Hilo gets more rain than almost anywhere in the country, around 130 inches a year. That changes everything about how a roof gets built. We’re Lava Roofing, a licensed Roofing contractor (CT-39063) on the east side of the Big Island for over 25 years.
This page covers our hilo roofing services. Free written estimates. Call (808) 825-6463.
Hilo Roofing Services Built For Big Island Weather
Hilo doesn’t have one season. It has wet and wetter. Over 280 rainy days a year, and when the trades push hard the rain comes sideways. That kind of constant water is hard on roofs. Mold and algae find every crack. Flashing details that work fine in dry climates fail here in a few years. After 25 years working roofs from Keaukaha through downtown Hilo, up into Waiakea, and out toward Puna, we know what holds up against this weather and what doesnt. Below is what we do. If you have a leak or your gutters are overflowing, call (808) 825-6463 and we’ll come look.
Roof Inspection Hilo
Hilo doesn’t have one season. It has wet and wetter. Over 280 rainy days a year, and when the trades push hard the rain comes sideways. That kind of constant water is hard on roofs. Mold and algae find every crack. Flashing details that work fine in dry climates fail here in a few years. After 25 years working roofs from Keaukaha through downtown Hilo, up into Waiakea, and out toward Puna, we know what holds up against this weather and what doesnt. Below is what we do. If you have a leak or your gutters are overflowing, call (808) 825-6463 and we’ll come look.
Roof Installation Hilo
New roof installation in Hilo starts with drainage. The wrong slope, wrong fastener spec, or wrong underlayment and your leaking inside two years. We pick materials and details built for constant water. Standing seam metal, properly flashed asphalt, or torch down on low slope. Pull Hawaii County permits, tear down to the deck, replace any rotted sheathing, and install with corrosion resistant fasteners. Most homes finish in 3 to 5 days.
Roof Repair Hilo
Roof repair in Hilo usually means leaks. Sometimes a single lifted shingle, sometimes a failed flashing detail, sometimes a clogged valley that backed water up under the surface. We find the source, fix it, and check the surrounding area so you dont call us back next month for the next one. Asphalt, metal, tile, torch down, composite. We work on all of them. Free estimate.
Attic Venting Hilo
Attic venting in Hilo is about moisture more then heat. Humidity is constant and if your attic doesnt breathe, condensation builds up on the underside of the deck and rots wood from the inside out. We see this alot on older homes in Waiakea where venting was undersized or got covered by insulation. Good venting moves humid air out before it can do damage. We assess what you have first.
Attic Venting Installation Hilo
We install attic venting in Hilo with ridge vent at the peak and continuous soffit vents along the eaves. Passive system that moves humid air out year round. On homes where ridge vent doesn’t work we use box vents or powered units. Installation takes a day on most homes. If you see staining on your ceiling near interior walls, condensation from a poorly vented attic is often the cause.
Attic Venting Repairs Hilo
Attic venting repairs in Hilo come up when screens rot from constant moisture or vents get blocked by debris from heavy rain. We’ve opened attics in Keaukaha where birds had nested in for years through a screen that had given out awhile ago. We re-screen, replace damaged covers, and clear blocked airflow paths. In a humid climate a working vent system is one of the most important things on the house.
Roof Damage Repair Hilo
Roof damage repair in Hilo covers wind damage, impact damage, and water damage that built up from a long term slow leak. We’ve torn off roofs in Waiakea where decking was soft all the way through from years of moisture intrusion that nobody caught. We handle insurance claims, document everything with date stamped photos, and write scopes that get fair settlements. Second opinion on adjuster estimates is free.
Roof Repair for Storm & Wind Damage Hilo
Storm and wind damage repair in Hilo is about responding fast. Active leaks during a tropical system need tarps before anything else. Once the rain stops we move to permanent repair. We work directly with adjusters when needed. We can tell fresh storm damage from old wear, which matters for insurance. Documentation is the difference between a covered claim and a denial.
Skylight Installation Hilo
Skylight installation in Hilo brings light into rooms that need it. In a place this cloudy and rainy, even one skylight makes a big difference. The catch is waterproofing. We use the manufacturer’s flashing kit and properly integrate it with the existing roof. A poorly flashed skylight in Hilo will leak within a year. Done right it lasts the life of the unit.
