Roofing FAQs

Straight answers to the questions we get asked most often. If yours isn’t here, call 208-921-1690 and ask us directly.

How long should a roof last in the Treasure Valley?

Most architectural asphalt roofs here run twenty to thirty years. Our summers do more damage than our winters do — high UV and big swings between afternoon heat and overnight cold work the shingle harder than snow ever does. Attic ventilation is the other factor people underestimate. A roof that can’t breathe cooks itself from underneath and gives up years early.

Do I need a full replacement or just a repair?

If the trouble is in one area and the rest of the roof still has life in it, repair is the right answer and we’ll say so. If shingles are curling or shedding granules across the whole roof, or it’s past twenty years and leaking in more than one place, replacement usually costs less over time than a series of patches. We fix a lot of roofs that have years left in them.

Do you tear the old roof off, or go over it?

We tear off, down to the deck, every time. Every layer comes off. Laying new shingles over old ones hides the exact problems you’re paying us to find, and on a lot of valley homes what’s hiding under there is soft sheathing around a chimney or a valley that’s been quietly wet for years.

How long does a re-roof take?

Most homes are one to two days. Larger, steeper or more complicated rooflines run longer. If we open the deck and find real damage, we stop, photograph it and talk it through with you before going any further — you’ll never first hear about a change on the invoice.

What does a new roof cost?

Square footage, pitch, layer count, deck condition and material all move the number, which is why we won’t quote one over the phone. The estimate is free and itemized, so you can see what you’re paying for rather than getting a single figure with no breakdown. Financing is available.

Will insurance cover my hail or wind damage?

Often it does, but it depends on your policy and on the damage being documented properly. We get on the roof, inspect it, photograph everything we find, and then tell you honestly whether there’s enough there to be worth filing. Sometimes there isn’t. If you do file, we meet your adjuster on site so nothing gets missed.

Hail damage doesn’t look like anything from the ground. How do I know it’s there?

You mostly don’t, and that’s the problem. Hail damage is rarely a hole. It’s bruising — spots where the granules have been knocked loose and the mat underneath is exposed. It won’t leak today. It ages the shingle fast and starts leaking in two or three years, well after the claim window has closed. Wind damage shows up as lifted or creased shingles along ridges and edges where the seal has broken, even though the shingle looks like it’s still in place.

Someone knocked on my door after the storm. Should I use them?

Be careful. After a big hail event the valley fills with out-of-state crews working door to door, and a workmanship warranty is only worth something if the company is still here to honor it. Whoever you hire, ask for their Idaho contractor registration number and a local address before you sign anything.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Mountain West Roofing is licensed and insured in Idaho, registration RCE-3281728. We’re veteran-owned and based in Eagle, and we’re happy to send proof of insurance before any work starts.

What happens if the weather turns while my roof is open?

We watch the forecast and we don’t tear off more than we can close up the same day. If weather moves in early, the exposed deck gets dried in and secured before anyone leaves the site.

What about my landscaping, and all the nails?

Tarps go over the landscaping before the first shingle comes off. Debris gets hauled at the end of each day rather than sitting in a pile over the weekend. Before we pull out, we run a rolling magnet across the driveway, walkways and lawn.

How fast can you get to a repair?

Most repairs are a same-day or next-day job once we’ve been out to look at it. Active leaks go to the front of the schedule, because water inside a house gets more expensive by the hour. If you have one, call rather than filling out the form.

Do you charge for estimates?

No. Estimates are free, itemized and come with no obligation.

Do you work with builders on new construction?

Yes. New construction is a large part of what we do across the Treasure Valley — on schedule, to spec, and inspection-ready. If you’re a builder with volume or repeat work, call and we’ll talk through scheduling.

What areas do you serve?

Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Caldwell, Star, Kuna and Middleton, plus the surrounding Treasure Valley. If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, call 208-921-1690 and ask.

Still have a question? Call 208-921-1690 or email john@getmwroofs.com and you’ll get a straight answer.