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Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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What Gutter Guard system protects the best?

August 4, 2016 by Kyle Lyons 2 Comments

One of our readers asked a great gutter guard (protection) question on the post “How to maintain your new roof”. We thought why not go into a little more detail and answer the question not for one but for all!

“The dead leaves and acorns are really a great problem for us. It gets accumulated so quickly that we need to clear out the debris every week or two. Is there any alternative solution to this? Please suggest.”

From Dakwerken

gutter guard needed

Yes, we know this could be brief. Cut all the trees down around your home and away goes the problem! However, for all of the people out there that enjoys shade, or the look of trees throughout their yard, or even the clean air they produce for the world, (I am one of those people) there is a simpler alternative.

We all know there are a million different types of gutter guards available. However, did you know, not every gutter guard is always right for your particular situation. Depending on the surrounding tree types, you could be in a world of hurt if you select the wrong type of gutter protection.

Now let us be honest here. Most of the information I am relaying is straight from the horse’s mouth and by horse; I mean data from Consumer Reports of different systems. What better information to relay than from a consumer prospective.

Here are the top, mid and bottom scorers of Gutter Guard systems, you may be surprised at where yours falls.

The systems below will have to be purchased and installed by a certified installer, the bad news, pricey. The good news, it will more than likely come with free gutter cleaning if they are clogged.

Fine screen mesh (leafFilter):

leaf filter

Out of 13 different systems tested, this system had the best performance. Granted, it is one of the more expensive systems around at $20 a foot. Why is it so great you ask? The system according to consumer reports handles build up “excellent” and heavy flow “very good” but like most, falls down to “good” under severe flow conditions.

Surface Tension (LeafGuard):

 leaf guard

Now let me be honest here. This system came in 3rd out of 6 in the “Pro-installed” category. It had the same performance as leafFilter but (there is always a but). This system came in at the highest price at $30 a foot.

Surface Tension (GutterHelmet):

gutter helmet                       

Now here is a name you know and trust! As you can see it wasn’t at the top of the list, but why? Gutter Helmet does offer a great product; it is on the same line of pricing as LeafFilter at around $20 a foot. Why did it come in lower then? According to consumer reports, it does handle build up and heavy flow “very good” but like the other big hitters it doesn’t handle sever slow but “good”. Now you may say hey, “I can handle that every once in a while”.

Now for the fun part, The DIY gutter guard systems, you may be surprised at how they performed!

Fine screen mesh (Gutterglove Pro):

gutter glove pro 

(I think I am starting to notice a trend here with the “fine screen mesh” systems.)

Here is the surprising part. This system was rated the best out of every system on consumer reports. Do you not believe me? Check it out your self. This system came in “excellent” in 3 of the 4 categories, Buildup, Heavy flow and severe flow. So thank you Dakwerken after this research, I think its time to look into a new system for the Lyons Roofing Company.

Screen (Raindrop):

 rain drop

We have used this system in the past with mixed results. Consumer report shows it being “very good” with build up and “excellent” In heavy and severe rains. The cost coming in around $4.75 a foot makes this a very intriguing brand and system. It does come in as one of the hard to install, for the common homeowner.

gutter brish

So here we are, at the bottom. This system came in with the poorest rating. Not saying it may not be good in certain situations. As a contractor, we have always been leery of the “insert gutter guard systems”. There are way to many environmental aspects working against them. Think of a coffee filter, works great the first time, but the more coffee you put through it the more gunk builds up and then it is game over.

The system did handle heavy flow “Excellent” But came in at a measly “fair” with build up.

So there you have it, there are many ways to protect your gutters from debris (leafs and acorns). Or whatever other tree debris you may have. Take the time to talk to a qualified contractor about your gutter guard system. Just be careful they are not open to alternative suggestions of types of gutter guards. Just remember it is your home and your greatest investment. Take the time and make sure whatever system you use, it lasts for a lifetime.

