What a full roof replacement includes
A new roof is only as good as what sits under it. That is why every replacement we do starts with a full tear-off instead of a layer of new shingles over old problems.
- Removal of the old shingles and underlayment down to the deck
- A sheet-by-sheet check of the plywood deck, with soft or rotted sections replaced
- Ice and water shield at the eaves, where Lake County roofs see ice dams
- New underlayment, drip edge and flashing at walls, chimneys and valleys
- New shingles installed to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Roof vents checked so the attic can breathe
- Full cleanup, magnet sweep for nails and haul-away of the old materials
Our labor is backed by a 4-year warranty, and you get the scope of work in writing before we start.
Signs your roof needs to be replaced
Roofs rarely fail all at once. These are the signs that tell us a repair would only buy you a season:
- Shingles curling, cupping or cracking across large areas of the roof
- Bare spots and heavy granule loss, often visible in the gutters and downspouts
- Leaks in more than one place, or leaks that come back after a repair
- A roof deck that feels soft or looks wavy from the street
- Daylight or dark water stains on the attic boards
- An older roof that went through a hail or wind storm
If you are not sure, start with a roof inspection. We will tell you honestly whether you need a new roof or a repair.
How we replace a roof, step by step
- Inspection and estimate. We look at the roof, the attic and the gutters, then put the scope and price in writing.
- Contract and permit. Once you sign, the permit is pulled for your city and the materials are scheduled.
- Tear-off. We protect your landscaping and siding, then strip the roof to the deck.
- Deck repair. Any damaged plywood is replaced before the new roof goes on.
- New roof. Ice and water shield, underlayment, flashing, vents and shingles, in that order.
- Cleanup. Debris goes in the dumpster, the yard gets a nail sweep and the gutters are cleared.
See the full process for what happens before and after the install.
Roofing for Lake County weather
Waukegan sits right on Lake Michigan, and that shapes how roofs age here. Winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and snow that melts and refreezes at the eaves forms ice dams that push water under shingles. That is why the City of Waukegan requires a minimum of 24 inches of ice and water shield on reroofing jobs. Summer storms bring wind and hail that loosen and bruise shingles.
We build every new roof with those conditions in mind, from Waukegan and Gurnee to the rest of our service area, including Kenosha and Racine in Wisconsin.
Licensed for Illinois roofing work
Illinois requires roofing contractors to hold a state license, and the license number has to appear on contracts, bids and advertising. O&C Contractors holds Illinois roofing contractor license #104.019312 and #105.010151 and carries general liability insurance. Ask to see both before you hire anyone for your roof.