Casey Nelson Exteriors Roofing System
Casey Nelson Exteriors takes pride on our top of the line installation and products. Casey Nelson Exteriors replaces roofs in Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding areas. Roofs are one of the most important parts of your home. That is why we use only the best products available. Our superior roofing systems will ensure protection and beauty for years to come, backed with the industry’s leading warranty protection.
- Protection: Our laminated architectural roofing system provides the best protection from the weather, due to its double rain seals, nailing zone area over three times larger than standard laminated shingles, and superior asphalt granule adhesion.
- Rugged Durability: Our revolutionary shingle technology used begins with a durable base layer of fiberglass matting, then is coated with either quality asphalt which provides long term protection, or a modified rubber asphalt which increases tensile strength and flexibility, protecting your long term investment.
- Increased Value & Curb Appeal: A new roofing system by Casey Nelson exteriors includes the Scotchgard Protector, preventing that unattractive staining and algae growth, which will ruin the aesthetic beauty and potentially reduce the value of your investment.
Let Casey Nelson Exteriors help keep your roof looking like the day it was installed 20 years later! Casey Nelson Exteriors is proud to offer Malarkey and IKO roofing products for our customers in the Lincoln and Omaha areas.
Ventilation and Insulation are Key – Part I
Proper ventilation is one of the most critical factors in roof system durability. Without it, heat and moisture build up in an attic area and combine to cause rafters and sheathing to rot, shingles to buckle, and insulation to lose its effectiveness.
It is important never to block off sources of roof ventilation, such as louvers, ridge vents or soffit vents, even in winter. Proper attic ventilation will help prevent structural damage caused by moisture, increase roofing material life, reduce energy consumption and enhance the comfort level of the rooms below the attic.
In addition to the free flow of air, insulation plays a key role in proper attic ventilation. An ideal attic has:
- A gap-free layer of insulation on the attic floor to protect the house below from heat gain or loss
- A vapor retarder under the insulation and next to the ceiling to stop moisture from rising into the attic
- Enough open, vented spaces to allow air to pass in and out freely.
- A minimum of 1 inch between the insulation and roof sheathing.
The requirements for proper attic ventilation may vary greatly, depending on the part of the United States in which a home or building is located, as well as the structure’s conditions, such as exposure to the sun, shade, and atmospheric humidity. Nevertheless, the general ventilation formula is based on the length and width of the attic. NRCA recommends a minimum of 1 square foot of free vent area for each 150 square feet of attic floor—with vents placed proportionately at the eaves (e.g., soffits) and at or near the ridge.
Even Roofs have Enemies – Roofing Part II
A roof system’s performance is affected by numerous factors. Knowing about the following will help you make informed roof system buying decisions:
- Sun:Heat and ultraviolet rays cause roofing materials to deteriorate over time. Deterioration can occur faster on the sides facing west or south.
- Rain:When water gets underneath shingles, shakes, or other roofing materials, it can work its way to the roof deck and cause the roof structure to rot. Extra moisture encourages mildew and rot elsewhere in a house, including walls, ceilings, insulation, and electrical systems.
- Wind:High winds can lift shingles’ edges (or other roofing materials) and force water and debris underneath them. Extremely high winds can cause extensive damage.
- Snow and Ice:Melting snow often refreezes at a roof’s overhang where the surface is cooler, forming an ice dam. This blocks proper drainage into the gutter. Water backs up under the shingles (or other roofing materials) and seeps into the interior. During the early melt stages, gutters and downspouts can be the first to fill with ice and be damaged beyond repair or even torn off a house or building.
- Condensation:Condensation can result from the buildup of relatively warm, moisture-laden air. Moisture in a poorly ventilated attic promotes decay of wood sheathing and rafters, possibly destroying a roof structure. Sufficient attic ventilation can be achieved by installing larger or additional vents and will help alleviate problems because the attic air temperature will be closer to the outside air temperature.
- Moss and Algae:Moss can grow on moist wood shingles and shakes. Once it grows, moss holds even more moisture to a roof system’s surface, causing rot. In addition, moss roots also can work their way into a wood deck and structure. Algae also grow in damp, shaded areas on wood or asphalt shingle roof systems. Besides creating a black-green stain, algae can retain moisture, causing rot and deterioration. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from homes and buildings to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage.
- Trees and Leaves:Tree branches touching a roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials when the branches are blown by the wind. Falling branches from overhanging trees can damage, or even puncture, shingles and other roofing materials. Leaves on a roof system’s surface retain moisture and cause rot, and leaves in the gutters block drainage.
- Missing or Torn Shingles:The key to a roof system’s effectiveness is complete protection. When shingles are missing or torn off, a roof structure and home or building interior are vulnerable to water damage and rot. The problem is likely to spread-nearby shingles also are ripped easily or blown away. Missing or torn shingles should be replaced as soon as possible.
- Shingle Deterioration:When shingles are old and worn out, they curl, split, and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. Weakened shingles easily are blown off, torn, or lifted by wind gusts. The end result is structural rot and interior damage. A deteriorated roof system only gets worse with time-it should be replaced as soon as possible.
- Flashing Deterioration:Many apparent roof leaks really are flashing leaks. Without good, tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and wall/roof junctions, water can enter a home or building and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems. Flashings should be checked as part of a biannual roof inspection and gutter cleaning.