This week, we give tips for keeping squirrels out of bird feeders and installing a new window. (Split photo: sassy1902, Getty Images Signature and photovs, Getty Images Pro)
Hour 1
In Hour 1 of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast, we’re offering solutions for fixing patchy grass, advice on installing a new window and more.
Rooting Out the Cause of a Patchy Lawn
A number of things can cause patches of dead grass. (jcarrollimages, Getty Images Signature)
Tim Kehoe is stumped by what’s causing the brown patches on his lawn.
In the 30 years that he’s lived in northern Wisconsin, he’s weeded, seeded and fertilized his lawn diligently. But, about five or six years ago, brown spots began to appear throughout his acre of lawn. And a drought last year only exacerbated the problem.
Now, he says, about 40 percent of his lawn is covered in dead spots that are an inch and a half deep. What can he do to get his green grass back?
Brown patchy spots on a lawn can appear for a number of reasons. We suspect a combination of fungal disease and dry weather conditions is the cause of his brown patches.
It’s also worth mentioning that when he’s seeded his yard in the past, Tim didn’t use the same type of grass seed throughout. So, because there are mixed types of grass, some might be more resilient to drought and diseases than others, which might be why not all of the grass is dying.
The only way to know for sure if a fungal disease is causing the brown patches is to send a soil sample to a lawn professional or a local extension office.
Once you get the results, you can treat the lawn properly and begin replenishing the grass. Your options include reseeding, transplanting sod or planting sod plugs. Go with a creeping type of grass, like Bermuda or St. Augustine, so it will spread to cover the bare spots.
Accurate measurements are key for installing a new window. (photovs, Getty Images Pro)
Mildred Smith’s husband plans to replace a window with a new vinyl one that’s the same size. However, he’s not sure how to get the old window out of the opening in the wall.
“This is his first major DIY project — and I’m hoping he doesn’t mess it up. Do you have any tips to share?” she asks.
The most important thing to do is get the correct measurements for the window. The last thing you want is to have a new window that’s too big or small for the existing hole.
Also, get some extra wood for framing adjustments. A few 2-by-4 or 1-by-4 boards will come in handy.
When taking out the old window, carefully remove all the trim so you can reuse it. If you can see where the nails are, use a nail punch to push them through the trim. Doing this helps to keep the trim from splitting.
Now’s the time to make sure the window is properly sealed and insulated. Once the new window is in place, spray in some window and door expandable foam around the perimeter. Don’t use standard expanding foam because it can expand too much and make the window bow.
If the framing allows it, pack in some extra insulation as well. Anything you can do to insulate around the window will make a big difference in your heating and cooling costs.
Next, apply a window membrane to the frame. This peel-and-stick material provides a waterproof barrier between the window and the trim.
Hour 2
In Hour 2, learn how to remove rust from a steel roof, keep squirrels away from bird feeders and more.
Removing Rust from a Steel Roof
For a badly rusted metal roof, check with the manufacturer for the best treatment option. (Natt Boonyatecha, Getty Images)
A caller tells us some of the panels on his six-year-old steel roof are starting to rust. He asks what can he do to remove the rust and prevent it from coming back.
The majority of metal roofs are set up to last 50 years, so you shouldn’t have any rust this early on. The rust could be a result of something scratching the paint and exposing the metal.
Always check with the manufacturer’s recommendation before trying to remove rust yourself. Most roofing manufacturers recommend oxalic acid to remove rust from metal roofs. Here’s how to do it:
Mix one part oxalic acid to five parts water. You can also use vinegar, hydrochloric acid, citric acid or muriatic acid.
Spray the solution onto the rust spots, and wipe it in with a rag using a circular motion. Don’t leave this solution on for more than five minutes.
Rinse the solution off once the rust stain is gone.
Once the rust is gone, prime and paint the metal roof according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to prevent it from returning.
When working on a roof, always follow the proper safety precautions. Only work in good weather conditions, wear non-slip boots to prevent falls and always use a ladder safely.
Keeping Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders
A poorly placed bird feeder can become a squirrel buffet. (sassy1902, Getty Images Signature)
Tired of squirrels stealing your bird food? Here are some options to stop squirrels from raiding your bird feeder, so you can get back to bird watching.
