Full Roof Replacement on E Mosser St in Allentown, PA | Roofera
A Real Roofera Project in Allentown, PA
This townhouse roof replacement in Allentown PA on E Mosser St was completed by Roofera after the homeowner noticed his entire roof was failing and reached out for a full replacement. What started as a standard inspection quickly revealed the full scope of the problem — two full layers of old shingles had been stacked on top of each other, a common situation on older row homes in Allentown that had been re-roofed over the years instead of properly replaced.
The E Mosser St area sits in South Allentown, just minutes from the future Riverwalk boardwalk development being built along the Lehigh River — a growing part of the city that continues to attract reinvestment and homeowner pride.
- Location: E Mosser St, Allentown, PA
- County: Lehigh County
- Property Type: Townhouse / Row Home
- Service Performed: Full Roof Replacement
- Shingle Installed: GAF Timberline HDZ – Shakewood
- Underlayment: FeltBuster Premium Synthetic Underlayment
- Leak Barrier: WeatherWatch Ice & Water Shield
- Specialty Work: Double Layer Tear-Off, 8 Sheets Plywood Decking Replacement, Shared Roofline Sealing
- Project Duration: 1 Day
- Completed By: Roofera
Did you know?
Allentown’s South Side neighborhoods are home to a high concentration of attached row homes and townhouses, many of which were built in the early-to-mid 1900s. Double-layer roofs are extremely common in this area — homes that were re-roofed over the years without a proper tear-off end up with stacked shingle layers that accelerate moisture damage and shorten the life of every subsequent installation.
E Mosser St sits close to the future Riverwalk boardwalk development along the Lehigh River, part of a broader reinvestment effort that is bringing renewed attention and pride to South Allentown neighborhoods. Homeowners in this area are increasingly investing in long-term improvements — and a properly installed roof is one of the most impactful upgrades a row home can receive.
A townhouse roof replacement in Allentown, PA on a home with existing double layers requires a crew that plans for the extra tear-off time and has the experience to assess the decking properly before anything new goes down. Getting that right on day one is what separates a roof that lasts from one that fails again in a few years.
What We Found During the Inspection
This townhouse roof replacement in Allentown, PA started with a full inspection after the homeowner reached out about his deteriorating roof. From the ground it was already clear the roof was in bad shape — visible sagging and surface wear that pointed to deeper structural issues underneath.
Once we began the tear-off, the full picture came into view:
- Two complete layers of old shingles stacked on top of each other — both had to come off before anything new could go down
- Eight sheets of plywood decking that had deteriorated and needed full replacement before installation could begin
- The shared roofline connection with the neighboring unit required careful inspection and proper waterproofing
- The double layer added significant weight and had been trapping moisture against the decking for years, accelerating the wood deterioration underneath
Removing both layers completely rather than adding a third is not just the right call — in most municipalities it’s required by code, and it’s the only way to properly inspect and address what’s happening to the decking underneath.
How We Solved It
For this townhouse roof replacement in Allentown, PA, we performed a complete double-layer tear-off before doing anything else. With both layers removed and the decking exposed, we identified and replaced all eight sheets of deteriorated plywood before laying a single piece of new material.
Work completed on this project:
- Full double-layer tear-off — both existing shingle layers removed completely
- Eight sheets of deteriorated plywood decking removed and replaced
- FeltBuster premium synthetic underlayment installed across the full roof surface
- WeatherWatch ice & water shield applied at all eaves and vulnerable penetrations
- GAF Timberline HDZ Shakewood shingles installed across the full roof
- Ridge cap shingles applied along all ridgelines
- Shared roofline connection with the neighboring unit carefully sealed and waterproofed
- Job site fully cleaned and cleared before end of day
With temperatures in the low eighties and clear skies, conditions were ideal — the crew worked efficiently and had the entire project completed in a single day despite the added scope of the double tear-off and decking work.
The Roof Transformation
Real project photos from the job site, showing the condition before work started and the finished result.
Project Photos
Materials Used on This Project
GAF Timberline HDZ – Shakewood
A dimensional asphalt shingle with warm, wood-like tones that complement the brick and stone facades common on Allentown row homes.
FeltBuster Premium Synthetic Underlayment
Installed across the full roof surface as a secondary moisture barrier beneath the shingles.
WeatherWatch Ice & Water Shield
Applied at all eaves and penetrations for added leak protection at the most vulnerable areas of the roof.
Plywood Sheathing – 8 Sheets Replaced
Eight sheets of deteriorated plywood were removed and replaced to provide a solid, structurally sound base for the new roofing system.
Neighboring Unit Connection Sealed
The shared roofline boundary with the adjacent unit was carefully sealed and waterproofed before shingle installation.
Roofing Details Recorded for This Job
Finished Roof, Cleaner Job Site, Better Protection
This townhouse roof replacement in Allentown, PA left the E Mosser St home with a clean, properly installed roofing system for the first time in years. The double layer of old shingles is gone, the deteriorated decking has been replaced, and the new GAF Timberline HDZ Shakewood shingles give the home a warm, natural appearance that blends well with the surrounding streetscape.
The homeowner was very happy with the result. Everything was completed in one day, the job site was left clean, and the roof that had been failing from the ground up is now built to last.
See other projects that we completed recently
Use these links to connect the project back to the service and local project archive.
Questions About This Type of Project
What does a double layer tear-off mean and why does it matter?
A double layer tear-off means the existing roof has two full layers of shingles stacked on top of each other. Both layers have to be completely removed before a new roof can be installed correctly. Leaving them in place and adding a third layer is not only against most building codes — it also means you can’t inspect or repair the decking underneath, which is often where the real damage is hiding.
How common are double-layer roofs on Allentown townhouses?
Very common. Many row homes in Allentown were re-roofed multiple times over the decades without a proper tear-off, leaving two or even three layers of shingles stacked on the original decking. The extra weight and trapped moisture accelerate deterioration, and by the time a homeowner calls for a replacement the decking underneath is often damaged.
Why did you replace 8 sheets of decking instead of the whole roof?
After removing both shingle layers, we inspected every sheet of plywood and replaced only the sections that had deteriorated beyond acceptable condition. The remaining decking was structurally sound and didn’t need replacement — replacing only what’s necessary keeps costs down without compromising the integrity of the new installation.
Why is the shared roofline on a townhouse important to seal properly?
The point where two row home roofs meet is one of the most common leak sources on attached properties. Water and debris collect at that seam, and if it isn’t properly flashed and sealed it becomes a recurring problem that affects both units. Sealing it correctly during the replacement is the only permanent solution.
Need a Roof Replacement Like This?
Get a free roof inspection and a clear estimate from Roofera. We will inspect your roof, document what we find, and recommend the right next step.
Request a Free Estimate
Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you within 24 hours, or call us for an immediate response.
Request a Free Estimate
We'll respond within 24 hours. No spam, no pressure.