Roofing in West Des Moines, from Valley Junction to the newest streets out west
West Des Moines straddles two counties and about a century of building. The roofs change as you drive west, and so do the problems we find on them.
Close to Valley Junction, the old railroad town that became West Des Moines' historic shopping district, the houses are older and smaller, with steep gables, detached garages and the occasional box gutter. Head west past the interstate toward Jordan Creek and the homes get newer and bigger: two-story houses from the 1990s through today with cut-up rooflines, lots of valleys and the builder-grade shingles that are now reaching the end of their first life.
What we see most on West Des Moines roofs
- Hail on large, open slopes. Big rear slopes facing west and southwest take the brunt of spring storms. We find bruising there first.
- Valley wear. Homes with six or eight valleys funnel a lot of water through a few feet of shingle. Worn or poorly cut valleys are a common leak.
- First-generation shingles. Houses built in the 1990s and early 2000s often still have their original roof, and many are due.
- Older chimneys near the Junction with flashing that was caulked rather than counter-flashed into the brick.
Research for the metro puts homeownership in West Des Moines above 70 percent and home values around $280,000, which is a lot of house sitting under a roof. We price impact-rated shingles on every West Des Moines quote and help with claims after hail. Permits come from the West Des Moines building department, and we handle that too.
West Des Moines roofing questions
Do you work on both the Polk and Dallas County sides?
Yes. West Des Moines runs its own building department regardless of county, so the permit process is the same.
My HOA has shingle rules. Can you work within them?
Yes. Send the guidelines and we'll quote shingles that meet them, with samples for approval.
How quickly can you inspect after a storm?
Usually within a day or two; after a big hail event, a little longer, and leaks always go first.
