Residential FAQ

Homeowners should weigh several factors when deciding if their roof should be replaced.  Considerations include age, quality of workmanship, conditions of flashings, and the integrity of the roofing materials.  Repairs to existing roof systems can be made in many cases but those costs may not be recouped when the roof is replaced down the road.  A roofing professional with design experience can advise a homeowner as to when a roof has reached the end of its service life.  

Homeowners that are experiencing active leaks should get their roof inspected as soon as possible.  When roof issues are not addressed promptly, additional damage to the roof sheathing and other building components is likely to occur.  Roofing systems that are not experiencing active leaks may still need to be repaired.  Preventative maintenance should be performed on roofing materials, gutters and downspouts, and any flashings.  Exposed metals should be painted to prevent corrosion.   Roof systems should be inspected annually to determine what repairs and maintenance are required. 

The cost of a new residential asphalt shingle roof system can range anywhere from $2.30 per square foot to as much as $4.50 per square foot. The most important components that affect the cost include the number of layers, roof pitch, amount of flashings, number of roof penetrations, roof height, and access to remove debris.

Roof repairs can cost anywhere from $175 to several thousand dollars. For safety reasons, industry professionals do not recommend that roofing repairs are completed by a single technician. At least two roofing professionals should be onsite to complete a roof repair.

Homeowners should take the time to look at the roofing company’s track record.  An easy way to do this is to read their online reviews.   A reputable contractor will have several reviews available to the public on websites such as Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau, and search engines including Google.  It’s also important to review how long a contractor has been in business and if they have a physical location that is open to the public. 

Residential roof systems that are properly manufactured, designed, and installed will last beyond 30 years.  When consumers are purchasing something that lasts for such a long period of time, its important to consider the types of materials and installation methods that are specified and determine the yearly cost.  Something that appears a little less expensive upfront can actually cost a lot of money in the long run.  For the most part, flashings should not be reused from a previous roof system as they probably will not last as long as the newly installed roofing materials. 

A roofing crew with a knowledgeable foreman can typically install around 2000 sq feet of roofing materials in a day.  Depending on the size and complexity of the project, most roofing systems can be installed in a couple of days.   

Most roofing systems can be installed year-round.  It is important to follow the manufacturer installation instructions, especially if a roof is installed during cold weather.  Asphalt shingle roof systems rely on sunlight to activate the adhesive strips that hold the shingles together after installation.   

Deer Park Roofing, Inc. performs a wide range of chimney repairs including chimney flashing replacement, tuck pointing, masonry repairs, mortar chimney crown replacement, chase chimney covers, chimney flue caps, and chimney rebuilding.

Gutter apron is a type of flashing that incorporates a drip edge to prevent water draining off your roof system onto your fascia boards. It also eliminates the gap between the roof sheathing and the fascia boards which prevents insects and small animals from entering your attic space. Building codes require gutter apron to be installed on a new roof system.

Wind uplift pressures are greatest at the eaves and rakes of your house. For this reason, specially designed starter courses are installed to adhere to your shingles in these areas. Starter courses also prevent water infiltration along the side laps of the first course of shingles.

Ice and water membranes are manufactured from modified asphalt which seal around any nails that penetrate it. The membrane is adhered directly to the roof deck and extends beyond the interior walls to prevent water infiltration caused from ice dams. Ice and water membranes are also installed in other vulnerable areas such as around skylights, chimneys, and in valleys. Building codes require the installation of ice and water shield when a new roof system is installed.

Thermal expansion in the roof structure and sheathing due to poor or improper ventilation, along with improper nail placement and depth, can cause a roofing nail to back out. This can lead to shingle tabs being lifted or the nail piercing a hole directly through the shingle. Excessive foot traffic can also cause nail pops.

Asphalt saturated felt paper is a proven underlayment and is recommended over synthetic products on most residential roof systems. Synthetic underlayments vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer as no ASTM standard for these (new) products currently exists. Most synthetic underlayment is impermeable and much thinner than Number 30 felt paper. When impermeable underlayment is used in a roof system, there is no room for error in the ventilation system.

Asphalt roofing felt is required by building codes. It is a breathable underlayment that serves as a secondary protection from water infiltration after your roof system is installed. It also provides temporary moisture protection while your roof is being installed and is a required component to achieve a Class A fire rating. Number 30 felt paper is recommended by Deer Park Roofing, Inc. as it is twice as thick as Number 15 felt paper.

Tearing off your existing roof system and starting from scratch is recommended over simply installing a second layer. Tearing off the old roof system down to the roof sheathing will enable the new roof system to be installed in compliance with current building code, reduce the load on the roof trusses, allow installers to replace any damaged wood, and reduce the number of fasteners penetrating the roof sheathing.

Failures near plumbing stacks often cause roof leaks. The market is saturated with inexpensive neoprene flashings that are susceptible to failures from UV degradation in as little as 5 years. To prevent leaks and ensure durability, a primary neoprene pipe flashing should be installed per manufacturers’ specifications and a secondary rain collar should be installed to prevent deterioration of the primary flashing.

Flashing from and old roof system should not be reused when a new roof system is installed. New flashings should always be installed regardless of the difficulty or challenges it may present. If the flashings are not replaced on your roof, the new roof is unlikely to remain watertight for the lifespan of the shingles. Homeowners should beware of contractors who propose to ‘replace flashings as needed’ as this often means they will not be replaced or covered under warranty.

