Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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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.

Roof Cleaning

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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.

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.

Roof Replacement or Coating?

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Do you need to replace the roof on your building or business, does the cost of a full roof replacement make you feel uneasy? Can your budget handle an expense that large this year? These are all questions that a qualified roofing contractor can help you answer. Its very possible, a silicone roof coating could be a good alternative to roof replacement.

One of the many reasons business owners often choose a silicone coating is the fact that it accomplishes many, if not all, of the same goals of a roof replacement, but can do it at a fraction of the cost.

  Full Roof Replacement Can Be Expensive – Silicone Coating May Not Be

     A full roof replacement could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most business owners don’t want to spend that amount of money on their roof. For those companies that don’t want to spend this unexpected money, a good alternative to a full roof replacement may be a silicone coating that is inexpensive, yet still provides the same benefit.

Roof Repairs Don’t Work as Roof Replacement

     It is way to common for a building owner to try and substitute roof replacement with repairs. This is an extremely poor alternative and it never fixes the problem. Yes, making repairs is less expensive, but it only delays the inevitable for a short time. In contrast, installing a silicone roof coating can take your current roof that is failing and turn it into one of the highest performing roofs available and extend the life of the roof up to twenty years!

Who needs a full roof replacement when that kind of alternative is available?

Conclusion

Silicone roof coatings are an inexpensive alternative, they can more than likely be installed without disrupting your operations, they extend the life of your current roofing system, and they largely eliminate the need for repairs on your roof. One of the only true alternatives to a full roof replacement, silicone roof coatings are finally growing their presence in the market to gain the attention of building owners everywhere.