LivoniaRoofing Contractor
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- Leak Prevention & Waterproofing
Roof Waterproofing in Livonia, MI before it leaks
Icicles along the gutters and water stains on the ceiling after a thaw are a familiar Livonia winter story. We find why the ice is forming on your roof and fix the cause with ice and water shield, flashing and ventilation.
- Ice and water shield
- Flashing done right
- Balanced attic ventilation
- Free roof inspection
Free roof inspection & estimate
Livonia homeowners. A roofer, not a call center, gets back to you.
Why Livonia ranches grow ice dams
An ice dam starts in the attic. Heat leaking up from the house warms the roof deck, the snow on top melts, and the water runs down to the cold eaves where it freezes again. The ridge of ice grows, and the next melt backs up under the shingles.
Many Livonia homes are set up for exactly that. A 1950s or 60s ranch often has a low-pitch roof, shallow overhangs and an attic with uneven insulation, recessed lights or bath fans that vent into the attic instead of outside. Soffit vents get painted over or blocked by insulation, so warm, damp air has nowhere to go. A low slope also means meltwater moves slowly, giving ice more time to build.
We look at the whole picture: the roof edge, the valleys, the attic insulation and the airflow from soffit to ridge. On a new roof, we install ice and water shield on the bare deck at the eaves and valleys, new drip edge and flashing, and balanced intake and ridge ventilation. On an existing roof, we show you with photos what is causing the ice and what it would take to fix it, whether that is ventilation work, flashing or a replacement.
The details that keep water out
Leak prevention is not one product. It is a handful of details done right.
Ice and water shield
Self-sealing membrane at the eaves, valleys and around penetrations, where water backs up.
Step & counter flashing
Metal flashing where the roof meets walls and chimneys, layered so water runs out, not in.
Attic ventilation
Soffit intake and ridge exhaust balanced so the roof deck stays cold in winter.
Drip edge
Metal edging at the eaves and rakes that carries water into the gutter and off the fascia.
Pipe boots & vents
Cracked rubber boots and loose vent flashing replaced before they let water down the pipe.
Gutters & downspouts
Clear, properly pitched gutters move meltwater away instead of letting it freeze at the edge.
Where the fix belongs
Heat cables and roof rakes deal with ice after it forms. They can help in a pinch, but they do not fix why the ice is there. The lasting fix is stopping the heat that melts the snow and protecting the roof edge where water collects.
On an existing roof, we can often improve ventilation, replace failed flashing and boots, and repair the eaves without replacing the whole roof. Ice and water shield goes on the decking under the shingles, so adding it means removing the shingles in that area. On a roof near the end of its life, it goes in as part of a full replacement.
We inspect the roof and attic, photograph what we find and explain which fixes fit your roof.
| Fix | Existing roof | With a new roof |
|---|---|---|
| Ice and water shield | At repaired areas | Eaves and valleys |
| Flashing | Replace failed sections | All new |
| Ventilation | Add or balance vents | Designed in |
| Pipe boots | Replace cracked ones | All new |
| Drip edge | Where it’s missing | Full perimeter |
Find it, explain it, fix it
You see what we see before you decide anything.
Roof & attic inspection
We check the eaves, valleys, flashing and vents, and look in the attic for heat loss and moisture.
- Photos of problem areas
- Ventilation checked
- Signs of past ice dams
Written options
You get the photos and a written estimate for the fixes that address the cause.
- Cause explained plainly
- Repair vs. replace honesty
- Free written estimate
Careful install
We do the work with the house protected, clean up daily and show you photos of the finished details.
- Photos of the work
- Daily cleanup
- End-of-day briefing
More ways to keep water out
From one leak to a complete new roof system.
Roof Repair
Leaks, missing shingles, flashing and storm damage found and fixed, with photos of every repair.
Learn more
Roof Replacement
Full tear-off and a new Owens Corning shingle system, with the yard protected and cleaned up every day.
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Gutters
Seamless gutters and downspouts sized for the roof, with guards that cut down on clogs.
Learn moreWhat our customers say
Real reviews from homeowners across Metro Detroit.
“Very awesome, professional experience with Kincaide!!! Scott and his crew is wonderful. They do good work, really put things in terms so that people can understand things better. We will definitely be sticking with KINCAIDE!!!”
“I can’t say enough good things about this company. Scott the owner walked me through the whole process from start to finish. They protected my house with boards during the job and did a fantastic job on clean up! All this and a fair price!”
“Kincaide roofing went above and beyond our expectations. Scott (the owner) took pictures of every step and fix he made. They were punctual, thorough and very professional. No B.S. with Scott, the communication was straight forward and gave us briefings every night before they left.”
Where water gets in during a Livonia thaw
Freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow and sudden warm spells give water many chances to find a way in.
A typical Michigan winter swings above and below freezing again and again. Every swing melts some snow and refreezes it somewhere else: at the eaves, in a valley, behind a chimney or where a garage roof meets the house. On Livonia’s low, wide roofs, snow also sits longer, adding weight and keeping the edges wet. These are the three places we check first.
Warm attics
Gaps in insulation, recessed lights and attic-vented bath fans that melt snow from below.
Eaves and valleys
Edges with no ice and water shield, where backed-up meltwater gets under the shingles.
Chimneys and walls
Worn flashing where snow piles up against brick or a second-story wall.
- Livonia
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Ice dam and leak questions from Livonia homeowners
Straight answers about ice, snow and winter leaks.
Why does my Livonia ranch get ice dams every winter?
Should I chip the ice off my roof?
Do heat cables solve ice dams?
Does my older Livonia roof have ice and water shield?
Do I need a permit to add roof ventilation in Livonia?
Can you fix a winter leak before spring?
Stop the ice before the next thaw
Book a free inspection in Livonia. We’ll check the roof edge and attic and show you what is causing the leaks.