Roofing in Somerville, MA

A roof replacement on a Somerville triple-decker or a side-hall colonial demands more from the materials and the crew than a suburban job does. Here is what the work involves on the houses we see across the city, how the permit and inspection process works, and what to check in a roofing quote before you sign.

What a roof replacement involves on a Somerville house

Most Somerville houses we see are wood-framed colonials, two- and three-family homes, and capes built between the late 1800s and the mid-1900s. A full roof replacement starts with tearing off the old shingles down to the wood deck so we can check for rotted or delaminated sheathing. On older Somerville homes we often find a second layer of shingles underneath, and town code requires a full tear-off when two layers are already present.

• We strip the existing roofing, remove all nails, and replace any damaged plywood or plank decking.
• An ice and water barrier goes down along the eaves and in valleys, extending past the interior wall line to guard against ice dams.
• Synthetic underlayment covers the rest of the deck, followed by new drip edge at the eaves and rakes.
• Step flashing and counter-flashing are replaced at chimneys, skylights and sidewalls, and pipe boots are swapped for new lead or rubber collars.
• Ridge and soffit vents are added or upgraded so the attic breathes, which helps prevent winter ice dams and summer heat buildup.
• The crew installs the new shingles, cleans up all debris with magnetic sweepers, and walks the finished roof with you to review the work.

Shingle systems that handle Somerville winters and nor'easters

GAF and CertainTeed asphalt shingle systems are our standard roofing products. The layers under the shingles matter as much as the shingles themselves. An ice and water barrier along the eaves and valleys seals around nail penetrations when melting snow backs up. That is where ice dams start on older Somerville roofs. Synthetic underlayment covers the rest of the deck and stays intact in wet weather.

Ridge venting lets warm air escape at the top of the roof. Snow melts more evenly, and the freeze-thaw cycle does less damage. Both systems carry wind ratings suited to nor'easters, and flashing at chimneys, skylights and sidewalls gets replaced with the roof, not reused.

How the city permit and inspection work

A roofing permit is required for any full tear-off or structural repair in Somerville. The city’s Inspectional Services Department reviews the scope, and the permit must be posted on site before work begins. We apply for the building permit as part of the job, so you do not have to handle the paperwork or the schedule.

An inspector visits twice. The rough inspection takes place after we strip the old roof and replace any damaged decking. The inspector checks the nailing pattern and the ice and water barrier before the shingles go on. The final inspection takes place once the roof is complete, including flashing, ridge venting and the drip edge. Both checks confirm the work meets the Massachusetts building code and the manufacturer's installation specifications.

What to look for in a roofing quote before you sign

A written proposal should list the scope so you can compare roofing contractors on the same terms. Before you sign, check for these line items.

• The exact shingle system, color and underlayment, not just "asphalt roof".
• Ice and water barrier along the eaves and valleys, which Somerville houses need for ice dams.
• Whether deck repair is included or billed separately if the crew finds damaged sheathing.
• Flashing details at chimneys, skylights and sidewalls, since these are where leaks start.
• Who pulls the city permit and who handles the inspection.
• Cleanup and debris haul-away, stated in writing.