Ridge, skylight and composite roof work in Sifton, Vancouver, WA 98682
On Sifton's 1990s homes, the ridge line and the skylights are where wind and rain find their way in first, long before the rest of the roof gives out.
Sifton, Vancouver, WA at a glance
- ZIP codes
- 98682
- Common homes
- Late 1980s to 2000s two-stories and split-entries
- Roofs we see most
- First composite roofs, ridge vents, older skylights
- Weather to plan for
- Gorge east wind at the ridge, winter rain, ice
- Nearest office
- Vancouver office, 610 Main Street
Sifton is a residential area on the east side of the Vancouver area, made up largely of subdivisions from the late 1980s through the 2000s, with some older homes on larger parcels mixed in. Houses here tend to be two-story or split-entry, with long ridge lines, ridge vents and, in many cases, one or two skylights over a stairwell or a bathroom. Those were popular features in that era, and they are now some of the oldest parts of the roof.
The east wind that comes through this side of Clark County every fall and winter targets the high points. Ridge caps crack and blow off, ridge vents loosen, and skylight curbs start to weep. We fix those details, and when the whole roof is due, we replace it with better ridge and skylight work than the first time. Fixing a ridge before it fails is far cheaper than drying out an attic after a week of rain gets in through it.
Ridges and skylights on Sifton homes
Ridge caps take more sun and wind than any other part of a roof. On a Sifton home that has its original composite, the caps are often brittle, cracked across the fold or missing in short sections. Under them, the ridge vent may be a plastic baffle that has warped or come loose at the nails, which lets wind push rain into the attic. Skylights from the 1990s are another common leak point. Their curbs were often flashed with simple L-shaped metal and caulk, the seals in the glass have failed, and some have fogged between panes.
When we replace a Sifton roof, we treat those spots as the main event. That means a new ridge vent rated for wind-driven rain, heavier ridge caps nailed with longer fasteners, and either new skylights with proper step flashing kits or a clean removal where the owner no longer wants them. The rest of the job is a standard tear-off, underlayment and architectural shingle install, with ice and water barrier added in the valleys and around every skylight curb.
Sifton wind and winter weather
East Vancouver is the part of the metro that takes the strongest Gorge wind, and Sifton sits on that side. A day of steady east wind can strip a row of worn ridge caps and send shingle pieces across a cul-de-sac. The same cold air brings occasional ice. When an ice storm coats a roof, ice builds at skylight curbs and in the valleys around them, and water backs up under the shingles as it melts. Between storms, the steady winter rain finds any crack left behind. Skylight leaks often show up as a drip on the stairs during the second or third day of rain.
Repairs and replacements in Sifton
For a ridge cap and ridge vent repair, typical ranges run $485 to $1,370. Reflashing or replacing a single skylight often costs $1,190 to $2,860 depending on size and access. A full composite replacement on a 2,100 square foot two-story usually falls between $16,780 and $28,450. These are typical ranges only, and the real number comes after we inspect the roof and attic. We protect stairwells under skylights while we work.
What homeowners in Sifton call us for
Skylight Replacement & Leak Repair
Many Sifton homes have 1990s skylights whose curbs and glass seals are failing now.
See the detailsWind & Storm Damage Repair
Strong east wind on this side of Vancouver strips brittle ridge caps and lifts shingles along the top courses.
See the detailsRoof Replacement
Original composite roofs on late 1980s and 1990s Sifton homes are at or past their expected life.
See the detailsAttic Ventilation
Warped plastic ridge vents let wind-driven rain into the attic and need a better replacement.
See the detailsShingle Repair
Upper courses near the ridge lose their seal first and peel back during gusty fall nights.
See the detailsSkylight Installation
When owners want a new or larger skylight, installing it during a reroof gives the cleanest flashing.
See the detailsRoofing questions from Sifton
Why does my Sifton skylight only leak after a few days of rain?
Small gaps at the curb or a failed seal let in a little water at a time. The first day it soaks the drywall or insulation, and by the second or third day it starts to drip. We check the flashing, curb and glass seal, then reflash or replace the unit depending on its age and condition.
Should I remove the skylight when replacing my Sifton roof?
If you rarely use the light it gives, removal is an option. We frame and deck the opening, and the ceiling below is patched by a drywall finisher. If you like the light, a new unit with a modern flashing kit is far more reliable than the original. Doing either during a reroof costs less than doing it separately.
How do you keep ridge caps from blowing off in Sifton's east wind?
We use heavier cap shingles rated for high wind and nail them with longer fasteners that reach solid wood. Ridge vents are chosen for wind-driven rain, with filters or baffles that stop water. On exposed ridges, we may add a bead of sealant under each cap so the wind cannot get underneath.
Roof trouble in Sifton?
Call any time. We will set a time to look and give you a straight price.