A ridge of ice and a stained bedroom ceiling on a Streamwood ranch
What homeowners notice
After a cold week and a thaw, a thick band of ice sits along the front eave of a low-pitch ranch and a damp patch spreads on the ceiling just inside the exterior wall. The gutter has begun to pull away from the fascia.
What we do
The roofer clears channels in the ice without chopping at the shingles, then looks at the attic floor and finds thin, uneven insulation and gaps around the recessed lights. The quote lists air sealing first, then insulation, then venting, with eave protection to be added at the next reroof.
What to expect
The owner understands that clearing the ice treated the symptom, and has a written sequence for the attic work that stops it forming again.
A winter visit first, then attic work booked separately typical visit
A brown ring beside a brick chimney in an older Roselle house
What homeowners notice
A stain appears on the ceiling next to the fireplace wall after wind-driven rain, and it grows each time. A previous owner had sealed around the base of the chimney with a thick bead of caulk.
What we do
The roofer lifts the shingles beside the chimney and finds step flashing that is rusted through and counterflashing that was never set into the mortar. The quote replaces the metal in layers, notes cracked mortar and a worn crown for a mason, and keeps the two trades on separate lines.
What to expect
The owner has a written quote that separates the roofing repair from the masonry, and knows which part addresses the leak.
A dry-day inspection, with masonry work scheduled with a mason typical visit
Creased shingles after a March gust in Hoffman Estates
What homeowners notice
After a night of damaging wind, a few shingles lie in the yard and a ridge cap is twisted. From the street the rest of the roof looks fine, but a faint line shows across some tabs on the windward slope.
What we do
The roofer lifts a sample of tabs, finds several unsealed and creased along the nail line, and photographs each area. The quote replaces the creased shingles, re-bonds the lifted ones, resets the ridge cap and offers temporary cover for the bare strip in the meantime.
What to expect
The owner has dated photographs and a written scope to share with an insurer, and a clear split between cover now and repair later.
An inspection after the storm, repair booked once the weather settles typical visit
Standing water and an open seam on a low-slope warehouse roof in Elk Grove Village
What homeowners notice
A building manager notices ceiling tiles stained near a loading area and finds a pond that stays on the roof for days after rain, around a drain half-buried in debris.
What we do
The roofer surveys the membrane, finds an open seam near the drain and wet insulation beneath it, and checks the license class needed for a commercial building. The report separates a local seam and drain repair from the question of whether the wet insulation means replacing the section.
What to expect
The manager has a diagram with photographs and two priced options, and can plan the work around the building's operations.
A roof survey first, then repair or replacement planned around operations typical visit
A townhome row in Schaumburg weighs a whole-building reroof
What homeowners notice
Owners at the end of a townhome row report repeat stains after repairs, and the board has a reserve study that lists the roof as nearing the end of its life.
What we do
The roofer surveys each building and rates its condition with photographs, then writes one scope covering layers, decking allowance, flashing at the party walls, ventilation and the village permit, so that every bidder prices the same job.
What to expect
The board can compare bids line by line and sequence the buildings in the order the survey recommends.
A survey for the board, then bids on one written scope typical visit
A ranch from the early postwar years has curling shingles and two stains along the eaves. A look at the rake edge shows two layers of shingles stacked together.
What we do
The roofer counts the layers at the edges, quotes a tear-off to the boards with a decking allowance and a per-board rate, and notes that the village permit and final inspection apply. During the job, soft boards along the eaves are replaced and photographed.
What to expect
The owner pays the allowance plus the boards shown in the photographs, and the new roof starts on a clean, sound deck.
An inspection, a written scope with a decking allowance, then a scheduled tear-off typical visit
Dented vents and a quiet roof after hail in Palatine
What homeowners notice
After a thunderstorm with hail, an owner finds dimples in the gutters and the metal vent caps. The shingles look intact from the yard.
What we do
The roofer marks a test area on each slope, counts the hits and photographs them, and separates hail marks from ordinary wear. The report lists the dented soft metal, a few functional shingle bruises on the windward slope and a recommendation for a limited repair.
What to expect
The owner has a written, photographed record of the roof's condition on that date, whatever the insurer decides.
A documented inspection, with any repair decided afterward typical visit
Have the same problem?
Call and tell us what you see. We will tell you what it likely is and what it usually costs before anyone drives out.
