Where to See Great Holiday Lights in Ohio this Season

Many of us that work at Feazel know a thing or two about climbing up on roofs.  Of course we do if for other reasons than installing holiday light displays!  But just like everybody we love the holiday season when light displays go up and thrill us with their creativity and design.  Some of the best ones around Ohio are featured below and there is still time to get out and see them before the end of the season. 

The Woodland Lights in Dayton is open from 6 pm until 9 pm nightly through December 31^st.  There is a minimal cost of $8 per person with children 2 and under free but most people think its a bargain for the incredible display of scenes and lights.  This year a new laser light show has been added along with a tunnel of lights and a trackless train.  Plus there are revolving activities so check the website before you go to learn about all that is happening. 

For those that like a big and flashy display of lights and dazzle, don’t miss the PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens going on until January 2^nd.  This year the event features a “Frozen” themed Wonderland and a Gingerbread Village.  The display has been voted the Number #1 zoo display in the country by USA Today and for good reason.  It features a new Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake, Toyland Express Train Ride, Fairyland with 5 hidden fairies to find and lots of strolling entertainment with themed areas.  

Another interesting display is the Holiday Lights on the Hill at the Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum in Hamilton.  The cost on this one is $20 for a whole carload.  The sculptures are lit up for the holidays and offer a completely new perspective for previous visitors to the park as well as delight for those who have not yet visited.  Again, check their website for dates and times before making the trip. 

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio and North Carolina by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry. Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.  

 

The Many Benefits of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are by far the most popular roofing material both with homeowners and roofing contractors.  In fact, more than 12.5 billion square feet of asphalt shingle products are made annually – that’s enough to cover more than 5 million homes EVERY YEAR, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association. 

They come in a variety of styles and colors which make them easy to enhance or maintain the exterior appearance of your home.  Also, asphalt shingles provide a good value as they are a very durable and relatively inexpensive material that provides excellent waterproofing ability for 20 to 50 years depending on the product that is chosen. 

At Feazel we use asphalt shingles for most roof replacements and repairs that we perform.  We find they offer the best value and return on investment to the typical homeowner that will occupy their home for a generation or more.  When replacement or repair is warranted they also have the benefit of being recyclable and are easily maintained, repaired or replaced. 

Other benefits of asphalt shingles as noted by the ARMA include: 1) an over 100 year proven track record in North America; 2) excellent wind and fire resistance; 3) many pricing options for all budgets; 4) few leak problems and; 5) ideal weight, no need for additional structure to carry the weight. 

Now is an excellent time for an asphalt shingle roof replacement and you can count on us to get the job done right and with a customer experience that will exceed your expectations.  Please contact us to schedule a FREE inspection. 

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Since our founding in 1988 we have been a top choice by offering the best customer service, stress free buying experience and the highest standards.

Feazel Honors Veterans Day with Donation to Wounded Warriors Project

In honor of Veterans Day Feazel is proud to make a donation in your name to the Wounded Warriors Project when you schedule a free inspection during the month of November.  You can make your appointment either online or by giving us a call.  Please include specifics about the issue you are experiencing so we can be better prepared to serve you during the appointment. 

The Wounded Warrior Project provides services and programs giving attention to the mental, physical and financial welfare of wounded returning veterans, their families and their caregivers.  Their service is dedicated to Wounded Warriors that sustained injuries or illness on or after September 11, 2001.  The benefits of the program are dues and cost free as these service men and women paid their dues in service to our country. 

Part of the success of the Wounded Warrior Project lies in the holistic approach they take when serving warriors and their families.  It encourages healing of mind, body, economic empowerment and community engagement.  WWP strives to achieve the most successful, well-adjusted wounded service members in our nation’s history.   

Signature programs that WWP offers include: 1) Project Odyssey – a combat stress recovery program; 2) the Warrior Care Network and; 3) long-term support initiatives including the Independence Program and Long-Term Support Trust. 

Another cornerstone of the WWP is offering support to family members and caregivers of wounded warriors.  These individuals are so important to the success of recovery for their loved ones that WWP strives to offer programs for their success as well.  The WWP team also reaches out to family members and caregivers to make sure they receive the full support ad benefit of WWP services and programs. 

Feazel has been providing residential home services to residents of Ohio since 1988.  Homeowners trust us to provide the best customer service and stress-free buying experience when it comes to roofing, gutters, windows, siding, chimneys, masonry, skylights and insulation.  We also take a great deal of pride in making a positive impact in the communities we serve. 

