Luzerne County · Wyoming Valley
Roofing contractor in Wilkes-Barre, PA
A river city built on anthracite, with nearly half its homes older than 1940, a 41-foot levee along the Susquehanna, and winters that leave snow on the roof for weeks at a time.
- 5.0 on Google
- PA HIC #201201
- NJ HIC #13VH14078100
Roofing in Wilkes-Barre
Wilkes-Barre’s houses and their roofs.
The Diamond City grew on coal. Dating to 1769, it boomed as mines and collieries filled with immigrant workers, and it peaked at more than 86,000 people around 1930. Most mining had left by the end of World War II, but the houses built for that population are still standing: 47 percent of the city's 19,781 homes predate 1940, and the median house was built in 1943.
The stock runs from the River Street Historic District, 215 buildings from 1860 to 1930 near downtown, many with Wyoming bluestone in their foundations and trim, out to neighborhoods like the Heights, Parsons, Miners Mills and South Wilkes-Barre. About half the homes are detached; the rest include doubles, two-family houses and small apartment buildings.
The city is on our service list, and our office is in Newtown, a real drive away. We say that plainly. Estimates here are booked ahead, and the inspection and the written report work exactly the same way they do anywhere else.
Know the house
Roofs you’ll find around Wilkes-Barre.
Double blocks and half-doubles
Coal-region doubles put two families under one long roof. The party-wall seam, the chimneys and the front porch roofs add up to more flashing than a single house of the same size.
Victorian homes near downtown
Big late-19th and early 20th-century houses with steep roofs, dormers and towers. Valleys and the joints where walls meet the roof are where the real work is.
Frame houses up the slopes
The city climbs from about 550 feet downtown toward Wilkes-Barre Mountain. Two-story frame homes on the higher streets take more wind, and older ones may carry several layers of roofing that must come off before anything new goes on.
Floods, levees and a long snow season
The river is the city's record of disaster. Agnes pushed the Susquehanna to nearly 41 feet in June 1972, four feet over the levees of the day, and put nine feet of water downtown. A levee system raised to 41 feet was finished in January 2003, and when Tropical Storm Lee set a record crest of 42.66 feet on September 9, 2011, it held.
For roofs, the steady threat is winter. The valley averages about 46 inches of snow with long stretches below freezing, so ice dams at the eaves and meltwater around chimneys are the leaks we expect to find.
Services in Wilkes-Barre
What we do for Wilkes-Barre homes.
Free Roof Inspection in Wilkes-Barre
Free, attic first, with a written photo report, so you can judge an old roof from your phone before deciding anything.
Roof Replacement in Wilkes-Barre
Tear-off to the deck on a single or one side of a double, ice and water shield at eaves and valleys for the snow season, and Owens Corning Duration shingles.
Storm Damage & Insurance Claims in Wilkes-Barre
When wind or a falling limb damages the roof, we document it, meet the adjuster at no charge, work with public adjusters and submit supplements before you pay. We never cover a deductible.
Commercial Roofing in Wilkes-Barre
Churches and commercial buildings in the older blocks have large, steep roofs; we handle commercial and church work of all sizes.
Also available in Wilkes-Barre: Roof Repair · Siding
Google reviews · 5.0★
From our Google reviews
“David and his staff were incredible! They were very helpful throughout the claims process and extremely efficient with the roof repair. They went above and beyond. I would highly recommend them”
“The reviews say it all. In this day and age it's difficult to find the standard of quality and service Dave and his crew provided. Our roof was severely damaged in a windstorm and within days of contacting him we had a brand new beautiful roof for a very affordable price. Dave and his crew were professional and obliging in every way ( without leaving a trace! ) Thank you gentlemen for helping restore our piece of mind.”
Wilkes-Barre questions
Roofing in Wilkes-Barre, answered.
Something else? Call or text (484) 647-7466, or read the full questions & answers.
Newtown is a long way from Wilkes-Barre. Do you really come up here?
Yes, the city is on our service list. We won't pretend to be around the corner. Estimates are scheduled ahead, and the free inspection, photo report and written quote are the same wherever we work.
Does the levee mean I don't need to worry about water?
The levee is about the river. Your roof is about rain and snow, and the leaks we look for start at flashing, valleys and the eaves where ice dams form. A sound roof matters whether or not the Susquehanna ever rises again.
Can you roof just my side of a double block?
Yes. Your half comes off to the deck, the seam over the shared wall gets new flashing, and we photograph it before shingles go on. If water is coming in from the other half, we tell both owners rather than hide it.
Are there rules for houses in the River Street Historic District?
The district is on the National Register, which by itself does not restrict a private owner using private funds. We have not found a city historic-review ordinance for it; we pull the permits the city requires, and for a house in the district we will talk about materials that suit it.
Near Wilkes-Barre
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 Wilkes-Barre 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