FAQs

Month: December 2021

“WHAT IS FELT PAPER?”
Felt paper is a rolled petroleum-based material designed to act as a moisture barrier between your roof and decking to prevent damage to your decking and shingles from excessive moisture.

“WHAT IS DRIP EDGE, AND RAKE EDGE?”
Drip edge is used on the eves’ edges, and rakes of your roof to let the water shed either into your gutters or of the side of your roof without letting it run directly on the siding. There is a ½ inch extension on the metal to let the water drip off of it as opposed to running down it.

Rake edge is used primarily on roof overs that have pre-existing drip edge installed the rake edge looks like the letter “l” and it helps to prevent the new roof from being installed to not extending too fast into the gutters to keep them working properly. On the eves it helps cosmetically to stop the roof from protruding out too much and looking like an extension.

“WHAT IS AN ICE GUARD”
Ice guard is a product designed to prevent ice that forms in the winter on the eves’ edges from penetrating onto the decking underneath the shingles, causing wood rot.

“WHAT IS STEP FLASHING”
Step flashing is an aluminum metal that is used to stop water from either getting behind siding or into chimneys and leaking into houses.

“WHAT IS COUNTER FLASHING”
Counter flashing is the metal that goes over the step flashing on either your chimney or bricked walls where the shingles meet the metal. It is installed into the mortar joint or actual brick itself and eliminates the water from getting behind the step flashing.

“WHAT IS A BOX VENT”
A box vent is a vent that is installed over a 6’x6” hole that is either pre-cut in your roof or needs to be cut in your roof near the peak. This helps the flow of air from your soffit vents to the peak of your roof. And helps prevent damage to your roof.

“WHAT IS A RIDGE VENT”
A ridge vent is a product that helps air escape from the peak of your roof. It is installed over a 2” swath that is cut on both sides of your ridgeline from gable end to gable end. This allows air to flow from your soffit vents to your ridge vents.

“WHAT IS WOOD SHAKE”
Wood shake is one of the original roofs installed in the early 50’s it was a treated wood shim shingle usually 3”-6” wide and 10”-18” long it was installed over space sheeting this was done to prevent the contractors from having to sheet the entire roof.

“WHAT IS LINING VALLEYS?”
We line the valleys of your home with an ice guard to prevent any water or moisture from penetrating the decking.

“WHAT IS A RIDGE CAP?”
A ridge cap is a specially cut shingle installed over the ridge of your home to prevent water from getting under the shingles nailed to your roof.

“WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DIMENSIONAL SHINGLE AND A 3 IN 1 TAB SHINGLE?”
A dimensional shingle is a solid one-piece shingle that has two no crotch lines or cut in the field of the shingle. A 3 in 1 tab is a shingle that has 3 tabs that are separated by a cut line to give it a tabbed effect.

“WHAT IS A SOIL PIPE COVER”
A soil pipe cove is a cover that goes over the plumbing pipe that penetrates your roof to vent the dangerous gasses from staying in your home the cover is usually 3”-4” in size and made of aluminum and has a rubber collar to make a watertight seal around the actual pipe.

“WHAT IS ICE DAMMING?”
An ice dam is the process of ice forming on the edges of a roof, preventing melting snow and ice from draining off a roof. The water that backs up behind the dam eventually can leak into the home and cause damage to insulation, ceilings, walls, and other areas of your home if not caught in time. Ice Dams are the result of poor insulation or aging roofs. The ice dam will grow as it is “fed” by the ongoing melting snow above it. If an ice dam forms it is important to remove the ice and snow from the roof as soon as possible, so there is minimal damage if any at all.


Shingle Roof Maintenance

Month: December 2021

An Important Part Of Maximum Roof Life:

Shingle maintenance should be performed by an experienced contractor to ensure that your roof lasts as long as it should. There are a number of factors to consider such as damage by tree branches, wind, and hail.

Call Us For An Inspection:

We will look over your entire roof and devise a plan to maintain it in an economical way that makes sense for your needs. Paying special attention to the areas we know to fail prematurely gives us an advantage when designing a maintenance plan for your roof.

