Roof Replacement in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR

Signs it may be time for a new roof

Roofs in the Pacific Northwest wear differently than roofs in drier climates. Months of rain, shade from tall trees, and moss that never fully dries out all shorten a roof's life. These are the signs we look for most often:

• Curling, cracked, or missing shingles across several areas of the roof, not just one spot.
• Heavy granule loss. If your gutters or the ground under your downspouts collect a lot of shingle grit, the shingles are wearing thin.
• Moss that keeps coming back and has started lifting shingle edges, which lets wind-driven rain get underneath.
• Leaks in more than one place, or leaks that return after being repaired.
• A sagging or uneven roofline, or roof decking that feels soft, both of which point to long-term moisture damage.
• Age. Many asphalt shingle roofs are near the end of their service life after roughly 20 to 30 years, sooner on shaded or poorly ventilated roofs.

One of these signs on its own does not always mean you need a new roof. Several of them together usually do.

Repair or replace? An honest answer

Not every roof problem calls for a replacement. A few missing shingles after a windstorm, a failed pipe boot, or worn flashing around a chimney can usually be fixed, and if a roof repair is the right call, we will tell you so. Replacement starts to make more sense when:

• the damage is spread across the roof rather than in one area,
• you are paying for repeated repairs on an aging roof,
• the roof decking underneath has started to rot, or
• you plan to stay in the home for years and want to stop worrying about the roof every rainy season.

We will explain what we see, show you the problem areas, and let you decide what fits your home and budget.

What a roof replacement involves

Every roof is different, but a typical replacement follows the same basic steps:

1. Estimate and inspection. We look at the roof, the attic where it is accessible, the flashing, and the ventilation, then give you a free estimate that explains the scope of work.
2. Removing the old roofing. Tearing off the old layers lets us see the condition of the roof deck underneath.
3. Repairing the roof deck. Soft or rotted sheathing is replaced so the new roof has a solid base.
4. Underlayment, flashing, and ventilation. These parts of the roof system do much of the work of keeping water out and moisture from building up in the attic, which matters a lot in our damp climate.
5. Installing the new roof and finishing ridges, edges, and roof penetrations.
6. Cleanup and a final walk-through of the finished roof with you.

Planning around Northwest weather

Roofing depends on the weather, and our rainy season is long. Many homeowners plan a replacement for the drier months, so it helps to call early if you already know your roof is near the end of its life. If your roof is failing in the middle of winter, call anyway. We can talk through what needs to happen now and what can wait.

New roof, new gutters?

A roof replacement is a good time to look at your gutters too. Gutters that are sagging, leaking at the seams, or too small for the roof can be replaced at the same time, and it is easier to get the drip edge and gutter working together while the roof edge is open. Learn more about gutter installation and repair.

Roof replacement FAQ