One choice of many homeowners these days is the application of a tile or masonry roof for their house. These materials come in all manner of colors and styles to add an elegant flare to even the simplest construction. There are flat tiles and tiles with three-dimensional design. There are smooth and textured tiles.
You can also choose among a rainbow of colors to coordinate with your exterior design and scheme. They are quite durable, but like all roofing materials, they are exposed to the elements. This will lead, inevitably, to the need for tile roof repair.
Compared to shingles, which are the most common roofing materials by volume, tiles are heavier. This will often require extra reinforcement under the actual tiles. This can be damaged if there have been leaks, which can increase the labor, materials and expense for tile roof repair. The most common occurrence for this type of roofing material is cracking.
If a tile is cracked, it can most likely be repaired or replaced with a minimal amount of effort or expenditure. Be aware that the replaced tile will not be the same color due to the length of exposure of the surrounding tiles to the weather. If, however, you delay the repair it can lead to further problems such as damage to the supporting structures.
There are options on the market for tile roof repair that do not involve replacing the cracked tiles. There are fillers that will seal the crack effectively if they are used correctly according the manufacturer's instructions.
If you choose to pursue this option on your own, you should be aware that in order to reach the cracked tile you might have to walk on other tiles. When you do this, you pose a huge risk of cracking previously undamaged tiles with your weight. Also, the surface of these particular roofs is slippery and can be very dangerous for the inexperienced.
Despite the tricky nature of completing a tile roof repair, this particular material provides long lasting and durable protection for your home. It carries a much higher value for insulating your living spaces than shingle or metal materials.
This will result in lower heating and cooling bills. The life of a tile or masonry roof will far exceed that of a shingle composition if you have it professionally installed and maintained. It is an attractive and environmentally friendly option for your roofing material choices...
Be sure to visit author Chris Smitts website where you will find lots of FREE INFORMATION about Roofing and Tile Roofing - Click Here
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts
The granddaddy of all roofing materials is slate! These are considered to be 100-year roofs and will definitely live up to their reputation. If you properly install and maintain slate as your roofing material you can expect a life of somewhere between 75 and 200 years.
These amazing roofs are not, however, completely immune to damage and deterioration through the years. It is vital that you have your roof professionally inspected once per year to see if you need any slate roof repairs. Only use a contractor who has experience and knowledge about this type of material.
If you notice a leak in your home and think you may need some slate roof repairs, the first step is to have a look at the actual surface. Without the need to climb on a ladder you can survey the roof surfaces for any irregularities. If there are missing or broken slates then these will need replacing.
If the leak seems to originate around a pipe, vent, chimney or other penetrating element, you will need someone to inspect the area more closely. You are best advised not to try this yourself. The surface of slate is by its very nature unstable for walking. And if repairs are necessary, you will not want to attempt this by yourself either.
One trick of the trade for determining if you need any slate roof repairs is to check the attic for dust. Yes, attics are covered with all manner of tiny particles. For this test you need to determine if what you are seeing is slate (rock) dust.
This is a definite sign of deterioration as is the presence of flaking on the outer surfaces, which can end up on the ground around the edges of the house or in the gutters.
The weakest parts that will most likely be the causes for you to have slate roof repairs are the surrounding elements. The flashing that is used around all penetrating parts as well as in valleys and at the edges is probably going to be the first thing that needs repair. These components are made of metal and will not last as long as the slate.
Flashing can be seen above the slate application, but it is also found underneath the stone. This may have damage or corrosion and you will not know it until you see a leak. This is not a job for the amateurs among us. There are many skills and techniques to safely and correctly fixing these problems. Leave this one to the pros.
Be sure to visit author Chris Smitts website where you will find lots of FREE INFORMATION about Roofing and Slate Roofs - Click Here
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts
Storms can do great harm to roofs. After the storm has completely passed, you should immediately check for roof damage. Check your roof from one end to another so you can properly diagnose the storm effects. If you miss just one spot or neglected one problem area, you may pay dearly, not just for roof repairs but also for replacement of damaged valuable furniture and home furnishings.
The Need for Temporary Storm Damage Roof Repair
Unless you are a trained carpenter or an engineer, or you know someone skilled who can get to work immediately, all you can do is try to perform minor and temporary repairs on your roof immediately after a storm. Temporary roof repair is necessary so that you can prevent further damage when another storm hits before you get your roof permanently repaired. Temporary roof repair is also necessary to ensure your home’s integrity and ensure that your family has adequate protection against the elements.
After you have assessed your roof and identified problem areas, get to work. The most pressing problem is roof holes. You need to plug up these holes immediately. Obviously, holes in the roof will mean leaks when it rains. They also mean that cold air or hot air can escape from your home. This inefficiency will cost you dearly in your electricity bills. Sure you may be able to do a little stargazing from the comfort of your living room recliner, but I think most would agree that a hole in the roof is very high priority on temporary repair lists.
