Protect Your Home From Ice Dams

Glacial Problems?

If you’re a homeowner, chances are you know how damaging winter ice dams can be to your roof. Melting water becomes trapped beneath roofing shingles, and eventually, drip, drip, drip! Not good. Caused by melting snow on the warmer, higher areas of your roof, which then refreezes when it reaches the cooler edges of the roof, it creating a dam that continues to trap more melting water. But don’t despair. As a homeowner, there are important steps you can take to help protect your home from ice dams.

PROPER INSULATION

• Floor Insulation - When warm air from inside your home enters the attic, it can make the roof warm enough to cause the formation of ice upon your roof. Adequate insulation helps to prevent this issue, particularly on the attic floor. If your home is older, chances are good that its insulation is insufficient.

• Air Leaks - Air leaks are another frequent contributor to this issue. All air leaks leading to the attic must be discovered and thoroughly sealed in order to prevent ice dams.

ADEQUATE ATTIC VENTILATION

• Does your roof have soffit vents? If so, great! If not, you will need gable vents (or possibly roof vents) installed to allow cold air to enter your attic during winter months. Gas furnace in your attic? Be certain the furnace is professionally insulated, to eliminate the risk of heat from unit operation entering the space.

PREVENTION PRODUCTS

• Heating Cables - Install at the eaves of your roof and turn them on during and after a snowstorm to melt away pesky ice buildup at the edges of your roof.

• Snow Rakes - Use to push up and clear off the snow on your roof, in order to help you stop ice dams from forming.

METAL ROOFING

• Designed with a special finish to shed snow and ice in the winter, installing a metal roof (in conjunction with necessary insulation and ventilation) is a terrific way to fight ice dam formation.

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Contact Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal

When you need a professional Nashville commercial or residential roofer you can rely on to help you prepare your roof for winter, Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has the experience and know-how to get the job done. Remember, at Mike Ragan Roofing, estimates are always free, and financing is available. For all of your Greater Nashville roofing and gutter needs, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445.

For special offers and updates from

Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal,  click HERE.

9 Reasons to Love Copper Roofing

Crowning Jewelry

When first applied, copper looks like crowning jewelry adorning your home. Over time it ages to a beautiful, rich-looking patina, as seen gracing the tops of many of the world’s most historic buildings. At Mike Ragan Roofing, we love installing architectural copper roofing. It’s one of our specialties. Wondering what makes copper so special as a roofing material? Check out these 9 Reasons to Love Copper Roofing, and see if you don’t agree.

1. Increase Curb Appeal & Property Value - copper roofing is very attractive to buyers for its aesthetic appeal as well as the value it adds to a home.

2. Pays for Itself - while more costly to install initially, the durability & longevity of copper  quickly pay for itself in value over the years.

3. Permanent Roofing - a properly installed copper roof can last centuries!

4. Stunning Beauty - neat, tailored look with colorful, artistic-looking patina.

5. Stands Up to the Elements - stands strong against high winds, heavy snow storms and abundant rains; is inflammable and adds excellent flood protection.

6. Light Weight Easier on Structural Support - lighter roof means fewer supports which adds up to savings on materials; also makes it an ideal choice for regions with heavy snowfall (less risk of roof collapse).

7. Eco-Friendly, Green Building Material - among the top green building materials. One of the most recycled structural metals, copper roofs average 75% recycled content.

8. Premium Material Retains Value - quality copper scrap retains 95% of newly mined value.

9. Maintenance-Free - does not need coating, finishing, re-painting or refinishing. Copper will not rust or corrode.

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Contact Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal

When you need a professional Nashville commercial or residential roofer you can rely on, Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has the experience and know-how to get the job done right the first time. At Mike Ragan Roofing, estimates are always free, and financing is available. For all of your Greater Nashville copper roofing and gutter needs, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445.

For special offers and updates from

Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal,  click HERE.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

Metal's Vast Superiority

You’ve probably heard about metal roofing, and it’s vast superiority to most other varieties of roofing materials. But you may not be familiar with a particular type of metal roofing system that’s actually quite popular: standing seam metal roofing. It wasn’t long ago that standing seam roofs were almost exclusively relegated to  commercial buildings, with only a handful of high ticket, “haute architecture” residential buildings privileged enough to be dressed in the graphically striking metal roof. Boy, have things changed.

