Roofing from our south Salem office, Salem, OR 97306

Near the center of Salem, many homes date from the early and middle 1900s, with board decking, older brick chimneys and porches that have been reroofed many times. Out in the neighborhoods north and east, mid-century ranches with low-pitch roofs are common, and many have additions or patio covers attached later. The south hills near our office hold newer homes on sloped, tree-filled lots, with more complex rooflines and more valleys. Each area brings its own set of problems, so we do not assume one approach fits the whole city.

Some Salem homes still have cedar shake roofs from the 1970s to 1990s, now dry and split. Owners usually move to architectural composite or metal when they replace. Converting from shake takes more than new shingles. Many shake roofs were laid over spaced boards, so the deck needs solid sheathing first. Ridge venting and new flashing at chimneys and walls go in at the same time. Done in one pass, the conversion gives the house a lower-upkeep roof that suits the hot, dry summers as well as the wet winters.

Salem sits in the middle of the Willamette Valley, where winters are long, gray and wet, and summers turn hot and dry. That swing is hard on shingles. Rain soaks roofs and gutters for months, moss grows on shaded slopes, and then summer heat bakes the surface and dries out sealant strips. Storms from the southwest bring gusty wind that tests older ridge caps. Ice storms are not frequent here, but when one comes through, the weight on tree limbs causes far more roof damage than the ice on the shingles.

Because our crews work out of south Salem, we can get to most addresses in the city quickly after a storm. We inspect the roof, photograph what we find, and give a written scope with typical price ranges. We cover leaks with tarps when needed and return for full repairs when the weather clears. Larger jobs are scheduled from the same office, so the crew you meet is the crew on your roof. We check Salem permit rules and pull permits where required.