If the squirrels are climbing up a pole, mix cayenne pepper and vaseline and coat the pole. The cayenne pepper’s strong, spicy odor will discourage the squirrels. Plus, the slippery vaseline will make it harder for the squirrels to climb the pole.
Another option for pole bird feeders is to install a baffle to prevent rodents from climbing the pole, and place feeders where rodents can’t get to them.
If you have a hanging bird feeder, place a dome over it. The squirrels can still slide down the wire, but the dome will block them from reaching the bird food.
If all else fails, offer the squirrels a decoy. Put out a second feeder with nuts or corn just for squirrels that’s easy for them to reach. By doing this, you can have the best of both worlds — watching the antics of squirrels while still being able to enjoy the birds at the same time.
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In Episode 2 of “Ask Danny,” metal roofing expert Todd Miller gives us some insider tips and information about installation, energy efficiency and style options.
Todd Miller, president of Isaiah Industries, has more than 40 years of experience in the metal roofing industry. (Photo courtesy Todd Miller)
About Todd Miller
Todd Miller is president of Isaiah Industries, a manufacturer of residential metal roofing.
With 40 years of industry experience, Todd has worked with property owners and contractors on projects worldwide.
In addition to roofing, he is often sought after for his expertise with condensation and ventilation.
Todd Miller poses for a picture with Chelsea Lipford Wolf and Danny Lipford in Cut Off, La.(3 Echoes Content Studio)
Working with Todd in Louisiana
I met Todd while shooting a Today’s Homeowner TV episode in Cut Off, La., in 2020. Hurricane Zeta had majorly damaged David and Ruby LeBlanc’s roof, so we installed a new metal roof for them.
For David and Ruby’s metal roof, we used an aluminum product called rustic shingle.
They live on the Gulf Coast, so aluminum is ideal for their environment because it resists corrosion. Plus, the shingles interlock on all sides, giving it strong wind resistance with an added old-world shake look.
Workers install a new aluminum roof on David and Ruby LeBlanc’s home. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Less than a year later, their metal roof was put to the test during Hurricane Ida.
“As I watched that storm track, I was sweating bullets,” Todd says. “You always believe in your product, you know it can do well, but on the other hand, storms like that can be unpredictable. You can end up with a lot of wind-blown debris that oftentimes can cause damage.”
Ida brought on wind speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and also destroyed the neighbor’s garage.
David and Ruby’s metal roof came through in shining colors. The only damage was one detached hip cap on the side closest to their neighbor’s garage.
“Their fairly old home has endured damage and hardships from storms in the past, but you would never know it,” Todd says. “They’re delightful people and determined to protect this home for the next generation.”
Do you have to remove all the existing shingles from the roof before you install a metal roof?
Todd: While every house is different, the short answer is no. If you only have a single layer of shingles, most building codes allow for a second layer of roofing.
It’s pretty common for metal roofs, especially shingled and corrugated metal, to be installed over an existing layer of shingles. However, if you want a standing seam metal roof, you’ll need to have a smooth surface for installation. If you don’t, you’ll end up with oil canning, or ripples in the panels.
No matter what type of metal roof you want, always have an attic inspection before installation. Look closely at the underside of the roof deck for signs of rot, water infiltration and high moisture levels that need to be addressed.
Strapping can be put down to install a metal roof, but it’s not always necessary. (Getty Images)
Do you recommend a roofer put down strapping before the roof goes on?
Todd: Usually I don’t. For most products, it’s not required.
If you have proper attic ventilation, there aren’t any concerns from a condensation standpoint.
Strapping or batten can be used, but ultimately it will make the roof harder to walk on, more prone to wind uplift, and you may find yourself having to raise your gutters. This is why we generally promote direct-to-deck installation.
Even with direct-to-deck installation, if it’s over the old singles, we will put a layer of underlayment over the existing shingles.
Most times, the building code requires it, but it also makes good sense. You don’t want the old shingles’ abrasive top surface rubbing against the back of the metal panels.
How long does it take to install a metal roof?
Todd: Of course, every house is different, but one- to three-day installations are not uncommon.
This is another great benefit of metal roofing — minimal disruption to your routine during installation.
Modular metal products, or metal shingles, are becoming more popular. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Style Options
What types of metal roofing are becoming more popular?
Traditionally, corrugated and shiplap metal roofs are the most popular, but that’s starting to change.
