Ice Dams and Meltwater Leaks
An ice dam is a ridge of ice that builds up along the eaves. Heat escaping from the attic melts the snow higher up the roof, and that water refreezes when it reaches the cold overhang. The water then backs up under the shingles and gets into soffits, walls and ceilings.
Why it happens here: From November through March, Waukesha goes through freeze-thaw cycles over and over: sunny afternoons followed by nights in the teens or colder. The postwar ranches and Cape Cods in Merrill Hills, New Berlin and Elm Grove often have thin attic insulation and too little ventilation, so the roof deck stays warm while the eaves freeze. Clogged gutters under heavy tree cover make it worse. When old roofs were installed without a proper ice and water barrier, even a small dam can push water into the house.
Signs to look for
- Thick ridges of ice along the gutters and eaves
- Large icicles, especially over entry doors
- Water stains on ceilings near exterior walls
- Peeling paint or damp drywall under windows
- Soffits that are soft, sagging or stained
- Frost or wet insulation in the attic
Local patterns: We see this most on 1950s–1970s homes in Waukesha, Brookfield and Butler, and on older lake cottages around Pewaukee Lake that were converted for year-round living. North-facing eaves and low-slope porch roofs get hit hardest after a heavy snow followed by a sunny thaw.
How we fix itWe safely steam the ice off, repair the leak, then deal with the cause: ice and water barrier at the eaves, better ventilation and optional heat cable.
Hail and Wind Storm Damage
Hail bruises shingles and knocks off their granules. Straight-line winds and derecho-type storms lift, crease or tear off shingles and break their seal. The roof may look fine from the street, but damaged shingles let water in during the next storm.
Why it happens here: Southeast Wisconsin gets severe thunderstorms from May through August, and a single storm can damage roofs across an entire neighborhood. Wooded lots in Brookfield, Elm Grove and Lake Country add falling limbs to the damage. Older three-tab shingles on 1990s subdivision homes have lost much of their flexibility and seal strength, so wind lifts them easily. Out-of-state storm crews show up right after these storms, and some of them leave before any warranty problems surface.
Signs to look for
- Missing shingles or tabs in the yard
- Creased or lifted shingles near ridges and rakes
- Dents in gutters, downspouts and vents
- Piles of granules at downspout outlets
- Dark circular bruises on the shingles
- New leaks after a storm
Local patterns: Hail damage usually shows up in clusters across Pewaukee, Sussex, Hartland and western Waukesha subdivisions after a summer storm cell passes through. Homes facing open water on Nagawicka Lake, and exposed rural lots in Vernon and Genesee Depot, take more wind damage.
How we fix itWe document the damage with photos, meet with your adjuster when you'd like us there, and repair or replace the roof according to Wisconsin code.
Aging Subdivision Roofs at End of Life
Builder-grade three-tab and early architectural shingles from the 1980s through the 2000s are wearing out. They curl, crack and lose granules, and the surface underneath gets brittle. Once that happens, leaks spread and patching stops being worth the money.
Why it happens here: Brookfield, Pewaukee, Sussex, Hartland, Delafield and Merton built a lot of homes in the same two decades, so many of those roofs are failing around the same time. Twenty-five or more years of 100°F seasonal swings wear asphalt out faster. These roofs also tend to have steep pitches, several valleys, skylights and big chimney chases. That makes them expensive to replace, and it's hard to compare bids if you don't know what each one includes.
Signs to look for
- Shingle edges that curl or cup
- Bare patches where granules have worn off
- Cracked shingles along the valleys
- Different shingle colors from past patches
- Several leaks in the last few years
- Daylight showing through the roof deck in the attic
Local patterns: This is very common in Brookfield subdivisions off Moorland and Bluemound Roads, and in Sussex and Hartland neighborhoods built in the 1990s. HOAs there often require architectural or designer shingles in approved colors.
How we fix itWe do a full tear-off and replace with architectural shingles, ice and water barrier, synthetic underlayment, new flashing and balanced ventilation. We also handle HOA approval paperwork.
