A rolling stone may gather no moss, but old roofs sure do! Moss and lichen had taken over several sections of the roof on this home in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Moss will grow on shady, older roofs where moisture is present. It can eat through old shingles and lift them so that water seeps underneath. It also holds moisture, keeping the water in contact with the shingles. For the past ten years or so, new roof shingles have been made with zinc or copper particles that discourage the growth of moss and algae, so it’s not as much of a problem in newer roofs.
These rake boards had never been painted and were rotting away. Old style ridge vents were corroded and not offering adequate protection.
The old shingles were stripped away from the roof decking. They were not in good shape; the granules had even worn away on most of them.
Before After
There were some areas of significant water damage. Our roofers are skilled at repairing decking and restoring trim work to bring the roof back to a healthy, attractive state.
Before After
The flashing around this stone masonry chimney was re-leaded to prevent future leaks. We also inspect chimneys to see if they need repointing. Even with the flashing intact, wind-driven rain and freeze/thaw cycles can eat away at mortar, allowing water in, and possibly destabilizing the chimney.
Before After
There was quite a bit of damage to this valley on the roof. We repaired the decking and replaced the insulation in that area. It often happens that the homeowner isn’t aware of a leak because the insulation soaks up all the water. If this goes on for a long time, it can lead to rotten roof decking as happened to this home.
The “After” photo shows the repaired and re-shingled valley on the roof. Notice that you can’t tell where the two sides intersect. That is an indication of a roofing job well done. Most homeowners don’t ever see this level of detail on their roofs.
Do you think you may need a new roof in Tewksbury? Give us a call at 978-664-2557 or use the form on this page to send us some details about your property, and we’ll get back to you right away with your free estimate.
