Fountain Square, Indianapolis

Roofing Contractor in Fountain Square, Indianapolis

Roofing for Fountain Square’s historic storefronts, flat roofs and older homes.

The short answer: If your roof has years left and the damage is in one area, repair it. If shingles are failing across the roof or the same leaks keep returning, a replacement saves money over time. We tell you which one applies, with photos.

The short version

Fountain Square is one of Indianapolis’s older commercial and residential districts, and its mix of historic storefronts, flat-roofed commercial buildings and older homes shapes how roofs here are repaired. Many buildings are a century old, so inspection, flashing and drainage matter as much as the roof surface.

Roofing in Fountain Square usually involves older buildings and homes near the Virginia Avenue corridor, where low-slope roofs, parapet walls, chimneys and old decking are common. Expect careful inspection, flashing and drainage work, and confirm historic district requirements with the City of Indianapolis before changing visible materials.

About Fountain Square

The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis reports that the Citizens Street Railway Company laid tracks down Virginia Avenue in 1864, and that settlement grew in the 1870s as German families built homes in nearby Fletcher Place. Traffic from the Virginia Avenue viaduct gave the area a second boost after 1892. In 1889 merchants erected the original fountain, and a second fountain, a memorial to Congressman Ralph Hill, was dedicated in 1924. During the 1920s as many as seven theaters operated at once, making it the city’s first cinema theater district.

Preservation and revitalization

The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and added to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission’s list of adopted districts in 1984. It was recognized as one of six Indianapolis cultural districts in 1999. After World War II shopping centers and suburbs drew residents away, and Interstate 65/70 construction in the 1960s razed many homes. A revitalization program started in 1983 and brought restaurants, galleries, retail and office space in the 1990s.

What older mixed-use buildings mean for roofs

Low-slope and flat roofs on commercial buildings that need correct drainage. See flat roof repair.
Parapet walls and flashing where roofs meet brick, an area that fails over time.
Chimneys on older homes. See chimney flashing repair.
Old decking that may need replacement before new roofing goes on.
Gutters and downspouts that must carry water away from older masonry.

Historic district considerations

Because Fountain Square carries National Register and city designations, ask before changing visible exterior materials. National Register listing alone generally does not control a private owner, but local designation can involve review. Confirm with the City of Indianapolis before ordering materials.

Repair or replace?

Repair suits a fairly young roof with limited damage. Replacement suits an old or repeatedly leaking roof. Read repair vs replacement and signs you need a new roof.

Winter and ice dams

Indianapolis averages about 25.5 inches of snow a year (NWS 1991 to 2020). Seal attic air leaks, insulate and balance ventilation. See ice dams in Indiana and roof ventilation.

Storms and insurance

After hail or wind, document damage before temporary repairs and read your policy. See the hail damage claim guide and storm chaser scams.

Questions to ask any roofer

What exactly did you find, and can you show photos?
Will you inspect the decking and how is replacement priced?
How will you handle flashing and ventilation?
Who handles permits, and is that in the contract?
What does the written warranty cover?

Permits, licensing and contracts

Indiana has no statewide roofing license. Indianapolis licenses roofing contractors through DBNS. Confirm permit requirements before work starts. The Indiana Home Improvement Contracts Act requires a written contract for residential work over $150.

What to expect from us

A written inspection with photos, an itemized quote and a written contract.

Sources

Fountain Square history comes from the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Snowfall comes from National Weather Service normals. Licensing and contract facts come from the City of Indianapolis and the Indiana Home Improvement Contracts Act.

How Fountain Square grew, and what it means for roofs

According to the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, the area took shape around the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Prospect and Shelby streets. A streetcar line was laid down Virginia Avenue in 1864, and German families built homes in nearby Fletcher Place in the 1870s. Merchants put up the first fountain in 1889, and traffic from the Virginia Avenue viaduct gave the area a second boost after 1892.

The area then went through big changes. The fountain was removed in 1954 to ease traffic, and interstate construction in the 1960s razed many homes. A rehabilitation push in the 1990s brought restaurants, galleries, shops and offices back, and the district was recognized as one of six Indianapolis cultural districts in 1999.

What this means for you: the buildings that are left are a mix of older homes, converted storefronts and newer infill. Each has different roofing needs, so we inspect the actual roof before we recommend anything.

Historic district status and your roof

Fountain Square was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and added to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission’s list of adopted districts in 1984. If your property is inside a locally adopted district, exterior changes such as new roofing materials or colors may need review before work begins. Rules differ by property, so check with the Commission or ask us to help you confirm before you sign a contract.

What to check on an older roof here

Flashing around chimneys, parapets and where roof planes meet walls, since these are the first places older roofs leak.
Low-slope sections over porches and additions, which drain slowly and wear faster than steep roofs.
Decking condition when old layers come off, because older boards can be soft or stained.
Ventilation in the attic, which helps a roof dry out after winter.

Indianapolis averages about 25.5 inches of snow a year, so a roof that drains poorly will be tested every winter.

Fountain Square roofing questions

What roofing problems are common in Fountain Square?

Low-slope roof drainage, parapet and wall flashing, chimneys on older homes and old decking.

Can you repair instead of replacing?

Yes, when the roof is fairly young and damage is limited. We tell you which in writing.

Do I need a permit?

Rules depend on the work and location. Confirm with DBNS and put permit responsibility in your contract.

Does Indiana license roofers?

No statewide license exists. Indianapolis licenses roofing contractors through DBNS.

What shingles do you recommend?

Architectural asphalt shingles suit most homes. We compare options in writing.

How do I prevent ice dams?

Seal attic air leaks, add insulation and balance ventilation.

Will insurance pay after hail?

It depends on your policy and the damage. Document it and read your policy.

Do you give written estimates?

Yes, itemized, after an inspection.

Is a written contract required?

The Indiana Home Improvement Contracts Act requires one for residential work over $150.

How do I book an inspection?

Use the contact form or call the number on this page.

Related:

R&R Roofing

Roofing contractor serving Indianapolis, Indiana and the surrounding suburbs.

(317) 555-0142
123 Main Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
License #RR-2019-4821, fully insured