Roofing Contractor in Montville, NJ

Why shade is the biggest factor on a Montville roof

A lot of Montville is wooded: big lots on the ridges in Towaco and Montville, old trees over the streets, and houses set back into the woods. That is a big part of why people live here. It is also the single biggest factor in how fast a roof wears out in this town.

• Shingles stay wet longer. A roof in full sun dries within hours after rain or dew. A shaded roof can stay damp most of the day, and damp shingles are where algae and moss take hold.
• Debris builds up. Leaves, needles and seed pods collect in valleys, behind chimneys and in gutters. Wet debris holds water against the shingles and slows the water that is supposed to run off.
• Branches wear the surface. Limbs that touch the roof scrape granules off in wind, and granules are what protect the asphalt from the sun.
• Gutters overflow. A clogged gutter backs water up at the eave, and in winter that same spot is where ice dams form.

None of this means you should cut down your trees. It means a shaded roof needs a closer look more often, and the right details when it is replaced.

Moss or algae? One is cosmetic, one is not

Homeowners often call both of these "moss," but they are different problems.

Black streaks: algae

Dark streaks running down a roof, usually worst on the north side, are almost always algae. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) describes it as a cosmetic problem: it looks bad, but it does not by itself damage the shingle.

Green, raised clumps: moss

Moss is different. It grows into thick, spongy clumps, often along the bottom edges of shingles and in shady valleys. ARMA warns that moss can lift and curl the leading edges of shingles, which makes them easier for wind to tear off, and heavy growth can push water sideways under the shingles and into the deck. Moss holds water against the roof like a sponge.

How it should be cleaned

• Never pressure wash a shingle roof. ARMA says it plainly: a pressure washer strips granules off asphalt shingles and can lead to early roof failure. A roof that has been pressure washed often looks clean for a season and then ages years in a few.
• Use a gentle solution and a low-pressure rinse. ARMA's recommended method is a 50:50 mix of laundry-strength liquid chlorine bleach and water, sprayed on, left for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinsed with low-pressure water. Protect plants below, and stay off a wet roof.
• Trim branches back. More sun and less debris is the best long-term defense, and ARMA recommends it too.

If moss has already lifted shingle edges across a large part of the roof, cleaning will not reseal them. At that point the conversation is about repair or replacement.

What to choose when a shaded roof is replaced

• Algae-resistant shingles. Many architectural shingle lines include granules treated to resist algae streaking. On a shaded Montville roof, that is worth choosing.
• Zinc or copper strips at the ridge, installed with the new roof. ARMA advises against retrofitting them onto an existing roof, because it means exposed nails or breaking shingle seals. A replacement is the right time to add them.
• Ice and water barrier in every valley and at the eaves. Shaded valleys stay frozen longer in winter, and that is where ice and debris dam water up.
• Proper attic ventilation. A damp, shaded roof dries from both sides. Good intake at the soffits and exhaust at the ridge keeps moisture from building up under the deck.
• Gutters sized and pitched for leaf load. Gutters that drain fast and are easy to clean matter more under trees. See our page on gutter installation.

Pine Brook: low ground between two rivers

Pine Brook is the southern end of Montville Township, and it is built on very different ground from the ridges up north. Its center sits on the Pine Brook Flats, a level plain about 200 feet above sea level, bounded by the Passaic River on the east and the Rockaway River on the south and west.

The National Weather Service gauge on the Passaic River at Pine Brook lists flood stage at 19 feet. In late August 2011, after Hurricane Irene, the river crested there at just over 24 feet. Even outside of flood events, low ground near two rivers tends to be damp and humid.

For a roof, that puts the focus on moving water away from the house and keeping moisture out of the attic:

• Gutters and downspouts that discharge well away from the foundation, not right beside it.
• Balanced attic ventilation, so humid air does not condense on the underside of the deck.
• A close look at the deck during tear-off for signs of long-term moisture: darkened, soft or delaminated sheathing.

What this Montville roof shows

The photo at the top of this page looks straight up the slope of a Montville roof, with trees right at the edge. The shingles are lying flat, the courses are tight and there is no moss or streaking on them yet. That is the condition worth protecting. On a roof under this much canopy, the things that keep it that way are trimmed branches, clean valleys and gutters, and never letting anyone near it with a pressure washer.

Roofing and chimney work we do in Montville

• Full roof replacement with complete tear-off, deck inspection and repair, ice and water barrier, synthetic underlayment, new flashing and new shingles.
• Leak repair at valleys, chimneys, skylights, walls and pipe boots.
• Storm and tree damage repair after limbs come down. See storm damage roof repair.
• Chimney repair including flashing, crowns and masonry.
• Gutters replaced or re-hung with the new roof.

See every service on our services page.

Montville roofing questions