Havertown, PA 19083

Full tear-off roof replacement in Havertown, PA

On an older Havertown house the details decide whether a new roof lasts. Here's how we approach it, from the first ladder climb and the Township permit to the final magnet sweep.

Get a free estimate How estimates work

Tear-off to the deck
Built to Township re-roofing rules
Scope in writing

15-year workmanship warrantyCovers the installation, separate from the shingle maker's product warranty.
GAF shinglesWe install GAF roofing shingles.
Free inspectionRoof, attic, gutters and flashing, with a line-item quote.
Financing availableFinancing is available, including a 12-month no-interest option. Subject to credit approval. Terms vary; ask for details.
Permit-guidedWe walk you through the Haverford Township permit.

Signs it's time to replace, not repair

One leak usually means one repair. A pattern of problems is the roof telling you it's done. Talk to us about replacement if you're seeing:

Shingles that are curling, cupped or cracked across whole slopes, not just one spot
Bald patches where the granules are gone, or a lot of grit washing out of the downspouts
New leaks in different places after earlier repairs
Daylight, damp sheathing or dark staining when you look up from the attic
A roof that already has two layers. Township rules mean the next roof starts with a full tear-off.

Not sure? Our roof repair page explains how we make the repair-or-replace call.

Worn, stained shingle roof with a ladder against the eave

What a full replacement includes

Scope varies by house, but a typical Havertown replacement quote covers these items. Township items follow the Haverford Township roof permit addendum.

Tear-off of every existing layer, down to the roof deck
Deck inspection, with decayed boards and sheathing replaced at the unit price in your contract; new sheathing at least ½″ over rafters 16″ on center, or 5/8″ with H clips on 24″ centers (Township minimum)
Ice-and-water barrier reaching at least 24″ inside the exterior wall line, as the Township addendum asks, plus valleys and penetrations, with synthetic underlayment on the remaining deck
New drip edge along every eave (the addendum asks about this) and along the rakes
New step flashing and counterflashing at walls and chimneys, replacing worn metal instead of reusing it
Attic ventilation sized to the Township addendum's ratio: 1 sq ft of vent per 150 sq ft of attic floor, or 1 per 300 when at least half the venting is high on the roof and the rest at the eaves
New pipe boots and vent flashings
Shingles installed to the manufacturer's written instructions, so the product warranty stays valid
The Haverford Township building permit with roof addendum, posted where it can be seen from the street
Daily cleanup, a magnet sweep for nails, debris hauled away, and a final walkthrough with you

Roof-over vs. tear-off in Haverford Township

Can I put a new roof over my old shingles in Haverford Township? Only in limited cases. Haverford Township's roof permit addendum allows at most two layers of shingles and bans any new roof over slate, wood shake, clay, or cement and asbestos-cement tile. If a wood-shingle roof already has a roof on top, every layer has to come off and new sheathing goes on. A full tear-off avoids all of that.

We quote tear-offs because they let us see and fix the deck. Details: the Township's re-roofing rules, and what happens when there's slate underneath. Source: Roof Permit Application Addendum (V-02-2025).

Workers stripping old shingles from a roof

Replacing the roof on one half of a twin

If you own one half of a twin, there's a question owners of detached houses never face: what happens where my roof meets my neighbor's?

You can replace just your side. The work that matters is at the party wall. We tie the new underlayment and shingles into the existing roof so water can't track under the seam, and we account for any height difference if your neighbor's roof has extra layers. Before we start, it's worth telling your neighbor about the schedule, since the crew will be working right at the shared line.

Some neighbors decide to do both halves at once to get one continuous roof with matching shingles. That still means two separate contracts, one per owner, and both owners have to agree. We're happy to quote it both ways.

Pair of attached twin houses with red siding in winter

Stone chimneys and crickets

Masonry chimneys are one of the most common leak points on any older roof. The right detail is two-part: step flashing woven into each course of shingles, then counterflashing cut into the mortar joints and lapped over it. Roofing cement smeared over the joint fails within a few seasons.

