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Asphalt shingle roof problems:
Thermal cracking: This not so common defect is caused by the fiberglass mat being too thin. As a result it becomes more vulnerable to tearing. The bonding adhesive that helps prevent uplift may be too strong. This will allow one continuous flow of roofing materials without the required room for some expansion and contraction and movement. These defects contribute too more roof shingle damage and wear. When these defects are present any changes in weather conditions will significantly effect the useful life of the roof.

Cupping: Roofing shingles gradually lower in the center and raised at the ends, almost like a U-shape. Cupping is a signs of an older and well worn shingle roof. Cupping is a normal wear pattern that progressively gets worse as the roof get older. A cupped roof surface will be very fragile and should not be walked on because major damage will occur to the asphalt shingles

Granular loss: The purpose of the granular material on top of the mat is to protect the asphalt shingle from ultraviolet rays. These granules give the asphalt roof covering its color. Some loss of protective granular material is normal. This normal condition can sometimes be viewed as granules laying in the bottom of the gutters. As the roof gets older granular loss may increase where ultimately areas of roof mat are fully exposed to the elements. These exposed sections of shingle mat will wear out at a much greater rate because of the exposure to ultraviolet rays and other weather conditions.

Curling: Another condition that becomes worse with age is curling. The edges of the roof shingles curl under as the roof ages. As with a roof that is cupping the curling roof is very brittle. A roof that is curling requires replacement as soon as possible in order to avoid water infiltration.

Fish mouthing:
Fish mouthing is a roof wear indicator where the space in between the tabs of the shingle spreads apart and becomes wider at the bottom of the shingle then the top. Fish mouthing condition exists when the roof shingle above the key way under it raises up and looks like an open fish mouth. Fish mouthing is usually bought on by high moisture conditions inside the building and poor roof venting. Having this wear/ indicator points too a larger issue within the dwelling as opposed to normal roof shingle wear.

Tag : roof,shingle roof,metal roof,red roof,roof repair

Are you looking for roofing for your company? Maybe you are in need of repairs or a whole new roof? Well did you know that the materials you can use for roofing are not just limited to one type. There are quite a few different materials that can be used for commercial roofing; below I will write about the materials available:

The materials I am writing about are for weatherproofing, that it the outermost or topmost layer if the roof:

Thatch

This is a type of roofing that has overlapping layers and is made from plant material

• Straw - This straw if from wheat and is mainly used in parts of Europe especially France and England, often used on buildings of an older age adding a weathered, periodic look to the building.
• Seagrass - This is used on places like Scotland where there are estuaries (usually around coastal areas). It is said that Seagrass has a life expectancy of over 60 years making it more hardwearing than Straw.

In North America these are known as Shakes, it is basically the generic name used for roofing materials that have a lot of sections that overlap, not really dependant on the materials nature.

• Redceder - Lasting for about 30 years, this material is quite expensive considering the shorter life span.
• Hardwood - Normally found in Australian architecture this material is extremely durable but mainly used just for restoration projects.
• Slate - This is one of the most expensive materials you will find but also has one of the longest life spans of around 150 years. Due to its weight the structure it is used on must be very strong.

Imitation slate is a less expensive option for replacement of an original slate roof. It looks like real slate and is acceptable in most every city for use in historic districts. The benefits of using manufactured slate are numerous. One excellent reason to use is because it weighs less than real slate, which is a benefit for previously non-maintained older homes with questionable roof structures.

Probably the biggest reason the imitation slate is chosen is because of the cost factors involved. It is approximately 4 times the cost of architectural asphalt shingles, but is significantly less than real slate, both in material cost and labor for installation.

There are basically two companies that manufacture imitation slate. There is Eco-Star Majestic Slate by Carlisle and the Lamarite Slate Composite Shingles by Tamko. It is a personal choice as to which brand to chose as both have very good warranties when installed by a certified installer, as well as very similar characteristics.

Both brands come in various options such as color, width and style. If your home is a Victorian Style then perhaps the beveled, beaver tail or chiseled point from Eco-Star will your best choice. There are many older Victorian homes that have different patterns of color and style. These patterns are many and very unique, they also will require extreme skill in both the layout and installation.

