Roof Repair in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County

What does a Main Line estate roof ask of a repair?

A complex pitched roof has many joints, and each one has to be sealed. Hips, valleys and the lines where a dormer meets the slope all take the water and the wind, and a repair that fixes one plane while ignoring the one next to it often moves the leak rather than stopping it.

On slate, the repair approach is usually to replace the broken slates individually rather than the whole roof. Guidance from the National Park Service says historic slate should be repaired rather than replaced whenever possible, and that non-ferrous copper or stainless nails are the right choice for a slate roof.

Why does straight-line wind matter so much on a large roof?

The National Weather Service has described microbursts in this area with gusts of 60 to 70 mph, and it classed them as straight-line wind rather than a tornado. Straight-line wind can lift shingles, tear flashing and push branches onto a roof in the same few minutes, which is why storm calls here often involve more than one problem.

After a windy night, look for shingles on the ground, bent flashing at the chimney and any new light visible from the attic. Photograph the damage before cleanup, cover openings if it is safe, and call (833) 751-2102 so a roofer can see the whole roof.

Who issues the permits in the township?

Permits for roof work in Lower Merion come from the township rather than Philadelphia. Montgomery County townships issue their own permits under the local building code, and the township's process and fees are not set out on this page.

Ask the township office what it requires for the scope you have in mind before the job is booked. A roofer who works in the township regularly will know what it asks for and how long it usually takes.

How do the big estates handle gutters, valleys and downspouts?

A large Lower Merion house can have a long run of gutter along several roof planes, and each joint in the run is a place where a bracket can pull loose or a seam can open. Gutters on a big house also carry a large volume of water, so an outlet that is blocked for a single storm can overflow onto the walls and the foundation.

Valleys between the planes of a complex roof take the most water. Clearing them, checking the metal and making sure the shingles lap correctly on both sides are routine parts of a survey, and they are the first repairs to schedule before a wet season arrives.

Downspouts should carry the water well away from the house. A roofer can show where each one discharges and whether the ground slopes toward or away from the foundation at that point, which matters more on a large lot than most owners expect.