Wide chimneys also need a cricket (a small peaked saddle) on the uphill side so water and leaves don't pile up against the brick. Building codes generally call for one on chimneys wider than 30 inches. If the mortar itself is crumbling, flashing alone won't keep water out.

Porch and dormer roofs under 4:12

Asphalt shingles need enough pitch to shed water. A nearly flat porch roof or rear addition needs a membrane system such as TPO or modified bitumen instead, and the Township's roof addendum asks how any roof under a 4:12 slope will be covered. If torch-applied roofing is used, the addendum requires a fire extinguisher on the roof and propane tanks taken down at the end of each day.

Cape Cods and other dormered homes add valleys and short sidewalls where the dormer meets the main roof. Each gets its own flashing, priced as a line item.

Shingle options

We install GAF asphalt shingles, put on to the manufacturer's installation instructions so the product warranty holds.

The shingle maker's product warranty is separate from our 15-year workmanship warranty, which covers the installation. See the warranty section.

Roofing crew tearing off and replacing asphalt shingles on a one-story house — Illustrative stock photo of a shingle replacement (FEMA, public domain).

How a replacement day works

InspectionWe look at the roof, the attic, the gutters and every chimney or wall where the roof meets masonry.
Written scope and priceLine-item estimate with materials, flashing, ventilation and a unit price for any decking repairs.
Contract and permitYour written contract lists start and completion dates and your three-business-day right to cancel. The Township application has the homeowner name the contractor as authorized agent and goes in with the signed contract, insurance and payment.
Protecting the propertyTarps over landscaping, plywood over AC units, and a plan for the dumpster. A dumpster in the street needs its own Haverford Township Public Works permit.
Tear-off and deck repairOld roofing comes off section by section, and damaged decking is replaced at the per-unit price written into your contract.
Installation and inspectionUnderlayment, flashing, ventilation and shingles go on according to the manufacturer's instructions. The Township says its inspections are performed within 48 hours of scheduling.
Cleanup and walkthroughMagnet sweep, gutter check, and a walk around the house with you. Your warranty paperwork follows.

Ready for a straight answer about your roof?

Book a free inspection and get a line-item estimate to review on your own time.

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Roof replacement questions

What does a full roof replacement include?

A full replacement removes every existing layer down to the deck. It replaces rotten sheathing and installs ice-and-water shield reaching at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, as Haverford Township's roof addendum asks. Drip edge goes on every eave, then underlayment, new flashing at chimneys and walls, ventilation, shingles and cleanup, all under a posted Township permit.

When should I replace my roof instead of repairing it?

Replace when the wear is widespread: curling or cracked shingles across several slopes, heavy granule loss, soft decking, or leaks in more than one place. Repair when a single area fails, such as chimney flashing or a few storm-lifted shingles, on a roof that is otherwise sound. A written inspection with photos should make the answer clear.

How long does a roof replacement take?

Most roofs are completed in one day. That's typical, not a guarantee: a larger roof, extra layers to tear off, decking repairs or the weather can add time, and we'll keep you updated if they do.

What if you find rotten wood under the shingles?

Your contract lists a unit price for replacement decking, so there are no surprises. You should see photos of damaged decking before it's replaced. Ask any roofer for this, including us. The Township's application also has the contractor certify that all decayed sheathing will be replaced.

Is the Township permit part of the roof replacement?

It should be. Haverford Township requires a building permit with a roof addendum, issued before work starts and posted where it can be seen from the street. Your estimate should say who obtains it. Our permit guide has the details.

Do I need to be home?

Not for the whole job. We'll want to walk through with you at the start and the end, and we'll need access to the attic if there's an interior issue.

Sources

Haverford Township Roof Permit Application Addendum and Building Permit Application (V-02-2025) layers, no-roof-over list, sheathing, ice shield, drip edge, venting, low slope, torch-down, posting, inspections
Haverford Township Public Works (street dumpster permits)

Last checked 2026-10-29.

Rules change. Confirm with Haverford Township Building & Codes before you rely on any Township detail here.

Get a replacement estimate for your Havertown roof

Tell us a little about the house and how you'd like us to reach you. We'll get back to you during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to set up a time to look at the roof in person.

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Form requests are answered during office hours.