As a general contractor specializing in historic restoration, I recently asked my main slate repair guy to check out a barn roof that has real slate on the front and imitation slate on the back. To save time the typical way to inspect an existing slate roof is by using binoculars, looking at the roof from the ground. This method minimizes more broken slate from walking on the roof during the inspection. I had forgotten to tell him about the imitation slate on the back and received a call from him expressing amazement at the excellent condition of the slate on the rear of the barn, in comparison to the numerous repairs that were needed in the front.

As an old-timer in the slate trade, he was shocked and slightly embarrassed when he was informed that he had mistaken imitation slate for the real thing. Yes, the look alike slate had been on the roof for over 8 years and had developed the typical weathered look that real slate always has, so he couldn't be faulted.

Keep in mind though, that whether you pick real slate or imitation slate, the snow will slide off fairly easily, so you should spend the money for the correct snow guards or when the winter snow comes, someone could get hurt by the ton's of snow avalanching off the roof.

Which ever brand you wish to be installed on your home, make certain the installer follows closely to the manufactures installation instructions and you will have a roof that will last and look great for many years.

Tag : roof,roofing,roof cleaning

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Owens

Renovating your house can be an expensive business both in monetary terms and in it's impact on the environment. The majority of our household waste ends up in landfill sites, even re-usable materials are often thrown out because there is no infrastructure to accommodate their recycling. Choosing Cast Iron Gutters as your rainwater solution is the greenest option to choose compared to materials such as aluminum and PVC and has many other benefits too.

Cast iron gutters are made from 97% recycled material and in turn are 100% recyclable. There are two options to choose when disposing of cast iron; taking it to a scrap metal merchant or taking it to a recycling plant where it can be melted down and turned into new cast iron products. It even has the approval of Greenpeace who recommend the material over alternatives as the ONLY green rainwater solution. Its impact on the environment is also reduced by its longevity.

Whereas aluminum is built to last only 30 years, and PVC unable to withstand any longer than approximately 15 years, the century-long lifespan of cast iron gutters and the little maintenance they require would make them more environmentally friendly even if they couldn't be recycled!

Cast Iron Gutters are also the only material to be recommended by both the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Department of National Heritage as the most suitable material to maintain a building's aesthetic appearance, especially important if your building falls under conservation regulations or planning laws. The matte effect of cast iron allows the gutters to blend into the house whilst enhancing the traditional characteristics of the property. Glossy materials such as metal and plastics can stand out and look cheap.

Research by estate agents has found that compared to other types of rainwater gutters, cast iron has the effect of increasing the perceived value of the property. The large variety of profiles available means that you can match your gutters to the architectural style of the building, and as these change very little over time, if a section of the gutter needs replacing, a small piece can be replaced as opposed to replacing the whole system.

However, repairs are very unlikely due to the strength of the rainwater systems. It can easily withstand heavy snow fall and strong winds. It will not twist or crack as a result of temperature changes and it is a high impact material meaning that it can withstand accidental or intentional damage, making it ideal for inner cities and locations prone to vandalism. Because it can withstand high winds, its noise impact is reduced as it will not rattle or bang against the side of the building.

It also has sound deadening qualities which also reduces the amount of noise it causes such as dripping rain or flowing water. All of these factors make cast iron gutters the most aesthetically, acoustically, labour-efficient and cost effective form of guttering available on the market. The green qualities of the material over other types of rainwater systems make cast iron the only choice for those of us wanting to reduce our impact on the planet whilst adding to the value of our house.

A recent roofing repair job led to more than what the property owner bargained for - and not in a feel-good bonus kind of way. The "Times-Georgian" recently reported that "a roofing repair 'hot spot' may have been the cause of a ... fire that destroyed a building due to be reopened soon."

Just 45 minutes after roofing crews had wrapped up completion on the roof repair, the blaze reportedly broke out. What is a roof hot spot? It's is a section of the roof that contains moisture. The heat such a spot accumulates during the day is then released at night. Even when a hot spot doesn't flare into a full-fledged fire, the lost heat it contributes to a building can significantly impact the cost of heating and cooling for the property owner.

The pitfalls of a roof hot spot don't stop there, however. Roofing hot spots most typically are found when a new roof system is installed over an existing roof. Because the old roof is laden down with moisture content, the addition of the new roof causes the moisture to get trapped inside the structure. Over time, that new roof you spent thousands of dollars on begins to rot from the inside out. What's worse, it's a case of buyer beware, because even when you shell out extra dollars on a roof warranty, you'll receive no payout if your new roof system was installed over a moisture-laden existing roof.

