Why these roofs need a specialist's eye
Browne's Addition is Spokane's first National Historic District, and the roofs here are unlike anything in a newer subdivision. The grand brick mansions around Coeur d'Alene Park were built with steep, complex rooflines - multiple gables, turrets, dormers, and pitches that climb well past a comfortable walking angle. Many still carry original framing under decades of re-roofing.
That history means a checklist-style drive-by inspection misses things. We look at how old and new layers meet, whether past repairs respected the original deck, and how the steep planes are shedding water and snow. On a home that has stood for a hundred-plus years, the goal is to understand what's actually up there, not to guess from the curb.
What we actually check
A DG Contracting inspection covers the whole system, not just the field of shingles:
- Steep-slope surfaces - shingle or shake condition across every plane, including the hard-to-see backsides of dormers and turrets.
- Flashing and transitions - chimneys, valleys, and the many wall-to-roof joints common on these ornate brick mansions.
- Penetrations - vents, pipe boots, and anything cut into the deck.
- Attic and underside - we check for moisture staining, daylight, and ventilation problems that the surface alone won't reveal.
- Edges and drainage - eaves, gutters, and the lower courses where ice tends to back up.
You get a plain-language report with photos, so you can see what we saw without climbing a ladder.
The Inland Northwest beats up steep roofs
Spokane winters load these roofs hard. Heavy snow sits on the steep pitches, then freeze-thaw cycles work meltwater under shingles and into seams. The result is ice dams along the eaves and slow leaks that don't announce themselves until a stain appears on an interior wall - often far from where the water actually got in.
Wind and the occasional hail event add their own wear. Because the steep century-old roofs in this neighborhood are so tall and exposed, small problems can quietly grow over a season or two. A focused inspection catches them while they're still small repairs.
When an inspection makes sense here
Beyond a real-estate transaction, it's worth scheduling a look after a major windstorm, after a winter with heavy snowpack, or when you notice the first hint of a stain inside. If your home is a candidate for restoration rather than replacement, an inspection tells us whether the existing roof has good years left or whether it's time to plan ahead.
If the inspection does point toward replacement, we'll walk you through options - and you can read more about our full roof replacement process for historic homes.
Why neighbors trust DG Contracting
We're a family-owned company based just north in Colbert, working across the Spokane area since 2013. We hold GAF Master Elite certification - a status only the top 2-3% of roofers in the country earn - and we're licensed and insured in both Washington and Idaho.
Our work is backed by a 15-25 year workmanship warranty, and on full replacements we can offer the GAF Golden Pledge with 25- and 50-year coverage. With a 5.0 rating across 288 Google reviews, our reputation in and around historic Browne's Addition is built one careful roof at a time.
Book a free inspection
Estimates and inspections are free, and there's no pressure to commit. We'll give you an honest read on your roof's condition and, if work is needed, clear options including flexible financing. Replacements also include a 15-25 year workmanship warranty.
Call (509) 209-1894 to schedule an inspection for your Browne's Addition home.
