Guns N' Hoses Roofing Nepean
Our Story
Guns N’ Hoses Roofing
Built on Passion, Hard Work and Rock N Roll!
Guns N’ Hoses is a female owned and led roofing powerhouse serving Ottawa and the surrounding areas. Founded in August 2017, Vanessa took the industry by storm, starting from the ground up, literally.
Her journey began in 2013, hauling debris, assisting installers, and mastering safety protocols. With relentless dedication and a love for hard work, she climbed the ladder, both figuratively and literally, learning every aspect of asphalt roofing. After five years of grinding, she took the leap and launched Guns N’ Hoses Roofing.
The name is a tribute to her late uncle, a master craftsman, licensed carpenter, and die hard rock n roll fan. He always told her, “Work like you don’t need the money.” Inspired by his wisdom and passion, she built a brand that embodies quality, grit, and a commitment to excellence.
Vanessa first made her mark as a subcontractor, working on some of Ottawa’s most notable projects, the Ottawa Experimental Farm’s Dairy Barn, the Marshes Golf Course, the Tanzanian Embassy, and the Russian Consulate, plus countless residential roofs from steep slopes to flats. No job is too big or too small for the Guns N’ Hoses crew.
As a Summit Sister, Vanessa takes pride in promoting women in the roofing industry and trades as a whole. Her hard work and dedication have earned her several sponsorships in the industry, recognized for her strong work ethic, high quality craftsmanship, and positive reputation in the community.
Vanessa’s drive for success started early. She completed grades 11 and 12 in just a year and a half, graduating a semester ahead of her peers, all while simultaneously completing her college course while still in high school. That same determination led her to carve a name for herself in the roofing industry, proving that perseverance and passion can take you anywhere.
Beyond running her company, Vanessa is committed to giving back by teaching the art of roofing to high school, college, and university students looking to support themselves through their years in education. She believes in empowering the next generation with hands-on skills that can provide financial stability and open doors to new opportunities.
This year, Vanessa is celebrating 30 years young, 13 years in roofing, and 9 years in business. Guns N’ Hoses Roofing continues to raise the bar, proving that skilled trades are for anyone willing to put in the work.
Need a solid roof with expert craftsmanship? Call Guns N’ Hoses Roofing because your home deserves the best.
Is Your Roof Dealing with Icicles, Ice Dams, or Heavy Snow Buildup? Here’s What You Need to Know!
If your roof develops icicles, ice dams, or has a low slope that’s collects snow, this article is for you!
One of the most overlooked causes of ice dams, icicles, and even spring roof leaks is improper ventilation. Without the right airflow, heat from your home escapes through the roof, causing snow to melt and refreeze at the eave edges, leading to ice buildup and potential water damage when ice melts and can't drain off of the roof. The ice is in fact what causes the water to pool and recede under the shingles.
At Guns N’ Hoses Roofing, we specialize in optimizing roof ventilation and we are certified ventilation experts with Ventilation Maximum. Contact us to learn how we can help protect your home from winter’s harsh effects.
What Happens When A Roof Is Over Ventilated?
While proper roof ventilation is essential, too much ventilation can create serious problems during the winter months. When an attic becomes overly cold, frost can develop on the underside of the roof deck. As temperatures rise in the spring, this frost melts, making the roof deck damp enough to promote mold and mildew growth in warmer conditions.
In severe cases, excessive frost and ice buildup in the attic can melt and drip into the insulation, leading to water damage that affects not only the insulation but also drywall, electrical systems, and even the framing structure. Once moisture infiltrates these areas, mold and mildew can spread to the roof deck, framing, insulation, and drywall, creating further structural and air quality concerns.
One of the many aspects our team takes into mindful consideration when upgrading vents or replacing a roof is balancing ventilation to prevent both under ventilation and over ventilation, ensuring your home stays protected all year round. If you’re experiencing attic moisture issues, reach out to us for a professional assessment.
Happens When A Roof Is Under Ventilated?
Not enough ventilation can be just as much of an issue as too much. In fact, poor ventilation is the leading cause of ice dams and icicles forming on your roof. When an attic does not exhaust enough air, the space becomes too warm, causing heat loss through the roof leading to higher heating bills and lost money!
Heat loss occurs when warmth escapes through the roof, melting the settled snow. This melted snow then runs down the roof and refreezes in colder areas, forming ice. Over time, this cycle continues, causing the ice dam to grow larger. Another contributing factor can be low R value insulation in your attic. In this case, you may also notice that the second level of your home is colder than the main floor.
What may seem like a natural winter occurrence could actually be a major leak risk for your roof. Did you know most ice dams cause leaks in the spring? Here’s how it happens:
Once an ice dam forms, the arrival of warmer spring temperatures causes snow piled above it to melt faster than the ice dam itself. As water flows down the roof, it reaches the solid block of ice and becomes trapped this is why it's called an ice dam. Since water cannot flow under or over the ice dam, it begins to pool and back up along the roof. As the water level rises, it starts moving backward, creeping under shingles and seeping into the roof structure.
Even a small fracture or gap between shingles can allow pooling water to penetrate, leading to leaks, water damage, and costly repairs.
How to Treat the Issue?
1. Keep an eye on your roofs eaves (bottom edges) over the course of the winter. Watch for any forms of ice damming.
2. If visible from the ground, check to ensure snow is covering your roof. If your roof shows more shingles than snow or a pattern of vertical columns, while your neighbour's has a heavy blanket of snow, this may be a sign of heat loss.
3. If you are comfortable and safe to do so, you can access your attic and take a temperature reading. Your reading should be as follows.
SUMMER
65°C - 71°C in the attic, while outside is 35°C - 36°C
Winter
This temperature can vary based on your preferred set temperature, but should never fall below 15°C.
Ideally you want to keep your attic temperature within range of 10°C - 20°C (up or down) with the outside temperature.
Temperatures over 54°C can cause mold, mildew and ice damming. You may want to give our team a call for an assessment.