Roof Repair & Leak Repair
Leak tracing, damaged shingle replacement, localized repairs, and emergency tarping.
Vancouver, WA · Portland, OR · nearby communities
Residential Roof Replacement
When a roof is worn out, patching it again rarely makes sense. Big Bear Exteriors replaces roofs on homes in Vancouver, WA, Portland, OR, and nearby communities: the old roof comes off down to the decking, is hauled away, and a complete new roof system built for Pacific Northwest rain goes on.
What a complete roof replacement involves
A roof replacement is more than new shingles. The existing roofing is torn off, the debris is hauled away for disposal, and the wood decking underneath is checked and repaired. Then a new system is built back up: drip edge, underlayment over the whole deck, ice-and-water membrane in valleys and around penetrations where specified, new flashing at walls, chimneys, skylights, and valleys, new pipe boots and vents, and the finished asphalt shingle roof with hip and ridge caps.
Because the roof is opened all the way to the deck, replacement is also the best time to fix problems that are hidden on an older roof — soft or delaminated sheathing, poor attic ventilation, rotted fascia and bargeboards, a tired skylight, or chimney flashing that was never detailed correctly. Those can be handled in the same project, by the same roofing contractor, on one schedule.
Roof decking & sheathing
Roof decking and sheathing replacement
Decking (also called sheathing) is the plywood, OSB, or board layer that every shingle is nailed to. It can’t be fully judged until the old roof is off — and on Northwest roofs, years of slow leaks, condensation, and moss can leave it soft, delaminated, or rotted, especially at eaves, valleys, and around chimneys and skylights.
Many older Portland and Vancouver homes were originally roofed with cedar shakes over spaced “skip” sheathing. Asphalt shingles need a solid deck, so new plywood or OSB is installed over or in place of the boards before the new roof goes on.
Your estimate explains how decking replacement is priced — typically a unit price per sheet — so there are no surprises. Damaged decking found during tear-off is photographed and reviewed with you before it’s replaced. If the framing underneath is damaged, see our truss and rafter repairs.
What we check once the old roof is off
- Soft or spongy areas underfoot
- Delaminated plywood or swollen OSB
- Rot at eaves, valleys, chimneys, and skylights
- Spaced board sheathing from an old shake roof
- Whether the deck will hold nails properly
- Sagging between rafters or trusses
Steep-slope roofing
Steep-slope roof replacement
Steep-slope roofing is the industry term for pitched roofs that shed water by gravity — the gables, hips, and dormers found on most homes in Vancouver, Portland, and the surrounding metro. Shingle roofs depend on that slope, along with correct overlaps and flashing, to keep rain moving off the roof.
The steeper the roof, the more safety setup, roof jacks, and labor the work takes, which is why pitch is one of the biggest factors in a roof replacement estimate. Steep, cut-up roofs on older Portland homes and two-story houses in Clark County subdivisions are everyday work for a steep-slope roofing crew.
Big Bear focuses on steep-slope shingle roofing. We don’t install flat or low-slope roof systems.
Optional during reroofing
Chimney removal during your roof replacement
Many older homes have a chimney that’s no longer used — the fireplace was closed off, or the furnace and water heater were replaced with units that vent elsewhere. An unused chimney is still one of the most common sources of roof leaks.
If you’d like, the chimney can be removed during your reroof: it’s taken down as scoped in your estimate, the opening is framed and decked, and the area is roofed over with the rest of the new roof. Doing it during replacement avoids cutting into brand-new shingles later. Before any removal, we confirm the chimney isn’t venting an appliance and whether a permit is needed. Masonry work below the attic and inside the house is a separate scope.
One project, one crew
Work that makes sense to add during a reroof
When the roof is already open, it’s the most efficient time to take care of the roofline and attic. Ask about adding any of these to your roof replacement estimate.
Warning signs
Signs your roof may need replacing
Not sure what you’re looking at? Photos from the ground with a zoom lens or from inside the attic are a safe way to check. Please don’t climb onto a wet or steep roof.
- Shingles that are curling, cupping, cracking, or losing a lot of granules across large areas of the roof
- Leaks that keep coming back in different places, even after repairs
- Soft, spongy, or sagging spots when the roof is walked or viewed from the attic
- Daylight, water stains, or damp insulation visible in the attic
- Many missing shingles after wind events, or a roof that has been patched repeatedly
- Heavy, persistent moss growth that has lifted or damaged shingles
- An older roof that you’d like to replace before listing your home — or that an inspection report flagged
Scope
What’s included — and what usually isn’t
Included in a complete roof replacement
- Tear-off of all existing roofing layers
- Debris hauling and disposal
- Inspection of the decking once exposed
- Underlayment over the full roof deck
- Ice-and-water membrane at valleys and penetrations where specified
- Drip edge at eaves and rakes
- New flashing at walls, chimneys, skylights, and valleys
- Pipe boots and roof vents
- Starter, hip, and ridge courses
- Complete new shingle roof installation
Optional or priced separately
- Decking replacement beyond the allowance in your estimate (unit-priced)
- Chimney removal (optional)
- Seamless gutter replacement (optional)
- Skylight replacement (optional)
- Fascia and bargeboard replacement (optional)
- Truss or rafter repairs found during tear-off
- Chimney masonry repair
- Interior repairs from past leaks
- Electrical work for attic fans or solar panel removal and reinstallation
Every roof is different, so your written estimate should spell out exactly what is and isn’t included — especially how decking replacement is handled. Optional items can be added to the same project.
