Upper Makefield · 18977
Roofing for homes in Washington Crossing, PA
Large houses from the 1980s through the 2000s, 18th- and 19th-century stone farmhouses, and a township that took a tornado from the remnants of Ida in 2021.
- 5.0 on Google
- PA HIC #201201
- NJ HIC #13VH14078100
Roofing in Washington Crossing
Washington Crossing’s houses and their roofs.
Before 1918 the village was Taylorsville, the landing where Washington's army pushed off on the night of December 25, 1776. The township around it, Upper Makefield, was settled by Quakers from 1682, and its own history page puts it plainly: houses from the 18th and 19th centuries mix with much newer ones, some of them fieldstone homes built in sections over generations.
Most of the houses, though, are recent. Upper Makefield's median home dates to 1986, and about six in ten were built in 1980 or later, when the township grew from a farm town of 1,410 people in 1950 to nearly 6,000 by 1990. Growth slowed after 2000 with land preservation and near build-out. Eight in ten homes are detached and almost all are owner-occupied.
Big houses on big lots mean big, cut-up roofs: multiple gables, valleys, dormers and skylights. Those details are where leaks start, so that is where an inspection here spends its time.
Know the house
Roofs you’ll find around Washington Crossing.
1980s and 1990s estate houses
Steep, complicated roofs with many valleys and penetrations, many now on their original shingles or a first replacement. Valleys and step flashing at sidewalls are the usual leak points; on a tear-off we line every valley and penetration with ice and water shield.
Fieldstone farmhouses
Built in sections over two centuries, so one roof may cover three or four additions at different pitches. The tie-ins between old and new sections, and the flashing at massive stone chimneys, need the most care.
Houses in Brownsburg and Dolington
These two villages are the township's code-designated historic districts. Outside work there needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Board of Supervisors before a permit is issued, so material and color choices are settled in writing first.
The river valley, tall trees and Ida's tornado
On September 1, 2021, the remnants of Ida produced an EF1 tornado in Upper Makefield. The National Weather Service traced it from near Eagle and Stoneybrook roads across Jericho National Golf Club and Brownsburg Park toward River Road, with straight-line wind damage for at least a mile east of the track. On July 28, 2012, a severe thunderstorm downed trees and poles around Washington Crossing, and one tree damaged a home; penny-to-nickel hail fell the same day.
Where a house sits among tall trees, that means limbs on the roof in storms, shade on the north slopes and leaves packed into valleys every fall.
Services in Washington Crossing
What we do for Washington Crossing homes.
Free Roof Inspection in Washington Crossing
Free and attic-first: on a large cut-up roof we check every valley, skylight curb and sidewall, then hand you a photo report rather than a verbal guess.
Roof Replacement in Washington Crossing
Satellite measurement makes complex roofs quick to price; most are still one-day installs, with new flashing at every wall, chimney and skylight, never reused.
Storm Damage & Insurance Claims in Washington Crossing
When wind or a falling tree damages the roof, we document it, meet the adjuster at no charge and file supplements for hidden damage before you pay.
Roof Repair in Washington Crossing
For a newer roof on a wooded lot, we repair the sealant, boots and flashing that falling debris works loose, and leave you photos of the fix.
Also available in Washington Crossing: Siding · Commercial Roofing
Google reviews · 5.0★
From our Google reviews
“Dave and his team at Mission Roof were wonderful to work with. First, Dave’s insight and knowledge was invaluable (from picking the shingle type, to explaining ice shield and drip edge, to sharing some concerns about our chimneys stability). Although we had a small existing leak already, he gave us a really detailed summary and view of the current condition of the whole roof to help us decide what we wanted to do next. He also outlined all the various ways to improve our current roof configuration (e.g removing an old attic fan that was too small to adequately cool the attic - in exchange for a ridge vent system that is already much better at cooling the space, adding bathroom fan vents where they were missing, replacing old sheeting, and more). His team was respectful, efficient, and diligent. They kept trash contained, used magnets to find dropped nails, and left the place better than they found it. We are so happy with the result - both in appearance and function.”
Washington Crossing questions
Roofing in Washington Crossing, answered.
Something else? Call or text (484) 647-7466, or read the full questions & answers.
My house is in Dolington. Do I need approval to replace the roof?
Likely yes. Upper Makefield's code designates Brownsburg and Dolington as historic districts, and outside of interior-only work the building inspector can't issue a permit until the Board of Supervisors grants a certificate of appropriateness. We give you the written scope, materials and colors for the application and pull the permit once it's approved.
Our stone farmhouse has three additions at different pitches. Can it all be one roof again?
It can all be re-roofed in one job, but each section is flashed where it meets the next, because that is where water gets in. We photograph each junction during tear-off so you can see what was underneath.
We have skylights on a 1990s roof. Should they be replaced with the shingles?
If they are original, usually yes. A skylight that is near the end of its life will outlast a new roof by very little, and replacing it later means cutting into new shingles. We look at the seals and the curb flashing during the inspection and tell you honestly.
Do you work right along River Road?
Yes. We serve all of Upper Makefield from our Newtown office, including the houses along the river and the canal.
Near Washington Crossing
See every town we serve.
Roofing guides
Hiring a roofer · 3 min read
Hire the right roofer: 4 ways to choose one you can trust
Not all roofing contractors are equal. Choosing the wrong one can mean poor workmanship, surprise costs and problems that show up long after the job is "finished." Here are four ways to protect your home.
Roof inspections · 2 min read
What to expect from an honest roof inspection
Saw a ceiling stain or a few shingles in the yard? Here is what a real inspection looks like and what you should get at the end of one.
Insurance claims · 2 min read
Insurance roof claims without the headache
A roof claim is stressful even when it goes well. Here is what should happen before the adjuster arrives, during the claim and before the job starts, so there is no surprise bill on install day.
Free roof inspection
Let’s take a look at your roof.
Anywhere in Washington Crossing and the towns around it. Pick a time online, call, or send us the basics here and we’ll get back to you to set it up. No pressure, and the quote is good for 30 days.
(484) 647-7466That’s (484) MISSION · team@mission-roof.org
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 8 am – 4 pm
- Office
- 41 University Dr, Suite 400
Newtown, PA 18940