How to Do Storm Damage Roof Repair
The most expedient way to repair your roof after a storm is to spread tarpaulin or water-proof canvass over your entire leaky roof. It is better to use the tarpaulin over your roof rather than under the roof and inside your house since doing the latter will lead to water collecting and leaking inside your home.
Remember to do this very carefully and with adequate assistance from capable members of your family. Be sure, too, to cover your roof up really tightly so that the wind cannot get under the tarpaulin or canvass and rip it and the rest of your roof off. After you have pulled the covering over your roof as tightly as you and your assistant(s) can manage, secure the ends with strong ropes and nails so that even a fairly strong gust of wind will not be able to undermine your temporary storm damage repair.
One other way of doing temporary storm damage roof repair is by going up there and sealing holes up with roof sealant. Use the appropriate safety paraphernalia like safety ladders and rope support so that you can prevent any accident from happening.
The Need for Permanent Storm Damage Roof Repair
After you have secured your home and fixed your storm damaged roof the best way you can, you need to call an expert carpenter or contractor to proceed with permanent storm damage control and repair to your roofs. An expert can perform the proper maintenance and thereby help you properly repair the damage the storm wrought on your roof.
Hiring a professional to repair your storm-ravaged roof may be expensive. However, in the long run, this is the most effective way of preventing other more catastrophic and more expensive damage to your home. Your initial assessment and your temporary roof repair efforts will never be enough to ensure your home’s survival on the next storm.
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=123220&ca=Home+Management
When it comes to finding ways to keep your heating and cooling costs down, there is nothing better than installing attic insulation. This is especially true for those who have problems with their heating bills climbing through the roof.
While attic ventilation is an extremely important issue to address, you want to make sure that the insulation in the attic is up to par or else you will continue to see your heating bills climb at a crazy rate. With the cost of everything else on the rise and the economy looking a little shaky, it is important to make sure that you are doing everything you can to make sure that you are saving money.
Installing an attic ventilation system will be easy and take you only about a day. The attic insulation could be a different story depending on the current set up of your attic. If you have a finished attic with drywall or plaster up then you can pick one of two ways to get the insulation in.
You can rip out all of the drywall or plaster, install the insulation, and then put the walls back up. Or you can cut small holes throughout, fill the walls with insulation that is blown in and then simply repair the holes in the wall.
If you are trying to figure out which way is best for you, simply think about the money and the time involved. If your walls in the attic are pretty beat up but it is a big enough space that you could transform it into an active room then you might as well tear out the old walls and install new ones once the attic insulation is properly installed.
But if your attic is nothing more than a crawl space that no one is every really going to see then you may want to cut holes in the walls to blow insulation in, even if the walls are not that pretty to look at. This is the time to think about pricing though.
If you are able to rent the machine to blow the attic insulation in yourself then that is great. But if you are looking at having to hire someone to come out to do it then you will be looking at a project that just doubled in cost.
For those who have a limited budget and know how to drywall on their own, going the route of ripping out and replacing walls may be the option that makes more financial sense, even if it does mean you are going to be spending a little more time on this particular project.
You need to make sure though, that no matter what you do, that the attic insulation is not left exposed. Too many times, people have done this thinking that they will get back up there later and complete the project but find that they never do. Even with an attic ventilation system in place, tiny pieces of that insulation can get into the air.
This is not something that you or your family needs to be breathing in as major health problems can occur. If you have to take a break between installing the insulation and the drywall make sure that you are at least covering the walls with thick and heavy plastic.
AtticInsulationGuide.com is the premier resource for attic insulation on the Net, with information on subjects such attic ventilation, as well as on where to buy materials, and how to install them - click the links above to find out more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Nave
Removing snow from your roof is not the same as the removing snow from your garden. Where there is a possibility of snow, the roofs are made inclined and this is a major reason why the mechanical tools cannot be used by the house-owner. Either he has to use manual tools or he has to call for an expert in roof raking. Fortunately, the gravity works for the house-owner and if the snowfall is not continuous and long lasting, the nature itself would melt the snow and a minor effort on part of house-owner will ensure that no ice collects on the roof.
Roof Rakes Are Made Of Aluminum Or Hard Plastic
For roof raking aluminum ladder and roof rakes are required. The roof rakes are attached at the end of a tube. They are made of aluminum or hard plastic. Aluminum is preferred over plastic as they are not as tough as the aluminum ones. Aluminum ladder is necessary, as roof is slippery, inclined and thus not safe for access. Whatever portions can be reached with the help of the tube extensions, are cleared of collected snow and the other portions left out in as is condition. Chemical deicers if available in market can be used.
