Michelle contacted RoofAdvisor after years of ongoing leaks in the mudroom and the breezeway connecting her Northville home to the detached garage. Since purchasing the home in 2015, multiple repair attempts by other contractors had been made, but the leak kept recurring and eventually caused ceiling damage in the breezeway.
Concerned about entering another Michigan winter without a permanent solution, Michelle requested pricing for both a focused tear-off replacement over the mudroom area and a complete roof replacement option for the entire home.
Identifying the Root Cause of Recurring Leaks
Recurring leaks around breezeways, mudrooms, and lower roof transitions are common on older homes because these areas often feature:
- Complex roof intersections
- Lower roof pitches
- Flashing transitions against walls and brick
- Poor ventilation
- Water concentration during heavy rain and snow melt
In Michelle’s case, the long-term concerns about the leak made it clear that more extensive roofing improvements would provide a better long-term solution than continued patch repairs.
Complete Roofing System Replacement
The new roofing system included:
- CertainTeed Landmark Lifetime Architectural Shingles
- Starter strip shingles around the entire roof perimeter
- Synthetic roofing underlayment
- Ice and water shield protection at eaves, valleys, and penetrations
- New brown drip edge components
- Replacement plumbing boot
- New bathroom exhaust vent
- Updated chimney flashing recessed directly into the brick
Ventilation & Roof Performance Upgrades
To improve long-term airflow and roofing performance, the project also included major ventilation upgrades:
- Removal of outdated box vents
- New ridge ventilation system
- SmartVent intake ventilation installed along the house eaves
Balanced attic ventilation helps reduce heat and moisture buildup while improving the overall lifespan and performance of the roofing system.
Decking Repairs & Long-Term Protection
The project also allowed for:
- Up to 100 linear feet of replacement decking
- Full tear-off of the existing roofing system
- Magnetic nail cleanup
- Dumpster service during installation
Michelle’s new roof is backed by:
- RoofAdvisor 12-Year Workmanship Warranty
By moving from repeated repairs to a complete roofing and ventilation solution, Michelle was able to finally address the long-standing breezeway leak concerns while improving overall roof performance and protection for years to come.