In the Windy City, roofs have it rough.
Imagine yourself standing outside all day. Maybe today is sunny and nice, so you are thinking, okay, that's fine. That isn't bad.
Think about standing outside all night. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. Keep standing outside through the rain, sun, snow, wind, ice, and cold, without ever coming in. It wouldn't be a pleasant life, but luckily you don't have to go through that. You are fortunate enough to have a roof over your head.
Being outside and completely exposed to the elements is the rough life that roofs are cursed with. Damage done to roofs by all the different weather extremes is unparalleled to any other part of a house.
• Sun: The sun is a major enemy of any roof. Constant exposure to heat and ultraviolet light causes roofs to age, and shingles to crack, curl and split. Shingles are coated with mineral granules to reflect sunlight and to minimize damage, but as these granules slowly wear away through other elements, the effects of direct sunlight become more and more pronounced.
• Wind: Severe winds, like tornadoes, gusts, or hurricanes will obviously wreak terrible damage on any roof. But even moderately strong winds can slowly wear a roof down over time. Wind can lift shingles, which loosens them, and lets dirt and moisture get beneath them.
• Moisture: Moisture has many forms. General moisture that inevitably accumulates beneath the shingles erodes the integrity of a roof and eventually causes rotting. Other moisture, such as ice and snow, causes a specific problem called ice damming. Ice and snow that melts and refreezes pushes up roofing material, again weakening the integrity of the roof leading to serious problems in the future.
• Trees: Trees are a beautiful and essential part of any home's landscaping. But branches can break off and do both serious and immediate damage and also minor and long term damage that accumulates slowly.
Chicago roofing contractors know that the Midwest's weather is damaging to all elements of a home, especially the roof. With temperatures ranging from blisteringly hot to below freezing cold, along with snowfall, rain, sleet and slush; the effects of the weather are powerful on Chicago homes. Inspect your roof for loose, warped or worn material to make sure that you're not at risk of further damaging your home. Check the gutters for mineral granules because an accumulation of granules indicates excessive wear and potentially acts as a sign to replace the roof itself. Also, discolored paint or peeling wallpaper indicates the presence of moisture in the house, possibly stemming from roof related issues. If any of these characteristics are present for your roof, it is time for you to redo your roof before the damage becomes more severe, and subsequently more expensive.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Kripas |
Roofing: Under the Shingles - What's Under the Asphalt, Metal, Wood, Rubber Or Clay Tiles on a Roof?
0 comments Posted by ariya at 00:45Imagine, you’re standing on the sidewalk, looking at an average house. You see the siding, the windows, the front door, and way up above, you see the roof. Does the roof have asphalt shingles? Wood shakes perhaps? Maybe it’s made of metal or rubber tiles? What you see is where the focus goes, but it’s what you don’t see that really matters. There’s more to roofing than meets the eye. So let’s talk about what goes on, under the shingles.
The Roof Deck
We learn to crawl before we walk, so when talking about roofing let’s start with square one, the surface area of your roof which is made of wood. Your wood roof deck is comparable to an automobiles metal body. It is installed on top of the basic house frame to give a surface area on which to install Shingles. Without a roof deck installed on your house, there would be nowhere to install your Shingles. And of course without the shingles, your roof deck would rot away due to exposure to the sun, rain, snow and ice and etc...not a comfortable home at all!
On Newer Houses, sheets of plywood or OSB boards are fastened on top of wooden trusses in your attic to form the roof deck. Plywood or OSB boards are installed in a staggered formation with small spaces between them to allow wood to expand and contract as the wood heats in the summer and cools in the winter. Older homes often have lengths of 2" x 6" installed instead of plywood or OSB board. When the time comes for you to replace your Roof System, remember to have your Calgary Roofing Contractor replace any and all damaged wood.
Remember, if your roof deck is rotting or damaged in any way, people walking on your roof could potentially crack or break through the wood, causing further damage to the roof system, such as to the shingles...and to the person who walked on it! However, most roof decks can withstand a little bit of exposure to water or ice before it needs to be replaced.