Neatly Tailored Appearance

If you’ve noticed houses in your neighborhood clad in metal roofs, it’s more likely than not that they are made with the standing seam metal application. They’re almost impossible to miss, with their neatly tailored appearance, bearing a series of equidistant vertical ridges running from the crest of each panel down to the eaves.

Seams Fastened Above the Roof Deck

In a standing seam system, seams between the panels are connected by fasteners above the the level of the roofing, hence the name, “standing seam” - as opposed to the more commonly found “flush-mount” of other roofing systems. And that’s just the beginning of the differences. While standing seam metal roofs are among the costlier options in contemporary roofing, many homeowners happily select standing seams as their roofing system of choice due to their incredible strength and longevity.

Many Benefits

In addition to their admirable durability, the standing seam roof far outranks more traditional roofing materials by the very nature of its design, whereby the seams, the most vulnerable point in any style of roof system, are elevated above the roof deck. Additionally, there are fewer seams in a standing seam system, and no horizontal seams whatsoever. Because they can be painted with the lighter colors that reduce heat gain, a standing seam roof is also considered a “cool roof” by the EPA.

Professional Installers in Short Supply

One of the few downsides of the standing seam roof? Finding a professional roofing contractor experienced in performing quality standing seam metal installations. Fortunately, when it comes to standing seam metal roofing systems for residential or commercial structures, Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has all the knowledge and experience you need to get the job done right. With a reputation for excellence and reliability, you can count on Mike Ragan Roofing.

Contact Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal

Thinking of making a smart investment in standing seam metal roofing installation on your Nashville home or commercial property?, Remember, at Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal, estimates are always free, and financing is available. For all of your Greater Nashville roofing and gutter needs, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445.

For special offers and updates from

Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal,  click HERE.

Metal Roofing Can Weather the Elements

Nashville Metal Roofing

You’ve probably heard it before: your home is only as sound as its roof. That’s why metal roofing is such a terrific choice. Among its many benefits is the tremendous durability of metal, with the ability to withstand the harsh elements of nature, including rain, hail, ice, snow, winds, and thunderstorms.

Strong Winds

Your Nashville metal roofing system does a superb job of standing up to strong winds. In fact, when it comes to the severe winds that are often so punishing for roofs, metal is one of the best choices you can make. Did you know that a metal roof in good condition is able to withstand winds equivalent to an F5 tornado, up to 150 mph? That’s pretty impressive if you ask us.

Hail

When we think of metal in association with hail, we can tend to think of it as being somewhat vulnerable, considering what it can do to our vehicles. Although metal will sometimes exhibit light impressions from the impact of hail, it is far more resistant than either asphalt or fiberglass. In fact, metal roofs have the highest hail rating granted by the insurance industry.  

Rain, Ice, Snow

Easy math says that metal + water = rust, right? Not so when it comes to Nashville metal roofing material.

Modern metal roofing material is coated with a zinc and aluminum formulation to render it corrosion free for many, many years. That makes metal roofing a superior choice that stands up powerfully to water elements such as rain, ice, snow, and condensation.

           

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Contact Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal

When you need a professional Nashville commercial or residential roofer you can rely on, Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has the experience and know-how to get the job done right the first time. At Mike Ragan Roofing, estimates are always free, and financing is available. For all of your Greater Nashville roofing and gutter needs, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445.

For special offers and updates from

Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal,  click HERE.

The Breakdown: Your Fall Roof Inspection

Time for Your Fall Roof Inspection

Your fall roof inspection needs to be detailed and thorough. Anything less can’t guarantee to help keep your loved ones and your valuable property protected throughout the punishing winter weather ahead. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you should expect in your fall roof inspection.

GET READY

• For best results, have the file containing your roof documents and data regarding repairs handy for your roof inspection pros to review. That will give your team the best possible foundation to anchor their findings upon.

THE PHYSICAL INSPECTION:

• SURFACE REVIEW

A physical inspection of the roof’s surface, making note of areas with previous water ponding and surface deterioration, new shaling ballast, amount of dirt and debris, membrane and sealant condition.

• SEAL CONDITION

The seal condition between the roofline and walls, typically a weaker area more vulnerable to leaks.

• FLASHING, SCUPPERS, STRAINERS, PARAPETS

Flashing, as well as the other three when in existence, are common places for compromised seals to occur leading to roof leaks.

• GUTTERS

Gutter failure can quickly lead to foundation or exterior siding and trim damage.

PREMATURE WEAR

• Are any areas wearing prematurely, and if so, why?

