Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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4 Steps to a Roofing Contractor

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Your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. Thats why picking the right roofing contractor is so important.

Charleston Indiana New Roof for McDonner

It is not unusual for a new roof to be one of your most significant maintenance investments. This is because your home’s roof will protect you from rain, storms, winds, and even hail. However, over time, damage can occur if it’s not kept up. Keeping your roof in good shape means avoiding leaks, missing shingles, missing tiles, and the growth of mold.

When it’s time to hire a roofing contractor to replace, fix, or maintain your roof, there are a few things you should do to select the best one for the job:

  1. Ask for Referrals:  

    Friends, family. and neighbors are often your best resources when seeking a roofing contractor. More than likely, someone you know has had roofing work done recently and knows who to call.  Your friends and family can tell you:

    • Did the roofing contractor complete the work on time.
    • Did the roofing contractor stay within their bidding budget.
    • Was the customer satisfied with the work.

  2. Check Their Licenses and Certifications:  

    Make sure that they are actually licensed and certified to work in your Kentucky or Indiana. With their licenses and certifications in order, you know they are more likely to be trustworthy and dependable. Also verify the roofer has insurance and is bonded.

  3. Evaluate the Bids:  

    Look at each bid and pick at least two that you like. Don’t necessarily pick the lowest priced bid. Select the bid that covers the most work, has the best timelines, has the most details, and is the most professional. After you pick at least two bids you can move on to the interviewing process.

  4. Hire a Roofing Contractor:  

    Finally, after reviewing and comparing your finalists, make your selection based on your research and bids. In the end, just make sure the Kentucky Roofing Contractor you choose is established in Kentucky or Indiana and has a record of good service to your community.

Is there anything else you would recommend?

Start by looking up when it comes to a roof leak.

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I know common sense right. What do we mean by “look up” to find a roof leak? The first step after you find a water stain in your home is to take a walk outside. Make sure in your mind you pinpoint where the leak is inside the home in relation to outside. Look up your roofline; do you see any penetrations, pipes, vents etc.? If not, are there any valleys or walls in that immediate area?

roof leak

 

Take your search for a roof leak a step higher

If you do not see anything from the ground take it a step higher! Literally, climb up in the attic and look around. Find the leak in the attic, looking for any signs of water damage on the roof deck or even wet insulation. Follow the trail up the roof deck and see where it comes from. Is there a penetration or does it run into a valley or wall area?

Give it a shot of water

If neither of those options work for you, try using a helper with a water hose. Spray the areas that you think may be causing the problem, do not spray water directly into any penetrations through the roof! Run water around your pipes or vents, down the shingle line of a wall or straight down the valley. In the case of a brick wall along your roofline if the shingles or flashing does not cause a roof leak in the home, spray the brick. It is a possibility that the brick has become porous over the years and is absorbing the water, causing a leak.

If none of these attempts works, call a local roofing contractor. They have the experience and the know how to find and repair roof leaks quickly and permanently to protect your greatest investment.

Roof Repairs-Roof Leaks

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Realizing that your home has a roof leak can be stressful. Most roof repairs will only take minutes to repair. We will run through the most common roof leaks and repairs over the next few posts to help you protect your most valuable asset.

roof repair

If you have see water stains that extend across the ceiling or running down walls, the cause is more than likely a roof leak. Tracking down the roof leak is the hard part; the roof repairs can be pretty easy.

We will show you some simple tricks for finding and repairing most of the common types of roof leaks. But if you live in the Snow Belt and in the winter you have leaks only on warm or sunny days, you probably have ice dams. Hang in there, we will go over them as well in this series.

Minor leaks can cause major damage

If you have a roof leak, it is better to fix it immediately, even if you’re getting a new roof next year. Over a short time, small roof leaks can become big problems, such as mold, rotted framing or sheathing, destroyed insulation and damaged ceilings.

roof leak

The Lyons Roofing Company will repair roofs in Louisville, Kentucky. Clarksville, New Albany, Sellersburg and Jeffersonville Indiana. If you notice a roof leak and you do not feel comfortable fixing it yourself, call right away. Letting it go will only cause more damage and bigger problems down the road.

