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18 Sep
Lightning Contractor LLC

The Effects of Snow & Ice on Roofing

The recent cold weather across the nation has once again brought the importance of rooftop snow removal into the public consciousness. It’s easy to forget about your roof on a cold, wintry day. It’s out there, in the cold, doing what it’s supposed to do, but without your help, it may not be in good shape for very long. Cold weather and snow can have some seriously negative effects on the one thing standing between you and the elements – your roof. One of the downfalls of living in the Chicago area is the dramatic temperature swings possible during the winter months. It can be 50 degrees one day and freezing the next. Worse still, this can go on day after day after day. This kind of temperature fluctuation can create problems for your roof in the form of ice dams and icicles.

9 Jul
Lightning Contractor LLC

Why Roof Maintenance?

A roof is more than the barrier between a structure’s contents and the elements. It’s an essential piece of any structure and plays a significant role in the overall integrity of the building by locking all the other components in place. Yet, with the vital role it plays, it’s also the most vulnerable and abused component of all. It gets no respite from the precipitation or effects of weathering and still does the job it was designed to do – so long as you properly maintain it. So, that’s the question, “Why roof maintenance?” And, believe it or not, it has a very simple answer. Roof maintenance is part of the safety standards for many commercial structures. It’s intended to safeguard a structure and its occupants from harm by uncovering any and all issues before the pose a risk to operations. It’s proactively looking out for your commercial interests and costs far less than any of the alternatives. Lightning Contractor LLC offers world-class roof maintenance plans which begin with a thorough inspection of your roofing and all of its associated components. This inspection will focus on known areas of concern with your particular roofing. All issues uncovered will be reported immediately with explanations delivered for proposed repairs before necessary work is completed. This keeps you fully informed of the progress and up-to-date on any issues we’ve uncovered.

13 Nov
Lightning Contractor LLC

How Much Is A New Roof?

This question is among the most common heard by roofers all over the world. It’s a big question with an answer as wide and varied as the people asking it. That’s because roofing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Every roof, every structure is different – if not in appearance and design than in age and upkeep. Every market is different – if not in materials than in labor costs. A new architectural shingle roof may cost $12,000 in California and only $5,000 in Louisiana. So, supplying a blanket answer would be a disservice to anyone reading. However, there are a few factors that apply no matter where you live – roof size, roof pitch, cost of materials, and accessibility to jobsite. Roof Size: Roofers look at roofing in terms of squares. A square is a 10’x10’ section of your rooftop equal to 100 square feet. Your roof is broken into squares for pricing, so the larger the roof, the more squares factor into cost. The complexity of the roof also comes into play when determining size. The more skylights, chimneys, HVAC equipment, and other structural components on the roof will have to be worked around – increasing the time needed to complete the job.

13 Nov
Lightning Contractor LLC

How long does a new roof take?

One of the most commonly heard questions in roofing is, “How long does a new roof take?” And, while the process depends on certain factors beyond our control – like weather, the simplest answer is one day or more. For a simple roof layout, when the weather is cooperating, we can finish the job easily in one day. As the roofing complexity and slope increases, the time needed for completion goes up to as much as three days or longer. The best answer to, “How long does a new roof take?” is one specific to you and we understand that. So, to try to make it even easier to estimate the time needed for your new roof installation, think of a normal single-family residence containing three bedrooms and around 2,200 interior square feet. That roof would take our team a day to finish with good weather. Now, expand that up to a three-flat with a good deal of obstruction on the rooftop – antennae, satellite dishes, HVAC units, piping, ductwork, etc. That kind of job may take longer, perhaps two days, due to the need to work around the objects in our way without damaging them. If your home has a high slope with adornments and multiple angles, the job could take up to three days or more. That’s due to the need to remain safe while moving the materials and laborers around the roofing. The more time it takes to shift equipment and manpower, the more time it will take to get to the finish line. No matter what, if the weather holds and you hire a reputable company, the answer to “How long does a new roof take?” is one to three days – anything longer and you’re probably facing a mistake on the roofer’s part

9 Nov
Renovation Roof

Why Roofing are factmake Easier.

They show up after every storm: scammers exploiting home and business owners whose roofs need repairs of storm-related damage. At best, these are often unlicensed roofing contractors who lack the insurance and credentials required by law. At worse, they are con artists who take consumers’ money and never show up to complete the job. Look out for the following warning signs before agreeing to let someone fix your roof: 1. The contractor knocks on your door. In general, roofing contractors who are on the up and up will not market their business by walking around the neighborhood. They will use more traditional channels and often let consumers come to them. We want you to do your research and be comfortable with the service we are offering. A strong arm salesman who shows up on your doorstep should be treated with suspicion. 2. They ask for cash. If someone wants money up front in an untraceable format, you have no guarantees that they will do the work that they are offering. 3. They undercharge for the job. Have an offer that is hundreds less than estimates from other roofing companies? That is a sign that that contractor is cutting corners. Chances are, they have not invested in the bond and insurance that are required by law. These policies are there to protect the homeowner. If someone is injured working on your roof and they are not insured, your homeowner’s insurance may wind up on the hook. This means higher rates for you and even the possibility of losing your policy. 4. They don’t have a working company name. These individuals will probably lack business cards, a business phone number and a physical address for their roofing company. This makes it harder for someone to hold them accountable if they do not do a good job or if they abandon the work before it is done. 5. They don’t offer a written contract. Our contracts detail, in writing, what you can expect from us and how much you can expect to pay. Additionally, you have a right to cancel contracts within three days if you signed one based on a contractor’s visit to your home. Without a contract in place, you do not have the assurances you need.

18 Nov
Lightning Contractor LLC

How to Prepare Your Metal Roof for Winter

There are some steps you can take to keep Old Man Winter out of your home: Start Early You should start by keeping your roof and gutters clear of debris year round to ensure proper drainage. An inspection for condensation and leakage inside your attic in the fall gives you time for needed repairs before the snow comes. Don’t Let Snow Pile Up Many of the problems listed above are caused or exacerbated by snow accumulation. A snow rake is a must. If you’re not comfortable getting up on your roof (it’s not for the inexperienced or faint of heart), hire a roofing professional. Install Snow Guards or Stops Many metal roofs come with these installed, and you’ve probably seen them. These small projections on the roof help ensure that snow doesn’t melt and come off your roof all at once.

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