West & Southwest Philadelphia
Roof repair in West Philly
West Philly has some of the city's most varied housing: Victorian twins with slate and built-in gutters, long rows of porch-front homes, and stone twins out toward City Line. Many combine a flat roof with pitched sections, porch roofs and bays. Call to talk to a local roofer about yours.
The houses
Four kinds of West Philly house, four kinds of roof
Which roof problems you're likely to have depends more on the type of house than on the exact block.
Victorian twins & singles
University City, Cedar Park, Spruce Hill and nearby. Large late-19th-century houses, often with slate or mansard fronts, flat roof sections on top or at the back, bays, dormers, tall chimneys and built-in gutters. Many have been split into apartments.
Porch-front rowhomes
Cobbs Creek, Kingsessing and much of Southwest. Brick rowhomes with a front porch running the length of the row, a flat main roof draining to the back, and porch roofs that connect from house to house.
Stone twins & singles
Overbrook and Wynnefield. Larger stone and brick twins and singles, usually with pitched roofs plus flat roofs over porches, sunrooms, rear additions and garages.
Later rowhomes & twins
Eastwick and pockets of Southwest. Houses built later in the 20th century, mostly with simple flat or low-slope roofs that are now on their first or second replacement.
Common problems
What goes wrong on West Philly roofs
Built-in gutters
On many Victorians the gutter is a lined trough built into the roof edge. When the lining cracks, water goes into the cornice and wall instead of the downspout. It's one of the most misdiagnosed leaks in the neighborhood.
Porch roofs
Big wraparound porches on twins, and long connected porch roofs on porch-front rows, are low-slope roofs in their own right. The seams between neighbors' sections and the joint against the front wall wear out first.
Where slate meets flat
A slate or shingle front with a flat roof behind or on top means a transition joint. Water from the steep section rushes onto the flat one, and a tired joint there lets it in.
Bays, dormers & turrets
Every bay window and dormer has its own small roof and its own flashing. On a big Victorian that adds up to a lot of seams, each of which can leak.
Tall old chimneys
Many houses still have tall brick chimneys, often unused. Weathered mortar and dried-out flashing at the base let water into the top floor, and an unused chimney is easy to forget about.
Converted apartments
Houses split into units often have extra vents, pipes and condensers on the roof, and repairs that were done piece by piece over the years. More openings mean more places to check.
Pricing
What affects the cost of a West Philly roof job
Pricing varies by project and is quoted on-site. On West Philly houses, these factors matter most:
- Mixed materials. Slate needs a roofer experienced with slate. A house with slate, shingle and flat sections may need more than one kind of work.
- Height. Three-story Victorian twins take more ladder, scaffold or lift setup than a two-story rowhome.
- Built-in gutters. Relining is a separate job from the roof itself, and the cost depends on the gutter's length and condition.
- Historic review. If your property needs Historical Commission approval, material choices and timing can be affected.
- Shared porch roofs. Fixing one section of a connected porch roof takes extra care at the seams with neighbors.
Want to see what your job will involve first? Try the cost estimator.
West & Southwest neighborhoods covered
- University City
- Spruce Hill
- Cedar Park
- Cobbs Creek
- Kingsessing
- Overbrook
- Wynnefield
- Eastwick
ZIPs: 19104, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151, 19153
Not sure if your block is covered? Call (215) 555-0142 and ask.
Victorian tip: if you see a stain high on an exterior wall or under the cornice, mention built-in gutters when you call. It helps the roofer come prepared to check them.
West Philly roof questions
My Victorian twin has gutters built into the edge of the roof. Why do they leak?
Built-in gutters are troughs set into the roof edge and lined with metal or membrane. When the lining cracks or the seams open, water spills into the wall and cornice instead of the downspout, often showing up as stains high on an exterior wall. They can usually be relined rather than rebuilt; a roofer can tell you which after a look.
My porch roof runs into my neighbors' porch roofs. Can I fix just my section?
Yes, but the edges where your section meets the neighbors' need careful sealing, or water will get in at the seam. If the whole run of porch roofs is in poor shape, it can be worth talking with neighbors about having the same roofer look at all of them.
My house is in a historic district. Does that change roof work?
It can. Properties on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, including those in local historic districts, may need Philadelphia Historical Commission review for exterior work, especially roofing visible from the street. Ask the contractor to confirm what your project needs before work starts.
I own a house that's been converted into apartments. Is there anything different about the roof?
Converted houses often have more openings in the roof, such as extra bathroom vents and a condenser for each unit, so there are more places to seal. Give tenants notice before roof work, and ask the roofer for photos so you have a record for each unit.
Have a different question about a West Philly roof? Ask a local roofer.
(215) 555-0142