Reitzel Home Improvement

😬 Well… this got awkward.

A homeowner called us absolutely convinced that the skylight we installed had broken.

We heard the concerns, sent someone out right away, and took a look.

What we found:
✔️ The exterior glass was perfectly fine
✔️ Our installation was perfectly fine
❌ The interior pane of glass was broken

After a little investigating, we learned that after the skylight was installed, the home underwent interior renovations.

Let’s just say… a drywall hammer and a skylight had an unfortunate meeting. 🔨😅

The good news is that the skylight itself wasn’t leaking, wasn’t defective, and wasn’t installed incorrectly.

The lesson? Sometimes the problem isn’t always where it first appears to be.

At Reitzel Roofing & Exteriors, we’re always happy to come take a look—even if the final answer is a little unexpected.

🔥 Still have a hot attic after installing a power fan? Here’s why.

This homeowner was dealing with excessive heat in their attic, so someone installed a power fan to help cool things down.

The problem?
❌ All of the old box vents were left in place.

What happens then is the power fan takes the path of least resistance and simply pulls air from the nearby box vents instead of drawing hot air out of the entire attic.

The result:
❌ Hot attic
❌ Poor ventilation
❌ Higher energy bills
❌ Shorter shingle life

Instead of removing heat from the attic, you’re often just circulating air between the box vents and the power fan.

More ventilation isn’t always better. Properly designed ventilation is what matters.

At Reitzel Roofing & Exteriors, we evaluate the entire ventilation system to make sure it’s working together instead of fighting itself.

📲 If your attic feels like an oven, it may be time for a ventilation inspection.

🏠 Same shingles doesn’t mean the same roof.

We came back a month after replacing this customer’s roof to do a follow-up inspection and make sure everything was performing exactly as it should.

While we were there, we looked over at a neighbor’s roof.

They had also asked us for a quote but chose another company because they were “significantly cheaper” for what appeared to be the exact same job.

But here’s the thing…

New shingles are not a new roof system.

When we looked closer, we found:
❌ A ridge vent installed on a hip roof
❌ The old power fan left in place
❌ Old box vents left in place
❌ An old skylight reused

The result? Their attic is likely going to run much hotter this summer, which can shorten the life of the roof and create problems down the road.

The difference between bids isn’t always the shingles you can see. It’s the ventilation, flashing, components, craftsmanship, and attention to detail you can’t.

At Reitzel Roofing & Exteriors, we’re not just replacing shingles. We’re building a complete roofing system designed to perform for years to come.

🔧 Not every roof needs to be replaced immediately.

One of the questions we get asked all the time is: “Can it be repaired for now?”

Sometimes the answer is yes.

In this case, the homeowner wasn’t ready for the investment of a full roof replacement a few years ago. So instead of pushing them into a project they weren’t prepared for, we focused on the areas causing problems.

✔️ Replaced a leaking pipe collar
✔️ Repaired damaged shingles around it
✔️ Addressed small issues as they came up

Those repairs bought the homeowner valuable time while they saved for a full roof replacement.

Now they’re ready to replace the roof on their terms, not because they were forced into an emergency situation.

At Reitzel Roofing & Exteriors, we believe in helping homeowners make the best decision for their home and their budget. Sometimes that’s a full replacement. Sometimes it’s a smart repair strategy that buys you a few more years.

📲 Need help deciding whether to repair or replace? We’d be happy to give you an honest assessment.

🏗️ People always ask how we get all those shingles onto the roof…

Simple answer:
👉 We don’t carry them up ladders anymore 😅

When the manufacturer delivers the shingles, they bring out a boom truck/crane and place the materials directly on the roof. It’s faster, safer, and a whole lot easier on the crew.

Because let’s be honest… carrying bundles of shingles up ladders all day is a young man’s game. 😂

At Reitzel Roofing & Exteriors, we work smart and hard to get your roof done efficiently and safely.