Roofing in Johnston: steep roofs, wooded lots and the storms that drop limbs on them
Johnston sits between Des Moines and Saylorville Lake, home to Camp Dodge and a lot of houses built along wooded creeks and ravines. Those trees are beautiful, and they're the biggest threat to the roofs under them.
The typical Johnston call we get isn't hail; it's a limb. Oaks, walnuts and cottonwoods along the ravines lose branches in every strong storm, and a heavy limb can crack shingles, punch through decking and crush a gutter in one hit. Second on the list: valleys and gutters packed with leaves, which hold water against the roof and overflow behind the fascia.
- Tree damage: we tarp the opening the same day, work with your tree service to clear the limb, then replace the decking, underlayment and shingles and send photos for the claim.
- Steep, tall roofs: many Johnston homes are steep two-stories with walkout basements, which puts the eave three stories up in back. We set up roof anchors and harnesses on every one.
- Shade and moss: north slopes under heavy canopy stay damp and grow moss and algae. Algae-resistant shingles and better trimming help.
Research puts homeownership in Johnston above 70 percent. Many homes here are from the 1990s and 2000s, so original roofs are reaching the replacement window. If yours is, ask for a quote that includes six-inch gutters with guards; under these trees they pay for themselves in ladder climbs. Permits for replacements come from the City of Johnston.
Johnston roofing questions
A limb fell on my roof. What do I do first?
Keep everyone clear of the room below, call a tree service and call us. We'll cover the opening as soon as the limb is off.
Do you trim trees?
No, but we'll tell you which limbs over the roof worry us and you can pass that to an arborist.
Can you clean moss off my roof?
We can treat and clear it gently. Pressure washing shingles strips granules, so we don't do it.
