Johnstown sits in a deep valley where heavy Laurel Highlands snow and repeated freeze-thaw cycles create ice dams at eaves and valleys on steep-pitch roofs. Many steel-mill-era frame houses in Moxham, Kernville, Cambria City and Westmont still carry original slate or multiple layers of older shingles over plank decking, and strong ridge winds plus summer hail often loosen granules or crack shingles. Our crews see leaks appear first around brick chimneys and step flashing where counter-flashing has pulled away after decades of movement.
We begin every job with a full deck inspection from the attic and on the roof, checking for sagging boards, rotted valleys and missing starter strips before any tear-off begins. Once the existing layers are removed we install ice and water shield along all eaves, valleys and penetrations, then add balanced ridge vents and soffit intake vents to handle attic moisture from the valley location. New architectural shingles go down over fresh underlayment with proper drip edge and pipe boots, paying special attention to the narrow access on hillside lots in neighborhoods like Hornerstown and Roxbury.
The combination of tight streets, plank decking rather than plywood, and heavy snow load means every replacement must account for re-sheathing needs and extra flashing at walls where homes sit close together. Our crews work on the Johnstown Expressway corridor and roads like Menoher Boulevard and Scalp Avenue, moving materials carefully on steep lots in Richland Township and Geistown where mid-century ranches meet older two-story homes. This approach keeps water out during the long winters and handles the spring thunderstorm winds that hit the Laurel Highlands.
Technician insight
In Johnstown, the thing that catches most people out with Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement is the plank decking on 1900-1940 homes in Kernville and Moxham. You start the tear-off expecting plywood and instead find boards that have to be replaced before ice and water shield can go down, especially after years of ice dam pressure along the eaves.
Westmont Steep-Pitch Replacement
A home on a narrow hillside street in Westmont showed repeated leaks at the valleys after heavy snow. Inspection revealed three layers over plank decking with rotted boards near the chimney. Our crews completed a full tear-off, replaced damaged deck sections, installed extended ice and water shield, and finished with new architectural shingles and balanced ventilation.
Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement Services We Offer
✓Full Tear-Off Replacement
We remove all existing layers down to the deck on older homes, inspect plank boards, and install new architectural shingles with proper underlayment and ventilation.
✓Ice and Water Shield Installation
Our crews apply extended ice and water shield along eaves, valleys and around chimneys to prevent leaks from ice dams common in Johnstown winters.
✓Ridge Vent and Attic Ventilation Balance
We add ridge vents paired with soffit intake to correct poor airflow in tight attic spaces found in Westmont and Kernville homes.
✓Chimney and Wall Flashing Replacement
Step flashing and counter-flashing are renewed at brick chimneys and siding transitions to stop water entry on steep hillside roofs.
✓Plank Decking and Re-Sheathing
Damaged boards are replaced with OSB or plywood as needed before new underlayment goes down on pre-1940 homes throughout the area.
How it works
- 1
Deck and Attic Inspection
We examine the roof from above and inside the attic to locate sagging decking, ice dam damage and ventilation issues before any work starts.
- 2
Complete Tear-Off
All shingles, underlayment and flashing are removed down to the deck on steep-pitch homes with narrow access in neighborhoods like Moxham.
- 3
Underlayment and Flashing Upgrade
Ice and water shield, drip edge, step flashing and new pipe boots are installed with attention to valleys and chimney bases.
- 4
Shingle Installation and Ventilation
Architectural shingles are laid with balanced ridge and soffit vents to manage snow load and moisture in the Laurel Highlands climate.