Skylight Leak Repair & Roof Replacement | Christiansburg, VA

Service Provided: Roof & Skylight Replacement Branch: Christiansburg, VA‍

Project Case Study: Solving Kitchen Leaks & Prepping for Solar

‍When a roof reaches two decades of age, the seals around vulnerable penetrations begin to fail. Recently, a Christiansburg homeowner reached out to us because they were experiencing active leaking in their kitchen near the skylights, as well as moisture issues in their sunroom. Knowing their 1-story home had a roof that was at least 20 years old, they requested estimates to compare shingle and metal replacement options.

The homeowner also mentioned they were highly interested in transitioning to solar energy in the future, though they weren't quite ready for a solar appointment yet. This is an incredibly smart approach: replacing an aging, leaky roof is the absolute most important first step before installing a solar array. You never want to bolt a 25-year solar system onto a failing 20-year-old roof.‍

The Diagnostic Inspection

Our team arrived to conduct a thorough evaluation of the roof to identify the exact cause of the water intrusion.

During our inspection, we documented several key issues and existing features:

• Failing Skylights: We measured and evaluated the existing skylights, confirming they were the primary culprit behind the kitchen leaks.
• Debris Buildup: We found heavy debris accumulation in the roof valleys, which acts like a sponge, trapping moisture against the shingles and accelerating wear.
• Existing Solar Tech: We documented an existing solar-powered exhaust fan. We made a specific note in our proposal to keep and properly flash this unit to preserve the homeowner's current energy-efficient ventilation.
• Plumbing Boots & Chimneys: We measured the existing PVC plumbing stacks and evaluated two masonry chimneys to determine the best waterproofing strategy.

The Cenguard Gold Solution

To permanently solve the sunroom moisture and kitchen leaks, we proposed a full tear-off and replacement utilizing our Cenguard Gold Roof Package.

Our comprehensive strategy for this Christiansburg home included:

• New Skylights: To guarantee a watertight seal over the kitchen, the proposal included removing the old units and installing two brand new skylights.
• Chimney Removal: Because unused chimneys are notorious leak hazards, we proposed tearing down the two existing chimneys to below the roof deck and decking over the holes completely.
• Premium Shingle System: We specified a heavy-duty Tamko Titan XT roofing system to provide maximum wind and weather resistance.
• Advanced Waterproofing: To protect the home's decking for the next several decades, we included Ice & Water Shield in all valleys, on all eaves, and around all penetrations, backed by synthetic underlayment across the rest of the roof.

Thinking about Solar? Check your Roof First.

‍By securing their home with a Cenguard Gold package backed by a 25-year workmanship warranty, this homeowner now has the perfect, leak-free foundation for when they are ready to make the jump to solar.‍

Are you dealing with skylight leaks or an aging roof in the Christiansburg area?

‍Let us provide a free, photo-documented roof inspection to show you exactly what your home needs.