Popped Nails:

Occasionally, due to many factors, nails will back out of the decking below and puncture the shingles above. As water flows down the roof in a rainstorm, this leaves an opening that allows water to infiltrate the roof and run into your building. Regular roof maintenance can address these issues prior to a leak occurring and will prevent further damage to the decking, insulation, and sheetrock below.

Re-Sealing Penetrations:

The most common location for leaks on a shingle roof system is the penetrations. These are the vents and jacks that penetrate the shingle roof, but can also be things like ridge vents and skylights. During our inspection, we will be looking at these items very closely to ensure that the sealants have not broken down past the point of functioning and will recommend any necessary sealant repairs.


Roof Care & Maintenance

Month: December 2021

Home Roof Maintenance And Care Tips For Keeping Your Roof Healthy:

To minimize roof-related issues, as a professional roofing contractor we recommend you inspect your roof components at least once per year. Examine the roof covering and assure its integrity. Is the flashing working and preventing water seepage? Is your roof’s drainage system designed well and free of debris so it carries water away from your home effectively? Look in your attic area for warped rafters, water damage or other signs of trouble. 4 Guys & A Roof can assist with your roof analysis when in doubt and help you decide if a roof repair and roof replacement are needed.


ROOF MAINTENANCE TIP #1 – KEEP WATER OFF OF YOUR ROOF
In order to maintain the integrity of your roof we recommend at least twice per year clean leaves, small branches, and other debris from gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions to assure water is properly moved away from your roof and your home. Look for sagging gutters or otherwise damaged drain components and repair or replace them as needed to keep the drainage of your home system functioning properly.

ROOF MAINTENANCE TIP #2 – QUALITY MATERIALS ARE ESSENTIAL
With a roof, don’t be too cost conscience…it’s better to pay more for materials and quality workmanship. In the long run, you’ll save money and have fewer headaches from water damage and associated long-term roof repair costs.

ROOF MAINTENANCE TIP #3 – PROPER VENTILATION WILL EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR ROOF
Ventilation is the most critical factor in roof durability. Without ventilation in your roof, heat and moisture can cause rafters and sheathing to rot, shingles to buckle, and insulation to lose energy efficiency and overall effectiveness. Attic ventilation also increases the roofing material life span, reduces energy consumption – which saves you money, and enhances the comfort level of the rooms below the attic throughout all the seasons.

ROOF MAINTENANCE TIP #4 – INSULATION IS ALSO KEY
Another key component in proper attic ventilation is insulation. The ideal attic has a gap-free layer of insulation on the attic floor to protect the rooms below from heat gain or loss, and a vapor retarder under the insulation and next to the ceiling to stop moisture from rising into the attic which can cause ice damming in the winter. It is also important to have a good amount of open, vented spaces to allow air to pass freely with at least one inch between the insulation and the roof sheathing.


Media Center

Month: December 2021


Warranty Information

Month: December 2021

Our Personal Warranty

At 4 Guys & A Roof, we stand behind all our workmanship and offer a warranty on all work performed on your home in addition to the one Owens Corning offers for all materials.

Our roofing craftsmanship is second to none in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, however, if something should require attention whether it’s one day after 4 Guys & A Roof leaves the job site or some time much later, we will be there (often times within 24 hours) to assess the situation and make the necessary repair.

At 4 Guys & A Roof, our goal on every job is to have it done right the first time, repairs are usually unnecessary and when they are, it’s an easy fix. Either way, if you choose 4 Guys & A Roof for your roofing replacement or repair, you can rest easy with the confidence your home will benefit for several years to come.

Reasons to Choose 4 Guys & A Roof – an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Roofing Contractor –
for Your Next Replacement Roof or Roofing Repair!

  • Free Roofing Estimate
  • Owner Operated – We always get the job done on time and on-budget
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed on all Roofing Jobs
  • Experience in Roofing Installation and Roof Repairs You Can Trust
  • Providing Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan with Superior Roofing Services Since 1998
  • Workmanship and Roofing Products Guaranteed
  • Over 200+ A Rating Reviews on Angie’s List – And Growing Every Day
  • Member AND Board Member of the Professional Remodelers Organization (PRO)
  • Accreditated BBB Member with A+ Rating – Check our BBB rating now!