Roofing in Richboro, PA

Bigger lots, bigger trees, more shade on the roof

Richboro started as a farm village called Addisville and took its current name in the 1830s. Its center is still the crossroads of Almshouse Road (Route 332) and Second Street Pike (Route 232), and a few old properties like Hampton Hill and the Willow Mill Complex are on the National Register. Around that center, Northampton Township filled in with suburban neighborhoods, and part of Tyler State Park, with the Neshaminy Creek running through it, sits right at the edge of town.

What sets a lot of Richboro roofs apart is the setting. Many homes sit on larger lots with mature trees close to the house, and some back right up to woods. That's lovely in summer. For a roof it means shade that keeps shingles damp, leaves and needles that pile up in valleys and gutters, and heavy limbs hanging over the house when a storm comes through.

None of that means the roof is failing. It does mean a Richboro roof needs a different kind of attention than one on an open, sunny lot.

Streaks, moss and lichen: what's cosmetic and what isn't

Homeowners here often call because the roof looks dirty. Here's how to tell what you're looking at from the ground, and whether it matters.

Black or dark streaks

Dark streaks running down a slope are usually algae. They look bad but rarely hurt the shingles. They're mostly a cleaning question, not a roofing one, and they're not a reason to replace a roof that is otherwise sound.

Green, fuzzy moss

Moss is different. It grows in thick clumps on shaded, damp slopes, holds water against the shingles and can lift their edges so wind-driven rain gets under them. A little moss on an otherwise healthy roof can be cleared and the shade cut back. Moss that has grown into a mat across a whole slope has usually done damage underneath.

Crusty gray-green spots

That's usually lichen. It grips the shingle surface hard, and scraping it off takes the granules with it. Leave it unless the shingles under it are already worn.

Never pressure-wash a shingle roof: A pressure washer strips the granules that protect asphalt shingles from the sun and can force water up under them. It can take years off a roof in an afternoon. If someone offers to blast your roof clean, say no.

• Trim branches back so nothing touches or hangs low over the roof.
• Clear leaves and needles out of valleys and gutters every fall.
• Look at the north-facing and shaded slopes first; that is where moss starts.
• Use binoculars to check for lifted shingle edges around moss patches.

When a limb comes down on the roof

With big trees close to the house, a summer thunderstorm or a heavy wet snow can bring down limbs that crack shingles, dent gutters or punch through the deck. Here's what to do, in order.

1. Stay off the roof and away from downed wires. A limb on a roof is often still under tension. Leave it for someone with the right equipment, and call the utility if lines are involved.
2. Stop the water inside. Buckets, towels, and move what you can. If water is coming in, call us any time. We tarp it to stop the damage, usually the same day. Emergency tarp service starts at $1,250, depending on the extent and cleanup.
3. Photograph everything before cleanup. The tree, the roof, the gutters and every wet ceiling. Your insurance company will ask for it.
4. Let us document the roof. We photograph the damage up close, write the scope, and can deal with your insurance company directly or meet the adjuster at the house. We can't promise a claim will be paid; your insurer makes that call.

Read more about storm damage repair and emergency roof repair.

A family roofer who will tell you when it is only cosmetic

Armstrong Roofing is family-owned, and owner Jim Armstrong personally oversees every job. The team brings 50+ years of combined roofing experience. We're GAF certified, licensed in Pennsylvania (#PA164826), insured, BBB A+ rated, and we have a 5.0 rating from 200+ reviews on Google.

• Free inspection with photos of the shaded slopes and valleys
• A straight answer when streaks are just streaks and the roof has years left
• Written, line-item estimate before any work starts
• 25-year workmanship warranty on asphalt shingle roof replacements

We also work in nearby Jamison, Southampton and across Bucks County.

What it usually costs

Most moss, limb and flashing problems are repairs. When a Richboro roof does need replacing, larger homes and steep or cut-up roofs sit in the upper part of the range.

• Roof Repair: $350 – $2,500
• Roof Replacement: $6,500 – $18,000
• Storm Damage Roof Repair: $550 – $6,000
• Emergency tarp service: $1,250 and up
• Gutter Guard Installation: $1,200 – $5,000

Questions we get asked

Do you work in all of Richboro?

Yes. We work across Richboro and the rest of Northampton Township, from Almshouse Road and Second Street Pike to the neighborhoods near Tyler State Park and toward Holland and Churchville.

My roof has black streaks. Does it need replacing?

Usually not. Dark streaks are typically algae, which is mostly cosmetic. If the shingles underneath are lying flat and holding their granules, the roof can have plenty of life left.

Is moss bad for my roof?

Thick moss is. It holds water against the shingles and can lift their edges so rain gets under them. Light moss can be cleared and the shade cut back; a mat across a whole slope has usually damaged the shingles underneath.

Can I pressure-wash my roof?

No. A pressure washer strips the protective granules off asphalt shingles and can force water under them. It can take years off the roof.

A tree limb hit my roof. What should I do?

Stay off the roof, photograph the damage from the ground and inside, and call us at (215) 824-6932 if water is getting in. We tarp it to stop the damage and document it for your insurance company. Your insurer decides whether the claim is covered.

How much does a new roof cost in Richboro?

Most roof replacements we do run between $6,500 and $18,000. Larger homes and steep or cut-up roofs sit in the upper part of that range. You get a free written estimate after we see the roof.

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.
• 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.
• Roof Inspection: A free, top-to-bottom look at your roof with photos, so you know what you actually need before you spend anything.
• Gutter Cleaning: Clogged gutters cleared and downspouts flushed, with a quick look at the roof while we are up there.
• Bucks County: Warminster, Doylestown, Newtown, Yardley, Chalfont and everywhere in between.
• Jamison: Warwick Township developments in central Bucks.
• Southampton: Upper Southampton neighborhoods next to Warminster.
• Newtown: Historic borough and big suburban developments.
• Warminster: Our neighbor to the north; lots of 1950s-70s ranchers and splits.
• Feasterville: Lower Southampton ranchers, Capes and twins.