commercial Flat Roof Pricing Variables in Gatineau Commercial roof pricing is driven by: total surface area (larger roofs have lower per-m² cost due to economies of scale); membrane type (SBS, TPO, or metal — each has different material and labour rates); number of existing layers to remove; deck condition (structural repairs add significant cost); number […]
What Causes Flat Roofs to Leak on Homes in the Outaouais Region
Cause 1: Failed Seams Seams are the most vulnerable point of any membrane system. If the torch weld was incomplete during installation, or if the seam has opened due to thermal cycling over time, water enters directly at the gap. Seam failure is particularly common at membrane terminations (edges) and at changes in direction on […]