Welcome to our Roofing Gallery

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Roof/wall flashings should extend under the siding. Flashing that is installed over the siding will allow water to penetrate at the top and leak to the interior.  Correction will require the services of a licensed roofing contractor and possibly a siding contractor.

After 30 years or so, lead flashings will split, leaving spaces where rain will leak into the home.  We often see where the flashings have been coated with an asphalt compound, but this is - at best- a temporary patch.  Replacement is necessary. 

Asphalt patching compound can be useful as a temporary patch if dealing with an active leak and a roofing contractor is not immediately available.  However, this type of fix should not be relied upon as a permanent solution. 

The roof sheathing at the perimeter should be protected with flashing that directs water into the gutter.  Even if the shingles overhang the eave and gable-ends, water can travel back up and damage the rafters and sheathing. 

We have found that the gaskets at many  plumbing penetrations tend to last 10-15 years whereas the roof covering will last much longer. Replacement is relatively inexpensive, but walking on a roof can be hazardous and is best left to a roofer. 

In my opinion, when you have a through penetration that is intended for a pipe, it is generally best if a pipe is actually installed. In this instance, not only will this leak, but there is likely a missing plumbing vent stack lost in the attic. 

On occsasion, shingles will not be adeuqately attached.  Fasteners should penetrate complely through the sheathing. Many manufacturers recommend attachment with nails, but some roofers prefer staples. Certainly if high winds are expected, nails are preferred. 

Animals can do an amazing amount of damage to roofs.  We believe this shingle damage was caused by woodpeckers.  However, damage by raccoons, rodents, and other critters is not unheard of. 

Once ubiquitous in California, wood shake and shingle roofs are uncommon these days. Given the increased fire danger, many insurers are unwilling to provide coverage for a home with a wood roof. As a result, we have not seen a wood shake roof in this area for many years.

Tile roofing is quite popular in much of California due to its fire-resistant qualities.  However, tile roofs do require more maintenance than asphalt composition shingles and should be inspected by a roofing contractor every few years. Improper installation is commonplace.

There are a few different membrane material used for low-sloped roofs. A common covering is modified bitumen, which is impregnated with asphalt and sealed with an open flame. Any void in this type of membrane is likely to result in roof leaks and these can be difficult to find. 

Sometimes, a roof inspection is easy. A green or blue tarp is a dead giveaway that the roof leaks. Frankly, it doesn't take a rocket scientiest to come to a conclusion in some instances.