What roof-replacement Includes
A roof estimate starts with a full roof inspection — decking, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, and the condition of every penetration.
- Tear-off of existing shingle, felt, and tar paper down to the roof deck
- Inspection of sheathing, rafters, and truss for rot or sag
- Replacement of plywood or osb where decking has softened
- Ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment elsewhere
- New drip edge, step flashing, chimney flashing, and pipe boot
- Ridge vent and soffit vent balance for attic airflow
Materials land by dumpster and get staged before tear-off begins. Roofers run nail gun and air compressor off a scaffold or ladder with a safety harness. Pry bar and roofing shovel strip the old layers. Then the crew sets the substrate, lays membrane where required, and nails each course to spec.
Cleanup means magnet-sweeping the lawn, hauling debris, and a final walk of the roofline with the homeowner. A tarp stays on any open section overnight.
Quality & Materials Standards
Material choice drives lifespan here. Three-tab shingle is the budget floor; architectural shingle — laminated, fiberglass-reinforced, granulated — carries a longer warranty and better wind ratings. Some homeowners want wood shake or cedar shake for character, though humid summers shorten their life. Slate, clay tile, and concrete tile last generations but demand a structure that can carry the load.
Flat and low-slope sections need membrane, not shingle. Options include tpo, epdm, and pvc membrane, plus modified bitumen and built-up roof systems. Standing-seam panel and corrugated panel serve both low-slope and steep applications. Each substrate calls for the right primer and sealant before anything is fastened.
Fasteners matter as much as cover material. Nail placement, screw type, and caulk or adhesive at every seam decide whether a roof stays waterproof. Building code sets minimums for ice-and-water shield, ventilation, and fastener patterns — inspectors check all three. Proper weatherproofing also means sealing the chimney, vent boot, and any skylight penetration.
After storm damage, a homeowner files an insurance claim and meets an adjuster. Keep claim documentation: photos, the scope of work, and the estimate. Know your deductible and whether policy coverage pays replacement cost or actual cash value after depreciation. A supplement can be filed if hidden damage surfaces during tear-off.
Local Service Areas
Downtown Garfield
Dense early-1900s blocks where rooflines sit close together and access is tight.
- Brick colonial and row houses with steep pitch and little eave overhang
- Original plank decking failing under layered tar and roofing felt
- Shared parapet walls and chimney flashing that leak at the seam
- Tight lots needing careful scaffold and debris placement
Dundee Lake
Lake-adjacent homes where humidity keeps substrates damp long after rain stops.
- Mid-century pitched roofs with aging three-tab shingle
- Decking soft near the eave from trapped moisture
- Ridge vent and soffit vent often undersized for the attic volume
- Gutter and downspout overflow staining the fascia
Riverside
Riverfront properties facing the worst of nor'easter wind and flood-zone moisture.
- Wind damage stripping ridge cap and rake edge
- Ice dam forming at the eave on north-facing slopes
- Corroded pipe flashing and vent boot at every penetration
- Standing water behind a blocked scupper on flat sections
Wallington Avenue
Older residential corridor mixing original construction with mid-century additions.
- Low-slope rear additions needing membrane instead of shingle
- Step flashing and counterflashing failures at wall intersections
- Rotted rafter tails hidden behind the soffit
- Dormer valleys collecting debris and holding water
Midland Park Border Area
Suburban edge with ranch and split-level homes exposed to open wind.
- 1970s–1990s architectural shingle reaching end of life
- Gable and hip transitions where flashing pulls loose
- Underlayment dried out and cracking under the field
- Loose fasteners backing out along the verge