Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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Louisville: (502) 689-0338
Indiana: (812) 294-3595

How to Prepare Your Roof for Winter

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Prepare Your Roof for a Kentucky WinterA house is typically a family’s biggest investment. Routine maintenance on a house is essential for maximum usefulness and longevity. Being prepared for a harsh Kentucky winter is the key to avoiding costly repairs that can add up unexpectedly. One of the main parts of a house that needs to be inspected is the roof.

Inspect Your Roof

There are several ways to inspect a roof. With a good pair of binoculars, a homeowner may be able to inspect the roof. The best way to take a really good look at the roof is to climb up on top of the house to get a better assessment. You should look for loose, cracked, worn or damaged shingles. The most commonly used roofing shingles will feel like sandpaper when they are in good condition. When shingles are worn, the granules will begin to loosen and will detach easily. This is a good sign the shingles need to be replaced.

Clean Out Gutters

Clogged gutters also present a big challenge. Gutters allow the water to run off properly. When they are clogged, water can back up under the shingles and cause damage by forming a dam. If the gutters are not cleaned often, debris can start to gather on top of the roof and accelerate the wear on the shingles.

Scrutinize Roof Flashing

Another area to inspect would be the roof flashing around the chimney and other vents. The flashing should not be worn and it should be installed properly. The flashing creates a barrier that helps keep moisture from getting into the house.

Survey Roof Interior

A good inspection should include checking out the interior of the house as well. Any areas where there are water spots on the ceiling are cause for concern. If you have an attic or crawlspace, then the wood can be inspected that supports the shingles as well. Look for any sagging spots or damaged and rotten wood.

Contact Professional Roofing Contractor with Concerns

There are some minor repairs that can be done by the homeowner, but due to the safety issues that climbing on top of a roof presents, it may be best left to an expert. A trained roofing professional will able to properly identify any current or potential problems. Left unchecked, roofing issues can cause other major problems like foundation problems which can be costly.

Having your roof routinely inspected by a professional Kentucky roofing contractor will help preserve your home for many years. An experienced roofing company will be able to see issues that may be overlooked by the untrained eye. When searching for a reputable roofing company be sure get several references. A quality roofing company will have no problem giving you previous customers to contact on their behalf. They should also be available to make any emergency visits to assist you with repairs.

Now is the best time to get your roof prepared for a Kentucky winter. Do not assume that everything will be okay based on what has happened in previous years. All things change with time and circumstance and your roof condition is no exception.

Call Now for Your Free Roof Evaluation & Estimate

Phone Indiana: 812-294-3595
Phone Kentucky: 502-689-0338

Serving Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky Areas
Licensed, Bonded, & Insured

How to Interview a Roofing Contractor

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Interviewing an Indiana Roofing ContractorIf you have realized that you need something done on your roof, it can be incredibly difficult to decide how to choose an Indiana roofing contractor. Unlike many jobs around the home, there is little that you can do or see when it comes to your roof, and you will only have the word of the roofing contractor you chose that they have done the work properly. So how do you choose an Indiana roofing contractor? The best thing to do is to interview the Indiana roofing contractor and make sure a roofing contractor meets all of these points.

1. Are they punctual?
There are very few good excuses for being late, and this is definitely something that should concern you if you are going to be paying them by the hour. How will you know when they are going to start charging you, if they say that they’ll come at one time, but actually start work a few hours later? No one wants to worry about that, so if a roofing contractor comes around to your home to have a look at your roof and they are much later than they said they would be, perhaps it’s best to give them a miss.  Even if you are paying them by the job, you want the roofing contractor team around your home for the shortest amount of time and when they say they will be there.

2. Are they ready to work?
Working as an roofing contractor can get messy, but if they are covered in mess when they arrive at the beginning of the job, that is not good. This will reveal not only how they treat their tools, but how they will treat your home.  And more importantly, how they will leave your yard when they have finished the job.

3. Are they polite?
You need to be very aware of this if you have young children that may hear your roofing contractor. Do they swear, or use demeaning language you are not comfortable with? You don’t want that around you and your home. The best relationships between home owners and contractors are those based on mutual respect, and if you cannot respect your roofing contractor, you are going to have issues.

4. Are they able to do the job?
For your own safety, it is vital to check the qualifications of the roofing contractor before you even let them think about getting a ladder out. The last thing that you want is an accident, either to them or a member of your family, and then for a law suit to hit you in the face. If you hire someone to go onto your roof without the right qualifications, you are just asking for trouble.  Be sure to ask to see their licenses and certifications as well as to confirm they are bonded and insured.

5.  Did they get up on your roof?
You can’t see your roof from the ground.  It is important that your Indiana roofing contractor takes the time to survey your roof ON YOUR ROOF to provide you with the most accurate estimate.  In some cases, your roofing contractor may also ask to enter your attic to see the roof from the underside.  While it may be impossible to catch all the possible problems with your roof, a quality roofing contractor will do their best to discover the most visible problems needing repaired or replaced.