Roof Repair in Irvington, NJ
A leak, a few shingles gone after a storm, water stains on the ceiling. We find where the water is really getting in and fix the cause, not just the spot you can see.
Common roof problems we repair
Most leaks we see around Irvington start in the same few places. Shingles themselves last a long time. The joints and edges are what give out first:
- Flashing where the roof meets a wall, a dormer or a chimney, which loosens with every freeze and thaw
- Pipe boots around plumbing vents, whose rubber collars crack in the sun after a few years
- Valleys, where two roof slopes meet and carry the most water
- Eaves damaged by ice dams after heavy snow
- Shingles lifted or torn off by nor'easters and summer storms
- Skylights that leak around their curb or their old flashing
What a roof repair includes
- Leak tracing from the attic and the roof
- Missing or blown-off shingles replaced
- Step, wall and valley flashing repairs
- Pipe boot and vent collar replacement
- Damaged sheathing cut out and replaced
- Ice dam damage at eaves repaired
- Chimney flashing resealed or rebuilt
- Skylight perimeter leaks sealed
How we fix a leak, step by step
- Listen and look. We ask when it leaks (heavy rain, wind, snow melt) and look at the stain inside. That tells us a lot before we climb.
- Trace it from the attic. We follow the water marks on the sheathing and rafters back toward the source.
- Inspect the roof. We check the flashing, boots, valleys and shingles above that area, and photograph what we find.
- Repair the cause. Damaged materials come off, sheathing is replaced if it is soft, and new flashing or shingles go on and are sealed.
- Explain what we did. You get photos of the problem and the repair, and an honest opinion on how much life the rest of the roof has.
Repair or replace?
We would rather fix a roof that still has years in it than sell you one you do not need. A repair makes sense when the problem is limited to one area and the rest of the shingles are in good condition. If we find widespread wear, soft decking or leaks in several places, a roof replacement usually costs less in the long run than repeated patches. Either way, you decide with the facts in front of you.
Roof repair across North Jersey
New Jersey's weather works the roof all year: freeze and thaw cycles in winter, snow loads, ice along the gutters, and summer heat and storms. Older homes in Essex and Union Counties often have steep roofs, several chimneys and additions with roofs tied into the main house, which means more flashing joints and more places for water to find its way in.
If water is coming in around your chimney, see our chimney repair page; many "roof leaks" are really chimney leaks. If you just want to know where your roof stands, book a free roof inspection. For everything else, get a free estimate or call us.
Roof Repair questions in Irvington, NJ
Wind-driven rain gets under shingles and flashing at angles that normal rain never reaches. The usual causes are loose flashing at walls and chimneys, lifted shingles near the ridge or edges, and cracked rubber boots around plumbing vents.
Water travels. It can enter at a chimney, vent or valley, run along a rafter or the sheathing and drip several feet away. That is why we trace leaks from the attic side as well as from the roof before we repair anything.
Ice dams form when heat from the house melts snow on the upper roof and the water refreezes at the cold eaves, backing up under the shingles. We repair the damaged shingles and sheathing and look at ventilation and the eave underlayment so it is less likely to happen again.
Yes. Small repairs after wind storms are some of the most common calls we get. If your shingles are still in good shape, we match them as closely as possible and seal the area. If the roof is near the end of its life, we tell you honestly.
No. Water in the attic soaks insulation and can rot the sheathing and framing within one season. Call as soon as you see a stain or drip. We can make the area watertight and plan any larger work for better weather.
Our projects start at $1,500. If your repair is smaller, call us anyway: we can often combine it with other work on the house or point you in the right direction.
Have a question we did not answer? Call us at (908) 848-1384 or read our general FAQ.
Got a leak? Let's find it.
Call us with photos or book a visit. Estimates are free, and we can often give you a first answer over the phone.