How can you avoid all these expensive and sometimes dangerous side effects? Your best option is to hire a reputable roofing professional who will get the job done right. You can also request a thermal imaging scan of your existing roof. A heat spy thermal imaging camera can uncover hot spots easily and quickly. This scan should be performed on any core samples of your roof that have a history of leaking.

A core sample is taken when a small section of your roof is removed and examined for moisture content. Using infrared photography, a thermal scan can then detect any hot spots in your roof.

Hot spots also have a less insidious but just as irritating definition in the roofing industry. Most typically, they occur with tile roofs. The way in which the tiles are taken off the pallet on which they are delivered, the way in which they are installed on the roof and, most notably, the way in which they are stacked on the roof can all contribute to hot spots. When several tiles of the same color are installed too close together, a layout hot spot can occur. While they won't cause your roof to burst into flame, if left undetected, they can mar the blended effect you've spent hard-earned money to achieve.

Whether it's the threat of physical conflagration, the potential for expensive overhauls or merely a cosmetic headache you're forced to endure, a roofing hot spot is nothing to play fire with. For these reasons, it's important that your new roof be evaluated and installed by a professional roofer.

Any home improvement project usually includes installing a new roof for the house, or replacing the existing dilapidated one. Though an integral part of home improvement, it is definitely one of the most expensive and tedious of all the tasks.

The kind of roof you install depends largely upon the climate of the place you stay in. remember that a roof is not something that you change everyday. A well planned installation usually lasts a minimum of ten years.

One of the most stylish kinds of roofs is the Clay tile roofing. This style is associated with Spanish architecture. Make sure that this style of roof goes with the architecture of your house and also suits the weather. A roof made of this material has many advantages. For instance, Clay tile roofing lasts much longer than the other types and doesn't require a lot of maintenance.

A well installed roof of this particular design can last up to fifty years at a time! However there is one major drawback of this variety of roofs. They need special materials and expertise, and therefore cannot be done by anyone and everyone. Also the cost of installation is much higher than the other types of roofs. This type of roofing is also meant only for the hot climates. Hence it is very famous in states like California, Florida and Nevada, where it can hold up easily against the scorching sun and heat because of their remarkable endurance.

So the first thing to remember while installing clay tile roofing is that it should suit the weather conditions, and secondly, you need to hire professional help. Once installed the correct way, the roof of your house is going to last a very long time without the need for much maintenance.

Metal roofing used to just be a standard galvanized steel or aluminum roof that was silver. However, with the growing trend of being eco-friendly and saving money on building homes, metal roofs have now been created in a variety of colors and designs to make them much more aesthetically appealing to homeowners.

They are still just as functional as they always have been, but now they are much more stylish than ever before. You can find a huge selection of metal roof colors to choose from. If you've decided to install metal roofing on your home, having a stylish and functional roof can give you the best of both worlds.

When it comes to choosing metal roof colors, your options are seemingly limitless. The way that metal roofs are colored is through a polymer paint that is applied to the surface, which means that you can mix up just about any color that you can imagine.

It doesn't matter whether you want your roof to match your house, to stand out in the neighborhood, or to make a bold statement. There is something for just about everyone with all of the different styles, designs and metal roof colors that are available.

Installing a metal roof will save you money on energy costs because the material reflects heat and sunlight, which keeps your home cooler and can lower your cooling costs in the summertime when in hotter climates.

Additionally, a metal roof generally has a lifespan of about 50 years, which is more than double the life of a typical asphalt roof. Given all these great benefits, along with the option of a rainbow of colors that you can have your roof painted, there really is no limit to the benefits of metal roofing.

If you're going to install your roof by yourself, you will need to visit a local building supply store and find the roofing materials that you need. If they don't have a particular style or color in stock, you can check into ordering them so that you make sure that you are able to get exactly what you want for your new roof.

If you choose to work with a professional contractor, you will probably have less involvement in the process, aside from choosing the color and design of your roof. It doesn't really matter which one you choose, because the point is that metal roofing can provide many different advantages and benefits, including being able to be made in just about any color that you could want.

In order to obtain the area of a hip roof, take the entire outside measurement of the building, including the projections of the cornice. This is multiplied by the length of the principal rafter, and one-half of the result is the area of the roof. In making an estimate for a hip roof, it must not be forgotten that at least 30 percent extra must be added for extra labor over an ordinary saddle roof in preparing and setting the rafters.

