Will the historic preservation office approve my new roof?
Approval depends on what changes. Replacing a worn slate roof with new slate, or patching tile with matching tile, is a repair in kind and tends to move faster. Switching from slate to synthetic, from metal to shingles, or changing a visible color usually needs more review. We can't speak for the city, but we can hand you clear photos, product data and a description that makes the submission easier to read.
Build the review into your timeline. If a leak won't wait, we'll make a temporary repair that doesn't change the exterior, so the permanent fix can wait for approval without the house taking on water. Our notes on reroof permits explain how the city permit and the historic review fit together.
Roof details that only show up on century-old houses
Many Monte Vista homes have board decking laid with gaps, called skip sheathing, which was built for wood shingles or slate. Modern shingles need solid decking, so a material change may mean adding plywood over the boards or replacing them. We check this from the attic before pricing, because it changes the cost of the job.
Built-in gutters are another common feature here. They're lined troughs hidden behind the eave, and when the lining fails, water runs into the wall cavity instead of out. We reline them with metal or membrane rather than covering them with hang-on gutters, which tends to cause trouble with historic review. Relining keeps the original eave profile intact, and it's usually less work than rebuilding the cornice later. Dormers, turrets and wall-to-roof joints also need custom flashing repairs cut and bent on site.
Keeping old metal and slate roofs on the near north side going
Old standing seam and pressed metal roofs can last a very long time if they're kept painted and the seams stay tight. Rust usually starts at the low edges and around penetrations. We clean, treat and seal those areas, and our metal roof repair work includes resoldering or re-crimping seams where they've opened up.
Slate fails slowly, piece by piece, so checks after hail or high wind catch problems before they spread. We handle similar slate roofs over in nearby Alamo Heights. Phone (210) 750-1898 and we'll set one inspection that covers the slate, metal, gutters and attic together.
