Roof Replacement in Massachusetts: 4 Keys to a Leak-Proof Roof

 Roofers in Massachusetts have their work cut out for them.  Every season presents it’s own weather  conditions that make it difficult to keep a leak proof roof.  Here are 4 of the essential things that all  responsible roofing contractor in massachusetts will provide without question.

 #1:  Don’t skimp on High Quality Ice and Water Shield:

Ice Dams are a big problem in New England.  Most roofers will install some amount  of low-  grade ice and water shield.  But the questions are:  How much ice and water shield are they using?    And what quality is it? We recommend using a minimum of 6 ft. Certainteed WinterGuard from the eaves, and 3 feet from the gable ends. A full 3 ft. roll should be used in all valleys. We do this on all our roofing replacements in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

#2: Use a quality shingle with a substantial weight per square (100 square ft.):

That durability and longevity of a roofing shingle is primarily determined by the amount of asphalt and aggregate it’s made from.  More material means more weight, so the heavier a shingle is the better quality it is (in general).  Many of the roofing shingles that are sold on the shelves of the big box stores aren’t even labeled with a weight per square.  Stay away from these roofing products.  Landmark Architectural shingles range between 250-340 lbs per square.  There are even shingles available that weigh more than 400 lbs. per square.

 #3: Make sure your gutters are clean and functioning properly:

Most winter roof leaks in Massachusetts are due to ice build up in the gutters and on the roof which can often be caused by leaf filled gutters that cannot drain properly.  However, even a new, clean gutter can get ice damming.  If you have an ice damn problem, consider installing deicing lines as a temporary solution, but also contact a roofing installer to repair or replace your roof.

 #4: Care:

The bottom line is even experienced roofing installers in MA will leave you with issues if they don’t put the proper effort and care into installing your roof. At first glance there may not be a noticeable difference between a properly installed roof and a poorly installed roof because so much of what determines the quality and durability of a roof is underneath the shingle.

These are just a few of the necessary steps to having a long-lasting leak proof roof.  Contact us today if you’d like to discuss a roof replacement project.