Metal: Drip Edge and Rake Edge
Drip edge and Rake edge is the first part of the Roof System to be installed. It is a long and narrow piece of metal which is installed along each end of your Roof Deck, ie: along the eaves trough and along the gable ends.
Some area local building codes require the installation of Drip Edge and Rake Edge and other building codes do not. Check with your local city building offices to find out. In Alberta for example, the Building Code does not require the installation of Drip edge or Rake edge. Therefore many new homes and/or low budget roof systems do not have drip edge installed in order to allow for more affordable roof prices. We recommend however that Drip edge and Rake edge be installed on every Roof System, no exceptions.
Drip and Rake edge is available in a variety of different colors and sizes and can be custom built for the needs of your roof system. Installing an appropriate drip edge often saves hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars when your roof system needs replaced.
If your Roof System does not currently have drip or rake edge installed, do not panic, you'll survive well enough. Just be aware that when your roof needs to be replaced, the Roofing Contractor you may need to replace some of your wood Roof Deck on an as needed basis.
Metal: Chimneys and Skylights
Arguably the most important part of every complete roof system. The metal installed in the valleys, chimneys and skylights take the brunt of water flow on every roof. Poorly installed, a brand new roof system can make a waterfall out of your living room.
Every chimney and skylight needs what is referred to as “a back pan”, which consists of sheet metal folded at around a 90 degree angle (depending on the slope of your roof) and tucks under the shingles and up under the siding, stucco or counter flashing on the chimney or skylight. Every back pan needs a small 2” section of metal sticking out 1” or more from either side of the chimney or skylight to divert water away from the corners. Water should hit the metal back pan and be directed away on either side where it can continue its run into the eaves trough.
Metal: Valleys
In the same way water runs along the valleys between two mountains, water runs along the valleys on your roof peaks. Valleys generally receive the highest concentration of water flowing through them, therefore installing them correctly is extremely important!
As mentioned in the Leak Barrier section, valleys have leak barriers installed underneath them. Even though some Building Codes do not require such a leak barrier to be installed, we recommend installing one always in every valley.
A word of caution: Many roofing contractors install valleys in a style referred to as 'closed'. A closed valley consists of Shingles woven inside the valley, as opposed to an 'open' valley which has sheet metal running from top to bottom. Both the 'open' and the 'closed' style of installation are acceptable by the most Building Codes and by most manufacturers, however, the 'open' style installation has consistently out performed the 'closed' style...and costs exactly the same price to install. Ask your Roofing Contractor to use the 'open' style of installation for your roofs valleys, this could save you from having to replace your roof system prematurely and also can avoid headaches in the long run. Typically, an 'open' valley is installed with a 30 gauge sheet metal, 4' wide, coming in 10' sheets. This metal can be ordered in any color to match the shingles on your roof system.
Leak Barrier
Think of a leak barrier as a "second layer" of protection for your Roof Deck. A backup plan, if you will, and also a protection against moisture build up. Leak barriers are nearly always installed on top of the Drip Edge and Rake Edge metal along eaves trough areas, gable areas and valleys because of the risk these areas pose for leaks, ice build up, shingle deterioration and water back flow.
If you've ever looked at your roof during winter, you'll notice how ice and snow builds up along the length of your eaves troughs and inside the roof valleys. As with Rake Edge and Drip Edge, some Building codes require Leak Barriers to be installed and some Building Codes do not. In Alberta, the Building Code requires a leak Barrier to be installed on all eaves trough and valley areas of a Roof Systems because of issues related to such snow and ice build up. As an optional upgrade, some high end roof systems even have leak barriers installed on top of the entire Roof Deck (as opposed to only along the special areas we just mentioned) where normally a standard Roof Deck Protection would normally have been installed.
Virtually all roofs in Calgary, Alberta have leak barriers installed, and many different types of leak barriers are available in today's market, each offering a different level of reliability, functionality and warrantee and produced by many different manufacturers.
Choosing an appropriate Leak Barrier and installing it properly is an important step in every Roof System. Speak with your Roofing Contractor to learn more about leak barriers, how to choose the right one and how to choose a Professional Roofing Contractor to install it.