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, Gutters Tagged With: clean gutters, Gutters, Kentucky Roofs, Louisville roofing contractors, roof mainenance, roofing contractor

Roof Cleaning

June 18, 2016 by Kyle Lyons 1 Comment

 

So here it is springtime, ok almost summer. I had an old customer come to me the other day and ask “how should I go about a DIY roof cleaning from the black streaks that have formed on my roof over the years.” Additionally, he was curious of the manufactures warranty that the particular shingle carried against this particular issue.

Disclaimer: We at Lyons Roofing installed a 30-year Owens Corning Oakridge shingle on this home in 2003.

Standard warranty language: (Straight from the horses mouth)Owens Corning

What About Algae Resistance—If the shingles that you purchased were not specifically labeled as “Algae Resistant” (“AR”), then any discoloration caused due to algae is not covered by this warranty as explained in “What Is Not Covered” below. However, if you did purchase AR shingles, they are covered for the period described in the “Limited Warranty Information Table” at the end of this warranty following the date of installation (“AR Warranty Period”) against brown-black staining caused due to growth of blue-green algae (primarily the cyanobacteria Gloeocapsa magma). We do not cover the effects of other growth, such as mold, lichen and green algae. If brown-black staining occurs during the AR Warranty Period, you will be entitled to the following remedy:

  • Remedy for Blue-Green Algae Growth—If your AR shingles are discolored due to blue-green algae growth during the first year of the AR Warranty Period, we will compensate you for the cost, including labor (such cost not to exceed the initial cost of the AR shingles plus the initial cost of installation), as reasonably determined by Owens Corning, to repair, replace or recover the affected AR shingles. For purposes of this AR shingle warranty, the term “repair” as used above refers to cleaning or otherwise removing any blue- green algae growth from affected AR shingles. Decisions regarding whether your AR shingles should be repaired, replaced or recovered will be made solely by Owens Corning.
  • Proration—If your AR shingles have been installed longer than 1 year, labor will not be covered, and our compensation will be limited to a prorated amount of the original purchase price of the affected AR shingles. We will prorate your compensation to take into account the number of full years of use that you have enjoyed from the original installation date through the date of your claim. For example: If you make your claim anytime in the 4th year of the
AR warranty and the AR Warranty Period is 10 years, our compensation to you will be in the amount of the original purchase price of the affected AR shingles, reduced by 3/10ths of the original purchase price of the affected AR shingles.

DIY Roof Cleaning

Now on to the fun stuff. How do you as a homeowner go about cleaning your own roof? First, please be safe and follow all safety procedures. Now the important thing to remember is confidence is everything, if you are uncomfortable, then it may be better to hire someone who climbs on roofs for a living, rather than risk your own hind parts.

The simplest way if your roof is more of a steeper pitch is to buy a special ladder that hooks over the ridge. Granted most roofers call it a “chicken ladder”, but hey make fun of me, I am going to be safe!

So now, on to the fun stuff, roof cleaning. Chemicals are your best friend (you don’t hear that often) in this case, do your research and find which product would be best suited for your application. Here are three options for your cleaning project.

  1. The eco-friendly, non-bleach, roof-cleaning method

Roof contractors and homeowners that use this method use high-grade eco-friendly products (you can buy these yourself at most home improvement stores) they do not contain toxic chemicals such as chlorine-bleach, phosphates or other chemicals that can kill vegetation and pollute waterways. This method also uses a low-pressure rinsing system, avoiding the use of damaging high pressure scrubbing or brushing.

  1. The chlorine-bleach roof cleaning method

Roofing contractors and homeowners who use sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) mix it in high concentrations with other chemicals such as trisodium phosphate, also known as TSP.

They spray it on the roof and wait for it to dry and then re-apply it several times as needed. Stains and moss or lichens that do not come off on the day of treatment may eventually come off with rain in the months to come.

Most manufacturers will tell you the easiest mix is 1 part bleach, four parts water. Spray, rinse, and that should take care of your problem.

  1. The high-pressure power washing method

Some roofing contractors and homeowners have made the mistake of using use high pressure power washing methods to attempt to remove roof stains.