Many homeowners associations and architectural review boards won’t allow metal roofing. Plus, it can be hard for some homeowners to imagine a roof that’s not asphalt shingles.
But now, there are metal roofing options that look like a traditional roof. They’re called modular metal products, which are basically metal shingles.
They’re produced from steel, aluminum and even copper. These panels are formed in a variety of ways, and can look like existing asphalt shingles, wood shake, high-end slate or barrel tile.
With this type of metal roofing, you can get the look of more traditional high-end roofing with the durability, energy efficiency and sustainability of metal roofing.
Metal roofs with a cool coating deflect the sun’s infrared energy to keep your home cooler. (Metal Roofing Alliance)
Energy Efficiency
Are darker metal roofs less energy-efficient than lighter ones?
Todd: Generally, when we talk about metal roofing’s energy efficiency, it’s in terms of solar reflection.
The more solar energy your roof absorbs, the hotter your home will be. This results in your air conditioner working harder to keep your home cool.
Typically, lighter metal roofs reflect more sunlight than darker ones.
White naturally has a high solar reflection of about 65 percent, but you don’t necessarily have to get a white roof to have an energy-efficient roof.
There are now cool roof coatings with pigments that reflect infrared energy from the sun and keep the roof cool.
Without this cool roof coating, a darker roof only reflects about 3-4 percent of the sun’s infrared energy. With these new pigments, the roof reflects up to 25-30 percent.
Find a metal roof product that complements your home’s architecture. (Metal Roofing Alliance)
Todd’s Tips
Choose the product first. Ultimately, you’re going to live with the looks of that product for a long time. If you don’t love the look and it doesn’t fit your home, you won’t be happy with it. The Metal Roofing Alliance has a visualizer to help you see how a metal roof will look on your home.
When you choose your product, find an installer through the manufacturer. They’ll know the product through and through.
Think long-term. The upfront cost of installing metal roofing is more expensive than a traditional roof, but you’ll save over time. Look at it on a cost-by-year basis. If you intend to stay in your home for a number of years, you can see good payback over time with lower utility bills and fewer repairs.
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, forget about it — you haven’t seen anything yet.
Years ago, a woman in upstate New York wanted a metal roof installed on a small bungalow. She owned a fairly high-end magazine and website and wanted to work out a deal where Todd would help her get a roof and, in turn, she would promote Todd’s business.
It seemed like a win-win for Todd. As part of the deal, he sent a crew from Ohio to install the roof — free of charge.
Four years later, an upset woman called Todd. She said “You put a roof on my house and I don’t know why!”
Turns out, the woman who contacted Todd was not the owner. She was the renter.
“We put a roof on someone’s house who didn’t know it and didn’t even want it!”
All’s well that ends well, she turned out to be delightful, and she and Todd became great friends.
Stone-coated metal roofing, left, offers the look of traditional shingles with the durability of metal. A painted metal roof provides a pop of color with long-lasting protection.
Interested in replacing your roof or looking to choose a roof for a new home? Stone-coated metal roofing offers the look of shingles with the benefit of metal’s superior protection.
Or do you want to add a pop of color with a durable finish? High-performance metal roofing paint systems add character and boost any home’s curb appeal.
Read on to learn more about these two coating options and decide which is best for your home.
Painted metal roofs come in a wider variety of colors than any other type of material. (Photo by Aleksandr_Kendenkov/Getty Images)
To step up your home’s style and make a statement, high-performance metal roofing paint systems can provide a durable coating with improved gloss retention, superior weather resistance, and reduced color fading. In addition, they can substantially increase the roof’s energy efficiency and longevity.
Quality metal roofs come with a factory-applied, low-maintenance finish. Most manufacturers recommend just rinsing them with a hose and mixing gentle soap and water to clean them.
A quality, long-lasting painted finish should be applied to a metal substrate at 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters thick for the prime coat, and 0.7-1.2 millimeters thick for the topcoat. Style options also include sophisticated paint finishes that closely mimic the multi-toned appearance of natural stone, such as slate.
Whichever option you choose, a painted metal roof offers beautiful style matched with steel’s strength and lightweight benefits.
A stone-coated metal roof looks just like a shingle roof. (Photo courtesy Metal Roofing Alliance)
Stone-Coated Panels: The Traditional Look
If you love the look of a traditional shingled roof, yet want the longevity and performance benefits of metal, consider a stone-coated metal roof.
