Roof questions from Philadelphia rowhouse and twin owners
Most questions fall into four groups: what to do when a flat roof is leaking, how the rowhouse roof is built and where it fails, what the city, the state and the historic commission require, and what the roofer and the insurer must show. Calls are answered 24/7.
- Flat and low-slope rowhouse roofs
- Parapet, scupper and drain repairs
- Twins, slate and storm-wind damage
- Phones answered 24/7
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 751-2102. Or send this and we call you back.
When the roof is leaking
What should I do about a leak through a rowhouse ceiling?
Put a container under the drip, move valuables away from the spot and photograph the stain and the room. Do not go onto a wet roof. Call, and say whether the water is at the parapet, under a drain or in the middle of the roof.
Why does water stand on my flat roof?
A flat rowhouse roof is built with a slight fall to a drain. Ponding happens when the drain is blocked, the scupper is clogged or the roof has dipped. Inspect it after any heavy rain, and tell the roofer if the water stays longer than a day.
How the roof is built
Where do rowhouse flat roofs usually fail?
Generally at the edges and the seams: the parapet flashing, the drain and scupper seams and the point where the membrane meets a party-wall parapet. That parapet has to be sealed so water does not run into the neighbour's house.
Do I need slate repaired or replaced?
The National Park Service's guidance on historic slate says repair is preferred whenever possible. Slates from the late 1800s and early 1900s have lasted roughly 60 to 125 years, and non-ferrous nails should be used when slates are reset.
Permits, credentials and reviews
Does a roofer need a Philadelphia licence?
For one- and two-family homes the city's permit rules allow the owner who lives in the building, or a registered Pennsylvania home improvement contractor who holds a Philadelphia Commercial Activity License. Roofing is not on the list of trades that need a specific licence. Larger and commercial buildings can fall under different city rules; L&I answers for the address.
What credential should a roofer show in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania issues no roofing licence. Contractors whose home improvement work passes a yearly threshold register with the Attorney General as home improvement contractors. Ask for the registration number and verify it on the Attorney General's home improvement registration line.
Do I need a permit to replace a roof?
Most replacements need one. The contractor files it through L&I, and the city's permit office handles most applications within about five business days. Confirm with L&I whether a small repair needs a permit.
Will the historic commission have to approve my roof?
If the house is in a historic district or on the Philadelphia Register, roof work visible from the street may need review by the Historical Commission before L&I issues the permit. Flat roofs hidden behind a parapet are generally treated more simply. The Commission confirms it for the address.
What about the Camden or Cherry Hill side?
New Jersey roofers register as home improvement contractors with the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the permit comes from the municipality, not Philadelphia L&I. Ask the roofer for its registration and check it on the Division's verification system.
Insurance and post-storm work
What should I do before the insurer's adjuster arrives?
Report the damage to the insurer promptly, photograph it before any cleanup, make temporary repairs such as tarping, and keep the receipts. Public adjusters are not employees of the insurer.
Should I pay a roofer in full after a storm?
No. The state Insurance Department warns against contractors who push immediate repairs or promise to raise an insurance payout. Do not pay in full or sign a completion certificate before the work is done.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.