Research Your Local Roofing Contractors

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When it comes to local roofing contractors, some are above the rest. Whether it be the use of technology, the reputation that precedes them or even the quality of materials they offer.

Make sure you take the time to research your local roofing contractors. In the days of the Internet there are resources galore, that can help you make the right decision. Just take 5 minutes and Google “best local roofing contractors” and chances are you will see a million links to different services providing that information.

 

local roofing contractors

 

Be aware, some of the services that appear in a search offer a paid way to the top of the listings. Use your judgment and multiple services to make your decision. Do not forget about your local Better Business Bureau to check even further into your possible selections.

What should you look for when local roofing contractors come out to your house?

When you select your three or so local roofing contractors to come out to your home, you will more than likely know right away who you would like to do business with. If the contractor pulls up in a ratty old truck looking like a duck dynasty character be afraid, be very afraid!

 

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I am not saying tell the guy to go away if he has a beard, look for professionalism, does he have his act together? Is he covered with debris looking like he just crawled out from under a pile of shingles? If so, you may want to take a different route.

Contracts from your local roofing contractor

This is the important part, so take note. A contract is a way for you the home owner to protect yourself in tough economic times. If a roofing contractor does not want to give you any details in the contract or any final prices, run away. If your contract comes in and it is 3 or 4 pages of legal mumbo jumbo, that’s not always a bad thing, but make sure you read it. Do you not understand it? Have someone read it that does, make sure that if the contractor messes up in some way it is not on you.

Getting a new roof is not as scary as so many people make it out to be. So many local roofing contractors out there are in the business of helping their customers protect their most valuable asset. Take the time to make sure you are not leaving it up to a company that has their own interest at heart, after all, without you. None of us would be in business.

 

 

Roof Replacement in 5 Easy Steps

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When it comes time for a roof replacement, many options can seem overwhelming. What type of shingles, should you do a lay over or tear it all of the way off and start over? These and many other small decisions can be a major factor in the life of the roof and the protection from the elements.

Here are five easy steps to run through when you are planning a roof replacement.

Step 1:

Understanding The Basic Process of Roof Replacement

roof replacement

One of the most common terms you will hear from a roofer is “Square” This is equal to 100 square feet. Depending on the type of shingles you chose, this could equal 3-4 bundles per square.

Dependent on the size of your home, it will take 1-4 days for a full tear off and roof replacement.

The stages of a roof replacement

  • Remove and discard all existing shingles (if going with a full tear off).
  • Make minor repairs on wood as needed.
  • Installation of roofing felt or synthetic underlayment and ice and water shield.
  • Installation of drip edge.
  • laying out and installing your new shingles.
  • Install of all flashing (if your home requires it).
  • Installation of ridge vents, if other style vents are installed this will happen during the install of the shingles.
  • Install ridge cap and walking roof down doing final sealing of any exposed nail heads.
  • Final clean up of roof and ground around home.

Sit back and enjoy your new roof!

Step 2:

When is The Best Season For Roof Replacement?

when to replace your roof

To make a long story a little shorter, spring, summer and fall are your best seasons for replacing your roof. It is possible to replace the roof during the winter. Ask your local roofing contractor or to find out how the weather outlook will effect your roof replacement in the winter.

Step 3:

Should You Remove the old Shingles or Roof Over Them

Tear off or add another layer

Would you park a car on top of your home? Thats what adding another layer to your roof will add, take the time to read about adding another layer to your roof and make your decision then.

 Step 4:

Pick a Roofing Contractor

This can be one of the most difficult challenges when it comes to the roof replacement process. We make it a little bit easier by explaining how to pick a roofing contractor. We know this can be one of the hardest stages, take your time and do your research. If you pick the right contractor, the process is 100 times easier.

Step 5:

Common Roof Replacement Materials

Estate grey roof shingles

 Now you are down to the nuts and bolts. Picking your shingle style and color, read roof shingles and colors to find out what local customers are going with and see the colors in action. This may make the choice a little easier. Do not worry about all of your accessory colors, those are picked based on your shingle color and designed to work with your roof shingles.

We hope this provides an easy way to walk through the steps of a roof replacement. Just remember as scary as replacing your roof sounds, a good roofing contractor will take the time and walk you through the whole process and make everything a lot simpler.