Stone-coated metal roofing can look like asphalt shingles, tiles or cedar shake and can be a great solution for homeowners who live in areas with certain design standards or face regional threats such as high winds and wildfire.
(Always check with your homeowners association before installing any roof).
These specially primed roofing panels — made of metal; often steel — are coated with an acrylic polymer adhesive before a granular stone coating is applied, bonding the two. Finally, a clear-coat sealer is applied over the top for extra protection.
This type of finish offers homeowners all the benefits of metal roofing, in addition to a unique curb appeal option.
No matter what your style preference, all quality metal roofs offer longer-lasting and increased protection and performance, especially when compared to asphalt.
Modern stone-coated metal roofing can seamlessly match an older home’s architectural style. (Photo courtesy Metal Roofing Alliance member Unified Steel™, Westlake Royal Roofing)
Retrofitting Older Homes
Metal roofing is an ideal option, regardless of a home’s age, due to its long lifespan and low maintenance.
Style and performance benefits are key reasons why more homeowners and property owners are choosing metal roofing.
For example, at theAudubon Sanctuary in Trabuco Canyon, Calif., the organization chose to re-roof using a high-quality stone-coated metal roof to replace the 90-year-old building’s asphalt roof, which had suffered decades of wear and tear. Much of the damage came from woodpeckers that stored pounds of acorns in the deteriorating roof, compromising the building’s structure and making it vulnerable to seasonal wildfires.
The new metal roof met two key priorities by offering long-lasting, low maintenance performance and strong protection against wind and fire. Protection from the elements is particularly important in Trabuco Canyon, where dry Santa Ana winds create dangerous wildfire conditions.
Unified Steel™, Westlake Royal Roofing andMcCormack Roofing installed a stone-coated metal roof that checked off all the boxes. The replacement matched the historical building’s style and offered all the long-lasting, strong performance capabilities of quality metal roofing. Its Class A, fire-resistant rating — the highest possible — was especially important.
This new roof is lightweight, strong and impervious, installed tightly with few penetrations to prevent woodpeckers from using it for storage.
Plus, the stone-coating provides a beautiful complement to the structure’s historic, rustic feel, lending a natural charm.
Quality metal roofing can last 50-plus years. (Photo courtesy Metal Roofing Alliance)
Benefits of Metal Roofing
If you’re looking to stretch your dollar and boost your home’s value, choosing a quality metal roof is a worthwhile investment as it can last 50+ years (up to three times longer than most asphalt roofs), offer strong performance and can help with energy efficiency. A properly installed quality metal roof can withstand severe weather such as wind, hail, and snow, providing you peace of mind.
Plus, having a metal roof can even lower your homeowner’s insurance premiums in some states.
(Check with your homeowners’ insurance company for specific policy information.)
To learn more about the benefits of metal roofing, visit the Metal Roofing Alliancewebsite.
Metal is one of the best materials to choose from when you need a new roof.
In this special episode of the Today’s Homeowner Podcast, I’m talking with Renee Ramey, Executive Director of the Metal Roofing Alliance.
We’re talking about the 10 most common myths when it comes to metal roofs. Get ready for some surprising information!
The Metal Roofing Alliance is a nonprofit trade association that helps homeowners make educated roofing decisions and connects them with expert metal roofing professionals.
Like Renee says, “We’re all about spreading awareness and making sure that people have the right information!”
1. Style and Color Options are Limited
When many people think of metal roofing, they envision a classic barn metal roof — which is one option, but there are many others.
Metal roofing can look like any other material out there, like shake, tile, asphalt or shingles. As far as colors go, there are thousands of color options out there to fit your home or aesthetic!
2. They’re Not Energy-Efficient
Because of the make and the coatings, it’s completely possible to have a ‘cool metal roof.’
This means that the coatings on the metal roof itself help emit heat and keep your home cooler in warm climates. And you’ll save money on your energy bill this way!
3. They Won’t Withstand Extreme Weather
Metal roofs actually test well against hurricane-type winds and are resistant to fire embers.
They also remain solid against hail and snow, which proves they are built tough and will last long!
4. They’re Not Sustainable
Metal is a recyclable product and a lot of the roofs today are made of recyclable material. Not only is recycling utilized in making the roofs, the roof can be 100% recycled at the end of its life. We love an earth-friendly product!
