Straight answers about the roofs we actually work on in Western North Carolina: steep mountain pitches, heavy tree canopy, freeze-thaw at elevation, wind on the ridgelines and the storm damage that comes with hurricane-remnant rain. No generic articles that could have been written about any town in the country.
In the meantime, here are short answers to the four questions homeowners ask us most. Each one links to the page where we go into it properly.
Should I repair the roof or replace it?
It depends on the age of the roof, how much of it is damaged and whether the decking underneath is still sound. A single leak at a pipe boot or a run of shingles lifted by wind on an otherwise healthy roof is a repair. A roof that is near the end of its life, has granules washing into the gutters, or has had two or three repairs already is usually past the point where another patch makes sense. The honest way to know is to have someone get on the roof and look, which is what our free inspection is. We tell you which one you are looking at and price only that. Read more on roof repair and roof replacement.
What should I do after a storm?
Stay off the roof. Look from the ground and from the attic for missing shingles, debris, bent gutters and daylight or wet insulation. Photograph everything before anything is cleaned up, because the insurance claim runs on documentation. If water is coming in, catch it and move what you can; a tarp is a stopgap and should go on before the next rain, by someone with a harness. Then call us. We inspect, document the damage, and can meet the adjuster on site so the scope matches what is actually up there. Helene in September 2024 taught a lot of people in these counties how this goes. Our storm damage and insurance page covers the whole process.
Metal or shingle in the mountains?
Both work here, and we install both. Architectural shingles are what most homes in Asheville, Hendersonville and Waynesville have, and they are the lower upfront cost. Standing-seam metal costs more to install, sheds snow and heavy rain well on a steep pitch, and holds up to wind on an exposed ridgeline, which is why it is common on mountain homes and on cabins in Maggie Valley where nobody is around to watch the roof. The right answer depends on the pitch, the trees over the house, and how long you plan to stay. We price both on your own roof so you can see the real gap. Read more on metal roofing.
When should gutters be cleaned at elevation?
More often than in town. In the valleys and on wooded lots around Black Mountain and up toward Haywood County, pine needles and oak leaves fill a gutter faster than most people expect. Twice a year is the usual floor: once after the leaves are down in late fall, and once in spring before the heavy rains. If the house sits under a lot of canopy, add a check after the first big wind of autumn. A gutter that overflows at the corners in winter is also where ice builds up, which is hard on the fascia. Our gutter services page covers installation, cleaning and maintenance.
Have a question that is not here?
Ask it. The quickest way is to book a free inspection and ask the exterior consultant when they are on the roof, or call (828) 818-8392. The questions we get asked most are the ones we will write about first.