For covering the roof with rough boards-labor only-the average cost for labor is about six times as that of the cost per square. If the roof boards are matched for tin or slate allow a little bit more per square for labor.

If there is a deck on the roof add 2 percent, to the gross estimate, this being about the cost for extra cutting and fitting around eaves of deck. There will also be a waste of material in a hip roof that will amount to at least 5 percent, on the total amount of stuff employed, and a further waste of 1 percent, if the roof terminates in a deck.

The standard width of a shingle is 4 inches, and a quarter bunch of shingles is supposed to contain 250, each 4 inches wide, which when laid cover a line 1000 inches long, or they would lay one course 83 feet 4 inches long. When shingles are laid 4 inches to the weather each shingle will cover an area of 16 inches, so that 900 so laid would cover an area 10 feet square. Proper tape measures and distance measuring wheels along with precision measurement tools will be necessary at this juncture.

Shingles, however, rarely hold out what they are supposed to cover, so that it is better to estimate 1000 shingles for each square of roofing than to confine ourselves to the actual measurement. In hip roofs 5 percent should be added, owing to the great waste in cutting about the hips; the same rule should obtain with a roof having four or more valleys in it.

Cost of Tin Roof

In estimating the cost of a tin roof, the timbers, boarding, paper-if any is used-and ribs must be considered. Generally a tin roof is a "flat roof," and the timbers employed in supporting it are, as a rule, heavier than are the timbers in an ordinary saddle or hip roof. The boarding, which is generally matched, will cost as much to lay as will the boarding of a saddle roof, so those figures may be taken as a guide. Don't forget to include pricing for measuring wheels, private label tape measures, and basic measuring tape in the budget.

Then add paper or felt, or whatever may be laid under the tin, and charge a set amount per roll for laying. The cost of ribs, besides cost of lying same, will figure up to slightly less a square. A sheet of roofing tin is 14 x 20 inches, and a box of tin contains 112 sheets. Allowing a fair percentage for covering the ribs, and for top and bottom laps, a box of tin will cover approximately 182 square feet. The estimator must ascertain for himself the actual prices current in the locality in which he resides
and change the figuring to suit.

In preparing tin valleys for shingle roofs, the tin should in no case be less than 14 inches wide, and where the pitch is low a wider tin should be used. For a slate roof 20 inches is the narrowest that should be employed. The average price for tin valleys with tin put in place will vary slightly per square foot. On an ordinary roof that is not very steep a man will lay about 150 square feet, but if the roof is steep, with the valleys short and much cutting and fitting required, one square properly laid maybe considered a good day's work.

For tin flashings about chimneys, or where the work requires such in the junction of buildings, or where a roof adjoins a brick wall, set a fair price per foot for the work finished. If step flashing is required, which means that the mortar is to be cut out of the joints of the brick work, the flashings inserted and the joints filled up with Portland cement, the work should be worth slightly more per foot completed, according to the character of the roof and the measuring wheels, measuring tape, and other tools required.

In all cases the tin should be measured before being cut, as the "laps" flashings are uncertain factors, and vary in almost every case. The work of the tinsmith, in all cases, should be well thought out before prices are decided upon. In making prices for gutters it should be borne in mind that the ordinary tin gutter that generally forms the crown molding of a cornice does not cost as much as a gutter that is enclosed in wood on the three sides.

Roof cleaning is becoming more and more popular especially in the Southeastern United States because of an airborne algae called "Gloeocapsa Magma". It is identified by the black streaks and stains that are mainly found on the north facing side of the roof, but does spread to the entire roof eventually.

For Gloeocapsa Magma to grow, it has to have heat, moisture and a food source. The heat and moisture source is easily provided by the warm and humid Southeastern climate. The food source is mainly provided from limestone fillers found in asphalt shingles.

Limestone was introduced to the shingle manufacturing process when oil prices started to escalate some years ago. Asphalt impregnated material was used in the shingles to add weight and substance to the shingle. To save on rising petroleum cost, and ultimately shingle costs, the manufactures substituted limestone in place of some of the asphalt material. Limestone being relatively cheap and dense was an ideal substitute. However, limestone also feeds Gloeocapsa Magma. Feeding off of the warm temperatures, high humidity and limestone in the shingles for food, if left unattended, the algae can cause some significant damage over time.