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and surrounding areas.  Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.

 

How Facility and Property Managers Save Time with Feazel

Feazel is known in the major cities and surrounding areas of Ohio as being one of the best in the business when it comes to residential roof repair and replacement, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  And the name Feazel has always been synonymous with honesty, integrity and top quality.  However, another area where Feazel exceeds the expectations of its customers is commercial services and multi-family services which we have been providing for over 26 years. 

In our commercial services division we work across a wide range of properties including office buildings, hospitals, schools, churches, and retail locations.  Our main line of work is repairing and replacing roofs, including flat roofs, steep slopes and low slopes; but we also perform window installation and replacement as well as other services. 

When it comes to multi-family services we are second to none in the quality of work we bring to all types of properties including apartments, townhomes, and condominiums.  And we not only provide a full line of quality services, we are also strong supporters of the associations that are important to multi-family property owners including the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the Columbus Apartment Association (CAA).  And of course we are fully accredited and belong to all local chapters of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

One of the value added features our commercial services and multi-family services clients receive is the time saving benefits of our property manager’s portal.  Facility managers can use this proprietary portal to create work orders, attach photos, and check on the status of projects across multiple properties in real time.  Property managers can track service orders, invoice history, budget reports as well as photos and downloadable forms. We provide secure logins to manage your information which also allows access to personalize the information you need and what you see.  Our clients that use this portal tell us it saves them time and assists them to better manage their properties. 

If you are a commercial or multi-family property manager or owner, then Feazel welcomes the opportunity to serve you and encourages you to visit us online or call us for information on how we can save you time and provide quality services and value. 

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry. Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.  

Roof Ventilation and Winter Weather

Most homeowners know that proper roof ventilation in the summer months is important for removing heat and moisture from their attic.  In turn that helps keep cooling costs lower and preserve the structural soundness of the attic components as well as personal property that may be stored in the attic.  But many homeowners might not know that proper roof ventilation in the winter months is just as important.   

Inadequate roof ventilation causes large temperature differences between air in the attic and the air outside of the home.  In the winter this can lead to several problems.  One of the most common is ice damming and ice building up in the gutters.  If the damming is severe enough it can cause ice to build up under the shingles which may leak into the home.  It is also important to point out that both ice damming and ice buildup in the gutters can damage shingles and shorten the life of your roof. 

With winter just around the corner now is the time to check for proper roof ventilation. The good news is that you can easily determine if your roof has the proper ventilation in just a few minutes and without the need to call a professional.  On a sunny day take a look in your attic.  You are looking for daylight, not darkness.  If you do not see any, then you likely have an issue.  However, if you see daylight coming from the peak of your roof near the box or ridge vents as well as from the bottom at the eaves, then that is a sign of ventilation. 

If you would rather not do this yourself or have concerns about your roof ventilation you can contact Feazel for a free inspection.  Adding proper roof ventilation, even after the fact, can prevent problems and prolong the life of your roof. 

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Call or visit us online to learn more about any of the services we offer.

 

Not Every Roof is Suitable for Solar

For anyone who is keeping up on the fast changing developments in residential solar energy there are plenty of topics to discuss as of late.  Utility companies in several states have successfully challenged their regulators requirement that allows solar customers to sell their unused solar generated power back to the utility at retail rates in order to help finance the cost to install solar panels.  And Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has acquired one of the largest residential solar energy companies, Solar City, and is promising to move the industry along to the next generation of residential solar.  In this fast moving environment, Feazel does not pretend to know exactly how roof top residential solar energy will continue to develop.  However, what we do know is that solar energy roofs are currently not suitable for all homeowners. 

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory approximately 83% of small buildings are in locations with a suitable climate for solar installations but only 26% of those buildings are actually suitable for solar development. The roof may have an angle or shape that isn't suitable for solar or maybe there's tree cover, but lots of homes just don't make sense with solar.  In total, only about 21.6% of homes in the U.S. are appropriate for solar. 

As the industry moves toward so-called “next-gen” technologies there are important questions to be answered before homeowners invest in solar roofs.  One of the directions of the next generation is to have the roof itself be the solar product as opposed to solar panels.  But if this occurs, then the following issues will have to be resolved before it can be feasible to many homeowners.  First, how can roof products which contain a solar cell be reinforced so the roof can be walked on for repairs or snow removal?  Second, can the corners of the roof be sealed properly?  And, finally, the most important question: can the solar roof material adapt to the irregular shapes, angles and pitches of different roofs?

