Daniel Alte, owner of Alte Exteriors in Somerville, is proud to follow in his father’s footsteps—on a roof. Jeff Alte, now retired, founded the company in 1970. Since then, the company has grown to be a leading expert in residential roof replacement and repair, as well as siding, gutter and skylight installation.
He notes that if it has been 15 to 20 years since you have replaced your roof, it’s likely time to schedule a roofing contractor to talk about replacement. “Although asphalt is most common, people should consider cedar shake, copper, slate and standing seam metal accents to give homes up-to-date curb appeal,” he says. “My favorite shingle color is charcoal since it looks good for the longest amount of time and can match almost any siding color.”
Alte takes pride in educating people so they don’t make costly mistakes. He notes a few indicators that your roof needs the attention of a professional: water leaks and moss. According to the American Institute of Architects, roughly 40 percent of all building issues are due to water intrusion—usually from the roof. Roof leaks can occur from clogged gutters, damaged skylights, improperly sealed chimneys, damaged shingles or roofing nails or metal corrosion if you have a metal roof.
“If you get a leak, get a bucket under the drip to prevent water damage, then figure out where the water is coming in,” Alte says. “Feel for wet spots and listen for drips. When you find the leak, tarp the area to stop the water from seeping through the rest of your house. Then, call a professional roofer to assess the damage and make necessary repairs. It’s important to take care of even a small leak as soon as possible before it becomes a significant and costly problem if left unaddressed.”
Moss can happen in places of high humidity and on roofs covered by a tree canopy or dense foliage, especially those made of wood or shake shingles. “As it grows and spreads, moss not only retains moisture, but it also causes shingles to lift and allow water to seep in, encouraging wood rot and causing further deterioration of the shingles and decking,” Alte says. “If you’ve found yourself with a growing green problem on your home’s roof, contact a professional roofing specialist to help with this mitigation process.”
In an homage to his father, he shares some vintage Alte photos from the late 1970s and ’80s.
Learn more about roofing and siding at AlteExteriors.com.
People should consider cedar shake, copper, slate and standing seam metal accents. My favorite shingle color is charcoal since it looks good for the longest amount of time and can match almost any siding color.
According to the American Institute of Architects, roughly 40 percent of all building issues are due to water intrusion—usually from the roof. Roof leaks can occur from clogged gutters, damaged skylights, improperly sealed chimneys, damaged shingles or roofing nails or metal corrosion.