Roofing in Elkins Park, PA

Estate country, then a suburb: why so many roofs here are slate

From the Gilded Age into the 1930s, Elkins Park was where wealthy Philadelphia families built country estates. Lynnewood Hall on Spring Avenue still stands as a reminder of that era. As the estates were divided up, the land filled in with substantial stone, brick and stucco houses, many of them roofed in slate or clay tile because that was what a good house got at the time. Later came post-war singles and twins in neighborhoods like Melrose Park and La Mott.

So on one street you can have a 90-year-old slate roof that has decades left in it, next to a 25-year-old shingle roof that's worn out. They need completely different advice. The worst thing that can happen to a sound slate roof is someone tearing it off because one corner leaked.

Before you replace an old slate roof, read this

Good slate is stone. It doesn't wear out the way asphalt shingles do. What wears out first is everything holding it in place: the nails that rust through, the copper or tin flashing in the valleys and around chimneys, and the occasional cracked slate. A slate roof that leaks in one spot often needs a few slates and some flashing, not a new roof.

It's time to think about replacement when the slate itself is failing across the roof: flaking, crumbling edges, soft or chalky stone, and slates slipping all over rather than in one area. Ask whoever inspects it which of those they're seeing, and ask for photos.

• Nobody should walk on slate in ordinary work boots; it cracks underfoot. Ask how they will get on the roof.
• Be wary of anyone who recommends tearing off slate without showing you photos of failing slate, not just a leak.
• Roof cement smeared over slate or flashing is a patch, and usually a sign the real repair was skipped.
• If the slate really is done, ask about the weight difference and the decking before choosing a replacement material.

We'll look at your slate roof, photograph what we find, and give you a straight answer on its condition. If it's sound and needs a slate specialist for the repair, we'll say so. If it's past saving, we'll lay out the replacement options in a written estimate, including metal and architectural shingles.

Big trees, heavy storms and the Tookany Creek

Old estate land means old trees. Many Elkins Park lots have big, mature hardwoods, and they're often right over the house. When a summer storm or nor'easter brings a limb down, a slate or tile roof can lose a patch in seconds. Here is what to do:

1. Stay off the roof and away from downed wires. Slate and tile are slippery wet and break under weight. Look from the ground and from upstairs windows.
2. Get water stopped. If water is coming in, call us any time. Our emergency tarp service starts at $1,250, depending on the extent and cleanup, and we come back for the permanent repair.
3. Save the pieces. If slates or tiles came down whole, keep them. Matching old slate can be hard, and originals are useful for repairs.
4. Photograph everything before cleanup. Then let us document the roof for your insurer. We can deal with the insurance company directly or meet the adjuster at the house. Read more on storm damage repair.

Cheltenham has a long history of flooding along the Tookany Creek. A roof can't do anything about a creek, but it can make sure its own water isn't adding to a wet basement. Check that downspouts carry water well away from the foundation, not onto the driveway or next to the wall. If they don't, gutter and downspout work is a cheap fix.

A family roofer who will tell you when not to replace

Armstrong Roofing is a family-owned company based in Horsham, a short drive from Elkins Park. Owner Jim Armstrong personally oversees every job, and our team brings 50+ years of combined roofing experience. Our rule of thumb is simple: once a repair would cost more than about 30% of a new roof, put the money toward replacement. Below that, repair it.

• Free inspection with photos of what we find
• Written, line-item estimate before any work starts
• PA license #PA164826, general liability and workers' compensation insurance
• BBB A+ rated, GAF certified, 5.0 rating from 200+ Google reviews
• 25-year workmanship warranty on asphalt shingle roof replacements

We also work in nearby Jenkintown, Glenside and throughout Montgomery County.

What it usually costs

Larger Elkins Park houses with steep roofs, dormers and tall chimneys tend to run toward the upper part of the replacement range. A repair on a sound older roof is often far less than people expect.

• Roof Inspection: Free
• Roof Repair: $350 – $2,500
• Roof Replacement: $6,500 – $18,000
• Standing seam metal roof, per square: $1,800 – $2,500
• Emergency tarp service: $1,250 and up
• Storm Damage Roof Repair: $550 – $6,000

Questions we get asked

Do you work in all of Elkins Park?

Yes, all of Elkins Park in Cheltenham Township, including Melrose Park and La Mott and the streets off Old York Road, Church Road, Township Line Road and Ashbourne Road. We're based in Horsham, a short drive away.

My slate roof is leaking. Does it need to be replaced?

Not necessarily. Most slate leaks come from rusted nails, a few broken slates or worn flashing, not from the slate itself wearing out. Replacement makes sense when the stone is flaking or crumbling across the roof. We'll inspect it and show you photos so you can see which it is.

What should replace a slate roof that is past saving?

It depends on the house and your budget. Standing seam metal lasts a very long time and is lighter than slate; architectural asphalt shingles cost less up front. Our typical standing seam range is $1,800 to $2,500 per square, and asphalt shingles run $450 to $950 per square.

A tree came down on my roof. What do I do first?

Stay off the roof, keep away from any downed wires, and call us if water is getting in. We tarp it to stop the damage, document everything with photos, and can deal with your insurer directly. Your insurance company decides what is covered.

How much does a new roof cost on an Elkins Park house?

Most roof replacements we do run between $6,500 and $18,000, and larger older houses with steep roofs and several chimneys tend toward the upper end. You get a free written, line-item estimate after we've seen the roof.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. PA license #PA164826, with general liability and workers' compensation insurance. We'll show you proof before any work starts.

Related pages

• Roof Inspection: A free, top-to-bottom look at your roof with photos, so you know what you actually need before you spend anything.
• 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.
• Metal Roofing: Standing seam and metal panel roofs for homeowners who want a roof that lasts decades.
• Storm Damage Repair: Wind, hail and fallen limbs. We document the damage with photos and work with your insurance adjuster.
• 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.
• Montgomery County: Where we do most of our work, from Horsham out across the county.
• Jenkintown: A small borough of older homes, twins and steep roofs.
• Glenside: Older stone and brick homes across Cheltenham and Abington townships.
• Abington: Stone and brick older homes where details matter.
• Huntingdon Valley: Lower Moreland and Abington neighborhoods with bigger lots and trees.