Roofing in Yardley, PA

Armstrong Roofing repairs and replaces roofs in Yardley, from the old houses around Main Street, Afton Avenue and Lake Afton to the Lower Makefield subdivisions off Big Oak Road and Edgewood Road. Being on the Delaware means damp air, heavy shade and open wind, so moss, algae streaks and lifted shingles are what we see most. Inspections are free: call (215) 824-6932.

What living on the Delaware does to a Yardley roof

Yardley Borough sits between the Delaware River and the canal, wrapped around Lake Afton, with big old trees over most streets. The houses near Main Street and Afton Avenue are mostly 19th and early 20th century: Victorians, farmhouse-style homes and older twins with steep roofs, porches and trim. Around them, Lower Makefield Township is mostly subdivisions from the 1960s through the 2000s: colonials, ranchers and split-levels.

What ties them together is the river. Air near the water stays damp, the shade keeps roofs from drying out after rain, and houses on open ground near the river take the wind that comes down the valley. Those three things show up on roofs in predictable ways.

Black streaks running down north-facing slopes. That is algae. It looks bad but rarely hurts the shingles on its own.
Green moss in thick patches, often near valleys and under trees. Moss holds water and lifts shingle edges, so it is worth dealing with.
Rotted wood at the eaves from years of damp gutters and winter ice, often found when the old roof comes off.
Lifted or missing shingles after storms on houses with open exposure to the river.

Moss and streaks: what you can do yourself, and what not to do

Most of this is maintenance you can handle or keep on top of without a roofer. The main thing is not to make it worse.

Let the sun in. Trimming back limbs that hang over the roof is the single biggest help. The roof dries faster and drops less debris into the valleys.
Keep valleys and gutters clear. Leaf piles hold water against the shingles. Clear them in late fall, from a ladder at the gutter, not by walking on the roof. Or have the gutters cleaned.
Never pressure-wash shingles. It strips the granules that protect the shingle and can shorten the roof by years. Algae streaks come off with a gentle, low-pressure cleaning made for roofs.
Plan for it at replacement time. When the roof is replaced, algae-resistant shingles are worth asking about on a shaded, damp lot like most of Yardley.

Streaks or moss on an old roof?: If the shingles under the moss are curling or bald, cleaning won't save them. A free roof inspection will tell you whether you're looking at a cleaning or a new roof.

Houses on the low streets near the river

Some of the borough's streets between Main Street and the river sit low, and the Delaware has come over its banks there before. We don't do flood cleanup, but on these houses the roof and gutters have a bigger job. The house and attic tend to hold more moisture, so attic ventilation matters, and water coming off the roof needs to land well away from a foundation that already sees enough of it.

Gutters sized for the roof, and downspouts that carry water away from the house, not into the basement wall. See gutter installation.
Soffit and ridge vents that are actually open, so damp air leaves the attic.
An ice and water barrier at the eaves when the roof is replaced, since damp air and cold eaves make ice dams more likely.

Older borough houses have the same old-house issues we see in Newtown and other historic boroughs: chimney and dormer flashing, porch roofs, and in places slate. Parts of the borough are a historic district, so check with the borough before changing the look of a visible roof.

After a storm in Yardley, and who shows up

Summer storms move fast along the river. Afterward, check from the ground: shingles in the yard, lifted edges along the ridge, limbs on the roof. If water is coming in, call us any time at (215) 824-6932. We tarp it to stop the water, usually the same day, then come back for the permanent repair. For insurance we photograph the damage, write the scope and can meet your adjuster. Read more on storm damage repair.

Armstrong Roofing is family-owned and based in Horsham. Owner Jim Armstrong personally oversees every job, with 50+ years of combined roofing experience on the team. We're licensed (PA #PA164826), insured, BBB A+ rated, and have a 5.0 rating across 172+ reviews on Google. Yardley is one of the further towns in our regular area; see the rest on our Bucks County page.

What it usually costs

Rotted eave boards from years of damp and ice are the most common extra cost on Yardley replacements. Steep borough roofs and big Lower Makefield colonials sit higher in the range than a simple rancher.

Roof Repair: $350 – $2,500
Roof Replacement: $6,500 – $18,000
Storm Damage Roof Repair: $550 – $6,000
Emergency Roof Repair: $550 – $3,250
Gutter Installation: $1,200 – $7,500
Gutter Cleaning: $350 – $550

Questions we get asked

Do you work in Yardley Borough and Lower Makefield?

Yes, both. That covers the borough around Main Street, Afton Avenue, Lake Afton and River Road, and Lower Makefield out along Edgewood Road, Big Oak Road and Letchworth Avenue. We also work in nearby Newtown and Washington Crossing.

Why does my roof have black streaks?

It's algae, which grows on shaded, damp roofs like many in Yardley. It's mostly cosmetic and can be removed with a gentle roof cleaning. Never pressure-wash shingles, and ask about algae-resistant shingles when the roof is replaced.

Is moss on my roof a problem?

Yes, more than streaks. Moss holds water against the shingles and lifts their edges, which lets water under them. Trim back overhanging limbs, keep valleys clear, and have it removed gently before it does damage.

How much does a new roof cost in Yardley?

Most roof replacements we do run between $6,500 and $18,000. Simple ranchers sit lower; steep borough houses, large colonials and rotted eave boards push it up. You get a free written estimate after we've seen the roof.

My house is near the river. Does that change anything on the roof?

It puts more weight on drainage and ventilation. Gutters and downspouts should move water well away from the foundation, and the attic needs to breathe so damp air doesn't sit under the roof. We look at both during a free inspection.

Can you come out after a storm?

Yes. We answer active leaks 24/7, tarp the roof to stop the water, usually the same day, and schedule the permanent repair. We also document damage for your insurer, though your insurance company decides what's covered.

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.

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.
Gutter Installation: Seamless gutters and downspouts sized to move water away from your foundation.
Gutter Cleaning: Clogged gutters cleared and downspouts flushed, with a quick look at the roof while we are up there.
Storm Damage Repair: Wind, hail and fallen limbs. We document the damage with photos and work with your insurance adjuster.
Roof Inspection: A free, top-to-bottom look at your roof with photos, so you know what you actually need before you spend anything.
Bucks County: Warminster, Doylestown, Newtown, Yardley, Chalfont and everywhere in between.
Newtown: Historic borough and big suburban developments.
Doylestown: Historic borough homes plus the townships around it.
Warminster: Our neighbor to the north; lots of 1950s-70s ranchers and splits.
Roof Replacement in Bensalem, PA: Full roof replacement in Bensalem.
Chalfont: Borough and surrounding townships in central Bucks.