Roofers in Shadyside, Pittsburgh

Shadyside's big Victorian and early 20th century houses have tall, steep roofs with turrets, dormers and slate that may well be original. These roofs repay careful work, and they don't forgive shortcuts.

Call (412) 530-0910 Get a free estimate

Steep slate roof on a large Shadyside house, the kind our roofers repair by hand

Keeping an old roof intact

Many Shadyside slate roofs have more life in them than the first estimate suggests. The trouble is usually in the metal: tired valleys, worn flashing and box gutter linings that have started to leak into the cornice.

Before you agree to replace a slate roof, ask for a count of how much slate is actually bad. Our slate roof repair page explains what can be saved.

Areas we cover in Shadyside

Walnut Street area
Ellsworth Avenue area
Fifth Avenue side streets

What our roofers do in Shadyside

Here is everything our crew handles for homes and buildings in Shadyside.

Planning a roof job in Shadyside

Three-story work means more ladder and scaffold planning, so we look at where we can set up safely and keep the sidewalk clear. Street parking on a narrow block needs some thought for the dumpster. Inside the City of Pittsburgh, permit questions go to the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections. We check what your job needs before we start.

For budgets and decisions, see our repair or replace guide.

Questions for roofers in Shadyside

Do roofers in Shadyside repair slate, or only replace it?

We repair it. Most slate repairs run $600 to $2,500, replacing broken slates and rebuilding valleys or box gutters, which keeps an original Shadyside roof going.

Do old Shadyside slate roofs have felt underneath?

Often, but the felt isn't what keeps the water out. The National Park Service notes that from the late 1800s, asphalt felt went over the board sheathing as a temporary roof until the slate was laid, and to cushion the slate. On an original Shadyside roof, the overlapping slate does the work.

How much does it cost to replace a slate roof?

Replacing with new natural slate on a large Shadyside house is a major project, so get a written price before you decide. That is why saving a good roof is worth a close look.

Can you seal a leaking Shadyside slate roof with tar?

Not for long. The National Park Service says mastic and sealants on slate harden and crack, make later repairs harder, and speed up corrosion of metal flashing. On a Shadyside roof, the lasting fix is new slates and new metal where they have failed.

Roofers near Shadyside

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