Roofing in Abington, PA

Armstrong Roofing repairs and replaces roofs across Abington Township, from the stone and brick houses along Old York Road to the twins and older singles in Roslyn, Ardsley, Crestmont and North Hills. Many of these roofs have decades of patches on them, so we start with a free inspection to find where the water is really getting in. Call (215) 824-6932.

Older houses, and roofs with a long repair history

Abington is one of the older suburbs on this side of the city. Along Old York Road and up toward Rydal and Meadowbrook there are big stone and brick houses from the 1920s and '30s with steep roofs, dormers and tall chimneys. In Roslyn, Ardsley, Crestmont and North Hills the houses are closer together: twins, brick singles and post-war colonials on small lots.

What they have in common is time. A house that's 70 or 90 years old has been through several roofers. We often find a patch from one decade, a re-shingled slope from another, and flashing around the chimney that's been coated in roof cement over and over. Each fix stopped one drip. None of them were tied together. That's why so many Abington leaks come back after they've been "fixed".

This is a different job from the newer houses up the road in Willow Grove, where the roof is simple and the question is mostly repair or replace. Here the first job is usually finding the real source.

Chimneys, stone walls and the flashing that joins them

On older Abington houses, most leaks we chase start where the roof meets masonry: a brick chimney, a stone gable wall, or a dormer cheek. The joint is sealed with flashing, metal that sits under the shingles and is tucked into the mortar joints above. Properly done, it's two parts: step flashing under the shingles and counter-flashing set into the brick so water can't get behind it.

  • Thick layers of black roof cement or caulk along the chimney: someone has been patching, not replacing
  • Flashing held on with a bead of sealant instead of tucked into a mortar joint
  • Crumbling or missing mortar right above the flashing line
  • Water stains on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney, even when the shingles look fine

The fix is to remove the old patching, put in new step and counter-flashing, and set it into the mortar. It's more work than another coat of cement, but it's the difference between fixing it once and calling every spring. See roof repair for what we look for on a visit.

Built-in gutters on the oldest houses

Some of the older houses have box gutters built into the roof edge instead of hanging gutters. When their lining fails, water goes straight into the cornice and the wall. If you have them and see peeling paint or rot along the trim below, have them checked. We'll tell you honestly whether relining makes sense or whether switching to hanging seamless gutters is the better fix.

Help us find a leak that keeps coming back

A recurring leak is easier to trace if you've been paying attention to it. Before you call any roofer, jot down:

  1. What kind of rain brings it. Every rain, or only a hard, wind-driven storm from one direction? Wind-only leaks usually point to flashing on the side the wind hits.
  2. How fast it shows up. Right away suggests a direct path. Hours later, or the next day, means water is running a long way along the boards before it drips.
  3. What's directly above, and uphill. A chimney, a dormer, a vent pipe or a valley within a few feet up-slope of the stain is the most likely source.
  4. Photos of past repairs. If you have them, or receipts saying what was done, they save time. It tells us what's already been tried.

If your roof is slate: Some of the older Abington houses still have slate. A sound slate roof can outlast several shingle roofs, so replacing it with shingles just because a few slates slipped is rarely the right call. Get it looked at by someone who repairs slate before you decide.

Family-owned, up Route 611 in Horsham

Armstrong Roofing is family-owned and based in Horsham, a straight run up Easton Road from Abington. Owner Jim Armstrong personally oversees every job, and the team has 50+ years of combined roofing experience. We're licensed in Pennsylvania (#PA164826), insured, BBB A+ rated, and rated 5.0 across 172+ reviews on Google.

  • Free inspection with photos, including the attic when we can get to it
  • Old patching removed and flashing replaced, not caulked over
  • Written, line-item estimate before any work starts
  • We'll tell you when a targeted repair will hold and when the roof has had enough patches

What it usually costs

Chimney flashing and leak tracing usually land in the middle of the repair range. For replacement, older board decking, several old layers to tear off and steep roofs with dormers push the price up.

  • Roof Repair: $350 – $2,500
  • Roof Replacement: $6,500 – $18,000
  • Emergency Roof Repair: $550 – $3,250
  • Gutter Repair: $350 – $1,500

Questions we get asked

Do you work in all of Abington Township?

Yes, including Roslyn, Ardsley, Crestmont, North Hills, McKinley, Rydal and the neighborhoods along Old York Road and Susquehanna Road. We're based in Horsham, just up Route 611.

My leak has been patched twice and keeps coming back. Why?

Usually because the patch went where the stain is, not where the water gets in. On older Abington houses the source is often chimney or wall flashing a few feet uphill, and water runs along the boards before it drips. We inspect the whole area, and the attic, to trace it properly.

Should I replace my chimney flashing or just reseal it?

If it's been resealed more than once, replace it. Sealant over old flashing buys a season or two at most. New step and counter-flashing set into the mortar is the lasting fix.

My roof has been repaired several times. Is it time to replace it?

Possibly. If the shingles are worn all over and you're fixing a new spot every year, replacement is usually the better money. Our rule of thumb is to stop repairing once a fix costs more than about 30% of a new roof.

How much does a new roof cost in Abington?

Most roof replacements we do run between $6,500 and $18,000. A small twin or rancher is at the lower end; a large stone colonial with dormers, a steep pitch and old board decking is at the higher end. We give you a free written estimate after seeing the roof.

A neighbor's tree fell on my roof. Who pays?

Usually your own homeowners policy handles damage to your roof, even if the tree was next door, but your insurer makes the call. Call us at (215) 824-6932 if water is coming in. We tarp it, photograph the damage and can meet your adjuster at the house.

Related pages

  • Roof Repair: Leaks, missing shingles, flashing and vents. We fix the problem and tell you honestly how much life the roof has left.
  • Roof Replacement: Full tear-off and new roof when repairs stop making sense. Written, line-item estimate before anything starts.
  • Roof Inspection: A free, top-to-bottom look at your roof with photos, so you know what you actually need before you spend anything.
  • Emergency Roof Repair: Active leak or storm damage? Call any time, day or night. We tarp it to stop the water, then make the permanent fix.
  • Storm Damage Repair: Wind, hail and fallen limbs. We document the damage with photos and work with your insurance adjuster.
  • Gutter Installation: Seamless gutters and downspouts sized to move water away from your foundation.
  • Willow Grove: Post-war Capes, ranchers and splits on their second or third roof.
  • Montgomery County: Where we do most of our work, from Horsham out across the county.
  • Horsham: Home base. Our shop is here.
  • Hatboro: Borough homes and older twins right next door to Horsham.
  • Roof Replacement in Hatboro, PA: Full roof replacement in Hatboro.
  • Roof Replacement in Bensalem, PA: Full roof replacement in Bensalem.
  • Dresher: Colonials and split-levels across Upper Dublin.
  • Fort Washington: Wooded lots where trees and storms are the main roof threat.
  • Upper Dublin Township: Dresher, Fort Washington, Maple Glen and the rest of the township.