Roofing

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

April 7, 2016
Posted in ,

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.…

Read More

Consider Roofing Cost Both Upfront and Long Term

March 14, 2016
Posted in

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…

Read More

High Winds Cause Roofing Damage

February 28, 2016
Posted in

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…

Read More

Can a Roof Leak Be Fixed In The Winter?

December 29, 2015
Posted in ,

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…

Read More

Challenges of Fall Roofing – The 10 Commandments of Fall Roofing

October 10, 2015
Posted in

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.…

Read More

Understanding Hidden Layers of Roofing

July 16, 2015
Posted in

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…

Read More

Advice for Removing a Satellite Dish from a Roof

June 12, 2015
Posted in , ,

Question: Jim, If I want to remove a satellite dish from my roof would it be a better idea to leave the sole plate in? I don’t plan on replacing the roof any time soon. Answer:  Yes, leave the plate on. If you take it off you will compromise the shingles (which can be sealed)…

Read More

Roof Inspections — You get what you pay for

May 29, 2015
Posted in ,

Yesterday I saw the face of a new homeowner go ashen when I showed her what the price of replacing her roof would be.  She had a home inspection and the inspector didn’t tell inform her of the extent of her roof problems.  As part of his quickie-inspection he recommended in his report that she have a…

Read More

Ridge Cap Shingles Important as the Rest of your Roof Parts

May 13, 2015
Posted in ,

Customers sometimes ask, “why is your quote higher than another contractor”?  The answer is simple — they’re not using the same quality materials or they’re shorting you on underlayments all together. I’ve gone to houses only to see that the roof would fail the inspection of any city inspector if they actually checked to see how…

Read More

Rubber Roof Alternatives for Flat Roofs

May 12, 2015
Posted in

Flat roofs have created problems for many homeowners and business owners alike for as long as low slope roofs have been around, but the materials have changed and they’re changing again. The old mop, tar and pebble roofs gave way to rubber and TPO (the white membrane you see on many commercial buildings).  Elastomeric membranes,…

Read More