Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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Louisville: (502) 689-0338
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Counter or Brick Flashing for the DIY in you

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Not every house has to worry about brick flashing. For those of us that have counter flashing on our chimneys or roof walls, we go through ways to install and if you need to maintain it.

 

brick flashing
Copper Counter Flashing

What is Brick Flashing?

Brick flashing or as most roofing contractors call it “Counter Flashing” Provides a decorative and solid cover for your step flashing against the brick, or around the chimney on your home.

The materials used to make up your counter or brick flashing most commonly is sheet metal, depending on the color of your roof or your preference. Your roofing contractor can install any color counter flashing. Copper counter or brick flashing is another common choice for homeowners, but with copper comes a higher price tag.

White Counter Flashing
Straight Counter flashing

Brick or counter flashing, installed multiple ways. Either cut into the brick or nailed against it and sealed along the top and top front half. With either installation practice, it prevents water from penetrating the flashing and seeping in behind your step flashing.

Now we know every company has its preference and every homeowner has its preference on how the counter or brick flashing is installed. The only wrong way to install brick or counter flashing is to not install it at all.

Counter or Brick flashing maintenance

Counter flashing is a very low maintenance system in general. You may need to have the sealant touched up if you develop small leaks. Make sure you use a silicone based caulking versus a roof tar. Not only for the aesthetics of your roof but for roof longevity as well.

Take the time to have your Local Roofing Contractor explain the process they will use to install the counter flashing on your home. It just may save you a few headaches down the road.

 

 

 

 

Decorate your roof for Halloween

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Decorate your roof for Halloween

Every year homes all around the country decorate for Halloween. We take a fun look at some of the best ways to decorate your roof for Halloween and some of the things you will need to know about decorating your roof in a safe way that will not cause problems inside and out of your home.

 

Fun ways to decorate your roof

 

These are some of the funniest and scariest ways to decorate your roof for Halloween. Have you seen some fun or scary ways? Send them our way!

 

Decorate your roof

Scary and extremely in depth. It may take a lot of time but these decorations are guaranteed to scare the trick or treaters and be the talk of the neighborhood.

 

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Simple but enough. the grim reaper hanging above your garage, can you get any creepier? I submit you can not!

 

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This has to be our favorite. making a beautiful home look abandoned and creepy. I bet the kids love it and we know exactly what the neighbors will be saying! “I hope they clean that up, if not our home values are going to plummet!”

Check out some DIY halloween decorations

Safe ways to decorate your roof

When it comes to decorating your roof for the holidays. Make sure you take the time to do it right, if your decorations come with clips for the shingles use them. We know they do not always seem the most reliable but it is better to clip than nail into the shingles and create leaks all over your roof.

If you don’t feel comfortable climbing around on your roof to decorate or install the decorations, call your local roofing contractor for assistance. We may not have the touch to pick out your halloween decorations. But, when it comes to knowing how to install decorations, or to fix a problem that may have accidentally been caused during the decoration installation. We have it nailed!

Have a scary halloween!!

 

How to replace a damaged shingle

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Replace a Damaged Shingle

Everyone at some point in their homeownership is faced with a damaged shingle or twenty. How hard is it to replace a damaged shingle you ask? Not hard at all, I know easier said than done, how about we walk you through it real quick!

replace-a-damaged-shingle

The hardest part of replacing a shingle is getting the correct match on the color. There are two ways to handle it. One, you can take the damaged part into your local roofing supply company or even Lowes or Home Depot and they will match the color up for you quickly.

 

The second option you have if your shingle is one that is discontinued. Remove the shingle from a less noticeable slope of the home, replace that shingle with a close match. Then move the old shingle to the original damaged location. This gives your home a uniform look on the more visible slope.

 

How to replace a damaged shingle

 

  1. Insert a putty knife or flat pry bar under and above the damaged shingle to break the seals holding the shingle down.
  2. Use the flat pry bar to pry up the damaged shingle and remove the nails. Be careful no to damage the shingles above and below it. (You will have to remove the nails from the shingle above as well)

    Damaged shingle

  3. Use a utility knife, to cut off the single tab if your home is a 3-tab shingle or remove the entire shingle.
  4. Slide the new shingle or tab in place, secure it under the shingle above with at a minimum 1” roofing nail.
  5. Once the damaged shingle is replaced, lift the tab up and apply a small amount of roof cement of silicone to help adhere the shingle.

 

Want someone else to replace your damaged shingle

 

If you do not feel comfortable on your roof, or not sure you completely understand the process. Call your local roofing contractor for help, repairs are completed shortly and carry a full warranty.

 

 

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?

Roofing and Homeowners Insurance

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Ever wondered about roofing and homeowners insurance, what an insurance company is talking about when it comes to Replacement cost or Actual cost value? Or, do you even know what kind of coverage you have on your home and roof?

 

roofing and homeowners insurance

 

Most people don’t take the time to understand or even know they may have a massive gap in their roofing and homeowners Insurance coverage.

 

Lets say you live in the Midwest, you have a massive storm event once every 3 years and it results in a new roof at an average cost of over $14,000 dollars each replacement. Does it sound like a good investment for your insurance company to take in somewhere between $300 and $1000 a year, then have to pay that entire $42,000 out?

 

Someone has to take a hit on the roofing and homeowner’s insurance coverage.

 

So what exactly is Actual Cash Value and Replacement Cost, which will better protect you as a homeowner? Only you can decide which will be the best option for you and your family. They can both be viable options, but, one can cost your more than the other.

 

  • What is Actual Cash Value

Actual cash value is the amount equal to the replacement cost minus depreciation of a damaged or stolen property at the time of the loss. It is the actual value, for which the property could be sold, which is always less than what it would cost to replace it.

 

  • What is Replacement Cost

A replacement cost is the cost to replace an asset of a company at the same or equal value. The asset to be replaced could be building, investment securities, accounts receivable or liens. The replacement cost can change, depending on changes in market value of the asset and any other costs required to prepare the asset for use. Accountants use depreciation to expense the cost of the asset over its useful life.

 

So which coverage should you choose

What coverage is best for you and your home? That is really for you to decide. For most Replacement Cost is the best coverage for roofing and homeowners insurance. There is normally a substantial cost increase going with this type of coverage. Actual Cash Value can be a viable option as well; The only difference between replacement cost and actual cash value is a deduction for depreciation. However, both are based on the cost today to replace the damaged property with new property.

 

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Can you really blame the insurance companies?

There is an old saying “Profit isn’t a dirty word”. Yes, we as homeowners want to protect ourselves. But, an insurance company wants to protect themselves as well, after all if we didn’t have insurance companies. We would have to keep a lot more money on hand in times of emergency.

Contact your Insurance agent or local roofing company if you have any questions about your roofing and homeowners insurance policy. It is easier to ask people that do it for a living than try to figure it out yourself.