Lyons Roofing

Roof Replacement and Repair Contractor Louisville, KY and Indiana

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Ice and Water Shield

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Ice and Water shield, looks similar to felt. But, provides so much more for your home. Have you ever seen a roof installation and wondered what the local roofing contractor was installing? It rolls out like roofing felt, but what is that they are peeling off the back?

 

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Ice and water shield was one of the greatest inventions for your local roofing contractor. Manufactured with a rubberized asphalt mixture, ice and water shield provides one of the best layers of protection a home could ask for.

 

Where to use ice and water shield?

Ice and Water Shield can and should be used in all climates and locations in the U.S. Depending on where you live in the country you will have different requirements for use.

 

Southern climates

In the south you do not have as much ice and snow to battle, most roofing contractors will use the product in areas that are prone to leaks. Valleys, chimneys, skylights and any in some cases walls as an extra layer of flashing

ice and water shield

 

Northern climates

Sorry northerners, you need more Ice and Water Shield to protect your home. The snow and ice build-up that so commonly happens in your area needs to be stopped from entering into your home. In addition to valleys, chimneys, skylights and walls. Ice and Water Shield should be installed at the base of your roof. This provides an extra layer of protection in areas that ice and snow commonly build up.

 

ice damns

How does Ice and Water work?

With the rubberized make up of Ice and Water shield, it provides a seal around every nail that penetrates the material. Think of a nail puncturing a tire, yes the nail goes in but immediately the rubber in the tire forms around the nail and in some cases, you will never have a leak.

That is why most reputable roofing contractors will explain the importance of ice and water shield and make sure it is installed properly and in the right locations.

We hope that regardless of who replaces your roof, ensure that this product is in installed in the areas needed depending on the climate.

 

Roof Question: Roof Pitch

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We at Lyons Roofing Company hope this roof question and answer will help you gain the knowledge you need to make the right decision when it comes to your roof replacement or repair.

Roof Question:

Everything being the same, shingle brand, vents and climate- which roof will last the longest: one with a steep pitch or one with a shallow pitch? 

steep roof

You would think common sense would prevail in this situation, you think hey a steep hillside erodes faster than a low slope, so you would think that roof shingles would wear out more quickly on a steeply sloped roof.

Really its not that cut and dry, it is difficult to say with so many other factors leading to the failure of a roof system. On one hand you could say, a steep roof is less likely to collect leaves and debris that hold moisture against the shingles and invite the growth of moss and algae.

On the other hand, that same roof in a wide-open un-shaded area facing due south will take the full brunt of the sun, which is hard on any roof, regardless of the amount of ventilation.

So, what is the answer to which roof will last the longest?

There is no answer! Wait, then how is this a good question to ask? Nobody said it was, just a common question! You know the old saying, the only dumb question is one that isn’t asked.

As a homeowner, you have to look at a few other factors other than pitch that will have a greater impact on asphalt roof longevity.

Major Impacts on roof longevity

  • Poor installation

poor patch work

  • The side facing your worst weather typically takes a bigger beating than your leeward side.
  • Proper roof and attic ventilation.
  • Leaves, branches and other debris left on your roof for long periods of time.
  • Storms (Hail, Wind, Etc.)hail damaged roof
  • 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.

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.old shingles

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.