Roofs fail in patterns that follow how homes are built. In Birmingham and across the gulf coast, a few house types show up again and again. Each has weak spots worth knowing before you ask for quotes.
Slab-on-grade ranch homes
Many local homes are single-story ranches on a concrete slab. They tend to have wide, low-profile roofs over a large attic. That shape has some upsides. A simple roof with few cuts is usually easier to tear off and re-cover, and a lower pitch is easier for crews to work on. Steep, cut-up roofs with many valleys cost more in labor.
There are trade-offs too. A low pitch sheds water more slowly in a heavy downpour, so underlayment and flashing quality matter more. With no basement or crawlspace, a leak shows up in ceilings and attic insulation first. Wet insulation stops doing its job and can hide a problem for a long time. Check the attic after big storms.
Brick and vinyl siding: the flashing details
Where a roof meets a wall or chimney, flashing does the real work. Step flashing and counterflashing carry water away from those joints. On a vinyl-sided house, the bottom edge of the siding may need to be unlocked and lifted so new flashing can be tucked in properly. On brick, flashing is often cut into the mortar joints.
These joints are common leak spots. Reusing old flashing is a way to trim a quote, but it is a trade-off. Ask each roofer whether the price includes new flashing and how the wall joints will be handled.
Hot attics and humid air
Gulf coast attics can get very hot, and the air is humid for much of the year. Heat and moisture shorten the life of shingles and can encourage mold on the underside of the deck. Good ventilation helps. That usually means air coming in at the soffits and leaving at the ridge or roof vents.
Common problems include soffit vents blocked by insulation and too few exhaust vents. When you compare quotes, ask what the roofer plans to do about ventilation. Manufacturer warranties may call for adequate ventilation, so it is worth reading the terms. Dark streaks on the roof are often algae. Ask whether algae-resistant shingles are an option and what they add to the price.
Request Help
Older pier-and-beam houses
Some older homes sit on piers with a crawlspace. Their roofs were often framed for lighter materials. Two issues come up often.
- Decking. Some older roofs have wood planks with gaps rather than solid sheets. New shingles usually need a solid, sound surface, so a roofer may add sheathing. That adds cost.
- Weight. Tile and slate are heavy. The framing may need checking before you commit, and strengthening it adds to the bill.
Older roofs may also carry more than one layer of old roofing. Extra layers raise tear-off and disposal costs. Ask the roofer to look at the framing from the attic, not only the surface.
Storm season matters for every type
Tropical storm season puts wind and rain on every roof. Wind lifts shingle edges. Rain finds any weak flashing. Details that help include correct nailing patterns, starter strips along the edges, well-sealed shingle tabs and a secondary water barrier under the roofing.
Ask each roofer how shingles will be fastened and which products they would use. Do not assume every quote covers the same details. Put the answers in writing.
Keep gutters and downspouts in mind as well. Heavy downpours overwhelm clogged or undersized gutters, and water that spills behind them can rot fascia boards and decking.
Match the roof to the house
The right choice depends on the house. A simple ranch may do well with asphalt shingles. A homeowner planning to stay for many years may weigh metal, which costs more up front and lasts longer. Tile or slate raise structural questions. Doing the job right protects the home, its value and its future resale, so compare the plan as well as the price.
Request Help
More homeowner guides