Roofing

Manufacturer Lawsuits are the New Norm

September 14, 2016
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Interested in a specific shingle?  Type in the name of that shingle manufacturer on google followed by the word “lawsuit”.  Chances are you’ll find someone who feels they were wronged, or in some cases just want something for nothing. Many of these lawsuits are from homeowners who are realizing that the cost of a roof…

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Multiple Layers with Cedar? Replace Gutters to Prevent Rot

July 14, 2016
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This past spring I had a customer tell me they needed a roof but I was the only contractor who had told them that a new roof would require new gutters. Sometimes we run into situations where the original roof was cedar shake and past homeowners have added additional layers of asphalt shingles over the…

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Multi-faceted New Construction Roofs Create Headaches

May 7, 2016
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Several times a year I get panicked calls from homeowners in communities that have had a lot of two-story housing built over the past few years.  All of these problems could have been prevented by vigilant building inspection process that would have exercised a little common sense. Slope does matters and despite all the good…

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Anatomy of a Shingle

April 14, 2016
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Shingles are made from 3 layers.  Each of them plays a role in protecting your home. Matting The matting is the base layer from which all else is built upon.  Think of it like the foundation of a house.  If the foundation is good, a good builder can build up from there.  If not, well,…

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How can you tell if you have a Cedar Roof under your shingles?

April 7, 2016
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Cedar roofs were once the norm prior to the manufacturing of asphalt shingles.  In older parts of the City of Milwaukee we find a lot of cedar hiding under layers of asphalt shingles.  There’s really only one way to verify with any degree of certainty whether your roof has cedar shingles. Look in the attic.…

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Consider Roofing Cost Both Upfront and Long Term

March 14, 2016
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Considering buying a roof?  There’s a whole lot more than the upfront price that you ought to be looking at.   Homeowners who are doing their due diligence weigh the long term as well as the short term costs of a roof. Consider these facts: Dark colored roofs will not last as long as light colored…

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High Winds Cause Roofing Damage

February 28, 2016
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When wind storms hit, insurance companies aren’t happy, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t file a claim if your roof is damaged.  Metro Milwaukee was hit by a massive wind storm on February 19th this year (2016).  Wind speeds of 63 mph were recorded at Mitchell International Airport and many homes were affected. Here’s…

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Can a Roof Leak Be Fixed In The Winter?

December 29, 2015
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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…

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Challenges of Fall Roofing – The 10 Commandments of Fall Roofing

October 10, 2015
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When the leaves fall, the phone rings.  Panic is setting in as homeowners who know their roof will not safeguard their homes through the winter call.  The key to effective autumn roofing is planning but even the best laid plans will not be perfect. Here’s what you can do to maximize your chances of success.…

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Understanding Hidden Layers of Roofing

July 16, 2015
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It’s unfortunate to have to say this, but sometimes home sellers and contractors will hide the amount of layers of shingles that are on a house with a special trim piece and sometimes you can’t tell until you start ripping the existing roof off.  This is more common on older homes (pre-1950). Wisconsin law requires that…

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