The roof as a system
Materials and roof-system details
Roof covering
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material on homes in the Portland and Vancouver area. We install architectural shingles and designer shingles, including GAF Grand Sequoia. Options for your home are discussed during the estimate.
Underlayment
A water-resistant layer installed over the decking under the shingles. Self-adhering ice-and-water membrane is commonly added at vulnerable areas such as valleys and around penetrations.
Decking
The plywood, OSB, or board sheathing the roof is fastened to. Older homes with spaced board decking may need new sheathing before shingles can be installed.
Flashing
Metal that directs water away from joints — where the roof meets walls and chimneys, in valleys, and around skylights. Flashing is a common source of leaks on older roofs.
Ventilation
Intake vents at the eaves and exhaust vents near the ridge move air through the attic. Balanced ventilation helps manage heat and moisture, and shingle manufacturers address it in their installation requirements.
Process
How a roof replacement project moves
Assessment
The roof is inspected from the outside and, where accessible, the attic — looking at the covering, flashing, penetrations, ventilation, and signs of decking damage.
Estimate and choices
You review a written scope with materials, colors, line items, and any optional add-ons, and ask questions before anything is scheduled.
Scheduling around weather
Tear-offs need a reliable dry window. Material delivery and the start date are planned around the forecast.
Tear-off and rebuild
The old roof comes off and is hauled away, the decking is checked and repaired as agreed, and the new system is installed.
Final review
The completed roof is reviewed with you, along with any warranty and care documents that apply.
Cost factors
What affects the cost of a roof replacement
We don’t publish standard prices because they would be misleading — two roofs of the same square footage can require very different work. Read more about what affects roof replacement cost.
- Roof size and the number of roof planes
- Pitch (steeper roofs take more time and safety equipment)
- Complexity: valleys, dormers, skylights, chimneys, and transitions
- Number of existing layers to tear off and dispose of
- How much decking needs to be replaced once the old roof is removed
- The shingle line selected — architectural or designer
- Ventilation upgrades
- Optional add-ons such as gutters, skylights, fascia, or chimney removal
- Access to the roof and the site for materials and debris removal
Where we work
Roof Replacement in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR
From mid-century ranches in Vancouver’s Hazel Dell and Orchards areas to steep-gabled bungalows in Southeast Portland, we replace roofs on homes across Clark County and the Portland metro.
Roof replacement in Washington
FAQ
Roof Replacement questions
Can new shingles go over my existing roof?
Installing a second layer over the first (an overlay) is sometimes allowed by code, but it hides the decking and flashing, adds weight, and can affect manufacturer warranty eligibility. A full tear-off lets problems underneath be found and fixed. Ask what your estimate assumes and why.
Do you haul away the old roof?
Yes. Tear-off and disposal of the old roofing is part of a roof replacement. The debris is loaded and hauled away as the work progresses.
How long does a roof replacement take?
It depends on the size and complexity of the roof, how many layers are being removed, decking repairs, add-ons, and the weather. Your expected schedule is discussed with your estimate.
What happens if rotten decking is found?
Damaged decking can’t be fully assessed until the old roof is removed. Your estimate explains how decking replacement is handled — for example, a unit price per sheet — and damaged areas are shown to you before they’re replaced.
Can you remove our old chimney while the roof is off?
Yes. Chimney removal is an optional service during reroofing. The chimney is taken down as scoped, the opening is framed and decked, and it’s roofed over with the rest of the new roof.
Will I need a permit?
Permit requirements depend on the city or county where your home is located — for example, the City of Vancouver, Clark County, or the City of Portland — and on the scope, such as whether structural sheathing or framing is being replaced. Ask whether a permit is needed for your project and who will obtain it.
Do you replace flat or low-slope roofs?
No. We specialize in steep-slope (pitched) shingle roofs and don’t install flat or low-slope roofing systems.
Roofing estimate
Talk with us about replacing your roof
Share a few details about your home and your roof’s condition. We’ll follow up to talk through the next step.
- Prefer to talk? Call (360) 803-1509
- Share photos of the problem through our contact form
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Related services
Other roofing services
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Architectural and designer shingles — including GAF Grand Sequoia — installed for Northwest weather.
Gutter Installation & Replacement
Seamless gutters and downspouts formed to fit your home and sized to carry Northwest rain away.
Skylight Replacement & Repair
Skylight replacement, reflashing, and leak repair — on its own or during a reroof.
Roof Ventilation
Ridge vents, intake vents, and balanced attic airflow to fight condensation, heat, and moisture.
Roof Flashing & Chimney Leak Repair
Chimney flashing, counterflashing, step flashing, and roof crickets that stop leaks at the source.
Fascia & Bargeboard Replacement
Rotted or damaged fascia and bargeboards replaced so gutters and roof edges have solid backing.
Roof Inspections
A documented look at your roof’s condition so you can decide between repair, replacement, or waiting.