Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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

Why do you Need a New Roof?

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Why do you need a roof? What type of roof do you need, 3-tab, dimensional what is the difference? How long is a shingle warranty, how long is the roofing contractors warranty? Should I pay them a portion up front, to “buy materials”?

new roof

No wonder you as a homeowner are pulling your hair out trying to figure these little things out. Is there not a way to make this whole roof replacement thing easier?

Sorry, but no. It is a complicated process and a huge investment that you as a homeowner want to be involved in and want to be very vigilant of potential frauds.

Why do you need a new roof?

 Most people wait until a storm, have their insurance company come out, insurance company recommends a company and bam. Job done, everyone is happy and we all move on with our lives. That sounded like an easy process, but be careful, contractors even those “recommended” by your insurance company, can still pull fast ones on you.

Make sure the shingles they are installing are the type you requested, instead of a cheaper brand. Make sure they are doing everything they told you and the insurance company they would do.

What type of roof do you need?

 What is the difference between 3-tab and dimensional and which one should you choose on your home?

The best and easiest to understand explanation without me going in depth can be found on roofpedia.

From experience and longevity of the systems, for most we recommend going with a Owens Corning Duration Dimensional Shingle. With a great warranty on their product and a strong company that stands behind their product, its the way to go and price is not much higher than a standard cheaper 3-tab shingle.

Should I pay a Contractor upfront?

Old, red van in summertime

That is a pure judgement call on your part. Now, there are good companies out there with good intentions that just don’t have the overhead needed as they are smaller startups. I know you are like most and have heard the horror stories, “I paid Buck in the Truck half of my roof cost and never heard back from them?!” yes, be vigilant of this and use your best judgement.

We recommend, payment upon completion and satisfaction of the work. We are aware that isn’t always normal practice. Just ensure you protect yourself, family and home.

How long is a shingle warranty, how long is a roofing contractors warranty?

Shingles, brands, styles just like roofing contractors carry their own standard warranties. This is an important question to ask your contractor when selecting shingles and contractors. Most contractors are moving towards a longer warranty as most shingle products carry a longer warranty, (limited lifetime warranty).

Owens Corning

We hope as a homeowner these questions and answers bring you some peace of mind during a complex situation. As always if you ever need assistance or just have a question, reach out to us. Even if you are not in our service area, we are happy to help!

 

 

Roof Underlayment?

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So why do you need a roof underlayment? Whether it be felt, tar paper or a newer underlayment system like Rhino. Not only should a consumer know the purpose of the roof underlayment, but also the best type for their home or business.

You would think all roof underlayment is the same. you would be right for the most part, but wrong just a little bit.

Types of Roof Underlayment

  • Tar paper
    Tar paper is made exactly how it sounds, it is a heavy duty paper impregnated with tar to produce a solid underlayment product for your roofing system.

     

  • Roof Felt
    Roofing felt is constructed in a very similar way to tar paper. This is a heavy duty paper that is impregnated with asphalt vs. tar.

     

  • Synthetic Underlayment (Rhino)
    Synthetic underlayment, just making a huge move on to the home improvement scene is a woven synthetic product. (almost like those sweaters grandma used to make, just better looking, sorry grandma).

So what is the best type of underlayment for your home and why do you need it?

Now in the opinion of Lyons Roofing Co. Synthetic is the way to go. Synthetic underlayment like Rhino or Tiger Paw, is leaps and above the old tar and felt papers of the old days. Don’t get me wrong, the old tar and felt papers are very reliable products and will protect your roof for years to come. rhino roof underlayment

Have you ever paid attention to your own roof replacement. Or how about seen a new construction home with torn and blown off felt paper. What about seeing a roofing contractor walking on the felt and it ripping under his feet? Synthetic underlayment provides not only a safer work surface but also a more durable one. No more worrying about it blowing off if a little wind kicks up or tearing under the feet of a contractor taking his afternoon stroll across your open roof.

So what is the purpose of underlayment, why do you need it?

Any type of underlayment you choose for your home or business will be beneficial. This is the first step of a new roof and a very important one. Underlayment provide the first basic layer of protection for your home. Underlayment, even though nailed through provide a basic barrier for weather and moisture. Hence the importance. If wind blows rain under your shingles, then a solid underlayment will help funnel water down your slope and if all goes well out of your gutter or to a point where the water will stop and dry when the sun comes out.

So yes, felt is a very important sub surface of your roof. If at all possible make sure you have it as a good starting point. There are other options for protection like an ice and water shield, which we will address at a later time.

Just remember, you want and need a good roof underlayment product and make sure it covers all of the gaps and isn’t ripped or torn in big sections. its not waterproofing, but it is water resistance.

Roofing Question: Spot a Failing Roof

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Over the next few days and weeks, Lyons Roofing will be helping answer the most common roofing questions we hear about from our local customers. We at Lyons Roofing Company hope these questions and answers will help you gain the knowledge you need in order to make the right decisions when it comes to your roof replacement or repair. If you have a roofing question, please submit it in the comment section below.

Roofing Question:

How do you know when your asphalt shingle roof needs replacement? Is it a normal wait until you see a bunch of different leaks or after a major storm?

The later part of the question is pretty cut and dry. If there is a major storm, then you should definitely call your local roofing contractor or insurance company to have a storm damage inspection done. This will help you figure out if you are in need of a new roof.

Hail damaged shingles

hail damaged shingles

Now for the first part of the question, there are several clues, with the biggest indicator being age. If your roof is 17-20 years old, there is a good chance it’s due for replacement. Granted, younger roofs can easily fail too, it is always a good idea to inspect your roof at least once a year.

I suggest having a local contractor inspect your roof. If you would, rather it is a DIY project then use binoculars are easier and a lot safer, and you can spot most problems from the ground.

