Category Archives: Roofing Installation

Flashing-A Roof Leak Preventative

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Posted by Andy Lindus on April 8, 2013 – 12:30 pm
Filed under GAF, GAF Roofing, Roofing, Roofing Installation, WCCO, WCCO Home Improvement Show
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When it comes to replacing your roof, homeowners spend a lot of time selecting shingle style and color.  There’s nothing wrong with this, especially when you consider that companies like GAF put out roofing systems that have non-prorated warranties that last 50 years.   But it’s also, if not equally more important, to understand the components being installed in conjunction with your shingles because they act as additional protectors for your home from issues such as water damage.  One of these protective components is called flashing.  Likely, flashing is not something that is top of mind when it comes to re-roofing your home, but failure to pay ample attention to it can dramatically shorten the lifespan of your roof and lead to water damage in your home.

What Is Flashing:  Flashing is metal that aids to protect your roof from water intrusion where a roof meets a wall.  The intention of flashing is to defer the flow of water away from the home, rather than allowing your roofing and underlayment to absorb it which can cause water damage.

Types of Flashing:

Kickout- Itsprimary purpose is to protect your home’s structure, windows & siding.  Additionally, it prevents water from going behind your siding where your roof meets a wall.  This type of flashing is installed over the edge of your roof.  Without it, the water that drains down your roof will come crashing down your roof and splash onto your windows & siding.  As this process repeats, mold, rot and structural damage can occur.

Valley- On a roof, a valley is an area where two adjoining sloped roof planes intersect on a roof creating a “V” shaped depression.  Valleys can be common sources of roof leaking because they catch water speeding down two roof planes; they disperse more water off a roof than does any individual roof plane.  Inadequate or improper installation of valley flashing can result in circumstances such as your roof caving in or your roof decking rotting.  Valleys come in two varieties.  They are: closed valley & open valley.  A closed valley is where the metal flashing is installed first and then the shingles are placed on top of it.  An open valley is where the flashing is laid first, followed by the shingles.  The tin is left exposed.  Additionally, three rows of ice and water shield are placed in this area.  Some homeowners feel that the closed valley is better because the metal is hidden from sight, therefore making the roof more aesthetically appealing.  An argument can be made for the open valley because the valleys of your roof handle more water than any other part of your roof.  Over time, this can cause the granules on your shingles to erode off.  Open valleys add an additional protectant so that this process is slowed.Some homeowners feel that the closed valley is better because the metal is hidden from sight, therefore making the roof more aesthetically appealing.  An argument can be made for the open valley because the valleys of your roof handle more water than any other part of your roof.  Over time, this can cause the granules on your shingles to erode off.  Open valleys add an additional protectant so that this process is slowed.

Step- Step flashing gets its name because it is comprised of several pieces of flashing that “step up” the roof with each progression of shingles and when the process is completed, the flashing looks like steps going up a wall.  Step flashing is important because it is a protectant against leaking where a roof & wall come together.  Improper step flashing can also lead to leaking where a chimney and wall meet.

Vent Pipe- It’s not uncommon to see a vent pipe sticking out from numerous places along your roofline.  Vent pipes can be for bathroom vents, sewer vents, hot water heaters, furnaces, etc.  Over time, due to nature’s elements, the seal between the pipe and roof begins to erode.  Installing vent pipe flashing defends against water damage to your home.

Chimney- Like its name states, chimney flashing is positioned around a chimney for the purpose of sealing it off against water.  One type of chimney flashing is called “chimney cricket”.  This piece of metal is installed on the back side of the chimney with the intention of diverting water away from it, as chimneys are an area that can easily leak.  If you notice stains on the walls that are in close proximity to your chimney, it’s quite likely that your chimney flashing has been comprised.  Prompt attention should be paid to this matter to avoid further damage, including mold growth.

Skylight-When a skylight is installed, a hole is cut in your roof to accommodate it.  Skylights must have flashing installed around them.  Without it, leaking can occur, damaging the interior of your home.  Many skylight companies offer flashing kits that are specifically designed for their product.

Drip Edge-Drip edge flashing can be installed on your roof’s gable edges and eaves. It will preserve the fascia board from windblown rain.  Additionally, it assists in bolstering roof shingles from sagging into your gutters or being broken should a tree branch fall on it.  Drip edge flashing also serves as a preventative for shingles being pulled off the roof during heavy winds.

