Fall is the best window to tune up—or replace—your roof in Allentown. It’s also when a few avoidable mistakes can turn into mid-January emergencies. Use this local guide to dodge the problems we see most around the Lehigh Valley (Old Allentown rowhomes, West End colonials, South Whitehall capes, Emmaus/Macungie ranches).

1) Waiting until the first freeze

Problem: Contractors book up after the first hard freeze; sealants cure slowly in cold; weather windows shrink.

Fix: Book inspections and work now. Aim for a dry 2–3-day stretch so tear-off, dry-in, and shingles happen back-to-back.

2) “Caulk it and forget it” at chimneys and walls

Problem: Smearing sealant over bad step/counter-flashing is a temporary band-aid that fails fast.

Fix: Reset flashing correctly (cut into mortar joints on brick, step flashing under each shingle course). If the chimney needs a cricket, add it.

3) Roofing over old shingles to “save money”

Problem: A second layer traps heat/moisture, hides rot, complicates flashing, and shortens service life.

Fix: Full tear-off. You’ll expose and fix decking, install modern underlayments, and reset flashing the right way.

4) Blocking soffits with insulation

Problem: Choked intake = hot, stale attic air → ice dams, moss, and shingle aging.

Fix: Clear soffits with baffles, pair with a continuous ridge vent, and verify net free area. Ventilation is the ice-dam killer.

5) Skipping ice & water shield at eaves/valleys

Problem: Meltwater backs up under shingles at the eaves—classic Allentown leak.

Fix: Self-adhered membrane along eaves and valleys, plus around penetrations and along tricky transitions.

6) Reusing tired pipe boots and flashing

Problem: Dry-rotted rubber collars and rusty flashing are leak magnets.

Fix: Replace pipe boots, install new step/counter-flashing, and re-bed/point chimney mortar where needed.

7) Ignoring low-slope sections (porches/additions)

Problem: Shingles on a low-slope porch or a sloppy tie-in to the main roof = chronic “mystery” leaks.

Fix: Use EPDM/TPO on low slopes and detail the transition flashing into adjacent shingle planes correctly.

8) Keeping aging skylights during a re-roof

Problem: Old skylights re-flashed onto a new roof often fail soon after—double labor later.

Fix: Replace aged units while the roof is open. It’s cheaper and more reliable.

9) Accepting vague quotes

Problem: “Includes everything” usually doesn’t. Surprise charges show up for decking or flashing.

Fix: Demand a line-item scope: tear-off layers, ice & water locations, underlayment type, flashing details (chimney/walls/skylights), ventilation plan, per-sheet decking price, site protection/cleanup, permits, timeline. If you like to compare by per-square, that’s fine—just make sure the scopes match.

10) Skipping permits/inspections

Problem: Unpermitted work can bite you at resale and may miss code details that matter in winter.

Fix: Contractor pulls the City of Allentown permit and closes it out; you keep the paperwork.

11) DIY on wet or steep roofs

Problem: Fall dew, leaves, and pitch make roofs treacherous.

Fix: Handle ground-level prep (gutters, photos, attic check). Leave roof work—especially on 2-story or steep slopes—to a pro crew with fall protection.

12) Poor site protection and cleanup

Problem: Nails in the driveway, torn landscaping, and debris in gutters create new problems.

Fix: Expect draped tarps, driveway protection, magnet sweeps each day, and a tidy site. Do a quick walkthrough before final sign-off.

A quick “Fall-Ready Roof” checklist

• Photos of shingles, valleys, chimney/wall flashing, pipe boots, and attic conditions

• Scope with ice & water + synthetic underlayment + ventilation plan

• Flashing reset (no tar blobs), skylight decision made

• Decking allowance per sheet in writing

• Permit pulled; target dates with a weather buffer

• Final photos and warranties (materials + workmanship)

FAQs

What’s the #1 mistake that causes winter leaks here?

Bad or reused chimney/sidewall flashing. Reset it properly during a fall re-roof.

Is black algae on shingles a leak risk? Mostly cosmetic—but persistent algae/moss signals shade and moisture. Pair cleaning with better ventilation and consider algae-resistant shingles.

What should a standard Allentown re-roof include? Full tear-off, ice & water at eaves/valleys, synthetic underlayment, balanced ridge/soffit ventilation, new flashings and pipe boots, site protection/cleanup, permits, and clear decking allowances.

The bottom line

Avoid the shortcuts and you avoid the emergencies. A properly scoped fall project—tear-off, modern underlayments, real flashing, balanced ventilation—keeps you dry and stress-free all winter.

Want a straight, line-item plan for your roof in Allentown, Whitehall, Emmaus, or Macungie? Call 610-587-2709 for a same-week inspection. We’ll document everything, show photos, and price the job apples-to-apples—including per-square if you prefer.

P.S. Keep water moving and surfaces clean: we also offer gutter cleaning and soft/pressure washing as recommended maintenance.