Top 10 Questions about Roofing
How long does a roof install take? We do most roof installs in just one day. What is a roof inspection. We assess the condition of the current roof including shingles, flashings and perforations. By inspecting what we can see, we get a good sense for those things we cannot see such as ice and water membrane, nail count per shingle and quality of the underlayments. What causes roof wear and tear? Extreme temperatures such as heat as well as freeze and thaw cycles break down ro…
Are Metal roofs a good idea?
Not a day goes by that I don’t see an ad for a metal roof and a common question I get is, “are metal roofs a good idea”? The straight answer is, “it depends”. But before rushing out to buy a metal roof you should go into it with the knowledge of whether it makes sense for your house in your climate. But like everything there are pros and cons. After reviewing this article, you will should have all the information you need to decide if metal is right for you. Pros Durability -…
Where Should a Shingle be Nailed?
The nailing zone is a manufacturer-required nailing area just below the center of the shingles. Manufacturers have specific instructions for installation companies. They tend to give about 3/4″ to work with in order to optimize the grip strength each nail has to hold down the shingle. But it is not the nailing zone alone that holds down all shingles. Each shingle is secured down with 3 connection points Sealants The sealants are on the back of the shingle, about 1/2″ from t…
Why is my soffit hanging down or drooping?
Your homes soffit is an important part of a house’s roof system. It’s located on the underside of the roof overhang, and it provides ventilation for the attic space. However, over time, the soffit can start to sag, which can be a major issue. A sagging soffit can look unsightly and compromise the roof’s integrity. In this article, we’ll discuss the top 3 causes for a sagging soffit and how to fix it. 3 reasons for a drooping soffit: Inadequate Fasteners No Edge Metal Some hom…
What makes a Good Downspout?
Downspouts are critically important if you want a good water management system and unfortunately are the most overlooked by homeowners who are convinced that they’ve already done their due diligence. There are many differences and homeowners that stop at only one or two, make decisions they end up regretting. Here’s a short list of differences that homeowners find in the Metro Milwaukee market: Size A properly installed downspout Most traditional downspouts are 2″x 3″. …
When is the best time to replace my Gutters?
Gutters need to be replaced when they are not functioning to move water to a lower point in your property. However, the optimal time to replace them is when the roof is replaced but in a very specific order. Why do I make this distinction? It is because of how the gutter apron, sometimes referred to as gutter flashing, interacts with the ice and water membrane — an important component of any roof in Wisconsin or any place in the northern zone. “Gutter Apron” is a…
How To Tell When Your Roof Needs Replacing
One of the top questions I get from homeowners is “how do I know when my roof needs replacing”? Worn out shingles will allow water into your home. In order to understand when a roof is at the end of its life, you have to understand that there are 3 main parts of a shingle. 3 Parts that make up a shingle The matting — typically fiberglass The asphalt — the center of the shingle which keeps moisture out The granules — what reflects UV rays and protects the asphalt from dryi…
Mystery Gutter Corrosion Problem Solved
To fix an elusive home improvement problem you have to have a stubborn determination, an open mind, and sometimes a strong stomach. That was the case when I was asked recently what caused a new aluminum gutters to fail after just a year. The answer took long to get to and in my 14 years in the home improvement industry I’d never before run into such a bizarre situation. The problem I was called by an elderly customer. We’d done gutters for a family member and she liked ou…
Can a Roof Leak Be Fixed In The Winter?
It’s windy and cold. A blizzard is raging outside. Everybody’s roof is snow covered and I’m the roofer people call because my reputation for not scaring people precedes me. Don’t panic. The cold is your friend right now. Water is in its solid form and as long as it stays frozen, it won’t be coming in. There’s nothing that can be done until the roof can be accessed and it can’t be accessed until after there’s some melting. You can’t fix a leaky roof from the inside, so …