Douglas County · WI
Roof replacement in Superior.
Superior roofs sit close to the harbor, open to wind off the water and to some of the heaviest, wettest snow in the region. A replacement here is about holding the edges down and keeping meltwater out at the eaves.
What does a roof replacement in Superior, Wisconsin include?
A Superior roof replacement includes a full tear-off, repair of any damaged decking, ice and water shield laid where meltwater collects at the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment, balanced ridge and soffit ventilation and shingles fastened for high wind. Covenant Builders works in Wisconsin under dwelling contractor credential 4013-DCFR, and most roofs take two to four days.
Overview
Roofing at the head of the lake
Superior is low and level, and much of the city sits a short distance from the bay or the lake. Storms that build over the water reach the rooftops at full strength, and gusts catch shingle edges at the eaves, rakes and ridge, where a roof is easiest to peel open. A roof nailed to the bare minimum usually shows it here first, as lifted tabs or missing shingles after a blow.
Lake-effect snow brings weight and water with it. It tends to fall wet and dense, carrying more load per inch than the dry snow farther inland, and it melts and refreezes along the eaves through late winter. That is the setup for ice dams, and on an older house with little attic insulation it can push water under the shingles season after season.
The older neighborhoods are built close together, with a short gap between houses and plenty of roofs that have been patched or layered over through the decades. A full tear-off on a tight lot takes planning, from where the dumpster sits to how old shingles come down without landing on the house next door, and it often uncovers repairs that were never meant to last.
Scope
What a Superior roof replacement covers
- Staging planned around close neighbors, driveways and street parking
- Removal of all old roofing, including layers left by earlier reroofs
- Decking inspected and replaced wherever it is soft, split or stained
- Eaves and valleys sealed with ice and water shield, under the wettest snow
- Synthetic underlayment over the rest of the roof
- High-wind nailing and sealed starter courses along every edge
- Balanced intake and exhaust venting to limit ice dams
- Tear-off hauled away and the property swept for nails
A skylight is easiest to replace while the roof is open. Doing it during the re-roof lets its flashing tie into the new ice and water shield, and Covenant Builders is a VELUX Certified Installer.
Skylight replacementSuperior, WI
Beside the bay, a roof gets tested at its edges. That is where the wind pulls and where the ice backs up.
Covenant Builders · WI 4013-DCFR
How it is done
How a Superior roof replacement runs
Roofing in Superior at a glance
- County
- Douglas County
- Wisconsin credential
- Dwelling contractor 4013-DCFR
- Typical timeline
- Two to four days for most homes
- What we watch for
- Lifted shingle edges after storms off the water
- Pictured
- Two Superior roofs, one mid-replacement and one finished
On a narrow city lot the first job is logistics: where the dumpster goes, how old shingles come off without dropping onto a neighbor's roof, car or garden, and how the driveway and sidewalk stay usable. Permit requirements are checked with the City of Superior before a start date is set.
The old roof comes off down to the sheathing, including any earlier layers that were shingled over. With the deck bare, every section is checked, and anything that has softened, split or darkened from long-term leaks is replaced so the new fasteners bite into solid wood.
The eaves and valleys get ice and water shield first, since that is where wet lake-effect snow melts and refreezes, and the membrane wraps up around chimneys and sidewalls as well. Synthetic underlayment covers the rest, and attic venting is balanced so the deck stays cold and dry underneath.
Shingles go on over sealed starter courses, nailed in the pattern rated for high wind, and new step and counter flashing goes in wherever the roof meets a wall or chimney. The tear-off is hauled away, the property is swept for nails, and most Superior roofs are done within two to four days.
Materials we install
What homeowners say
Work that earns the referral.
Reviews left by Covenant Builders customers on Google.
“Went with Covenant Builders as they were the least expensive of 3 estimates. They did the roof on my house and garage in one 12 hour day with high quality products. Their cleanup was also great. I literally found just one nail after they were done. Roof looks great and so far has been leak free.”
Matthew ZemlerRoof replacement · via Google “Jared was great to work with. Out of all the contractors that gave a bid on doing the roof of my house, he did the best inspection to help minimize surprise costs. He is professional, polite, and respectful. I had a great experience working with him!”
Abby DuggerRoof replacement · via Google “I had an excellent experience from start to finish with Jared and Covenant builders. The estimate process was easy to understand; I new exactly what I was getting and what I would be paying for it, no pressure at all. The work crew was efficient and took extra care not to damage my garden. I look forward to saving monry on my homeowners insurance with class 4 rated shingles.”
Karen St. GeorgeRoof replacement · via Google
FAQ
Superior roofing questions
Is Covenant Builders licensed to replace roofs in Wisconsin?
Yes. Roof replacements in Superior are done under the Covenant Builders Wisconsin dwelling contractor credential, number 4013-DCFR, alongside its Minnesota license, BC809439, for work on the other side of the bay.
Why do Superior roofs get ice dams even with clean gutters?
Because ice dams start in the attic, not the gutter. Heat leaking up from the house melts the underside of the snow, and the water refreezes when it reaches the cold eave. Wet lake-effect snow holds more water to feed that cycle. Balanced ventilation and a membrane at the eaves deal with it, and clean gutters alone do not.
Can new shingles go over the old roof?
A second layer is sometimes allowed, but a full tear-off is the better job on Superior's older houses. It is the only way to see the decking, it takes weight off framing that already carries heavy snow, and it lets the ice and water shield bond to the deck rather than to old shingles.
How is a roof replacement handled on a tight Superior lot?
Old shingles come down into a dumpster placed as close to the house as the lot allows, with tarps over the neighbor's side where houses stand close. Street parking and shared driveways are worked out before the start date, so the work stays on your property as much as it can.
Keep reading
More for Superior homeowners
Need a new roof in Superior?
Phone us, or send the address and roughly how old the roof is, and we will be in touch to arrange a visit.
Mon-Sat 7:00 am to 7:00 pm · Closed Sunday