Skylight Repair Hilo
Skylight repair in Hilo is usually a failed seal or corroded flashing. The constant water finds every weak point. Sometimes the dome itself has cracked, but more often its the perimeter where the flashing meets the roofing material. We diagnose the actual cause, not just patch over the symptom. We stock common dome sizes and most repairs finish in a single visit.
Roof Replacement Hilo
A roof replacement in Hilo is the right call when the existing roof has reached its limit. We see 15 year asphalt roofs that are done because the constant water has worked through every flashing detail. If your patching the same leak twice or finding new leaks every season, its time. We do full tear offs, inspect the deck, replace anything soft, then install clean with proper drainage details.
Roof Leak Repair Hilo
Roof leak repair in Hilo starts with finding the actual entry point, which is rarely directly above where the stain shows up inside. Water tracks along rafters for several feet before it drips through. We trace it back, fix the source, then check the surrounding area. In this climate, one leak usually means there are others starting that haven’t shown yet.
Roof Waterproofing Hilo
Roof waterproofing in Hilo is essential on flat or low slope roofs because water doesnt run off, it sits. We apply liquid membranes that bond to the existing surface and seal seams, penetrations, and edges. Good for commercial buildings and additions. Extends the life of an aging roof without a full tear off. With this much rainfall, waterproofing is one of the best investments you can make.
Roof Coating Hilo
Roof coating in Hilo works on metal roofs and flat membranes that still have life left but need surface protection. A waterproof coating seals hairline cracks and reflects heat too. We pressure wash, prime, then roll or spray two coats. Adds 10 to 15 years on average. Not the right call for asphalt shingles, but for the right roof its a solid extension.
Residential Roof Replacement Hilo
Residential roof replacement in Hilo means single family homes, condos, and townhomes. We work on every roof type that holds up out here. Standing seam metal lasts longest. Asphalt is most affordable but needs proper underlayment and flashing for this rainfall. Pull permits, schedule around your life, keep the site clean. Most homes finish in 3 to 5 days. Lifetime workmanship warranty.
Commercial Roof Replacement Hilo
Commercial roof replacement in Hilo is a different beast. Most commercial buildings here have flat or low slope roofs that need real waterproofing systems. We do TPO, PVC, EPDM, modified bitumen, and torch down. Crew works around your business hours to minimize downtime. We handle permits, code compliance, and inspections. Restaurants, retail, warehouses, and office buildings throughout the Hilo side.
Solar Roofing Hilo
Solar roofing in Hilo surprises people. Even with all the rain, Hilo gets enough sun between storms to make solar pay off. We do panel installs over existing roofs, integrated systems, and full metal roofs designed for rail mounted panels. The catch is the roof has to handle Hilo rainfall first. Putting solar on a roof that will need replacement in 5 years is a mistake.
Solar Panel Installation Hilo
Solar panel installation in Hilo on an existing roof is common. We make sure the roof can carry the load, flash every penetration properly, and install rails with manufacturer hardware. Done wrong, every penetration becomes a future leak in Hilo’s rain. Done right, you wont see water for the life of the system. We coordinate with permitting and inspection.
Roof Estimate
Get your free, no-obligation roof estimate in Hilo and East Hawaii. Our local experts provide detailed inspections and transparent quotes designed for Hilo’s rainy, high-wind tropical environment. Call today to schedule your assessment and protect your home with reliable roofing solutions.
25+ years on the islands.
Licensed (CT-39063). Insured. Local crews. Free written estimates everywhere from Hilo Bay to the Hamakua Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my roof inspected in Hilo?
Every year is what we recommend with this much rainfall. Damage builds up faster here then in dry climates and small problems become big ones in months, not years. Most homeowners catch issues at the cheap fix stage if they stay on a yearly schedule.
Why does my roof have moss or algae?
Constant moisture and shade. Once moss takes hold it lifts shingles and accelerates wear. We can pressure wash and treat it, but if its been growing for years the underlying damage may already be done. An inspection tells you which one your dealing with.
Do you work with insurance after a tropical storm?
Yes. We document damage with date stamped photos, write detailed scopes, and work directly with adjusters. We’ve handled enough Hilo storm claims to know what carriers look for and how to push back when scopes get disputed.
Whats the best roofing material for Hilo’s rain?
Standing seam metal is hard to beat. Properly installed asphalt with quality underlayment works fine and costs less. The bigger factor then material is install quality, especially flashing details. A perfect material installed wrong leaks. A budget material installed right doesnt.