Almaden Valley roofs in the subdivisions beneath the foothills

How many layers do the subdivision roofs carry?

Subdivision roofs of the 1960s and 1970s often carry one or two layers of shingle, and a third layer is sometimes found where an earlier owner re-covered the roof without a strip. The technician counts the layers at the eave before deciding whether to recover or to strip.

A deck of the period may be plank or early panel, with nails that have worked loose over the decades. The nails are reset or replaced, and any soft board is cut out before the new covering is fixed.

How are the vents on the subdivision houses checked?

Many subdivision houses have a soffit intake that has been blocked by insulation over the years, and a ridge that was never vented. The technician clears the intake and adds an exhaust where the attic can take one.

The vents that were covered over by an earlier re-roof are reopened, so the attic can move air from the eave to the ridge. The readings before and after are kept with the scope.

What is the gutter's role on a sloping lot?

A sloping lot sends water to its low corner, and the gutter there takes the largest flow. The outlet is checked for capacity and placed so the water leaves the foundation clear.

A gutter that has sagged between its brackets is re-hung into solid backing, and the fascia behind it is checked for soft wood at the corners.

What do the fences and side yards mean for the work?

Side yards on the subdivision lots are narrow, and a ladder placed at the eave may block a gate or a path. The crew plans the ladder's position and the route for materials, and keeps the gates clear during the work day.

The owner is asked about any pets, children or stored items in the yard, so the work area is kept safe. A simple plan on the day keeps the crew and the household apart.

How does the subdivision's drainage work on a sloping lot?

Subdivision lots of this period often slope toward a shared drain or the street, and the downspout at the low corner carries the most water. The outlet is checked for capacity and for a clean discharge away from the wall.

Where the soil at the foot of the downspout has been washed away, the grade is restored and a splash block set. The record notes the change.

Owners of these houses often ask whether a new covering will fix a leak they have been living with. The honest answer is that a covering helps only where the fault is in the covering; the attic and the flashings are read first to find out.