Sheathing replacement
Damaged sheathing is cut out and new panels go in and loose boards are renailed.
Roof Replacement
Roof Replacement Hillside, NJ
Replacing a roof in Hillside means stripping the old layers, fixing the deck and building a new roof system from the wood up, with a written scope so you know exactly what is being replaced. Call (908) 562-6893 to reach a local roofer.
Most roofs reach the point of replacement through age rather than one dramatic event. As shingles age they shed granules, turn brittle and curl at the edges, so leaks begin turning up in more than one spot at a time. Three-tab shingles tend to wear out sooner than heavier architectural shingles, and a roof that has already been overlaid once has no second chance.
The visible roofing is only part of what gets replaced. Below the surface sits plywood or OSB decking, felt or synthetic underlayment, ice barrier in the valleys and along the eaves, drip edge, step and counter flashing, pipe boots and ridge or box vents. Skipping any of those parts is how a brand new roof ends up leaking in its first heavy rain.
Ahead of the first conversation with a Hillside roofer, note the age of the roof, any leak spots on ceilings and whether there might be two layers up there. A quick look in the attic with a flashlight for damp wood or daylight is useful too, as long as you stay on the joists.
Many roof replacement calls in Hillside also turn up a need for roof installation or shingle roof replacement.
Need roof replacement in Hillside? Call (908) 562-6893 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The roof replacement process
Here is the typical sequence for replacing a residential roof.
Measure the roof
The roofer walks the roof where it is safe, checks the attic and measures every slope to confirm that replacement, not repair, is the right call. You should come away with a written scope that lists materials, layers to remove and who pulls the building permit most towns require.
Strip to the deck
Old shingles, felt and worn flashing are removed slope by slope so the deck is never left open for long. The roof is dried in at the end of each working day.
Check the sheathing
Bare decking shows exactly where water got in, and damaged sections are swapped for new sheathing.
Build the roof system
Drip edge goes on at the eaves, ice and water shield in the valleys and along the eaves, then synthetic underlayment, starter strip, new flashing, pipe boots and finally the roofing. Nailing to the shingle maker's pattern and balancing ridge exhaust with soffit intake are what make the roof last.
Clean up the site
Debris is hauled off and a rolling magnet sweeps the lawn, beds and driveway for nails. A final walk-through with you is the time to point out anything that looks off.
What is included
What gets replaced
Old roof removal
All old layers are stripped to the deck and hauled away which lets the crew see the decking.
New flashing
Flashing at walls, chimneys, skylights and vents is replaced with new metal instead of being caulked and reused.
Ventilation
Ventilation is reworked so intake and exhaust are balanced which helps the new roofing last.
Underlayment
New underlayment goes over the whole roof and self-sealing ice barrier goes where water collects behind the roofing.
Related service
Reroofing Hillside, NJ
Reroofing is the general term for putting a new roof on an existing house, whether that means a full tear-off or, in limited cases, a single overlay. An overlay may be allowed if there is only one layer and the deck is solid, but it hides the wood and adds weight. For most homes, a full tear-off is the better reroof because it exposes the deck and lets every piece of flashing be replaced.
Before reroofing a Hillside home, it is worth asking the roofer to check the layer count at the eaves or a vent opening. Also ask whether the new roof will get ice and water shield, new drip edge and new pipe boots, since those are easy places to cut corners.
Related service
Roof Tear Off Hillside, NJ
A roof tear-off removes every layer of old roofing, underlayment and flashing down to the decking. A dumpster is placed near the drop zone, and tarps cover beds, patios and anything that could catch falling debris.
Once the old roof is gone, every soft or rotted board is out in the open. Hidden rot around chimneys, skylights and valleys can be cut out, and old flashing that was buried under tar can be replaced.
Related service
Roof Decking Replacement Hillside, NJ
Under every roof is a deck of plywood, OSB or spaced boards that holds the nails and carries the load. Years of small leaks or a damp attic can rot sheathing or make OSB swell and lose strength.
Rotted sections are cut back to solid wood and replaced, and spaced plank decks may get a full layer of new plywood or OSB. Since nobody knows exactly how much bad wood is under a roof until it is torn off, ask how deck replacement will be priced in the contract.
Local help
Roof Replacement Near Me
In Hillside, replacement requests come from older homes and newer ones alike: original roofs on homes built decades ago, second roofs laid over the first, and newer roofs aged early by storms. Across Hillside and neighboring communities such as Union, Elizabeth, Roselle Park and Vauxhall, a roof replaced while the decking is still sound is a smaller, faster project, so it pays to have an aging roof looked at before it starts leaking in several places.
Searching for roof replacement near me from Hillside or Union, Elizabeth, Roselle Park and Vauxhall? Call (908) 562-6893 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects roofs around Hillside
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Hillside, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why not wait
Drier ceilings
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Hillside know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Roof Replacement FAQ
What time of year is best for roof replacement?
Mild, dry weather is ideal, which usually means late spring through early fall. Cold weather makes shingles brittle and slows the sealing process. If the roof is leaking now, a temporary fix can protect the house until replacement is scheduled.
How long does a roof replacement take?
For most single-family homes, the crew is on site for one to three days. Larger roofs, steep pitches and extensive deck repair add time.
Should I stay home while my roof is being replaced?
You do not have to be there the whole time, but it helps to be reachable. The roofer may need to ask about decking repairs or an unexpected issue once the old roof is off.
Should I repair my roof or replace it?
It comes down to whether the problem is in one spot or across the whole roof. A localized problem on a roof with plenty of life left is usually worth repairing. Curling, granule loss on most slopes, repeated leaks or two existing layers usually point to replacement.
Can a new roof go over the old one?
Building codes generally allow at most two layers of asphalt shingles, so an overlay is only possible on a roof with one layer and a sound deck. Even when it is allowed, an overlay hides the deck, keeps old flashing in place and adds weight to the framing.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6893
Related services
Roof Installation
Putting on a new roof the way the material maker intends, whether it is asphalt shingles, metal or another material.
Learn moreShingle Roof Replacement
Full shingle roof replacement, from tear-off and deck repair to new shingles and flashing, so the new roof starts on a sound, dry deck.
Learn moreMetal Roof Replacement
Replacing a rusted or worn-out metal roof, or swapping an old shingle roof for new metal, so the new roof starts on a sound base.
Learn moreRoof Insurance Claims
Help documenting hail and wind damage and meeting the insurance adjuster on the roof, so the damage is recorded clearly and accurately.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed roof replacement in Hillside, NJ?
Call (908) 562-6893 to talk to a roofer serving Hillside, NJ.