01 — The Problem
24 Years, Four Repair Attempts, Still Leaking
The homeowner had lived with a persistent leak near the chimney for four years. They'd called in three different companies to patch it — new flashing caulk, a couple of replacement shingles, tar applied around the base. Each fix held for a season before the water found its way back in.
The roof itself was original to the home — installed in 2001. At 24 years old and 8/12 pitch, the shingles were well past their useful life: curling at the edges, granule loss across the south-facing slope, and aging that was visible from the driveway. The homeowner knew a full replacement was inevitable. The chimney leak was just the final push.
"We'd had it repaired three times and it always came back. Every spring I'd be up in the attic with a bucket. At this point I just needed it done — I didn't want a band-aid, I wanted a new roof."
02 — Our Assessment
What We Found On Inspection
We walked the roof and confirmed what the homeowner suspected. The chimney flashing had been patched with lap caulk — never recapped properly — and had separated at the step flashing on the uphill side. Water was getting in behind the counter-flashing and tracking sideways before dropping into the attic space.
Beyond the chimney, we found two layers of shingles already on the roof (the 2001 install was laid over an older roof). Under NJ code, you're allowed up to two layers — but with both layers aging, we recommended a full tearoff to start clean on the decking. That turned out to be the right call.
Chimney flashing: Step flashing separated, counter-flashing not embedded in mortar joint. Patch caulk had failed multiple times.
Two layers on deck: Both at end of life — tearoff required to inspect sheathing condition.
Rotted OSB on NE corner: Three sheets of sheathing had moisture damage — discovered after tearoff, replaced same day.
Fascia damage (front elevation): Water had been running behind the fascia on the front of the home — boards needed replacement.
Ridge ventilation: None present — continuous ridge vent was absent, causing heat and moisture buildup in the attic.
03 — The Solution
Full Replacement + Upgraded Protection
We specified GAF Timberline HDZ in Charcoal — the most installed shingle in North America, with GAF's LayerLock technology for wind resistance and a 130 mph wind rating. On an 8/12 pitch in Middlesex County, where nor'easters push wind-driven rain hard into roof planes, HDZ is the right call.
For underlayment, we ran ice & water shield across the entire field — not just the NJ code minimum of valleys and eaves. Full-field ice & water adds $800–$1,200 to a job but creates a watertight membrane behind every shingle. For a homeowner who had been chasing leaks for four years, this was non-negotiable.
GAF Timberline HDZ Charcoal: Architectural (dimensional) shingle with dual-shadow line, 130 mph wind rating, 30-year limited warranty.
Full-field ice & water shield: NJ code requires valleys and first 24" at eaves minimum. We run it edge to edge — every square foot. Redundant leak protection.
New ridge vent system: Continuous ridge vent installed to allow attic heat and moisture to exhaust — extends shingle life and reduces cooling load.
Chimney flashing recapped: Removed all old caulk-patched flashing, installed new step and counter-flashing embedded in fresh mortar joint.
3 sheets OSB sheathing replaced: Rotted decking removed and replaced before new roof went on — discovered during tearoff, handled same day at no additional surprise cost.
Front fascia boards replaced: Damaged fascia on front elevation removed and replaced with primed board prior to drip edge installation.
04 — The Process
7:30 AM to 4:15 PM — One Day
Here's exactly how the day ran. Precision on scheduling matters — homeowners shouldn't be left wondering if their house will be under tarps overnight.
Crew Arrives + Setup
Five-man crew on site. Tarps down over landscaping and HVAC units. Dumpster positioned in driveway. Homeowner walked through plan for the day.
Tearoff — Both Layers
Both existing shingle layers stripped to the deck. All old underlayment, drip edge, and ridge cap removed. Nails pulled, deck swept clean.
Decking Inspection + OSB Replacement
NE corner revealed three sheets of rotted OSB — soft to the touch, dark staining from long-term moisture exposure. Cut out and replaced with new 7/16" OSB, nailed to rafters. Homeowner notified and shown the damage before patching.
Fascia Replacement + Drip Edge
Front elevation fascia boards removed and replaced. New aluminum drip edge installed along eaves and rakes — eaves first, then rakes over ice & water.
Full-Field Ice & Water Shield
Ice & water shield rolled across the entire roof field, including all valleys and transitions. Self-adhering membrane sealed around all penetrations.
GAF Timberline HDZ Installation Begins
Starter course nailed at eaves. HDZ Charcoal shingles installed working up each slope, offset coursing per manufacturer spec. Valleys woven and sealed.
Chimney Flashing Recapped
Old caulk-patched flashing completely removed. New step flashing woven with shingles as courses reached the chimney. New counter-flashing cut and embedded in fresh mortar joint. Base flashing sealed with roofing cement at base course.
Ridge Vent + Ridge Cap
Continuous ridge vent installed full length of ridge. GAF Seal-A-Ridge cap shingles nailed over vent. Ridge capped and sealed.
Cleanup + Final Inspection
Dumpster loaded. All tarps pulled. Magnetic roller across driveway and all lawn areas for nails. Gutters blown clear. Homeowner walkthrough — every detail reviewed.
Crew Off Property
Property returned to homeowner clean, complete, and watertight. Job closed.
05 — The Result
No More Leaks. One Day.
The chimney leak that had persisted through four repair attempts was gone — because we fixed the actual cause (failed step flashing, no mortar joint on counter-flashing) rather than caulking over symptoms. The full-field ice & water shield means there's no single-point-of-failure underlayment anywhere on this roof.
The new ridge vent system is now exhausting the heat and moisture that had been building up in the attic — which was contributing to granule loss and premature aging on the old shingles. The homeowner will see that in their energy bills next summer.
No more leaks, finished in one day exactly like they promised. The crew was here before 8 and gone before dinner. You can't ask for more than that.
Homeowner — Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County NJ
Chimney leak eliminated: Root cause fixed — not patched. New step flashing + embedded counter-flashing.
Rotted decking removed: Three sheets of compromised OSB replaced — homeowner knows exactly what's under their new roof.
Full-field ice & water protection: No vulnerable underlayment zones anywhere on the field.
Improved attic ventilation: Ridge vent system now in place — extends roof life, reduces cooling costs.
30-year GAF shingle warranty: Timberline HDZ backed by GAF's limited lifetime warranty on materials.
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