Roof Deck Protection
Roof Deck Protection is very similar to a Leak Barrier. The difference is that Roof Deck Protection is installed on the entire Roof Deck area instead of only on "special areas" as we mention in the Leak Barrier section.
Typically, Roof Deck Protection is a step lower in quality than a Leak Barrier. As with Leak Barriers however, there are many different types of Roof Deck Protection available to choose from ranging from basic felt/tar paper to advanced plastic woven sheets of rip and wrinkle proof material. Choosing a reliable Roof Deck Protection is an important part of a quality Roof System.
A word of caution; most roofing companies use felt paper as Roof Deck Protection. Although using felt paper is a standard and acceptable practice, some issues can arise if the felt paper becomes wet during or after the installation. Ever notice how paper tends to curl when it dries after it was wet? In a similar way, felt paper can curl if water or excess moisture touches it. For this reason, and because the cost is quite small, we recommend installing a higher quality Roof Deck Protection such as a GAF/ELK Deck Armour. For a relatively small additional cost, you'll be rewarded with a much more reliable Roof Deck Protection.
Ask your local trusted Roofing Contractor about which under-layer would be best for your Roof System any why.
Conclusion
So there it is, life beneath the shingles. See how much goes on behind the scenes? Professional roofing contractors know this stuff inside and out and can help immensely in ensuring a roof system is reliable for many years. Product suppliers such as GAF/Elk and IKO can help answer specific questions about products as well.
All the best with your roofing project, and remember, be proactive, make educated decisions.
Considering the concerns that many people have regarding extreme weather conditions and the damages they can cause to a home, it is little surprise that the metal roofing business has seen a dramatic increase in popularity in recent years. Long held misconceptions held by people that metal roofing was dull or unattractive are being obliterated by the stylish new designs of these versatile roofs. Concerns people may have regarding the affordability of metal roofs is also being eliminated, as they are becoming more affordable than ever before.
Brisbane roofing trends are no exceptions to these rules. In fact, business is positively booming for roofing companies in the area, as more customers than ever before are inquiring about metal roofs. Anyone who has experienced the damage caused by extreme weather is sure to be curious about these fine additions to their homes, and this at least partly explains the rise in these roofs' popularity. Ask any roofing company around this part of Queensland, and they are sure to confirm that metal roofs are among the most asked about products available today.
Durability of Metal secures long term appeal -
Durability is just part of the equation when it comes to this type of roofing's skyrocketing appeal, though. As many homes in the area age, re roofing Brisbane companies are experiencing more calls than ever before. And more people than ever are deciding to replacing their old existing roof with a Metal roofing understanding the benefits this time around. They are especially more open minded when they learn about some of the financial benefits of this style of roofing.
Metal Roofs are commonly recommended by insurance companies. This is because a home with a roof made of metal is much likelier to withstand many different types of extreme weather. Where a regular roof might cave, buckle, or otherwise incur damage, a metal roof will withstand it all. From an insurance standpoint, this is quite compelling. It makes insurers look at a home in a more favourable light, and the home becomes less of an insurance risk as well. For homeowners, this can translate into reduced premiums and can save them a great deal of money over the course of a year..
The Value of Metal Roofs is higher than its counterparts -
The value of a home that has installed a roof made of metal is also sure to increase dramatically. Houses with metal roofs generally attract a more favourable overall appraisal from home appraisers. This is because a house's roof is a huge part of the appraisal equation, and metal roofs are incredibly durable. Therefore, they add to the value of a home by guaranteeing that future owners will not have to worry about replacing the roof for quite some time.
Finally, metal roofs are available in more styles than ever before. Gone are the days of the dull, rolled metal roof look. People are able to replace their roofing with as style similar to traditional shingles. Metal Roofing that resemble conventional tiling are also very popular sellers. People can also select slate, cedar shake or many other attractive designs for their roof. It is little wonder, then, that these roofs have become more popular than ever before, all around Australia.