What to look for

 Shingles that are lifting up, cracked or missing, curling edges, or smooth dark areas, which can indicate that the protective granules have worn off. Another sign could be an excessive amount of granules at the base of your downspouts. This is common when your roof is first installed and again when it is nearing the end of its life.

Additionally, go into the attic on a sunny day, with the lights off, check the underside of the chimney and the stack vent. If you see little pinhole spots of light, the flashing will need to be addressed—another indication that your roofing may need to be addressed.

While you are in the attic, scan the underside of the roof sheathing for any new signs of water staining since the last inspection, as well as any soft or moist spots, which tend to show up after a heavy rain. If these problems are widespread, it is a sure sign that you need to call your local roofing contractor.

Attic water damage 

attic roof damage

If you have, any roofing question related to the topic above please feel free to email or call Lyons Roofing Company and we will be more than happy to answer the question quickly.

Customer Service

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What is customer service to a company and what is it to a customer? This are questions that can make or break a roofing company. So what is world class customer service, We as Lyons Roofing use the term so what can you expect with it and how can other companies give it to you as a consumer?

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A Company’s Stance on World Class Customer Service

Yes, I know it sounds cliche. So why does Lyons Roofing say it, why does any company say it? For a company to provide the best in service they must adapt to multiple customer profiles and each profile has a different tolerance level information needs and expectations of a company. For a company to give the best in customer service they need to arm their representative with the content and education to better prepare them for the varying customer profiles.

The best service fulfills the promise of a companies advertising and is unique to each company. Additionally, interactions should be extremely consistent, answer all of a customers questions to your utmost ability and make sure the customer knows and your company shows them how valuable their time is.

One other thing, as a sales rep, if you don’t know the answer don’t lie, it all comes out in the end!

A Customers Stance on World Class Customer Service

So what kind of service does a customer want, what does a customer deserve? You would think all of the above mentioned items are all that a customer expects, consistency, honesty, knowledgeable etc. but is that it? No, but what else is there you ask?

Disclaimer: these are my opinions, please correct me if I am wrong and i gladly accept feedback, if i have missed something!

A customer wants to feel valued, they want to feel like they are your one and only customer and that nobody else should come before them. I couldn’t agree more with them either (You know the “golden rule“). Yes, it is hard to keep a bunch of different people happy all at once but man is it important.

So what else does a customer want? Options (you heard me) but i will say it again and louder this time OPTIONS!! So what do I mean by that? I mean give them affordable options with your products, if the area you do your most work doesn’t have the means to go to the top of the line or even the middle with a certain shingle then prepare and show a customer something they can afford. The other main option people need to have is payment options, not everyone can afford a new roof. I mean if you look at the state of the economy, 62% of americans have less than $1,000 in their savings account. Can that buy you a new roof? Heck no! So, a customer needs options, financing, credit cards, cash whatever(I don’t think i would accept bitcoin, but i have been wrong before). Help us your customers (yes, i was a customer once) help themselves.

Moral of the Story

The moral of this story, help a customer protect their greatest investment. But also help a customer feel like they are number one, they are the only one in your eyes, be honest, on time, professional and most of all give them what they want, don’t fight over something silly, it only makes you as a company look worse.

Roofing Contractor or DIY?

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Roofing can be a risky and tedious task. No matter what your roof looks like from the ground , it’s probably steeper than you think! there’s no railing, and it can be pretty high off the ground! So when something goes wrong, whether you’ve got a leak, a few shingles blew off in the last storm, or your roof needs serious repairs, it’s hard to know if you should buckle up and do it yourself, or call a professional.

Here’s a few pros and cons to DIY vs hiring a professional contractor.

Do It Yourself:

  • Pros – If it’s a simple repair, like applying some sealant over a small roof leak or replacing a shingle or two, fixing it yourself might be a good alternative to hiring a contractor. If you built your own home or recently replaced your roof, you might already have leftover shingles, so you save on product costs, and you’ll also save the cost of hiring a contractor.
  • Cons – No matter what job you’re doing, walking around on the roof can be dangerous. Roofing contractors spend almost every day up on the roof, so they know how to safely navigate the dangers, and have a high level of experience with every sort of issue. Additionally, if you aren’t exactly sure what to do, you risk making a small problem a lot bigger. What was just a small leak before could become a major structural issue if it’s not properly addressed.

falling

Hiring a professional roofing contractor:

  • Pros – Number one: you don’t have to get up on the roof. That saves a lot, just in peace of mind! Also, when you hire a professional contractor, you know the job is more than likely going to be done right, and done fast. A roofing contractor is also able to tell you if there are any other issues going on with your roof that you may need to know about. Many professionals offer a quote or consultation so you know exactly what’s happening with your roof, why it needs to be fixed, and how much it will cost. If you have a professional repair your roof, you’ll know the problem was taken care of properly and permanently. BONUS:If you’re replacing your entire roof, hiring a professional usually means there is a manufacturers warranty available if installed by a certified professional. This can save you a lot of headaches in the future.
  • Cons – If it’s a simple task, it might cost more to have a professional do it than to just fix it yourself. The added cost won’t always outweigh the benefits. There’s also the hassle of making sure you can get a professional out to your home when it’s convenient for you, both when they do the inspection, and later when they come back to finish the repairs. Finally, if you have a repair you need done right away, you might have to wait to get a trusted professional to do it. Depending on the time of the year, some roofers may be booked for weeks.

In the end, you have to decide if you know what you’re doing, if it’s safe, and if you’ll actually save money. If you have an issue with your roof, just give Lyons Roofing Company a call at 812-294-3595 or schedule your free no obligation quote online today.