In January 2021, Stanley Roof and Solar replaced Elijah’s failed roof in Milwaukie, OR and prepared it for solar. In December 2022 we came back and installed 26 solar panels in a grid-tied system sized to cover the family’s whole electric bill. The roof is a complete Malarkey roofing system.
Project at a glance
- Location: Milwaukie, OR
- Completed: roof in January 2021, solar in December 2022
- Services: roof replacement and solar installation
- Shingles: Malarkey Vista AR, Antique Brown
- Solar: 26 APTOS 400-watt panels on IronRidge racking, grid-tied
- Warranty: Malarkey Pro
About the area
Milwaukie is a city in Clackamas County, Oregon, just south of Portland on the Willamette River. This home is in the city’s Lake Road neighborhood.
The challenge and how we solved it
The challenge: the original CertainTeed roof had failed and was leaking into the laundry room, but it was not covered by the manufacturer’s defect program or a class action settlement. Elijah also planned to add solar within a year or two, so the roof needed to be replaced first.
The solution: when a leak appeared before the scheduled replacement date, our staff tarped the roof within hours at no charge. The new roof went on in two half days, with ice and water shield under the areas where the solar panels would be mounted. Two years later, Stanley installed 26 solar panels on the new roof. Years later, the family still does not pay PGE for electricity, even in winter.
What we did
- Tarped the leaking roof within hours, at no charge, until the scheduled replacement.
- Removed the old roof and replaced 2 sheets of plywood.
- Re-nailed the plywood sheets, which had not been properly secured to the framing.
- Installed ice and water shield where the solar panels would be mounted, plus Malarkey 401 Arctic Seal and Smart Start starter shingles, with the underlayment fastened by plastic cap nails.
- Installed Malarkey Vista AR shingles in Antique Brown with EZ-Ridge hip and ridge caps, Lifetime Tool pipe flashings and a new bath vent.
- In December 2022, installed 26 APTOS 400-watt solar panels on IronRidge racking as a grid-tied system.
The finished project
What the homeowner said
Elijah T.
We received about 5 quotes before choosing Stanley Roofing and Solar to do our roofing. They were reasonably priced, but not the lowest. We chose them because of the time and care the owner spent in explaining their materials and process. The warranty was also a big draw. The materials we choose allowed us to be eligible for the lifetime warranty which gives us peace of mind.
Before our roof was replaced, we had a leak – their staff came to the house within hours to tarp the roof, free of charge, since we were already scheduled for replacement, and we had no further issues until replacement.
The replacement job itself was a breeze – the project was completed in 2 half days, by a very organized, professional crew. They did a great job with cleanup.
All staff I interacted with via email, in person, or by phone, were prompt, courteous, and friendly. We’re so glad we chose them, and recommend their work without hesitation.
Why these materials
Malarkey Vista AR shingles in Antique Brown. Vista AR has the same Class 4 hail impact rating and NEX rubberized asphalt as Vista, plus 3M copper granules that Malarkey says help prevent the black streaks caused by blue-green algae, backed by a 25-year algae warranty. Malarkey lists twice the rain seals of standard shingles and up to 130 mph enhanced wind warranty.
Malarkey 401 Arctic Seal. A waterproof, self-adhering underlayment that Malarkey makes for the areas of a roof most likely to leak. Its self-sealing sheet protects against leaks around nails.
Malarkey Smart Start starter shingles. Made with NEX rubberized asphalt, with rubberized adhesive bonds that Malarkey says give extra seal-down and wind protection at the eave and rake edges, where wind usually gets under a roof first.
Malarkey EZ-Ridge hip and ridge shingles. High-profile hip and ridge caps color matched to the field shingles. Malarkey rates them UL Class 4 for impact resistance and adds Scotchgard Protector for algae resistance.
Lifetime Tool pipe flashings and bath vents. Pipe penetrations are one of the most common leak points on a roof, so every plumbing vent got a new pipe flashing and the bathroom fan got a new roof vent.
Plastic cap nails for the underlayment. The underlayment is fastened with Stinger plastic cap nails instead of plain staples. The wide plastic cap holds the sheet flat and seals around the nail, so the deck stays dry if rain arrives before the shingles go on.
Ice and water shield under the future solar array. Solar racking is bolted through the roof. Putting self-sealing ice and water shield under the planned panel area first means every mount sits on a waterproof layer.
26 APTOS 400-watt panels on IronRidge racking. A grid-tied solar system sized to cover the household’s electric use. IronRidge racking holds the panels to the roof framing.
Keeping your roof in good shape
- If you plan to add solar, replace an aging roof first. Removing panels later to reroof adds cost, so this family replaced the roof two years before going solar.
- Watch for moss. Damp, shaded roofs in the Pacific Northwest grow it fast, and moss holds water against the shingles. A roof maintenance visit can treat it before it lifts the shingle edges.
- Clear fir needles and leaves out of the valleys and off the roof after fall windstorms, so rain can run off instead of pooling behind the debris.
- Clean the gutters at least twice a year, in spring and fall, and every 3 to 4 months under heavy tree cover. Clogged gutters overflow onto the fascia and eaves, which is how eave boards rot.
- Look the roof over from the ground after big wind or rain events. The National Weather Service Portland office issues wind and storm warnings for Clark County and the Portland metro, and missing or lifted shingles should be checked before the next storm.
- Keep the attic vents clear. Insulation or stored items blocking the intake vents cuts off the airflow that keeps the attic dry.
Frequently asked questions
If the roof is near the end of its life, yes. This Milwaukie family replaced the roof in 2021 and added solar in 2022, so the panels sit on a new roof.
It depends on use. This Milwaukie home needed 26 400-watt panels, and the family still does not pay PGE for electricity, even in winter.
Yes. Stanley Roof and Solar replaced this roof and later installed the solar system on it.
On this job, Stanley tarped the roof within hours at no charge, and there were no more leaks until the new roof went on.
Planning a roof project in Milwaukie?
Stanley Roof and Solar inspects roofs across Clark County and the Portland metro and tells you honestly whether you need a repair or a replacement. See our Portland-area roofing services, learn about our roof replacement process, see our Portland-area solar installation, browse more Stanley Roof and Solar projects, or get a free estimate.