Roof Repair in Long Valley, NJ

Roofing in Long Valley

Long Valley is the main village of Washington Township in Morris County, just east of Hackettstown across the county line. It was originally called German Valley, after the German settlers who farmed it in the 1700s, and was renamed during World War I. The South Branch of the Raritan River runs through it, the Columbia Trail follows the old rail line, and Schooley's Mountain rises above it to the north.

The township has a wide mix of housing: historic farmhouses and village homes, large post-war and 1970s-90s houses on wooded lots, and newer developments.

Larger homes, bigger roofs

Many Long Valley homes built from the 1970s through the 1990s are large colonials and contemporaries with complex roof lines - multiple gables, dormers, valleys and skylights. More roof planes mean more places for water to get in and more flashing to maintain. Many of these homes are now on their second roof or due for one. See roof replacement.

Elevation and snow

Schooley's Mountain and the higher parts of the township get more snow than the valley floor, and the higher ground in Warren and Morris counties saw some of the heaviest totals in storms like the 2011 Halloween nor'easter. Snow load, ice dams and freeze-thaw damage are part of life here:

• Ice dams along the eaves on homes with warm attics - see ice dam roof repair
• Heavy, wet snow bringing down branches on wooded lots
• Snow piling up behind chimneys and on low sections of complex roofs

Skylights and contemporaries

Homes from the 1970s and 80s often have skylights, clerestory windows and low-slope sections. Skylights that are 30 or 40 years old commonly leak at the flashing or seals, and low-slope sections need the right materials. A roof replacement is a good time to replace old skylights or reflash them properly.

Trees everywhere

Long Valley's wooded lots are beautiful, but they mean branches over roofs, leaves in gutters and shaded slopes that grow moss. Trimming trees back from the roof and cleaning gutters after the leaves drop make a real difference. See storm and tree damage.

Common roofing calls in Long Valley

• Replacement on 25-to-30-year-old roofs on larger homes
• Skylight and valley leaks
• Ice dam leaks and attic ventilation fixes
• Chimney flashing repairs
• Tree and storm damage
• Slate on historic village homes

Historic homes

Long Valley's historic village has homes going back to the 1700s and 1800s. If you own one, it may have slate, plank decking or several layers of old roofing, and the roof is a big part of its character. Ask any roofer about their experience with older homes before work starts.

Moss, algae and shaded valleys

Parts of Long Valley sit low along the South Branch of the Raritan, where mornings can stay cool and damp and roofs under tall trees rarely dry out. That's ideal for moss and the black algae streaks you see on many shaded roofs. Streaks are mostly cosmetic, but moss holds moisture and lifts shingle edges. Algae-resistant shingles are worth considering on a new roof here, and trimming branches back helps the roof dry after rain.

Before you hire

Ask for a New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor registration number and a written contract that lists the full scope of work, including ice and water shield, ventilation and how skylights will be handled.

When to call

For leaks, storm or snow damage, ice dams or a roof that's due for replacement, call to reach a local roofer who serves Long Valley, Schooley's Mountain and Hackettstown.