Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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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.

 

 

Roofing Felt

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Most people can look up at their roof and say “hey I have shingles up there, I am good”. But what else goes into a roofing system that is just as important as the shingles you can see? Roofing felt, yes that weird looking black paper like material that a local roofing company puts on your roof before the shingles. Well if they do not put some sort of underlayment down, you could be in for some problems own the road.

 

Below are a few common questions we receive about roofing felt.

 

Why did roofing felt come about?

felt 

Originally, roofing felt was used for temporary protection against the wind and rain during the roofing process and keep sap from deteriorating the shingles. Now with modern building materials, you and I do not have to worry about sap too much.

 

Roofing felt has been around for around 50 years (longer than I have been around). But, it has always served its purpose. Protect your decking from the elements and it offer some protection from the elements in times of emergencies.

 

(If you have damage and you can see felt, call your local roofing contractor immediately. You will have a leak develop and interior damage will likely occur.)

 

What does #15 and #30 roofing felt mean?

felt 

The numbers were based on the weight per square (100 sq. foot) of the roll of roofing felt. During the process of manufacturing, hot asphalt is added to recycled paper in varying amounts. Thicker asphalt coating, heavier the weight.

 

Over time as technology shifted and the weights of the materials became lighter. Manufacturers more or less changed the pound symbol from 15# to #15.

 

I know, makes a lot of sense doesn’t it?

 

 

What are the options when it comes to roofing felt?

 

There are a few different options when it comes to roofing felt and underlayment systems. The most common are your ordinary #15 and #30 felt. However, there is a new kid on the block “Synthetic underlayment”. All three styles offer your decking and your shingles protection from the elements and in the case of emergency.

 

What type of roofing felt should I put on my home?

roofing felt 

This can be the tricky part. There are a few things to consider when you are asking your local roofing contractor what type of underlayment you should put on your home.

 

If your home is steeper, then you will need to go to a heavier weight on your roofing felt. On the other hand, you can use a synthetic underlayment and receive the same protection. Your installers drive the reason for a heavier weight, during installation the crew will be all over your roof and a thinner roofing felt will tear under their feet and can cause gaps in your protection.

 

Thinner weights can be used on lower slope roofs and offer you protection in case of emergency.

 

Roofing felt can save you some headache, but it is not the only part of your roof.

 

There you have it, a few questions that we commonly hear from customers. As important as roofing felt is there are many other things you have to worry a  bout when it comes to your roofing system.

 

Depending on the area of the country you live, you may need additional protection from ice and water shield in valleys along eaves.

 

We at The Lyons Roofing Company suggest in the Louisville, Kentucky area a minimum of synthetic underlayment on your roof surface and ice and water in all valleys, around chimneys, skylights and any other problematic areas. Roofing felt is amazing and serves a great purpose. But, remember there is more to a roof than the first layer of materials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gutter Problems

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So there, you are sitting on your front porch, enjoying a hot cup of tea watching the rainfall on a nice summer evening. Suddenly, off the front of your porch you notice water slowly start running over and quickly turns into a waterfall. You think, what the heck is going on, do i have gutter problems again?!

gutter problems waterfall

Common Gutter problems

So, what are the main areas of concern and how can you correct them? Well gutters tend to be one of the more simple systems when it comes to your home. First, water comes down, hits your roof, and runs into your gutter, down a downspout and bam on the ground.

 

See like I said, simple. Day is over wrap it up time to head to the house right? Wrong!

 

Yes, the process is simple but leaks in a gutter can be quite complex. Here are a few reasons your gutter may be leaking.

 

  • Clogged (I know simple)
  • Improper sloping
  • Sealant on seams and drops (if you have seamless gutters)

 

I know, these are all simple issues, but how do you address them?

 

Clogged gutters

gutter problem clogged

A simple item to address, whether you get up and clean them yourself or call your local roofing contractor to do it for you. Most of your issue will be right at your downspouts. Climb up a ladder and take a peak to see if there is any debris built up. Normally, one big item holds up the others and creates your problem.

 

Improper sloping

 

This is something that you will likely need to hire a contractor to address. You can take a couple different routed to see if this is your problem.

 

First- stand back and look at your gutters, is there a sag in the middle of the gutters? On the other hand, does it look like there isn’t enough fall, or slope towards your downspouts?

 

Second- climb up a ladder after a rain, is water just sitting in your gutters, this can also be an issue with sloping. Check and make sure there are no clogs first, this water sitting, tends to be more concentrated away from downspouts if it is a sloping issue.

 

Last but not least- if you have a 4 foot level, set it on the edge of the gutter, it should be slightly off level heading towards a downspout. If not, you will need to have a contractor look at your gutters and assess if you have enough fall (or slope)

 

Sealants on seams or drops

 

Sealant is something that will always need to be checked. Granted, not many homes have seamed gutters anymore but that does not mean you do not have sealant in them. Drops and corners are common areas for leaks and sealant. Climb up a ladder and look, is the sealant broke down and has gaps? If so, you will need either a high quality silicone based caulk to patch these areas.

gutter problems

This are all fairly straight forward and easy issues you can address your self. I would suggest, if you have an issue with the sloping of a gutter, call a local contractor. They have the knowledge and tools to make a daunting task an easy one.