Why This Happens So Often in Edmonton
In Edmonton, roofing errors do not stay hidden for long. Harsh winters and rapid temperature changes expose poor workmanship much faster than in other regions.
When a roof fails early, the problem is rarely the shingles themselves.
It’s almost always poor workmanship.
Below are the installer mistakes we see every single week on roofs that are supposed to be “new.”
1. Overdriven or High Nails (The #1 Silent Killer)
This is one of the most common causes of early roof failure.
What goes wrong:
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Nails are driven too deep, cutting through the shingle mat
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Nails are driven too high, missing the nailing zone
What it causes:
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Shingles loosen over time
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Wind blow-offs
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Tabs lifting and creasing
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Premature shingle loss
A roof can look perfect from the ground and still be failing underneath.
2. Poor Ventilation (New Roof, Old Problem)
Many roofs are replaced without fixing the attic ventilation.
What goes wrong:
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Blocked soffits
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Not enough exhaust vents
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Mixed vent systems (ridge + box vents)
What it causes:
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Attic condensation
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Frost on nails
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Mold growth
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Ice dams
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Shingles aging twice as fast
Installing new shingles on a poorly ventilated attic is like putting new tires on a broken axle.
3. Incorrect Flashing Installation
Flashing is what keeps water out — and it’s often rushed or done wrong.
Common flashing mistakes:
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Step flashing reused instead of replaced
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Missing flashing behind siding
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Incorrect plumbing vent boots
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No ice-and-water protection at penetrations
What it causes:
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Leaks around chimneys, skylights, and walls
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Water damage that shows up years later
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Hidden rot
Most early roof leaks are flashing failures, not shingle failures.
4. Skipping Ice and Water Shield (Or Using It Incorrectly)
In Edmonton, ice-and-water protection is not optional.
What goes wrong:
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Too little coverage
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No protection in valleys
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No protection at roof edges
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Cheap peel-and-stick installed improperly
What it causes:
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Leaks during winter warm-ups
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Water backing up under shingles
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Interior ceiling damage
If your roof leaks in winter, this is often the reason.
5. Rushed Installations and Piecework Crews
Speed-focused crews are a major issue.
What we see:
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Shingles installed in poor weather
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No chalk lines
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Inconsistent courses
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Cut corners to save time
What it causes:
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Crooked shingle lines
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Weak sealing
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Shingles lifting prematurely
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Shortened roof lifespan
A roof is not a 4-hour job. Anyone treating it like one is gambling with your home.
6. Improper Valley Installation
Valleys handle the most water — and are often installed incorrectly.
Common mistakes:
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Nails too close to the valley center
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Poor metal valley alignment
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Shingles cut improperly
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No underlayment protection
What it causes:
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Early leaks
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Shingle erosion
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Water intrusion during heavy melt
Valley failures are one of the fastest ways for a roof to fail.
7. Poor Attic Insulation Left Unaddressed
Even a perfectly installed roof can fail early if heat loss is ignored.
What goes wrong:
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Insulation below minimum standard
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Air leaks not sealed
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Warm attic temperatures
What it causes:
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Melted snow patches
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Ice dams
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Condensation
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Shingles breaking down prematurely
Minimum recommended attic insulation in Edmonton is R-50.
Why These Failures Matter
A roof that fails early leads to:
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Water damage
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Mold remediation
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Higher heating bills
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Insurance claims
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Premature re-roofing
Most homeowners are shocked to learn their “new roof” was installed incorrectly from day one.
How to Avoid a Bad Roofing Installation in Edmonton
Before hiring a roofer, ask:
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Who is installing the roof — employees or subcontractors?
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Will ventilation be assessed and corrected?
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Is flashing being replaced or reused?
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Is ice-and-water protection included and where?
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Is attic insulation being evaluated?
A good roofer explains these details.
A bad one avoids them.
The Truth About Early Roof Failure
If your roof failed early, it’s not because Edmonton weather is “too harsh.”
It’s because shortcuts were taken.
Good materials + proper installation = a roof that lasts.
Anything less will fail — fast.
At PJ Roofing, we inspect failed and failing roofs every day many of them less than 10 years old.
If your roof is already leaking, lifting, or showing signs of failure, we’ll tell you exactly why and how to fix it properly.
Book your roofing inspection today
