Roof replacement in the Des Moines metro

Signs it's time for a new roof

One of these on its own may only need a repair. Several together usually mean the roof is near the end of its life.

• Granules in the guttersShingles shed their protective granules as they age. Heavy buildup at the downspouts, or dark bare patches on the roof, means the asphalt is exposed to the sun.
• Curling, cupping or crackingEdges that curl up or tabs that crack across have dried out. They lift easily in wind and let water under.
• New leaks in different spotsOne leak is a repair. New leaks every season, in different places, point to a roof that is failing as a whole.
• Sagging or soft spotsA dip along the roofline or decking that feels spongy underfoot usually means wet or rotten wood, and it should be fixed before winter snow loads.
• Hail bruising on several slopesHail that breaks the shingle mat shortens the roof's life even before anything leaks. That's often an insurance matter, so start with a free inspection.

What every replacement includes

• Full tear-offOld shingles, underlayment and flashing come off down to the deck. Tarps protect landscaping, siding and windows while we work.
• Deck inspection and board replacementWe walk the bare deck and replace rotten or delaminated boards, and photograph what we replaced so you can see why.
• Ice and water shieldA self-sealing membrane goes along the eaves and in every valley, where ice dams and heavy runoff do the most damage. At the eaves it runs at least 24 inches past the inside of the exterior wall.
• Synthetic underlayment and drip edgeSynthetic underlayment covers the rest of the deck. New metal drip edge on the eaves and rakes steers water into the gutter instead of behind it.
• New flashing and pipe bootsWall, step and chimney flashing and every pipe boot are replaced, not reused. These are where most leaks start.
• Ventilation check, cleanup and walk-throughWe check intake and exhaust and correct them if needed, run magnetic sweeps for nails across the yard and driveway, then walk the finished job with you.