Sidewall-This type of flashing should be installed where a section of roofing meets a vertical wall.  This will add an additional level of protection to prevent water from leaking behind your walls, 01siding, etc.  This can lead to rot, mold, etc. which can end up causing a homeowner thousands of dollars.

Lindus Construction offers the #1 selling roofing systems in North America, GAF Asphalt Roofing and was recognized in 2011 as the #1GAF roofing contractor in the country. Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects. Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate.

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Can I Install a New Roof Over My Old One?

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Posted by Andy Lindus on February 18, 2013 – 3:09 pm
Filed under GAF, GAF Roofing, Lindus Construction, Roofing, Roofing Installation, Uncategorized, www.lindusconstruction.com
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Installing a new roof is a sizable investment and most homeowners want to ensure that they’re being wise with their money.  As a cost-saving measure, some may look to eliminate the cost of the tear-off of the old roof by simply roofing the new roof over the old one.  It may seem like a good idea to put new shingles over the old ones, thinking that it may offer additional protection.  We believe this mentality to be a pennywise and dollar foolish for the following reasons:

Legality

Most homes in the Midwest are classified as “moderate hail zones”.  When a home receives this classification, it is illegal to install a new asphalt roof over an existing one.  Check your local ordinances to see whether this is even a possibility before moving forward with the project.

Weight

Asphalt shingles are heavy and adding a second layer of them to your roof may compromise your home’s walls and roof structure.  Even if your area does permit shingles to be placed on your roof in multiple layers, eventually you will incur the cost of removing them because your roof can only support so much weight before its integrity is compromised.

Manufacturer Warranty

Roofing manufacturers have warranties in place to protect consumers from the cost of replacing a roof should their product malfunction.  Manufacturer warranties oftentimes will not cover new shingles being layered on top of old ones.  The reasoning being that it is unlikely that the new shingles will be able to lay flat.  If the shingles are not laid on a flat surface, they won’t conform to each other the way they are supposed to.  Winds that the shingles should be able to stand up to may cause them to loosen.  This leaves the homeowner with repair bills or the cost of replacing the roof sooner than they should have had to.

Sealing Issues

It’s improbable that your current shingles will line up with the existing ones.  This will prevent the current shingles from sealing properly and as a result, they may come off during high winds easier than they normally would.

Roof Deck Inspection

A roof deck is the underlayment that shingles are laid on top of.  By adding shingles on top of the old roof, there is no opportunity to inspect the roof deck to ensure that the current wood is not wearing out.  Worn out portions of the roof deck can cause leaking.  Stripping the roof down to the roof deck, also give the nails being used in the new roof a better chance to hold.

Lindus Construction offers both metal & asphalt roofing systems. In 2011, they were recognized by GAF (North America’s largest manufacturer of commercial and residential roofing) as the #1 GAF Roofer in the country. Lindus Construction’s successes of past recognitions include winning all 6 of GAF’s excellence awards in 2011 & 2010. Only the top 3% of all roofing contractors have qualified as Master Elite™ contractors. To become a factory-certified GAF Master Elite™ roofing contractor, companies must be fully licensed, adequately insured, have a demonstrated reputation for providing quality roofing services and be committed to on-going professional training.

Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate today. Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects.

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The Down Low on Hot Roofs

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Posted by Andy Lindus on January 23, 2013 – 5:10 pm
Filed under Building a House, ceilings, Construction, Home Maintenance, Hot Roof, Insulation, Lindus Construction, Roofing, Roofing Installation, Spray Foam
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Traditionally in the Midwest, homes are insulated with fiberglass or cellulose insulation.  However, a newer trend being seen in homes is the use of spray foam insulation.  Just as the name implies, this type of insulation comes in spray cans. It’s a combination of resin and chemicals such as polyurethane & isocyanides.   As the insulation is sprayed, it expands and fills up the entire area it is being applied to.  The term “hot roof” comes in because the spray foam insulation is being affixed directly to the roof sheathing which removes the need for ventilation.

How Do Hot Roofs Differ From Traditional Roofs

Attics typically have an insulated floor and have ventilation.  Air from outside is permitted to come in through the soffits and exit through the top of the roof which creates a cold attic during the winter months.  This method is intended to deter ice dams by keeping the roof cooler. When your attic is filled with spray foam insulation to create a hot roof, your attic’s temperature rises because the thermal envelope is shifted to the underside of your roof because ventilation is not present.

