Part of the joy of having a historic home is maintaining the character and quality of the structure. However, maintaining a listed status or even just a historic look means that more thought must be given to roof repairs. Learn how to best care for your historic home in the guide below.

How to Care for a Historic Roof

1. Contain Damage

If you have an active leak, the primary concern is to locate it and minimize damage. Repairs to historic structures can quickly become expensive, so have a contractor put in a temporary patch until you can have a shingle or full roof replacement completed.

2. Inspect Support Systems

If water gets into the house, but the roof appears sound, inspect the support systems, such as the gutters and underlayment. Look closely at the intersections of the roof pitches or planes as well as around dormers for areas where water may be getting in. Check for condensation on the underside of roof material or rot around dormer windows.

Insects can be an issue as well in Hawaii, so look for signs of infestation, such as holes or dead insects, that may affect the integrity of the roof substrate.

If you find water damage or a leak, have a professional roofer inspect the gutters, roof, and flashing. They’ll determine if roof repair or replacement is required. 

3. Retain Architectural Significance

Age will wear down any roof, and a historic one will likely have its share of issues. When looking into roof repairs or replacement, if the design and shape contribute to the overall style of the structure, try to stick with a close approximation of the original. Early roofing materials include wood shingles, tin, and asphalt, and fortunately, modern shingles can be made to look like any of them.

To protect your historic home, turn to Al Rezentes Roofing. Serving all of Oahu for more than 30 years, they offer expert leak diagnosis, repair, installation, and a variety of roofing materials. Call (808) 230-8005 for an estimate, or visit the website to see the full range of their services.