Roofing Company Blog: Tips & Tricks

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.

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.

If you’ve lived in Hampton Roads for any length of time, you know that our weather doesn't play favorites. Between the salt air in Virginia Beach and those heavy Nor'easters that rattle the windows in Newport News, your roof is under constant pressure.

The Problem Brian visited a commercial property in Chesapeake, Virginia, to investigate persistent leaks on a flat roof. Upon inspection, he found exactly what we call "roofing in a bucket"—layers of thick, mismatched sealant applied haphazardly over various sections.

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.

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.

We recently looked at a remarkable Buckingham slate roof in Hampton that was originally installed during the Depression era.