Chimney and Lannon Stone Flashing Leaks
Flashing is the metal that seals the joint where the chimney meets the roof. When it fails, water runs down the outside of the masonry and into the attic, walls and ceilings around the chimney.
Why it happens here: Lannon stone, a local limestone quarried in Lannon and Sussex, is used on chimneys all over the county. Its uneven face is hard to seal with caulk alone. Freeze-thaw cycles push the mortar joints apart and pull the sealant away from the stone. Large chimney chases on newer homes have long joints that let in a lot of water once they open up.
Signs to look for
- Stains on the ceiling next to the chimney
- Water in the firebox or on the hearth
- Gaps or loose caulk at the flashing
- Rust streaks on the flashing metal
- Mortar joints that are crumbling
- Damp framing in the attic next to the chimney
Local patterns: We find this most often on Lannon stone chimneys in Sussex, Lannon and Merton, on brick chimneys in older downtown Waukesha homes, and on wide chimney chases in Brookfield and Delafield.
How we fix itWe cut a reglet into the masonry and install proper step flashing and counter-flashing. We add a cricket behind wide chimneys and reseal the cap.
Historic Roof Deterioration
Victorian-era roofs develop problems with their slate, valleys, box gutters and decorative flashing. Many of them also have several old shingle layers over gapped plank decking, which can't properly support a modern roof system.
Why it happens here: Waukesha's resort-era core around McCall Street and Madison Street has homes more than 100 years old. They have steep roof planes, turrets and built-in box gutters that rot from the inside out. Years of layovers have hidden damage underneath. Landmarks Commission review can limit which materials and colors you're allowed to use.
Signs to look for
- Slate that's cracked, slipped or missing
- Box gutters that overflow or rot
- Rusted valleys
- Sagging roof planes
- Three or more layers visible at the edges
- Rotted trim along the eaves
Local patterns: This is concentrated in downtown Waukesha's National Register districts and in older parts of Butler. Some of these homes still have wood shingle decking from the original construction.
How we fix itWe tear off the old layers, re-deck where the planks have gaps, rebuild the box gutters, and choose materials that fit the historic character and meet any review requirements.
Flat and Low-Slope Roof Ponding
Water or slush that sits on a low-slope roof for more than 48 hours wears down the membrane seams and flashing. Eventually it soaks the insulation and leaks into the space below.
Why it happens here: Snow piles up on flat roofs, and when it melts in spring it ponds wherever drains are clogged or the roof has sagged. Seasonal temperature swings stretch and shrink the seams on EPDM, TPO and modified bitumen roofs. Porch roofs and additions on postwar homes are often built with too little slope.
Signs to look for
- Puddles that stay for days after rain
- Seams that have opened or blistered
- Membrane that's cracked or shrinking
- Drains clogged with debris
- Ceiling stains below the roof
- Soft spots when you walk on it
Local patterns: We see this on commercial and multifamily buildings along Bluemound Road, Moorland Road and Capitol Drive, and on low-slope additions and porch roofs in Waukesha and New Berlin.
How we fix itWe repair the seams, clear and improve the drainage with tapered insulation, and recoat or replace the membrane with TPO or EPDM.
Moss, Algae and Clogged Gutters
Moss and algae grow on roofs that stay damp. Moss holds water against the shingles and lifts their edges. Gutters full of leaves and needles overflow, rot the fascia and make ice dams worse in winter.
Why it happens here: Heavy tree cover around Pewaukee, Nagawicka and Okauchee Lakes and in older neighborhoods keeps roofs shaded and wet. Humid summers help moss spread. Every fall, leaves fill the gutters right before freeze-up.
Signs to look for
- Green moss on north-facing slopes
- Black streaks on the shingles
- Gutters that overflow in rain
- Seedlings growing in the gutters
- Fascia that's soft or peeling
Local patterns: This is common on lake homes in Nashotah, Delafield and the Village of Pewaukee, and under the mature trees in Elm Grove.
How we fix itWe clean the roof, add zinc strips, clear the gutters and install gutter guards. We also repair any fascia or soffit damage we find.