Brisbane roofing companies like Metal Technology Roofing are rapidly jumping on the metal roofing band wagon. This is little surprise, considering how many great benefits these roofs offer to homeowners around Australia. Reroofing Brisbane operations are selling more metal roofs than ever before.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eva_Judge
If you have mortgage repayments to make each month and are in full time work then you should give some serious thought as to how you would continue repaying your mortgage if you were to find yourself out of work due to having an accident, suffering from a long term illness or through unemployment of no fault of your own. This is where mortgage cover can provide invaluable protection.
Protecting your mortgage repayments with mortgage cover insurance is essential as the help that the State gives can be very little even if you do qualify for it. This means that you risk getting behind on your mortgage repayments, getting in to arrears and even lose your home to repossession. Mortgage cover can help you to avoid this as long as you have made sure that the cover would be suitable for your needs. There are exclusions in all mortgage cover policies and some of the most common include only being in part time work, being retired, or suffering from a pre-existing medical condition at the time of taking out the policy.
Once you have determined a policy is suitable for your needs then it would begin to pay you a tax free amount after you had been out of work for a pre-defined period of time which can be from the 31st day of being out of work while some mortgage cover providers won’t payout until up to 90 days. The insurance would then continue to give you the income you need to be able to pay your mortgage without the worry of where you would get the money.
Mortgage cover can be taken out alongside the mortgage with the high street lender but this is the dearest way of buying the cover. If you want the cheapest premiums then you use a standalone specialist for the protection, not only will you get some of the cheapest premiums but you can also take advantage of the information you are given to ensure that a policy would be suitable for your circumstances.
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=192517&ca=Finances
Gothic structures bring about awe. If you have ever laid your eyes on a building such as the abbey of Saint-Denis in France, you likely were struck by the beauty of this style of architecture. If you have seen other similar structures, the abbey of Saint-Dennis was their parent building, created in the early 1100's and becoming the model style that many other gothic structures were created from.
The idea of gothic building was to be awe-inspiring. They were churches and houses of God, and you were to be in awe of God throughout the building.
If you always wanted to be able to have that style of architecture in your home, but don't have the money to have a building created with pointed arches and flying buttresses, there are still some ways you can give your home a bit more of a gothic look.
One thing that will help is roof finials. When you look at gothic buildings you will likely note that there are a lot of spires and points at the corners and elevated portions of the building. Adding roof finials to your home will give a similar look. You can find roof finials in many varieties these days, and if you look hard enough, you may even be able to find some that are extremely close to those used on your favorite gothic building from days of old. Roof finials are not too hard to install and could easily be a weekend project, unless you are not a fan of climbing up on the roof. In that case you should call in a handy-man to do the job for you.
In addition to roof finials, there was another trait that really stood out in gothic structures, especially on a sunny day – stained glass. The reason gothic buildings were so inundated with stained glass is because the architecture of the building allowed it. Since the construction, through arches, took all the weight and pressure from the roof off the walls, and instead put it on columns, the builders could have a little more leeway with the number and enormity of the windows that were to be put into these buildings. As yet another tribute to God, artists were called in to create elaborate scenes from the bible in beautifully detailed stained glass. No doubt as worshipers entered the church and the light came through these glass panes, they felt almost as if the rays of the heavens were streaming down on them as they approached the altar. It was easily a very religious experience.
In your home, you may not be able to add such elaborate stained glass works. After all, you do have to consider you are dealing with slightly different architecture, and you are trying to create a gothic look, but not build an entirely new gothic building. You can look into changing some of your smaller windows out for stained glass panels or just get stained glass window panels that you hang in front of the window and will look like the real thing, without any window replacement.
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=232359&ca=Home+Management
Before you attempt to remove the snow accumulated on your roof, you need to take a few precautions. A roof rake will help you get the job done safely and efficiently.
How To Use A Snow Roof Rake Safely
Raking the snow off a roof can be both physically straining and potentially hazardous. While the process is usually helped along by gravity and the weather, removing snow from a roof is not as straightforward as removing snow from a walkway. A pitched roof will prevent too much snow collecting, providing that the snowfall is not constant over a long period of time, but means that home-owners will have to get the job done manually rather than use power tools.
