Roofing Company Blog: Tips & Tricks

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.

We visited a home where the owners were frustrated by a persistent drip that other contractors just couldn't seem to locate. After some careful investigating, we found the culprit: a nail in the bond. The Problem The issue was a classic "needle in a haystack" scenario.

When Brian headed out to a beautiful home in Williamsburg, he found a situation that’s all too common in the Tidewater area. The homeowner had a wide brick chimney that was causing a bit of a headache.

Winter in Hampton Roads is a bit of a trickster. One day we’re enjoying a mild afternoon, and the next, a bitter cold snap has us all cranking up the heat.