Hot Roofs & Roofing Warranties

Industry studies show that shingle temperature is only raised by a few degrees with a hot roof.  However, these few degrees can lower shingle lifespan by up to 10% and cause shingles to fade.  GAF, North America’s largest manufacturer of residential and commercial roofing, offers a “Golden Pledge” warranty which covers roofing material and labor for 50 years.  This warranty is not pro-rated.  However, those with a hot roof are not eligible for GAF’s highest level of warranty because a hot roof does not have the insulation standards that their asphalt shingles were designed for.  Before moving forward with a hot roof, check with your roofing manufacturer to make sure that doing so will not void your roofing warranty.  Be sure to check with your city to see if they have restrictions on hot roofing before proceeding with your project.

Perks of a Hot Roof

The unit of measurement for insulation is called the “R-Value”. The R-value measures how well insulation is able to resist heat going through it. The bigger the R-value, the better it will insulate your home.  A hot roof contains the highest R-Value because there are no chances for air to leak.  If the attic contains ductwork, it won’t need to be insulated because there is no energy loss.  A hot roof prevents energy loss and can lower your utility bills.

Am I Allowed to Have a Hot Roof? 

In the state of MN, the following cities PROHIBIT Hot Roofs:

  • Apple Valley
  • Delano
  • Eagan
  • Eden Prairie
  • Hopkins
  • Lakeville
  • Maple Grove
  • Plymouth
  • Shakopee
  • Saint Louis Park
  • Woodbury

In the state of MN, the following cities MAY Allow Hot Roofs if Certain Criteria is Met:

  • Bloomington
  • Brooklyn Park
  • Chanhassen
  • Coon Rapids
  • Elk River
  • Minneapolis
  • Richfield
  • Roseville
  • Saint Paul

Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects. Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate for your home improvement needs today!

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Can a Roof Be Installed in the Winter?

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Posted by Andy Lindus on December 31, 2012 – 1:26 pm
Filed under GAF, Home Construction, Home Maintenance, Lindus Construction, Roofing, Roofing Installation, www.lindusconstruction.com
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In our industry, the busiest times for roofing installation are first thing in the spring and in the fall.  Those in the spring may have prolonged the project longer than they should have and those in the fall likely are trying to get the project completed before the cold sets in.  While we certainly don’t see an influx of roofing inquiries in the winter, the question has been asked whether roofing can be installed in the winter.  The answer, in one word, is yes.  However, we feel a longer explanation is necessary so that the homeowner understands the ins and outs of installing a roof in the winter.

First Things, First

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.  By no means are we encouraging everyone to get a roof installed year-round in the Midwest.  A new roof in the winter involves some additional challenges.  The temperature needs to be taken into consideration because at extremely cold temperatures, asphalt shingles can become brittle and break.  To avoid this issue, a roofer can keep most bundles of shingles in a warm, dry place and only pull out a few bundles at a time.  Because days are shorter in the winter, roofers have less daylight to get the roof complete.  Installing on a windy winter day can easily rip off newly installed shingles, especially those with self-sealing strips which can be compromised in cold temperatures.  As an extra precaution, hand tabbing (adding quarter size spots of adhesive to the bottom of shingles) is encouraged.  This will keep the shingles in place until warmer temperatures arrive which will help the adhesive work.  It’s also important to keep in mind the safety of the roofers since the roof can be a slippery surface to work on in the winter.  As with any roofing job, it’s important that roofers are tethered to the roof so that if they were to slip, they would be stopped before they went over the edge.

It’s Not All Bad News

On the bright side, there are a few advantages to roofing in the winter, should you find yourself in need.  In the winter, unlike the summer, meteorologists have an easier time forecasting the weather.  This allows roofers to make strategic choices about when to install a roof so that it’s not left open when snow is on the way.  One of the hazards of roofing in the summer is worrying about debris accidentally falling on your landscaping and damaging your plants.  In the winter, there’s less chance for damaging landscaping.  Windows are also closed in the winter which prevents any falling roofing materials from accidentally ending up in your home.

The Bottom Line

While winter isn’t an ideal time to install a roof, with the proper steps taken to ensure the workers’ safety and preservation of the new roofing materials, a roof can successfully be installed in the winter months. 

Lindus Construction offers both asphalt and metal roofing options.  In 2011, they were named the #1 Roofer in the United States by GAF, which is North America’s largest manufacturer of residential and commercial roofing.  Call us now at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at www.lindusconstruction.com to schedule a free in-home estimate today. Tune into AM 830 WCCO on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am hosted by Denny Long and Andy Lindus to ask questions regarding your home improvement projects.