Houston grew up around the railroad. After the Chartiers Valley Railroad came through in 1871, David C. Houston laid out the plan of “Houstonville,” and the neighboring Riggletown plan followed. Many homes in the borough are older frame houses on compact lots, and over the decades they’ve picked up additions, enclosed porches and several layers of roofing.

On those homes, a roof replacement usually means tearing off down to the decking, replacing soft or delaminated boards, and rebuilding the flashing where additions meet the original house. Chimneys get new flashing and, when needed, a cap or crown repair.

In Chartiers Township, homes range from brick ranches and split-levels to newer subdivisions, where original roofs and siding are now coming due. Either way, we start with a close look at the attic, decking and ventilation, because a new roof only lasts as long as what’s underneath it, and we tell you plainly what we find before we recommend anything.