Roof repair and replacement

What's covered

• Roof Leak RepairWater rarely comes through the roof right above the stain on the ceiling. It runs along the deck or rafters first, so the repair starts with tracing it back: around chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents, valleys and wall joints, where flashing and sealant fail more often than the shingles themselves. The quote names the source, the repair and any wet or rotten decking that has to be replaced.
• Shingle Roof ReplacementA replacement is more than new shingles. The old layers come off, the deck is checked and damaged boards are replaced, then ice and water membrane goes along the eaves and valleys, underlayment over the rest, new drip edge and flashing, and finally the shingles. Ventilation is part of the job too, because a hot, damp attic shortens the life of any roof. A good quote lists each of these items.
• Roof InspectionsAn inspection covers the roof covering, flashing, vents and edges from outside, and the attic underside, insulation and signs of moisture from inside where access allows. It tells you whether the roof needs a repair now, can wait, or is near the end of its life. It is worth doing before buying or selling a home, after a major storm, or once a roof is around 20 years old.
• Flat Roof Repair & ReplacementFlat and low-slope roofs are common on plexes, row houses, garages, additions and small commercial buildings. Most problems start at seams, penetrations, parapet walls and drains, or where water ponds. Depending on the condition, the fix may be a patch, a new layer over sound existing roofing, or a full tear-off with new insulation and membrane. The quote should explain which membrane is proposed and why.
• Storm Damage RepairAfter high winds, hail or a fallen tree, the first job is to keep water out, usually with a secured tarp over the damaged area. Then the damage is documented with photos and repaired: lifted or missing shingles, cracked or bruised shingles from hail, bent flashing and broken decking. If you plan to file an insurance claim, contact your insurer early and keep the photos and written quote for your adjuster.
• Flashing, Chimney & Skylight RepairMost roof leaks start where the roof meets something else: a chimney, a wall, a skylight, a dormer or a vent pipe. Old flashing corrodes, and sealant dries out and gets covered with more sealant instead of proper metal. A sound repair lifts the shingles around the joint, installs new step and counter flashing, and adds a cricket behind wide chimneys so water and snow do not collect there.
• Ice Dam Prevention & Roof VentilationIce dams form when heat from the house melts snow on the upper roof and the water refreezes at the cold eaves. The water then backs up under the shingles and leaks into walls and ceilings. Chipping the ice off treats the symptom. The lasting fix combines balanced soffit and roof vents, air sealing and insulation in the attic, and ice and water membrane along the eaves.
• Metal RoofingMetal roofs cost more up front than asphalt shingles but last longer and shed snow well. Standing seam panels hide their fasteners and suit houses and lower slopes. Exposed-fastener steel panels cost less and are common on garages, sheds and cottages. A proper quote covers the panel type and gauge, the underlayment, snow guards where snow could slide onto walkways or doors, and how edges and penetrations will be flashed.

How the work is handled

• Repair Before ReplacePlenty of leaking roofs only need a repair. If a repair makes sense, the quote says so. If the roof is at the end of its life, you see why.
• Written ScopeTear-off or overlay, decking, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, debris removal and disposal, all written down before any work starts.
• Climate-Aware WorkSnow loads, ice dams, freeze-thaw, high winds and hail change what a roof needs. Local roofers take your area into account.
• Clear OptionsWhen more than one approach can work, such as a repair, a new layer or a full replacement, you see the options and the trade-offs.
• Homes and Small BuildingsHouses, cottages, plexes, row houses, small apartment buildings and small commercial roofs, sloped or flat.
• Form Only, Your PaceSend the details when it suits you. Nobody calls you before you ask for a quote.

Every written quote covers

• The cause of the leak or damage
• Tear-off, decking and materials in writing
• Flashing and ventilation details
• Permit needs flagged
• Debris removal and disposal spelled out

Cities