Roofing in Evanston, IL

Serving Evanston and Surrounding Areas

Common Roof Problems in Evanston

Evanston's position on Lake Michigan creates heavy winter snow and ice dam formation that degrades roofs faster than inland areas. The city's housing stock spans 100+ year old Victorian and Tudor Revival homes to 1950s mid-century ranch properties—each has different roof framing, ventilation, and material needs.

• Ice dams — water backs up behind frozen gutters and seeps under shingles, wicking into the decking and underlayment. Left untreated, the roof deck rots and interior framing begins to decay.
• Granule loss on asphalt shingles — UV exposure and freeze-thaw cycles erode the granule coating, exposing the bitumen below. The shingle then hardens, cracks, and curls, letting wind-driven rain seep past the field course.
• Step flashing failures — where the roof meets sidewalls, step flashing diverts water away from the wall. When the sealant fails or nails corrode, water wicks into the sheathing and rim board, causing rot.
• Sagging roof deck — older homes have 2×6 or 2×8 rafters not designed for modern snow loads (25–35 lbs/sqft). Heavy wet snow settles the roof structure, creating interior dips visible from the attic.
• Valley erosion — where two roof pitches meet, water concentrates and erodes the overlay. Shingles buckle and peel, allowing pooling and leaks directly into the attic.
• Ridge cap separation — ridge caps are nailed or self-adhered over the ridgeline. Wind uplift, freeze-thaw movement, and dried sealant cause caps to peel back, exposing the substrate and allowing wind-driven rain into the ridge vent.
• Gutter and downspout blockage — debris and ice buildup prevent drainage. Water backs up, overflows the fascia, and seeps into soffit vents and wall cavities, creating mold and structural damage.