Lucas had a leaking roof and an unseen mold problem in his attic. We identified affected wood, documented it with photos, replaced it, and completed the roof. Lucas loved the finished result. The leaks stopped, and we removed the mold.
Lucas Came With A Roof Leak. We Found Something More.
The Problem Was Hiding Where Nobody Else Had Looked
A roof replacement can uncover problems that aren’t visible from the ground. Sometimes, what looks like a straightforward problem has more going on beneath the surface.
That’s where Lucas J. found himself. His split-level home had an aging, leaking roof, and he needed to figure out what was happening before moving forward. He came to Alltek Roofing to find out what was really going on.
The situation called for more than a quick assessment from the outside. We needed to understand the condition of the roof before determining what work was necessary.
Lucas Needed To Fix More Than A Leaking Roof
Lucas’s immediate problem was an old, leaking roof. But that wasn’t the only concern surrounding his project. His child had been getting sick frequently, and the family didn’t know why.
The previous owner had attempted to mitigate or remediate a mold problem. That meant the home already had some history, but it didn’t tell us whether the problem had been fully addressed.
With the roofing project ahead, one important question remained: what was actually happening beneath the roof?
We Looked Where Others Hadn’t
During our inspection, we went into the attic to examine the ventilation and roof deck. That’s where we found mold covering portions of the underlying wood.
We were the only ones to enter the attic and discover the problem. The space was tight, which made it hard to see everything and determine exactly how much wood was affected.
That meant we couldn’t give Lucas a precise scope for the mold-related work before the roofing project began. We knew there was a problem, but we needed better access to identify every affected board and determine what to replace.
We Built A Plan Around What We Could Verify
We couldn’t tell Lucas exactly how many boards would need replacing before the roof work began. The plan was to identify every piece of wood with mold once we could access the area.
We also set the exact cost for each replacement piece ahead of time. Lucas knew the estimated amount could change, but he also knew what each additional piece would cost.
That gave him a clear way to handle an uncertain condition without pretending we knew more than we did. It also gave him a defined process for something we couldn’t fully see until the project was underway.
We Showed Lucas What We Found
We started by marking every board with mold and taking photos of the affected areas. We sent those photos to Lucas so he could see exactly which boards needed to be replaced, even though the attic was too tight for him to inspect everything himself.
We then photographed the new wood after installation and stayed in contact throughout the project. Because the amount of affected wood wasn’t known in advance, those photos gave Lucas a clear record of what we found and what we replaced.
Lucas Got More Than A New Roof
Once we finished, Lucas loved the finished roof and how it looked.
The leaks were gone, and we removed the mold from the attic. Lucas also told us that his child was no longer getting sick.
We can’t establish that the roofing work caused that change, but it was an outcome Lucas associated with finally addressing what had been happening above his home.
Sometimes The Roof Is Only The Beginning
Lucas came to us with a leaking roof and discovered that the visible problem wasn’t the only issue above his home. By inspecting the attic, documenting what we found, and adapting the work to the conditions we uncovered, we helped him address the problem instead of simply covering it.
When something unexpected is hiding beneath your roof, understanding what you’re dealing with can make it easier to decide what comes next.
Are you considering a roof replacement in Chicagoland and wondering what your roof might be hiding? Contact Alltek Roofing today to schedule an inspection and discuss your next step.
Every roofing project is different, especially when an inspection uncovers something unexpected. Here are our answers to common questions about how we approach inspections, unexpected problems, and homeowner communication.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Replacements With Alltek Roofing
Do you inspect beyond the visible roof?
A: We look beyond the roof’s exterior when the situation calls for a closer inspection. That can include examining accessible areas to better understand conditions that aren’t visible from the ground.
How do you handle unexpected conditions?
A: When we can’t fully determine the condition before work begins, we establish a process for identifying what needs to be addressed once the area is accessible. We also discuss the associated costs beforehand, so you know how we’ll handle unexpected work.
How do you keep homeowners informed during a project?
A: We use documentation and ongoing communication to help you understand what we’re finding and what work is being completed. When conditions aren’t easily visible, photos can give you a clearer view of what we’re seeing.