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio and have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.  Call or visit us online to learn more. 

Source: http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/26/elon-musks-solar-roof-plans-are-a-big-gamble-no-ma.aspx#.V-rHAUWnc8Y.facebook

Cleveland Fun – It More Than Just Rocks!

As a top residential home services company in Ohio, many of Feazel’s employees live, work and play in the Cleveland area. After working hard to provide superior services to Cleveland area homeowners, there are many local activities we enjoy.  We are pleased to share some of our favorites.   

One the most recognized and visited attractions in Cleveland is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  It is known world-wide for showcasing the best rock and roll artists of all time whom have been inducted into its hallowed halls.  It is a must see attraction in Cleveland.  A recent exhibit features the rock band inductee “Rush”, the power trio from Toronto that Cleveland rock fans were the first to discover in 1974 at the beginning of their remarkable career.  But if rock and roll is not your thing than read on: there is much to do here! 

Perhaps the most offbeat and unknown of Cleveland attractions, the “Christmas Story” house is nonetheless one of the best.  It is a visit to the house where the popular movie of the same name was filmed. It offers a unique, interactive visit where you have the opportunity to explore different scenes from the movie (you can even wear the infamous “bunny suit” if you want!).  Knowledgeable tour guides give behind the scenes anecdotes and make the tour a lot of fun. 

Foodies from everywhere can celebrate at The West Side Market.  It features vendors and displays of outstanding food from around the world.  The historic architecture is an incredible setting for the sights and sounds that surround you on a visit to this incredible place.  Visiting is like a great adventure of discovery and true sensory overload. 

If you are a Cleveland homeowner in need of residential homes services, we invite you to contact us to discuss your project.  We promise a high quality customer experience and deliver on that promise as our many repeat customers can attest. 

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Since our founding in 1988 we have been a top choice by offering the best customer service, stress free buying experience and the highest standards.

Cincinnati’s Endless Activities

Feazel is very pleased to be able to offer our full line of residential home services to the greater Cincinnati region.  We believe our core values are a perfect match with the values of the residents who live, work and play in Cincinnati.  And when it’s time to play, Cincinnati is second to none with the large number and variety of activities to choose from.   

Family fun activities are a good way to get the whole family together for some exciting times.  If the weather is not cooperating for being outside, then the Newport Aquarium is always a fun activity.  Be sure to check out the Galapagos tortoise and the pet sharks.  And for train lovers a must see is EnterTRAINment Junction which features 25,000 square feet of indoor train display.  For those beautiful Cincinnati days to be outside there is Kings Island which features the Banshee, the world’s longest inverted roller coaster.  And if that is too wild for your taste, then perhaps you would like a tour with Ride The Ducks Newport for a land and river view of the best local landmarks. 

If you are interested in Arts, Culture and History, then Cincinnati offers some great choices.  Uptown features the venerable Cincinnati Museum of Art which has an unparalleled collection of over 67,000 works spanning 6,000 years of history.  And for those whose tastes are more modern, the Contemporary Arts Center in Downtown has very interesting displays.  When visiting the CAC don’t forget to visit The UnMuseum which occupies an entire floor and has family friendly interactive art exhibits.  A lesser known but very fun museum, also located in Uptown, is the American Sign Museum which features displays  from the golden age of signs spanning the first half of the twentieth century. 

Foodies can rejoice in Cincinnati too!  Cincinnati was even named one of “six small cities with a big food scene” by a major national newspaper.   There are the mainstays of unique Cincinnati fare such as Skyline Chili for famous Cincinnati style chili and Graeter’s for French pot ice cream.  But there are also many restaurants and brew pubs that have garnered national attention such as Senate, Over The Rhine and Quarter Bistro. 

In Cincinnati as well as Columbus and Cleveland and the surrounding areas, Feazel offers residential home services including superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Please contact us to learn more about our services. 

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry. Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.  

Common Causes of Roof Leaks

If you are a homeowner that is seeking to prevent roof leaks from occurring, then you should be aware of the most common conditions that may cause a leak to develop if left unchecked.  Fortunately, most roof leaks can be easily repaired.  However, the common refrain “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true when it comes to roof leaks. 

Typically, roof leaks can be caused both by natural causes and/or roof conditions that result from improper work or repairs. The most common natural or environmental cause is damage to shingles, tiles, or seams from storms, ice, wind or hail. The roofing conditions that commonly lead to roof leaks include work that is performed improperly on skylights or flashing leaving seams that become corroded and eventually allow water to seep through as well as improper attic ventilation. 

