Repairs and leaks
We find where the water gets in, then fix that
On a slate, cedar or copper roof, the leak is rarely where the stain is. We start in the attic with a flashlight, then go up. We repair what is wrong, and tell you if we found something else that will need attention soon.
Attic first, roof second
Photographs before and after, sent to you
A written scope before any repair starts
Where water gets in
The usual places on an old roof
Valleys and chimney flashing
The most common source. Old metal fails at the seams, and sealant only hides it for a season.
Slipped or cracked slates
A rusted nail lets a slate slide. The gap sends water to the felt, and then to the deck.
Built-in gutters
A clogged outlet fills the gutter and the water finds the cornice.
Ice dams
Heat from the attic melts snow that refreezes at the eaves. The fix is air sealing and ventilation as much as roofing.
Dormers and skylights
Where two planes meet, the flashing carries more than anywhere else.
Old repairs
Roofing cement, tar and caulk are tied to the next leak. We take them out before we repair.
Ice dams
What the icicles are telling you
A line of icicles on an old house is often an attic problem before it is a roof problem. Heat leaks upward, snow melts, and the water refreezes at the cold edge. We look at insulation, air sealing and ventilation, and tell you what to fix at the roof and what to fix below it.
Before you book a repair
Can you come out the same week?
We keep room for leaks. Call the office, and we tell you the next day we can come, and what to do to limit damage until then.
What should I do while I wait?
Move what you can from under the leak, put a bucket under it, and photograph the stain and the ceiling. Don't climb the roof.
Do you do small repairs?
Yes. A few slates or a section of flashing is a normal visit, and the bid says what it includes.
Do you tarp?
We can cover a section while repairs are planned. We tell you what it costs on the phone before we come.
A stain, a drip, a smell in the attic?
Text a photo or call. We will tell you what we think before the visit.