In the beginning this algae is more of an eyesore than anything, and can be easily removed. Left on the roof, it will keep spreading until it covers the entire roof. At this point it becomes food for mildew and lichens and this is where the real trouble starts. Be careful! Many times a roofer will be called in to inspect the roof and some roofers will tell the homeowner that they need a new roof and in some cases, that may be so. But, too many times just a cleaning will suffice saving the homeowner thousands of dollars.

However, left unattended, the mildew will build up over time until there is a substantial layer of which can breed mildew. The mildew builds up to a point that moss will begin to grow. Moss can the lead to Lichens and Lichens have little tentacles that grow down into the shingle. Once the tentacles get established, they are very hard to remove and in the process, some of the shingle grit will be dislodged leaving pits or holes in the shingles.

So it is recommended to remove the stains before it gets that bad. The best time to clean the roof is in the warmer months and when the algae covers 30% to 40% of the north roof. By this time it is likely that is has spread to other areas of the roof and will only be a matter of time before it begins to show. The longer you wait, the harder and more costly to remove.

Are you planning to build your own home or purchase a new one? Then you need to learn a little about roof truss design and how it can help you create a perfect structure for your home.

The ABC of roof truss design begins with a definite sketch. The architect will rough draft the design idea of the ceiling and then trusses will be positioned at the sides of this structure in order to support the walls. A home with merely straight walls would not be supported by anything and can collapse due to wind and environmental loads. Also, if your home comes in a high probability earthquake or seismic zone, it may not be ready to withstand the impact. Hence, it becomes apparent to make use of trusses in the roof design.

The four most popular roof truss designs are:

<1> Raised Heel truss
<2> Dropped Chord truss
<3> Scissor truss and
<4> Parallel Chord truss

Each of these design has its own pros and cons, so it is essential to discuss your structural requirements with a licensed roofing designer before choosing right roof truss layout for your home.

Raised Heel trusses are widely used because they are built to span over a large area, thus leaving plenty room for maximum insulation. A Dropped Chord roof truss is designed in two sections and prevents roof uplift. The Scissor truss design is often used in cathedral ceilings and it does not require a bearing beam or bearing wall. The Parallel Chord design is similar to the Scissor design, only it offers more room for insulation and requires more work during installation.

Expert Roof truss design can help you spread out your rooms & make the entire home feel bigger. A professional roofing designer helps you make most of your roof square footage if you have a higher roof design. That's just good practice when you want to enhance the beauty & value of your home.

Many people wait till there roof needs maintenance before they do anything to their roof. What some people may not know is that when fall comes it is time to get the roof ready for winter. In doing this you are protecting the roof from needing maintenance as often. In doing this saves you from ending up with a big bill when something does go wrong from not getting the roof ready for winter.

One thing to keep in mind while you are doing this project is to always keep a good footing and be very cautious of your surroundings. The first thing you will want to do is clear all the debris off of the roof. You can very easily do this with a leaf blower. When you are doing this step don not forget to do the gutters. Make sure that there is not anyone down below because you don't want to be throwing the debris off your roof onto your neighbors or your family.

The next thing you want to do after you got the roof clean, is do a visual inspection. You want to check for any cracks or damage. It is good to do this so you have some kind of an idea on how much work actually needs to be done. Also with doing a visual inspection it helps you catch any problems before they start to get bad and you need to hire a contractor.

The next step in getting your roof ready for the winter is check the flashings of the roof jacks. This can cause it to leak into your home when it rains or after a heavy snow. Unfortunately you will first think that you have a plumbing problem when in fact the problem is up on the roof. This is avery important step because with water leaking into your home can cause many other costly problems. Also in this step you will want to check your gutters and downspouts, and any other metal crickets, roof to wall flashings, step flashings, or split pitch roof problem areas. And then check roof window areas, or direct rain exposure or anywhere where there is a possibility that some water can get in.

After you have done all of your inspecting now is the time when you begin patching the cracks in the roof. You want to use mastic to fill the cracks. Keep in mind when you are doing this that if you require more than 6 tubes of mastic then you are going to want to consider calling a contractor to get the roof replaced. You should start applying the mastic at the ridge. When you are patching up the crack you want to make sure that you fill the entire crack to make sure that you don't get any leaking.

And lastly you want to examine valleys, ridges, and gutters. When doing this examination make sure that you throughly check the valleys. The reason for this is because they get twice the amount of water. When applying the mastic to the roofing tabs make sure that you don't clog them. Make sure that the gutters are leaf free because if left full of leaves it can cause dry rot and that can run into a lot of money.