Larson Valley Construction

Residential Roofing

Residential Roofing Wisconsin

One of the most important components of your home is your roof which is why it’s so important to make sure that your roofing system is not compromised. At Larson Valley Construction, we have over 60 years of residential roofing experience and our trained expert team members are available to help ensure that everything and everyone in your home are safe, dry, and protected.

Larson Valley Construction is located in Spring Valley, WI, and offers residential roofing services to customers in Hudson, Ellsworth, New Richmond, Menomonie, Baldwin, and surrounding areas in western Wisconsin.

Types of Residential Roofing

Shingle Roofing

Shingle roofing is the most affordable and most common roofing material used for residential homes and is the best method to use to protect your home from water damage. Shingle roofing is typically the only material that any contractor will be able to provide solid guarantees against leaking and strong manufacturer warranties that guarantee the material will hold up over time.

Cedar/Wood Shakes

Cedar Shakes are typically considered to be an older method for roofing that is not commonly used for new construction but is still used by some because of the beautiful appearance it can give a home. Older homes will sometimes still have cedar shakes under their shingle roof which typically also means that when the roof needs to be replaced, the shakes have to be removed and new plywood decking will also need to be installed to bring the roof decking up to code. The cost of cedar shakes is commonly 2-3 times the cost of a shingle roof.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

One of the most expensive roofing options at 2-4 times the cost of a shingle roof, standing seam metal roofing is installed as a series of overlapping metal panels that are locked together and screwed down underneath the overlap. It allows for expansion and contraction with temperature fluctuation while also reducing chances of water leaking through the screw holes. One of the main benefits of a standing seam metal roof is the energy savings it can provide to homeowners who live in very hot climates and run their air conditioners nearly year round. Beyond that, the other benefits to metal include the appearance for some homeowners and the idea that it will last longer than other roofing types. However, the lifetime of a standing seam metal roof is generally about the same as that of a shingle roof and the manufacturers of metal roofing typically do not offer warranties on the material and contractors generally do not offer any type of workmanship warranty either. Metal roofing tends to be a roofing material that contractors cannot guarantee against leaking as this method has a high likelihood of leaking and/or moisture getting inside the roofing system at some point in the life of the roof. This is especially true in colder climates where frost and condensation on the screw tips and even condensation on the bottom side of the metal results in water getting into your attic and home on a regular basis which can lead to damage from moisture.

Exposed Fastener Metal Roofing (NOT RECOMMENDED)

Exposed fastener or corrugated metal roofing consists of a series of metal panels that overlap and then are screwed down through both layers with a rubber washer to help prevent water leaking through the screw holes. This type of roofing is NOT RECOMMENDED for residential use and is almost guaranteed to leak at some point and can happen even within the first 5 years of installation. The main problem with this roofing is that the screws go through both layers of metal and the rubber washers breakdown from the elements and start to crack or even fall apart resulting in leaks. The only buildings that should be considered for exposed fastener metal are non-climate controlled outbuildings such as sheds and animal shelters where water leaking won’t cause any damage to whatever is kept inside the building. The cost of exposed fastener roofing is about double the cost of a shingle roof.

Flat/Rubber Roofing

EPDM rubber membrane or TPO membrane materials are typically used for flat roofing which is not very common on residential roofing but does come up occasionally and ensures that water will not get inside the roofing system.

Spanish Tile

Most Spanish tile roofing is found in the southwest or other warmer, drier climates where rain is less frequent but can be very heavy when it does occur. Clay, terra cotta, or concrete tiles are installed in rows of lapping waves with troughs in between the rows to carry the water away.

Does my home need a new roof?

For most people, the first indication that they have a problem with their roof is if they find a leak in the house somewhere or if they notice missing shingles from the roof. The most important thing to ensure is that problems with your home’s roof are identified and addressed BEFOFE your roof starts to leak.

Here are some of the common indicators that you should contact us for a free residential roof inspection:

  • Attic leaks – It’s a good idea to check your attic space after strong or severe storms because if water is getting into your attic, it’s just a matter of time before that water finds its way to the interior of your home and starts to damage sheetrock, trim, cabinets, floors, and more. If your attic is leaking, the roof on your house may have damaged shingles, underlayment, or flashing.
  • Paint is peeling or blistering – A common cause of paint peeling or blistering on the exterior of your house is poor ventilation. If you notice this problem on your home’s exterior, you should get your roof and exterior inspected as poor ventilation is also a very common cause of damage to your home’s roofing system.
  • Ceiling and walls have stains and water spots – If you have wet spots, water spots, water stains, or paint bubbling on your walls or ceilings, there is a clear problem with a water leak that is either coming from your roof or your plumbing. Give us a call to get your residential roof inspected as soon as possible to avoid the trapped moisture causing even bigger issues like mold and mildew.
  • Decay of roof decking/sheathing – Poor ventilation and moisture trapped in the roofing system can also cause the roof decking to rot and decay which can lead to expensive repairs and cause a lot of damage to your home. The roof decking is the layer of plywood that makes up the foundation of your roofing system. Signs that you may have damage to your roof decking include sagging roof sections, sagging ceilings inside your home, broken gutters, leaks, and missing patches of shingles.
  • Shingle damage – If you can see visible damage to your shingles such as curling, cracking, shingles falling off, loss of granules, and brittle shingles, you certainly have a residential roof that needs attention and should be inspected right away.
  • Discoloration and dark streaks – Dark stains on your shingles may look like dirt to the naked eye but it likely is being caused by blue-green algae, moss, or lichen which can cause your shingles to deterioration.

