In November 2025, Loudoun Roofing replaced the roof on a two-story home with dormers in Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, after an inspection found decking rotted through at the roof edge, cracked shingles and lifted shingles where the dormers meet the roof. The crew replaced the rotted decking, installed new step flashing at the dormers and put on a new architectural shingle roof with a new ridge vent.
Project at a glance
- Location: Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia
- Home: Two-story home with dormers
- Project: Full roof replacement, about 28 squares
- Decking: Rotted sections replaced with new plywood
- Dormers: New step flashing
- Also new: Synthetic underlayment, ice and water shield, 76 feet of ridge vent, drip edge, two pipe boots, a dryer vent and two roof vents
- Inspection: October 28, 2025
- Project duration: 3 days (November 21–23, 2025)
- Completed: November 2025
- Contractor: Loudoun Roofing HIC
About Leesburg
Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County, with a historic downtown and neighborhoods that range from older brick homes near the town center to newer subdivisions on the edges of town. Learn more from the Town of Leesburg.
The challenge and how we solved it
The October inspection found the decking rotted through at one roof edge, cracked shingles across the roof, and lifted, damaged shingles where the dormers meet the main roof, a common place for water to get in.
With rot under the roof and trouble at the dormers, the owner chose a full replacement. After tear-off, the crew cut out the rotted decking and installed new plywood, then put down synthetic underlayment and ice and water shield, installed new step flashing at every dormer and finished with new shingles and a new ridge vent.
Before
What we did
- Inspected the roof and dormers and documented the damage.
- Removed the old shingles down to the decking.
- Cut out the rotted decking and installed new plywood.
- Installed synthetic underlayment and ice and water shield.
- Installed new step flashing at the dormers.
- Installed new architectural shingles, ridge vent, drip edge, pipe boots and roof vents.
- Cleaned up and checked the finished roof.
The finished project
Why these materials
Dormer step flashing. Each dormer got new step flashing woven in with the shingles, so water running down the dormer walls lands on top of the roof instead of behind it.
Ice and water shield. Ice and water shield is a self-adhering waterproof membrane that goes under the shingles. It helps keep out water that gets past the shingles during heavy rain or ice dams.
Ridge vent. A ridge vent lets warm, moist air escape from the attic along the peak, which helps keep the attic dry in winter and cooler in summer.
Keeping your roof in good shape
- Check your attic a couple of times a year for water stains, and keep attic vents clear so moisture can escape.
- Clean your gutters after the fall leaf drop and again in spring. Clogged gutters push water back under the edge of the roof.
- After strong storms or wind warnings from the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office in Sterling, look over your roof from the ground for missing or lifted shingles.
- Check where dormers meet the roof. Lifted shingles or gaps at the dormer walls are early signs of a flashing problem.
Frequently asked questions
Dormers create roof-to-wall joints that depend on step flashing. When that flashing or the shingles around it fail, water gets in. This Leesburg roof had lifted, damaged shingles at the dormers.
Rotted decking can’t hold nails, so it has to be cut out and replaced before the new roof goes on, as it was here.
It should be. On this home, the crew installed new step flashing at every dormer.
This roof, about 28 squares, took three days.
Planning a roof project in Leesburg?
Planning a roof project in Leesburg? See our Leesburg roofing page, learn about roof replacement and roof repair, browse more completed projects, or contact us for a free estimate.