Roofing Company Blog: Roofing for Reel

While on a routine attic inspection on a classic home in Hampton, our team expected the usual checks: examining insulation, evaluating roof deck framing, and checking for moisture buildup.

Brian visited a home in Hampton to investigate a persistent drip inside the house. What we captured for this look at Roofing for Reel was a situation we don't see every day.

We headed out to Newport News, Virginia, where the combination of coastal moisture and older architecture always keeps us on our toes. Brian uncovered a classic example of why a popular home makeover trend actually spells serious trouble for local homeowners.

During a walk-through, Brian Chalsma spotted a situation that makes any experienced roofer cringe. A low-slope (or "flat") roof was tied directly into a shingle ridge vent. While a ridge vent is a fantastic tool for keeping your attic cool, it was never designed to live at the bottom of a slide.

The Problem When Brian walked up to this roof in our corner of Virginia, he noticed something that looked like a simple spot of wear on the shingles. As he got closer, it was clear that critters had chewed right through the material, creating a hidden doorway into the attic.

It is a common sight across Yorktown: a roof that looks perfectly fine from the driveway but tells a completely different story once you’re standing on it. When we looked at a local condominium complex recently, we saw exactly how deceptive a 20-year-old roof can be.

Here at the base of the historic Star of the Sea Church at Fort Monroe, we were looking at a piece of Tidewater history that has survived since the 1800s. But once we looked past the majestic view, we saw a roof that was literally bending under the weight of time.

We headed out to Smithfield to walk the roof of a building that’s stood since 1750. Working on a structure with that much history requires more than just standard tools; it requires a deep respect for the materials that’ve kept our Tidewater community safe for nearly three centuries.

When Brian stepped onto this roof in Newport News, he wasn't just looking at a repair; he was looking at a piece of Virginia history. This Vermont slate has been protecting this home for 104 years.

Brian Chalsma encountered a situation that every homeowner should know about before they start a replacement. We were looking at a plywood roof deck covered in "ice and water shield"—a thick, sticky waterproof membrane designed to protect your eaves from leaks.