Southgate's post-war brick ranches on quiet curved streets are classic Downriver — solid homes with straightforward roofs that reward honest, careful work. The housing stock here is consistent enough that we know its patterns well: aging flashing on original chimneys, shingles working through their second decade-plus, and the occasional storm tearing through to test everything. We keep Southgate roofs sound with repairs that last.
Brick ranches with low-to-moderate pitches, attached garages or carports, and simple penetrations — a chimney, a couple of vents, maybe a skylight on the updated homes. Most roofs are architectural shingles now, many approaching the age where flashing and seal strips start telling the story.
Chimney flashing leaks. Cause: original step flashing aging out against brick that's been expanding and contracting for 60+ years. Effect: slow ceiling stains that worsen with wind-driven rain.
Seal-strip failure and wind lift. Cause: aging shingles losing tab adhesion. Effect: tabs crease in storms and become leak points.
Skylight curb leaks on updated homes. Cause: original skylight flashing kits reaching end of life. Effect: drips that appear only in certain rain conditions — the classic intermittent leak.
Flashing gets rebuilt, not caulked — step flashing woven into the courses, counter-flashing re-seated into the mortar. Wind-lifted shingles get matched replacements woven in, not glued tabs. Skylight leaks get traced to the curb flashing before anything is touched. Every job photographed, quoted in writing, and cleaned up like it was our own street.
Counter-flashing re-seated into mortar joints properly.
Failed flashing removed and rebuilt to last.
We find leaks that only appear in certain weather.
Scope and price in writing before any work starts.
Photo-documented inspection. Written quote before work starts. The cheapest repair is the one you make now.
Call (313) 769-7896