Safety In Roof Raking
Do not do the following when clearing the snow from roof
1. Never ever, climb on the roof to clear the snow. All the ingredients for an accident are present the roof. A slippery surface and slope are sufficient for hurtling you downwards.
2. Do not work on the snow by mechanical means, that means no pounding or chopping
3. Aluminum ladder should have a firm footing, and it should be anchored firmly. It should not topple down.
Roof Raking Alternatives
To reduce the manual effort required in roof raking and removing snow from roof, roof and gutter de-icing cable can be installed on the roof. This has to be installed on the roof in a zigzag pattern and parallel to the gutter. A controller situated in your house will ensure that the temperature of the area under the cable does not get hot.
Published At: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=23798&ca=Gardening
4 Great Reasons to Have a Roofing Contractor Roof Your Home in the Winter
0 comments Posted by ariya at 20:01If you live in an area of the country, such as Massachusetts, with harsh winters you might be wondering why anyone would consider roof replacement in the winter time. Well, it's not as uncommon as you might think. Many roofing contractors offer their services year round even in cold and snowy regions like Massachusetts, which is where I'm from. Roofing Massachusetts homes during the winter is no different for a roofing contractor than doing it any other time of the year, with a few exception, and some roofing contractors and there crews even say that they prefer it. First let's go over what makes roofing more difficult this time of year and the arguments against having a new roof installed right now.
It's too cold outside for a roof replacement.
This argument just doesn't hold any water. It may be cold out now but who cares? Your roof doesn't care. The crew installing your roof doesn't care. Don't worry about the guys doing the installation. If the cold weather bothered them that much they wouldn't be up there installing your new roof in the first place, they would be working an indoor job. I know a lot of guys that prefer roofing in cold weather just because it is cold. Try roofing a black roof in the middle of the Summer. Lots of fun, let me tell ya. In the Summer if it is 90 degrees on the ground it feels like 110 degrees up on that roof (and sometimes is).
There is too much snow on my roof to have it replaced right now.
This, my friend, is why God created snow shovels. It is really not a big deal to shovel the snow off of a roof. It usually takes a half-hour to an hour to remove the snow and most roofing contractors don't even charge you extra for this as long as they are there to replace the roof and not just shovel snow (a service which many roofing companies provide in the North East). Does the crew need to be careful while doing this to avoid falling? Of course. However, the crew needs to be careful in every regard when it comes to roofing a house, this is nothing new. These guys are professionals and safety should always comes first, and does always come first with a responsible roofing company.
Alright, I just gave you 2 reasons why many people think roofing shouldn't be done in the winter and why they aren't really very good reasons at all. Now let me give you the 4 best reasons you should consider having your roof replaced this time of year.
1.) Ice dams causing leaks.
The winter time in Massachusetts tests your home and roof in ways unlike any other time of year. The most common cause of roof leaks during the winter is the dreaded ice dam. An ice dam is formed over the eaves of a house from built up snow melting and running down the roof only to refreeze at the very edge of the roof line. Here in Massachusetts, as well as other cold climate areas, roofing contractors use a product called "ice & water barrier" together with proper drip-edge flashing techniques to prevent ice dams from damaging your home and causing leaks. This technique, when done properly, provides added protection for at least 3 feet up from all edges of the roof. Many older roofs do not have "ice & water barrier" installed. If your roof is leaking because of ice dams this could be a great time to have the roof redone properly and insure that ice dams will not be bothering you and your home again.
2.) Winter conditions, in general, make a bad roof worse.
If you had a bad roof before winter hit it is only going to be in worse shape once spring arrives. There are many factors that adversely affect your roof in the cold weather. I already discussed ice dams but there's more. During the winter as the temperature fluctuates it makes your shingles expand and contract causing curling and cracking in older shingles. Now let's say some of your old roof shingles curl a bit, then you get a nice wet, heavy snow and the weight of the snow causes some of those curled shingles to crack. Now you have a potential new roof leak. Also, when that wet, heavy snow then freezes it will possibly cause even more damage to your old roof shingles. The thawing and refreezing that occurs throughout the winter time is nothing but bad for old shingles. Old roofs hate the cold winters.
3.) Faster service on your new roof installation.
It's a simple fact that Massachusetts roofing contractors, and roofing contractors in general, are not as busy during the winter. What this means for a homeowner needing a new roof is that the roof contractor you choose might be able to install your new roofing in a matter of days from the time that you sign the contract as opposed to waiting weeks, or even months sometimes, if you hold off until the spring, summer, and fall months. For many homeowners this reason alone should be enough to have your roof done in the winter time.
4.) Save money by taking advantage of a slow time of year for roofers.
