A roof is a slope, a deck, and a drainage plan. We show all three.
Plane & Pitch Roofing · Cleveland · Cuyahoga and Lake counties
Before any number is quoted, the roof is drawn. It slows the sale down, which is the point — about a third of the houses we assess turn out to need a repair rather than a replacement, and the drawing is how you can see that for yourself.
The drawing
A real one, of a house we assessed. Valleys in colour, because valleys and flashings are where roofs actually fail.
- Slope
- Marked in inches of rise per twelve. Under 3:12 is not a shingle roof, whatever anybody tells you.
- Deck
- Probed at every valley and eave. Soft sheathing is priced by the sheet on the quote, not discovered later.
- Drainage
- Where the water goes, including onto the neighbour's gable and into your own foundation.
- Penetrations
- Every pipe, vent, and chimney counted, because each one is a flashing detail and flashings are where roofs leak.
4 things failing. 4 things merely old.
The same roof. A company that puts all eight in one list sells you a replacement; the split is the difference between a four thousand dollar repair and a fourteen thousand dollar roof.
Failing
Step flashing at the chimney
Rusted through at two courses and the counter-flashing has pulled out of the mortar. This is where nearly every leak in Cleveland actually starts.
Valley metal, north side
Perforated where the two planes meet. Water is getting to the deck and the sheathing beneath is soft to a probe.
Pipe boots
Rubber collars split by UV. A twelve dollar part that causes a two thousand dollar ceiling.
Deck sheathing, north valley
About twelve square feet is soft. It has to be cut out and replaced, and it is the one item on this list that cannot wait.
Old, but not failing
Shingles, south slope
Granule loss and some curling at the edges. Twenty-two years on a twenty-five year shingle — old, but it is not letting water in and it will see another two or three winters.
Ridge vent
Working, if undersized for the attic volume. Worth correcting when the roof comes off. Not worth a visit on its own.
Gutters and downspouts
Sagging at two hangers and one downspout discharging against the foundation. A morning's work whenever it suits, and not a roofing job.
Ice and water barrier at the eaves
There is none. That was normal in 1998 and is not now. It goes in when the roof is replaced, and until then it is a reason to keep the gutters clear.
We do not knock on doors after a storm.
And we will not offer to cover your deductible, which is illegal in Ohio and is offered on doorsteps here every spring. If somebody has told you your roof is destroyed and you have a week to decide, get a second opinion — from us or from anybody.