Johnstown homes built between 1900 and 1940 on steep lots in neighborhoods such as Moxham, Kernville, Cambria City and Westmont often carry multiple layers of roofing over plank decking. Heavy snow loads, repeated freeze-thaw cycles and ridge-top winds create ice dams at eaves and valleys while strong summer storms bring hail and wind damage. These conditions lead to granule loss, curling shingles, slipped slate and leaks around brick chimneys that our crews address during every roof replacement.
Our crews begin with a full inspection from the attic to the ridge, checking deck condition, flashing at walls and chimneys, ventilation balance and any sagging areas common on tight-access hillside properties. We perform a complete tear-off down to the plank decking, install ice and water shield in valleys and eaves, add proper underlayment and step flashing, then apply architectural shingles with ridge vent and balanced soffit intake. On homes where original slate remains we offer slate-to-shingle conversion while preserving the steep pitch and tight street access that define Johnstown work.
The Laurel Highlands climate demands attention to attic ventilation and counter-flashing around the many brick chimneys found in early steel-mill homes. We also handle flat roof sections over porches and additions using EPDM or modified bitumen where needed. Every project accounts for narrow streets in places like Hornerstown and Roxbury, requiring careful material staging and debris removal that keeps neighbors and traffic moving.
Technician insight
In Johnstown the thing that catches most people out with roof replacement is the plank decking under old slate or asphalt layers. On steep hillside lots in Moxham or Westmont you often find sagging boards and ice dam damage that only shows up once the old roof is off, forcing crews to re-sheet more area than expected.
Westmont Steep-Pitch Replacement
A 1920s frame home on a narrow Westmont street showed repeated ice dam leaks at the valleys. We found three layers over plank decking with failed flashing around the brick chimney. Our crews completed a full tear-off, re-sheeted weak sections, added ice and water shield and installed architectural shingles with balanced ventilation.
Roof Replacement Services We Offer
✓Full Tear-Off Roof Replacement
Remove all existing layers down to the plank decking, inspect and re-sheet where needed, then install new underlayment, ice and water shield and architectural shingles suited to steep pitches.
✓Slate to Shingle Conversion
Replace aging or cracked slate roofs common on 1900-era homes in Westmont and Moxham with durable architectural shingles while maintaining the original steep pitch and improving attic ventilation.
✓Steep Pitch Roof Replacement
Work on the high-slope roofs found throughout Johnstown's hillside neighborhoods using proper safety staging, step flashing and ridge venting to handle wind and snow load.
✓Chimney and Valley Flashing Replacement
Install new step flashing, counter-flashing and valley metal during roof replacement to stop leaks around brick chimneys and at roof intersections typical of older Cambria County homes.
✓Attic Ventilation Upgrade
Balance ridge vents with soffit intake during roof replacement to reduce ice dam risk and moisture buildup in homes with plank decking and limited original ventilation.
How it works
- 1
Site Assessment
We examine the roof from attic to ridge, noting deck condition, existing layers, flashing details and ventilation on steep hillside properties.
- 2
Full Tear-Off
Our crews remove all roofing materials down to the plank decking, re-sheet damaged areas with OSB where required and protect surrounding tight-access yards and streets.
- 3
Underlayment And Flashing
We install ice and water shield at eaves and valleys, new step flashing around chimneys and walls, drip edge and starter strip before laying shingles.
- 4
Shingle Installation And Ventilation
Architectural shingles are applied with ridge vent and balanced soffit intake to complete the roof replacement suited to Johnstown winters.