Who doesn't want to save as much money as possible especially when it comes to an expensive home improvement project such as re-roofing. For the same reasons that you may be able to receive faster installation service on a new roof from a roofing contractor during the winter, you will also probably receive a better price than you would during the warmer months. Most professional roof installers will provide you with the same labor warranty for a roof installed in winter time as a roof installed any other time of year. The material warranty is provided by the shingle manufacturer and will be the same regardless of what season the roof was installed. Roofing contractors want to keep their crews busy and will give you a better price just to avoid having to lay off employees during the winter slowdown.
So what are you waiting for? If you have a house with an older roof that needs replacing get in touch with a local roofing contractor and find out for yourself why roofing Massachusetts homes or a home in any other area is a perfectly viable option in the winter time and often a bargain!
Josh Johnson is part of the team at BCI Contracting, Inc., a Massachusetts roofing contractor, and he would be happy to provide you with more information about their roofing, siding, and seamless gutter installation services if you visit the website. You can also visit Josh's roofing blog which focuses on the roofing and siding industry, particularly in Massachusetts.
http://www.articleclick.com/
What should the homeowner expect to get for his or her money in the way of a ridge vent for their new lifetime metal roof? Over the years I have seen scores of metal roofs installed. Today many homeowners have opted for the more traditional look of the shingle type of metal roofing. Is the typical ridge vent material used for asphalt shingle roofing the correct choice for metal shingles? Most of the ridge vents used with asphalt shingle installations are made of some type of polymer.
One of the most common is the mesh type that resembles a bird nest. The contractor will install this over the opening at the ridge, and then nail the shingles right over it; the bulk of the mesh is what provides the gap and opening for the air flow. The biggest problem with this type of vent is that it is way too restrictive. It does not allow for enough air flow to come through its woven mesh. The warranty on these products is very limited as well, certainly not as long as the lifetime of an aluminum lifetime roof.
There are other plastic vents out there that are being routinely used with these metal roofs. There is a low profile honey combed vent that lies on either side of the ridge with a built in baffle system. These are fairly common in the marketplace and again have a very limited warranty. When you consider the cost of a metal roof be sure that the vent you are getting is equal to the lifetime quality of the roof itself.
Contact the metal roofing professionals listed below to show you an all metal color co-ordinated linear vent that will last a lifetime and perform as expected.
Mike Gonet is a Sr. Partner with Classic Metal Roofs, LLC located in Massachusetts serving all of Southern New England for information call toll free 866-660-6668
Classic Metal Roofs, LLC, is the exclusive dealer for Classic Metal Roofing Systems, Inc. of Ohio in Southern New England.
Let our certified installation crews install a new metal roof on your home. Our installers are employees of Classic Metal Roofs, LLC. We are licensed and insured in the states we work.
http://classicmetalroofs.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Gonet
What do you want your home to look like? This is often the first thing that homeowners ask themselves when it comes to selecting a roof. While looks are certainly important, there are other things that you might want to think about before selecting a roof.
Surprisingly, the overall cost of the roof shouldn't be high on your list of things to think about. Does cost matter? Well, only slightly. Sure, you have to choose a material that will fit within your budget, but this isn't the number one thing that you should be thinking about. Perhaps this time you might consider residential metal roofing for a multitude of reasons.
Instead, think about the overall life of the material that you choose. For example, residential metal roofing will last up to 30 years, and some metal roofing shingles will last longer than that. Sure, the initial cost of metal might be higher than a composite shingle, but this really shouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
While a composite material will only last for a few years, metal will last much longer. So, you see, the actual cost of the roof that you install will be greater if you choose a composite (or cheaper) material.
Residential metal roofing also happens to be extremely light weight, which is ideal when it comes to installation. In addition, it is easy to install making it a favorite for many home roofers. Many people also happily discover the metal is a great conductor of heat, which means that your monthly heating bill will be lower than it would be otherwise.
Another positive aspect of metal is that it is extremely durable. So, you won't have to replace metal every year, and it doesn't require a large amount of upkeep. Clearly, a metal roof is a great idea for anyone that wants a long lasting roofing job.
Should you consider residential metal roofing? You absolutely should. Still, it never hurts to research all the materials available, find out as much as you can, compare prices and durability, and then choose the roofing material that really works with your budget and your style preferences.
Keep in mind that the initial cost of a material really doesn't reflect the overall cost, and you are sure to find the perfect roofing material for home. Metal is used frequently on industrial buildings, but it is also a great residential material as well . . .
To learn more about metal roofing be sure to visit the authors website at residential metal roofing.
Are you considering metal roofing? Be sure to visit the authors website to get more FREE Information. You can even find local contractors- http://www.metal--roofing.net/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts
