Roofing
Questions

Inspections are free for homeowners needing roof repair or replacement. Real-estate inspections, buyer/seller inspections, and any inspections requiring paperwork or documentation start at $300 and are quoted individually. A written repair/replacement estimate is not a real-estate condition report.

It depends on the roof, which is why we don't quote over the phone. Pitch, valley and dormer count, how many layers come off, decking condition, access on the lot and the material you choose move the number far more than square footage does. We inspect on the roof and in the attic, then give you a free written, itemized quote you can compare line by line.

Assume yes, and let us handle it. Municipalities in the Sewickley Valley generally require a permit for roof replacement, and requirements differ between Sewickley Borough, Edgeworth, Glen Osborne and the townships. We confirm the current requirements with your municipality before work starts and pull what's needed as part of the job.

Yes. Big Dog Roofs holds Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration PA225283, which you can verify with the PA Attorney General's office. Proof of insurance is provided on request before work begins. Every job also comes with our written 10-year workmanship warranty.

Architectural asphalt is commonly cited at 20 to 30 years, and roofs in the valley often run toward the short end of that: freeze-thaw cycling, deep shade and heavy tree debris are hard on shingles. A properly installed rubber (EPDM) flat roof commonly runs 20 to 30 years as well, with flashing and seams the usual weak points.

Yes. Along with asphalt shingle roofs, we repair and replace rubber (EPDM) roofs on flat and low-slope sections — porch roofs, additions and commercial buildings. Slate and copper work we handle on request, but most of what we do is asphalt shingle and rubber roofing.

Our labor. If something we installed fails because of how we installed it, we come back and make it right for ten years, in writing. Manufacturer material warranties are separate and come from the manufacturer; we'll show you exactly what yours covers before you choose a product.

It can, so verify before you buy materials. Properties in and around the Sewickley Historic District may face review of visible exterior changes, including roofing material and color. We confirm the current process with the borough for your specific address rather than guessing, and we plan the material selection around whatever review applies.

Because flashings are where freeze-thaw does the most damage. Water sits in the seam between two materials, freezes and widens the gap a little each cycle. Chimneys, sidewalls, valleys and skylight curbs fail long before the field does — which is why a leak here almost never means you need a whole new roof.

Heat escaping into the attic melts snow that refreezes at a cold eave, and shaded north slopes in the valley never get sun to clear it. The permanent fix is air-sealing the ceiling plane and restoring soffit intake and ridge exhaust so the deck stays cold, plus ice-and-water membrane at the eaves. Heat cable only manages the symptom.

One to two days for a straightforward asphalt tear-off, three to five for a large or steep Sewickley home with multiple porch roofs and dormers. Weather and hidden decking damage are the two things that extend a schedule.

Yes. We document the damage with photographs, can meet your adjuster on the roof, and walk the same slopes so nothing gets missed. The part that matters most on older Sewickley homes is making sure slate, tile and copper are valued as what they are instead of being scoped as an asphalt repair.

Not at this time. We quote in writing with a clear scope so you can compare honestly, and we're straightforward about what has to be done now versus what can wait a season. If a repair can buy you a year or two before replacement, we'll tell you that instead of selling you the bigger job.

Sewickley is home base, along with Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills, Edgeworth, Glen Osborne, Bell Acres, Aleppo, Leetsdale, Leet Township, Haysville, Glenfield and Ohio Township. We also work in Franklin Park, McCandless, Wexford, Moon Township, Coraopolis and Robinson Township, plus Ambridge, Aliquippa and Beaver in Beaver County and Cranberry Township in Butler County.