DAMAGE BY INSTALLERS

• This is a key service to the homeowner. It is not uncommon for service professionals and installers to inadvertently cause damage a rooftop. Most often, they are either not aware of the level of damage their work has caused, or have not appropriately informed the homeowner of the damage and the proper chain of liability. A common example of this is roof damage and leaks caused by poorly installed rooftop air conditioning units. Repair for this type of damage can be extensive and costly. That’s why the discovery of this in an inspection has the potential to save the homeowner thousands and thousands of dollars.

CLEANING & DEBRIS REMOVAL

• The inspector will assess the need for roof and gutter cleaning and debris removal.

PREVIOUS STORM DAMAGE

• Locate previous storm damage caused by hail, blown debris or wind uplift.

FULL LEAK & DRAINAGE ASSESSMENT

• Inspector will review entire roof thoroughly for any and all leaks, as well as review frequent points of drainage trouble. All issues are noted.

SECURITY RISKS

• Unlocked or insecure access points, such as hatches and skylights are noted.

WARRANTY REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

• A thorough review of findings will be documented, and needs for warranty repairs and maintenance will be noted along with professional recommendations.

AFTER THE INSPECTION

You will likely have some decisions to make. A new or well-maintained roof in excellent condition may need no additional service beyond roof cleaning and debris removal. If you discover you need roof repairs or restoration, it is possible that there are a number of different approaches you may take based upon things like budget and age of the roof. Your Nashville roof inspector will explain these options to you in detail, giving you their best professional opinion on each. This is an ideal time to schedule any needed repairs, as harsh winter weather will soon be upon us.

Have more questions? Mike Ragan Roofing has answers!

For all your Greater Nashville roofing inspection, repair, and restoration, the team at Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has the knowledge, experience and dependability you need. Whether  your needs are Nashville commercial or residential roofing, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445. We look forward to serving you!

For special offers and updates from

Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal,  click HERE.

What to Look for in a Commercial Roofing Contractor

Finding the right Nashville commercial roofer for the job.

When you’re looking for a Middle Tennessee professional commercial roofing contractor for your commercial roofing installation or replacement, it’s important you find the right Nashville commercial roofing contractor for the job. Your commercial building roof is a primary asset. A poorly constructed roof or the use of inferior materials can lead to major losses.

At Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal, we want you to feel confident, knowing you have found the Nashville commercial roofing contractor that’s right for your project. The key is knowing which questions to ask. That’s why we’ve put together a shorthand list of questions to guide you in your search. Take some time to review them. When you’re done, you’ll be well prepared to find the best pro commercial roofer for your needs.

Q. ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

• Consider the intended use of the property. Will the roof:
• Be WEIGHT-BEARING?
• Bear FOOT TRAFFIC?
• Is AESTHETIC APPEAL vs. SIMPLY FUNCTIONALITY desired?
• Is CLEANING/MAINTENANCE desired?
• Are WALKWAYS for service wanted?
• Property to be held by the owner or prepared for resale?
• Special climate considerations?
• Special applications desired (ex: cool roof coating or insulation)?
• Local building code and commercial roof installation specifications
• Budget & funds availability?
• Preferred start date?
• Project deadline?

Q. ABOUT YOUR CONTRACTOR

• Licensed and insured?
• Length in business locally and reputation?
• Level of expertise in commercial roofing?
• Similar roofing projects?
• How well have they performed over time?
• Knowledgeable in the latest technology for commercial roofs?
• Are they manufacturer certified to install your specific type of roofing for this project?

• Warranties
• Warranty on labor (generally 1-5 years)?
• Warranty on materials (generally 10-30 years)?
• Any additional manufacturer warranty?
• What does each warranty include?
• What is excluded in each warranty?
• What conditions lead to warranty nullification?
• Set dollar amount for future roof repair or no dollar limit (NDL)?
• The Quote
• Does it include regular inspection and maintenance?
• If yes, does “maintenance” include (Ex: snow removal)?
• Will the materials warranty be voided if regular inspections are missed?
• If not included, what is the cost estimate for maintenance & repairs?
• Can any repair or maintenance be done by property holder’s people without voiding contractor’s warranty?

More questions? Mike Ragan Roofing has answers!

When you need professional commercial roofing, the team at Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal has all the knowledge, experience and dependability you need. For all of your Greater Nashville commercial roofing needs, call  Mike Ragan and crew at (615) 274-9445. We look forward to serving you!

For special offers and updates from

Mike Ragan Roofing & Sheet Metal,  click HERE.