Plain and simple: DON’T DO IT!!!

This method can be extremely risky, you will more than likely damage your shingles. Remember you want to clean your roof, not replace it!

How to actually clean your roof! 

  1. Check the weather forecast and choose a cool or overcast day with little to no wind so the spray hits your shingles, not the neighbors’. Those conditions allow the cleaning solution to soak deep into the algae colonies without evaporating too quickly.
  2. Clear debris, moss and algae from your roof as dry leaves, twigs and debris soak up water (ideal for algae growth) and can damage your Shingles. Your roof is supposed to be dry, and any collection of water because of settlement of debris would only cause problems to the roof.
  3. check your gutters and pipes for debris and blockage. Also trim or cut overhanging tree branches to minimize debris collection on the roof.
  4. Mix your solution in a small pump sprayer (1 part bleach, 4 parts hot water) if you are making yourself, of course test a discrete area first to ensure there is no discoloring. If you are using a store bought solution, follow all of the manufacturers directions (make sure the solution matches the type of roofing system you have).
  5. Saturate a large area of shingles with the cleaner. Start at the bottom row and work up to the peak. Spray until you see runoff. Re-spray any areas that dry out.
  6. Now comes the fun part. Blast it off! There are tools out there that make it a little easier but if you have the time and the patience a hose with a direct nozzle will do the trick, granted it is a slow process regardless of the tools you use. Take your time and make sure you get rid of all of those little critters growing on your roof.

Conclusion

If you get intimidated by this whole process, don’t worry you aren’t alone. There are plenty contractors out there that are willing to help. If you are in the local Louisville, KY area, give The Lyons Roofing CO. a call and we will be more than happy to walk you through it or come by and set up a maintenance and cleaning plan for your roof.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: clean gutters, commercial, Louisville, lyons roofing, roof cleaning, roof mainenance, roof replacement, roofing contractor, roofing systems

The Best Way to Keep Your Roof Clean

January 24, 2013 by Dee Dee Lyons Leave a Comment

Cleaning your gutters in IndianaEveryone loves the idea of having a maintenance-free roof, and many roofing manufacturers aim to meet that need by offering products that are as low-maintenance as possible. However, regardless of the type of roof you have, the fact of the matter is that you will inevitably have to perform some routine upkeep on your roof if you want it to continue to look and function at its best for as long as possible.

Here are some tips for the best way to keep your roof clean:

Apply a roof cleaner

You may purchase roof cleaner from any home improvement store. It is likely that you may have to mix it with water before applying it. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions, mixing in an insecticide sprayer or power washer. If you can, climb up onto your roof so that you can be sure to give it a thorough spray. If you do decide to use a power washer, be sure to use it on an extremely low pressure setting, so as not to damage your roofing material. Allow the cleaner to sit on your roof for as long as the manufacturer suggests- usually about 25 minutes.

Rinse the roof cleaner

After you have allowed the roof cleaner to soak for the specified amount of time, rinse the cleaner off using a garden hose or a power washer set to a very low pressure. If there is any mildew or stains left, blast these away using the force of the water, or scrub if necessary.

Clean your gutters

It is likely that there will be a good deal of waste in your gutters after a thorough roof cleaning. Prevent the gutter drains from clogging by removing large debris by hand, then use your garden hose to flush out the remainder of the waste.
Adhere to a regular cleaning schedule. You don’t have to clean your roof all too often, but a cleaning every one to three years is a good idea, if you want to keep your roof looking its best. Also, keep in mind that the better you care for your roof, the more likely you are to see it to its fullest possible life span.

There is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the best roof for your home. Experienced professionals can help you make that important decision, and can also bring your vision to life. To put your roofing project into the hands of a contractor you can trust, contact Lyons Roofing. We can be reached by phone, in Indiana at 812-294-3595 and in Kentucky at 502-689-0338. You can also request a free roofing estimate online

Filed Under: Blog, Roofing Tagged With: clean gutters, roof cleaner

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Phone Indiana: 812-294-3595
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