Restoring a Roof and Peace of Mind: A Comprehensive Home Protection Project
It was a chilly morning on March 18, 2024, when a homeowner reached out to Barnett Roofing LLC through our website. She had concerns about the state of her roof, and with a quick response, I scheduled an inspection for the next day.
On March 19, I arrived at the property to assess the roof’s condition. It didn’t take long to spot the issues—missing shingles and a troubling patch of rotten plywood on a gable near the ridge. As I walked the rest of the roof, the situation became even clearer: the roof was completely worn out. Most of the granules had been eroded away, exposing the fiberglass base beneath. It was evident that this roof had faithfully served its time but was now in desperate need of replacement.
By April 9, 2024, we had crafted a detailed quote for the homeowner, which was promptly sent via email. Her quick acceptance of our proposal came with an eager question about our availability. Understanding the importance of timing, we swiftly delivered samples of GAF Timberline HDZ composition shingles, giving her the opportunity to choose the perfect color for her home. Just ten days later, on April 19, 2024, we received her deposit, signaling the official start of the project.
With the necessary permits secured by May 1, we began the careful process of removing the old shingles. As we worked, we noticed that some of the siding was too tight against the roof, allowing moisture to accumulate and cause damage. To prevent further issues, we created a 1-inch gap between the roof and siding. Additionally, we reattached loose decking, replaced rotten sections, and corrected the ventilation for the bathroom fans.
One particularly concerning discovery was the zigzag pattern of heat tape over the front porch, a telltale sign of ice dam problems. Ice dams, formed by heat loss from the house melting snow that refreezes at the roof’s edge, can cause significant damage by allowing water to back up under the shingles and into the house. Preventing ice dams involves a careful balance of insulation and ventilation—adequate insulation to prevent heat loss and proper ventilation to ensure air circulates and cools the attic space.
To address this, we cut away a 1.5-inch strip of plywood decking at the wall above the porch. This allowed us to install a Quarrix storm stop shingle over a ridge vent, providing much-needed ventilation under the roof-to-wall flashing. We also added soffit vents to both the porch and garage, enhancing air circulation and helping to keep the roof cool in all seasons. These measures would prevent ice dams in winter and reduce overheating in summer.
For this project, we selected top-quality materials: Malarkey 401 Arctic Seal ice and water shield, Rhino Roof U20 synthetic underlayment, GAF Timberline HD2 Barkwood shingles, GAF starter shingles, and GAF Z-ridge with Quarrix Storm Stop filtered shingle over the ridge vent.
To complete the transformation, we replaced the old gutters with new 5-inch K-style low gloss white aluminum gutters, using durable HangFast hangers by Raytec Manufacturing. The gutters were supplied by Custom-Bilt Metals, ensuring both quality and a perfect match for the home. Additionally, we installed LeafX gutter covers in white, solving the homeowner’s problem of falling leaves and debris from nearby shade trees.
As we wrapped up the job, the homeowner expressed her satisfaction. With her home now better protected from the elements and enhanced by the new roofing and gutters, she could rest easy, knowing her investment was in good hands. Another successful project, another happy customer—this is what we strive for at Barnett Roofing LLC.