Get a FREE Residential Roof Inspection & Estimate

At Larson Valley Construction, our expert team members will inspect your residential roof and full exterior of your home. Our comprehensive inspection includes checking all of the following areas:

Residential Roof Inspection

  • Roof Edge & Drip Edge
  • Valleys
  • Eaves & Rakes
  • Storm Damage from Wind or Hail
  • Shingle Wear & Tear, Aging, & Decay
  • Proper Installation of Existing Roof, Shiners/Nail Heads
  • Hip & Ridge Cap Shingles
  • Roof Ventilation
  • Roof Decking/Sheathing
  • Step Flashing & Counter Flashing
  • Pipe Boots/Plumbing Stacks, Furnace Caps & Pipes
  • Chimney & Chimney Flashing
  • Skylights
  • Attic

Residential Siding & Exterior Inspection

  • Soffit & Fascia
  • Gutters, Downspouts, and Gutter Aprons
  • Siding
  • Windows
  • Exterior Doors
  • AC Exterior Unit

Understanding Your Residential Roofing System

  • Roof Decking/Sheathing – This is the foundation of your roofing system and it’s vital that you have a strong foundation that is free of rot, decay, sagging, etc. to ensure that your roofing system will be sound and will adhere to your home even in bad weather.
  • Leak Barrier/Ice & Water Shield – Installed on your eaves in 3ft courses until it reaches at least 24” beyond the inside edge of the heated wall. It is also installed in the valleys, around penetrations, chimneys, and along wall runs. Ice & water protects your home from leaks especially those caused by ice dams and snow buildup in the winter time.
  • Synthetic Underlayment/Roof Deck Protection – Installed over your roof decking to help shield your roof decking from moisture by creating a moisture barrier between your roof decking and the roofing materials.
  • Universal Starter Shingles – Installed on perimeter of your roof on the eaves and rakes to help prevent shingles from blowing off the roof.
  • Lifetime Architectural Shingles – High quality shingles that are designed to last for many decades to protect your residential home from leaks and water damage while also providing beauty and aesthetics for your home.
  • Continuous Ridge Vent – Installed along the ridges of your roof, continuous ridge vents are generally considered the superior ventilation method to help reduce moisture and heat in your attic which protects your home and your roofing materials against rot & decay.
  • Box Vent – Some homes do not have ridge vents and instead have metal or plastic box vents that are installed into holes cut into the roof decking to allow property ventilation which again reduces moisture and heat in the attic.
  • Gable Vent – Gable vents are installed at the gable ends of the house and are cut through the exterior wall into the attic space. While gable vents are still sometimes used when building new homes, this is typically a ventilation method that is found on older homes that again is designed to reduce moisture and heat in the attic.
  • Hip & Ridge Cap Shingles – Installed at the hips and ridges of your roof, the hip & ridge cap shingles are the finishing touch sealing the cap of your roof and protecting your home against leaks.
  • Valley Metal – Installed in the valleys and at any pitch transition points, valley metal is installed over the ice & water barrier to help protect the most vulnerable areas of your roof from water damage and leaking.
  • Drip Edge – Installed around the entire perimeter of your roof eaves and rakes, drip edge helps ensure that water runs off your roof and away from your fascia to protect against water damage to your roof decking and wood fascia. If water gets behind the gutters, it will rot out both the fascia board and the roof decking causing expensive repair costs.
  • Step Flashing – Installed anywhere a pitched roof meets a wall, step flashing is woven between the shingles and up along the wall run to ensure that water runs off the roof and doesn’t leak into the wall joint causing damage to your home. Step flashing is also used around chimneys and skylights.
  • Dormer Flashing – Also known as roof to wall flashing, dormer flashing is installed wherever a roof section runs parallel to a wall run such as where a porch meets up with the siding on your home. The flashing goes under the siding on the wall and then connects down onto the roof to ensure that any water running down the wall will flow down onto and off the roof instead of getting into the joint where the roof and the wall meet.
  • Counter Flashing & Chimney Flashing – Counter flashing is typically used around chimneys or walls runs made of brick or stone and is cut into a mortar joint to ensure that water cannot leak into the house. When flashing chimneys, there is a combination of step flashing, dormer flashing and counter flashing depending on the exterior materials of the chimney to protect your home from leaks and water damage.
  • Skylight Flashing – Skylight flashing is vital to ensure that your skylights do not leak. A combination of step flashing and dormer flashing are installed to ensure that water runs out and away from the skylight and cannot leak into the house.
  • Pipe Boots/Plumbing Stacks – Nearly all homes have some kind of plumbing vent pipes penetrating up through the roof which require a pipe boot flashing which protects against leaks and water damage at that penetration point. The pipe boot seals tight around the pipe to ensure there are no leaks and the base of the pipe boot flashing is installed under the upper shingles and over the lower shingles to ensure water keeps flowing down and off your roof and won’t be able to get inside the house.
  • Electric Mast Flashing – Similar to a plumbing pipe boot, electric mast flashing is used whenever a power line connects to a home via an electric mast pipe connected to the roof. This flashing ensures that water doesn’t leak through the mast pipe and protects your home from water damage.
  • Kickout Flashing – Installed along siding wall runs where the roof eave meets the adjoining wall, kickout flashing is a piece of step flashing that is bent and installed in such a way as to direct the water out away from the adjoining wall to protect against leaks and water damage to your home.