Roof Replacement in Rome, NY

Rome has a wide spread of houses, and the replacement changes with the house. The steps are always the same: old roof off, deck repaired, new layers on, flashing and ventilation done properly. What we find under the old shingles is what differs.

Older homes near the center of the city

Many of the older houses close to downtown have steep roofs, dormers and at least one chimney. It is common to find two or three layers of shingles on them and original plank boards underneath instead of plywood.

Every layer comes off. Plank decking that is sound stays, gaps are covered and boards that have rotted at the eaves are cut out and replaced. Each dormer and chimney gets new step and counter flashing, because those joints are where old roofs here leak first.

Mid-century houses and ranches

Further from the center, many homes have lower, simpler roofs with long eaves. These usually carry one layer, and the deck is often in decent shape.

The weak point is the attic. Poor ventilation lets warm air melt the snow from underneath, and the water refreezes at the eaves. On these roofs we spend our time on ice and water shield along the full length of the eaves and on vents that keep the deck cold.

Farmhouses and detached garages

On the rural roads around Rome, a replacement often covers more than the house: a detached garage or an old outbuilding used as one. Open fields let wind build before it reaches these roofs, so we pay close attention to the starter course and the shingles along the rakes and ridge, where wind lifts them first.

Whatever the house, the finished surface is architectural asphalt shingles. We protect the landscaping during tear-off, haul away all of the old material and sweep the yard for nails before we leave.