Counter flashing replacement is a detailed process that requires the removal of the old counter flashings and mortar joints of the masonry walls. New counter flashings should be custom fabricated by a sheet metal professional and extended into the mortar. All vertical seams on the flashings are soldered and the masonry joints are tuck-pointed using mortar mix. Step flashings are then installed beneath the counter flashings.

Base flashing is an L-shaped piece of metal that is installed behind a headwall and over the shingles or other roofing material. New base flashings should be installed when a roof is replaced regardless of the difficulty or challenges it may present. If the flashings are not replaced on your roof, the new roof is unlikely to remain watertight for the lifespan of the roofing material. It is important that all seams are soldered to eliminate water infiltration.

Deer Park Roofing, Inc. is a regional roofing contractor with customers located in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Louisville.

Deer Park Roofing, Inc. offers both in house financing and financing with our 3rd party vendors.

Step flashings are L-shaped pieces of metal that are installed under your new shingles and behind your siding or counter flashings. Step flashings are a minimum of 2 inches greater than the exposure of the shingles or other roofing material.

Installing a new roof usually takes a few days. Shingle replacement is relatively easy and can be completed at a rate of 1500 square feet per day. Flashing replacement requires more skill and craftsmanship than shingle installation and adds time to the completion of the new roof system.

The Deer Park Roofing, Inc. workmanship warranty is transferrable (one time) if you sell your home. The workmanship warranty should be transferred to the new owner prior to closing by calling our office and filling out the appropriate form. Manufacturer warranties are also transferable. Please call our office for further assistance.

Damaged box gutters are very difficult, if not impossible, to repair. Coatings and sealants are usually ineffective and should be considered temporary solutions only. Replacing the metal liner is the best long term option.

Algae on shingles causes discoloration to asphalt shingle roofs. Algae resistant shingles use copper granules to prevent vegetative growth on the roof system for up to 10 years. Algae can be cleaned off a roof but it usually reappears within 6-12 months.

A cricket is a high point intentionally placed between a chimney and the downward roof slope to divert water to either side of the chimney and promote drainage. A cricket is typically framed from wood and is required on any chimney that is wider than 24 inches and is located below the ridge line of a roof system.

From the looks of these actual customer reviews, the best roofing company in Cincinnati is Deer Park Roofing. The following comments were posted on Google Reviews:

Tyler M.

Gutters look great!! And for once I didn’t have to clean up behind a contractor! Very professional.

Tony B

The work was completed quickly and efficiently. It looks great!

Stockton W

Deer Park communicates very well. They know their business. Made some small repairs in lieu of a more costly replacement of gutters and installed leave guards as requested. Jack Reeves, Jayson, Doug and JJ were all excellent. Would use again.

Chuck J

Company representative and repair crew both worked to assure I was completely satisfied with the worked performed on roof and chimney.

From the looks of these actual customer reviews, the best roofing company in Northern Kentucky is Deer Park Roofing. The following comments were posted in Google Reviews:

Sean F

I have been using Deer Park Roofing for my commercial properties for the last 2 months and they have become my new permanent roof contractor. They are quick to respond and set up a time (depending on the weather elements outside) to come out and fix the issues. They found multiple problems that our previous roofing contractor could (A) not fix after several attempts or (B) simple just missed. They provide before and after pictures of the repairs. I appreciate DPR and will continue using them in the future!

Jackson S

New roof installed in 2 days and looks great. Roofers worked exceptionally fast and hard. Thank you to Scott, Jeff, and Jacob.

Sam I

These guys fixed what others couldn’t, but said they would. Wish I had called Deer Park first.

James D

Very Professional! Thanks for everything!

From the looks of these actual customer reviews, the best roofing company in Louisville is Deer Park Roofing. The following comments were posted in Google Reviews:

Jane H

I called Deer Park Roofing and another local roofing company for two estimates for a roof repair and gutter toppers for 3 of my gutters. Scott came out and immediately found the hole where water has been coming in, which over time had stained my living room ceiling and a bit of the wall. Since my roof at the back of the house is attached to the house next door, it can be tricky, and was decided the problem is not from my neighbor’s roof. The second company came out two days later for an estimate. They wanted an entire structural redo of that area of both roofs (I had been warned they might do this!), at $2600 total, including the gutter toppers. Scott had deemed it as an easy repair job, and along with the gutters, the estimate came in at $825. With expected rains later in the week, I was so happy to see the crew on my doorstep the day before the expected rains, and they finished the job in an efficient and timely manner. Thanks so much Deer Park!

Emma B

Scott was on time and very professional while working on our roof. Definitely would recommend to others.

Ellen G

This company was great! We had an issue with one of the larger companies in Louisville and we called Deer Park to fix it. They were extremely responsive and got us a quote the same day they came out for an estimate. They worked with us to figure out the best solution that also worked for our budget. We’re extremely satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who’s looking for fast, friendly service done right. Thanks, Deer Park!

Penny P

This company was recommended to me by a family member. Mike Zieverink has been very prompt and communicated well with me in getting this roof repaired initially and then replaced. They were fast and courteous. The finish job is beautiful. I highly recommend this company.