Less common but still prevalent are other roof conditions that lead to leaks such as ponding water, exposed nail heads, built-up debris and, in the winter, ice dams that stop proper drainage during periods of melting which forces water to back up under shingles.

Sometimes the most difficult step in repairing a leaking roof is correctly determining the source of the leak.  Homeowners often assume that the location in their ceiling where the drip is occurring is also the originating point of the leak in the roof.  But the leak could be travelling from another point via a rafter or other means.  Also, the leak could be originating in the plumbing of the home.

Perhaps the most important step in preventing roof leaks is to perform periodic and proper inspections of your entire roofing system.  At Feazel we perform superior roofing inspections, maintenance, repair and replacement.  Feel free to contact us if you would like a free roof inspection.  And, if you are currently experiencing a roof leak, we will offer you an affordable solution to the leak and a 100% satisfaction guarantee for any repairs that we perform.

Feazel is a trusted residential home services company in Ohio serving Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Central Ohio and surrounding areas.  We have built our reputation by offering superior roofing, windows, siding, gutters, chimneys, masonry, skylights, insulation and more.  Since our founding in 1988 we have been a top choice for roof replacement by offering the best customer service, stress free buying experience and the highest standards.

The Importance of Chimney Flashing

Homeowners that are conscientious about the long-term maintenance of their home typically focus on the major areas such as the roof, windows, siding, HVAC systems, and paint and caulking.  But there are other less visible areas, especially those that comprise the entire “roofing system”, that should also be a focus to the concerned homeowner. 

One of these areas is for homes that have chimneys.  The importance of properly installed chimney flashing should not be underestimated when the result of improper installation could be leaks that may cause costly damage.  On the other hand, if installed correctly, flashing at the chimney (as well as other locations on the roof) will create a protective seal that prevents water intrusion that would either leak or cause moisture damage that may significantly lessen the life of the roof.

A common construction shortcut when it comes to chimney flashing is called “pinning”  This is when the unskilled worker will nail the flashing to mortar of the chimney and apply caulk to the top edge to create a waterproof seal.  Unfortunately, this is not a long term solution as we all know caulk shrinks and denigrates in not much time with UV exposure.  Feazel’s skilled craftsman will instead utilize the “grind and tuck” technique where the mortar is grinded so that the upper edge of the flashing can be bent and inserted right into the mortar joint itself and then use mortar caulk to create a permanent, waterproof seal.

If you are having problems with your chimney flashing, or any other part of your roof or roofing system, then please contact us for a free evaluation.  We are residential home services experts that are friendly and helpful and look forward to assisting you.

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry.  We strive to maintain our highly regarded reputation earned over the past 28+ years.  We encourage you to think of Feazel first when you need chimney and masonry services.

Know the Warning Signs of a Roof Collapse

Nearly all homeowners, thankfully, will never experience a roof collapse event at home or elsewhere during their life.  Nonetheless, with recent changes in weather patterns, it is always a good idea to be informed and knowledgeable about the warning signs of a potential collapse in order to be able to protect yourself, your family and others from such an event that could cause serious injury or death. 

The first thing to understand is that a collapse can occur during anytime of the year.  While most collapses happen during an abundance of snow or other frozen precipitation, sometimes the collapse is the result of repeated exposure to excessive weight on the roof which over time results in a gradual weakening of the roofing structure until it unexpectedly collapses.  Flat roofs and lower sloped roofs are particularly susceptible to collapse.

If you notice any of the following, then please contact Feazel immediately:

·         exterior masonry or siding that is cracked beyond normal settling

·         sections of shingles that are sagging or a sagging interior ceiling

·         bowed and/or bent pipes in ceilings

·         bent or rippled framing or roof support including trusses

·         doors or windows which open on their own or are difficult to close or open

·         if in a commercial building, sprinkler heads that have dropped below the ceiling tiles

Periodic maintenance of your entire roofing system is the best preventative medicine for any and all issues related to roofs.  This includes removing debris, keeping gutters clear, and repairing any needed areas as soon as possible.  And, removing excessive snow and ice accumulation in the winter is a must. 

Feazel’s mission is to be the top choice for residential home services in Ohio by delivering the best customer service and stress-free buying experience in the home improvement industry. Our core values of service, integrity, quality, continued improvement, employee appreciation, community support, and environmental conservation are on display with every job we do.