Common roof problems in Allentown and what the repair costs

Hail damage leads the list here. NOAA's storm records show the county had 27 hail events of one inch or larger since 2015, and the largest stone in that record measured 2 inches. Hail bruises shingles, knocks off granules and cracks older material, and the damage often shows up as leaks months later.

Winter is the second source of repair calls. The 1991 to 2020 climate normals at the Allentown airport station show 118 days a year with a low at or below 32 degrees F, and 33 inches of snow. Our ice-dam risk for the metro is High, so melting snow that refreezes at the eaves can push water under shingles and into the ceiling below.

Roofers Hotline books roof repair for each of these problems. Call, describe what you see, and ask for a written estimate before any work starts.

Hail damage is easiest to see from the ground in the places that catch the weather: dented gutters, dented vent caps and soft metal flashing. On shingles, look for dark, bare spots where granules have been knocked loose, and check the driveway or downspout outlets for granules washing out. May is the peak hail month in Allentown, so a look after a spring storm is a good habit.

Ice-dam damage shows up inside first. Stains on a ceiling along an outside wall, peeling paint near the top of a wall, or icicles hanging heavy along the eaves point to water backing up under the roof edge. In the attic, damp insulation or frost on the underside of the roof deck is a clear sign.

Age matters too. By Census estimates for 2019 to 2023, 83% of homes here were built before 1980, and the median home dates to 1951, so many roofs sit on older decking and flashing. If you spot any of these signs, call for an inspection and a written estimate.

Some problems should not wait for a convenient week. Water dripping through a ceiling, a sagging section of roof, daylight visible in the attic, or shingles missing after a wind event all call for a prompt visit. Emergency tarping and leak repair are available around the clock, and calls are answered 24/7.

Storm timing is a reason to act quickly. Within 25 km of Allentown, 6 tornado touchdowns have been recorded since 2000, the strongest an EF1, most recently on August 7, 2023. The last 2-inch hail in that radius fell on May 29, 2019. Damage from storms like these can hide under intact-looking shingles, and a slow leak can soak insulation and decking before a stain appears.

If a storm has just passed, walk the yard for fallen shingles and check the attic with a flashlight. Then call Roofers Hotline to book the inspection. Deductibles are never waived or rebated.