5. They’re Noisy
If quality metal roof systems are installed correctly, they can actually be quieter than other roofing systems!
6. They’re More Expensive Than Other Materials
As mentioned, metal roofing comes in a variety of colors and styles and the price range can vary. The price of one quality metal roof is equivalent to two or three asphalt roofs and it will probably last many decades longer than its counterpart.
Down the road, this adds up and a metal roof becomes the cheaper option!
7. They’re Too Shiny
A quality metal roof comes in a variety of glosses and finishes. Shininess is mitigated by the color and gloss you pick for your roof!
8. They’re Too Heavy
MRA has data that dispels this myth. They are more light in weight compared to other products out there.
9. They’re Likely to Get Struck by Lightning
If lightning does strike your metal roof, the hit of the lightning will mitigate it in a manner so it will not reach anyone or anything.
It also has the highest — class A — rating against catching on fire.
10. Difficult to Install Solar Panels or Solar Systems
Metal roofing is the best platform for solar. Solar Systems outlast the life of an asphalt roof so there’s a risk of dismantling the system.
The metal roof should outlast the life span of the solar system and there are clamps for this very purpose. Even more, the clamps do not require you to puncture the surface in order to have a solar system on your roof!
Want More?
If you’re ready to upgrade to a metal roof, or just want more questions answered when it comes to a metal roof, check out metalroofing.com.
Listen to this special-edition Today’s Homeowner Podcast for more home improvement tips!
Metal is one of the best materials to choose from when you need a new roof.
In this special episode of the Today’s Homeowner Podcast, I’m talking with Renee Ramey, Executive Director of the Metal Roofing Alliance.
We’re talking about the 10 most common myths when it comes to metal roofs. Get ready for some surprising information!
The Metal Roofing Alliance is a nonprofit trade association that helps homeowners make educated roofing decisions and connects them with expert metal roofing professionals.
Like Renee says, “We’re all about spreading awareness and making sure that people have the right information!”
1. Style and Color Options are Limited
When many people think of metal roofing, they envision a classic barn metal roof — which is one option, but there are many others.
Metal roofing can look like any other material out there, like shake, tile, asphalt or shingles. As far as colors go, there are thousands of color options out there to fit your home or aesthetic!
2. They’re Not Energy-Efficient
Because of the make and the coatings, it’s completely possible to have a ‘cool metal roof.’
This means that the coatings on the metal roof itself help emit heat and keep your home cooler in warm climates. And you’ll save money on your energy bill this way!
3. They Won’t Withstand Extreme Weather
Metal roofs actually test well against hurricane-type winds and are resistant to fire embers.
They also remain solid against hail and snow, which proves they are built tough and will last long!
4. They’re Not Sustainable
Metal is a recyclable product and a lot of the roofs today are made of recyclable material. Not only is recycling utilized in making the roofs, the roof can be 100% recycled at the end of its life. We love an earth-friendly product!
5. They’re Noisy
If quality metal roof systems are installed correctly, they can actually be quieter than other roofing systems!
6. They’re More Expensive Than Other Materials
As mentioned, metal roofing comes in a variety of colors and styles and the price range can vary. The price of one quality metal roof is equivalent to two or three asphalt roofs and it will probably last many decades longer than its counterpart.
Down the road, this adds up and a metal roof becomes the cheaper option!
7. They’re Too Shiny
A quality metal roof comes in a variety of glosses and finishes. Shininess is mitigated by the color and gloss you pick for your roof!
8. They’re Too Heavy
MRA has data that dispels this myth. They are more light in weight compared to other products out there.
9. They’re Likely to Get Struck by Lightning
If lightning does strike your metal roof, the hit of the lightning will mitigate it in a manner so it will not reach anyone or anything.
It also has the highest — class A — rating against catching on fire.
10. Difficult to Install Solar Panels or Solar Systems
Metal roofing is the best platform for solar. Solar Systems outlast the life of an asphalt roof so there’s a risk of dismantling the system.
The metal roof should outlast the life span of the solar system and there are clamps for this very purpose. Even more, the clamps do not require you to puncture the surface in order to have a solar system on your roof!
Want More?
If you’re ready to upgrade to a metal roof, or just want more questions answered when it comes to a metal roof, check out metalroofing.com.
Listen to this special-edition Today’s Homeowner Podcast for more home improvement tips!
