Roofing and ice dam questions

Heat from the house gets into the attic and warms the roof deck, so the snow on the roof melts from underneath. The meltwater runs down to the eave, which stays cold, and freezes there. Steam takes the dam off. Sealing the air leaks, adding insulation where it is thin and letting cold air through the attic is what keeps it from forming.

It lets cold outdoor air in low, at the eaves, and out high, at the ridge, so the roof deck stays close to the temperature outside. That keeps snow from melting unevenly, and it carries off damp air. Poor ventilation can also affect some shingle warranties.

No. Chipping, salt and a hammer damage shingles, and a fall from a ladder on ice is the real risk. If water is coming in, call us. We use low-pressure steam, from the ground or a lift where we can, and we won't go onto an iced roof without a way to tie off.

Yes, every visit starts there if we can get in. We check the air leaks at the hatch, lights and pipes, the insulation depth, the vents at the eaves and the ridge, and the underside of the deck for stains and frost.

A roof near the end of its life, curled or missing shingles, shingle granules in the gutters, a sagging deck, daylight or stains in the attic, and flashing that has pulled away. Icicles that keep returning to the same eave point at the attic first.

Typical ranges, which depend on the house and how well the attic breathes: architectural asphalt shingles about 25 to 30 years, standing-seam metal about 40 to 70, cedar shingles about 25 to 50. A roof that sheds snow evenly and stays dry underneath tends to reach the long end.

It depends on the roof's size in squares, its pitch, how many layers come off, the material, the deck underneath and the ventilation. We don't post prices because two houses on the same street can differ by a lot. The estimate page lists everything that moves the number, and you get the figure in writing after the visit.

Most capes and farmhouses take one to three days of work. Steep roofs, metal and cedar take longer, and winter can double it, because crews work shorter days and wait out snow and wind.

Most towns want one for a full re-roof. Ask us when you call; we tell you what your town asks for, and we can pull it if you want us to. Repairs often don't need one.

Two parts: the shingle or panel maker's material warranty, and our workmanship warranty. The terms are written on your contract: what each covers, how long, what voids it, and who registers it. Ask us to show you the papers before you sign.

It means whose life and what it covers. A maker's lifetime warranty usually covers manufacturing defects, for as long as the first owner owns the house, and the cover shrinks after the first years. It is not hail, ice or poor ventilation. Read the exact wording; the terms and exclusions are in the written warranty.

Deposit and payment terms are on your estimate. We don't set up financing ourselves; if the estimate offers a lender, it lists the rate, the term and the lender's name next to any monthly figure.