Types Of Roof Rakes
Roof rakes are usually manufactured out of plastic or aluminum, and the rake part is attached at the end of a pole. Aluminum is tougher than plastic and is therefore a more long-lasting option. The poles can usually extend to increase the reach but remember that pitched roofs are not safe and you should always do the work from the relative safety of a step ladder. You may be able to use a special de-icer to help with the task, especially if ice has collected. The main thing to keep in mind is that you can only reach what you can reach: what snow cannot be removed using the extending rake should be left in place.
Essential Safety Precautions When Removing Snow Off The Roof
There are a few things that you should never, ever attempt when you are raking the snow off your roof.
- Firstly, you should never step on to the roof to rake the snow off. This is an ideal recipe for disaster what with the pitched roof, height and a icy surface to boot. Do not even be tempted: if you cannot reach a patch of snow from the safety of the ladder, leave it be. Warmer weather will take care of it in time.
Do not thump, chop or hack at the snow: it will not make the job at hand quicker and easier, and instead you may damage your roof
- Check that the ladder you use is firmly resting on the ground and is adequately stabilized, so there is no risk of it falling over while you’re on it clearing the roof
Other Ways To Clear The Snow
It is possible to do away with the exhausting chore that is roof raking with a bit of advance planning. You can now install a special de-icing cable on the roof and in the gutters to take care of this job for you: you can switch it on or off from the comfort and warmth of your home, and get it to do the work safely.
Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=143286&ca=Home+Management
Never Considered Composite Roofing? Here Are 5 Reasons to Give it Another Look
0 comments Posted by ariya at 20:19Being a homeowner can be overwhelming at times. Think about it - how many times have you let the "honey do" list get out of hand? Maintaining a home takes organization, skill, money and time. Let's face it - who has an abundance of that? In today's busy world, we're constantly looking for new ways to save time & money.
One of the most important parts of maintaining the exterior of your home involves maintaining your roof. In the past, there weren't the vast number roofing options there are today. Composite roofing is a great option for individuals who want the authentic tile or slate look without the hassle of installing or maintaining it.
1. Composite roofing takes less time to install.Composite roofing tile is so lightweight that it is not necessary to reinforce a roof like you would need to do with traditional slate or concrete/clay tile. Removing this step speeds up installation time. Composite roofing tiles looks like authentic clay and slate roof tiles but aren't as heavy and difficult to work with.
2. Not interested in replacing your roof so often? Composite roofing is a long-lasting alternative. Most high-quality composite roofing products offer a long warranty too. Distinction Tile and Distinction Slate both by Trimline Building Productsoffer great warranties.
3. Composite roofing is more durable than traditional clay or concrete roofing products. There is less breakage and waste than traditional roof tiles. Composite roofing products are made from High Density Polyethylene. Most composite roofing products are 100% recyclable at the end of its life.
4. Composite roofing products perform well under high UV light and low temperatures. Composite roofing materials can withstand a wide range of weather from sub-zero temperatures to relentless heat and sun exposure.
5. Similar to traditional clay roofing tiles, composite roofing is available in a variety of colors. Find out how different color combinations look by using the Trimline Building Product's Interactive Roof Designer.
Today's homeowner has more choices than ever. Choosing wisely will save you time and money in the long run.
How will a house like yours look with composite roofing? Try our Interactive Roof Designer - http://www.trimline-products.com/products-customizer.cfm
For more information on composite roofing and roof ridge vents, please visit our web site at http://www.trimline-products.com email us at info@trimline-products.com or call 800-438-2920
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Hirst_Carnes
It's every homeowner's worst nightmare: a leaking roof. Whether it's been caused by wear and tear or is the result of a hurricane, this is a situation that requires immediate attention. Failure to take proper action can seriously compromise the structural integrity of your roof, as well as cause major damage to the interior of your home. Simply slapping some plastic over a damaged roof is not sufficient; you must make sure that you use the right materials and take the correct measures to do the job right.
When a leak occurs in a roof, the damage extends far beyond the shingles and structure of the roof itself. A roof that experiences water damage can weaken or rot; over time, it can even completely collapse. Also, water damage can result in mold, which can further weaken your roof and make it structurally unsound. Therefore, as soon as a roof has incurred damages that may cause leaks, it needs to be covered thoroughly with the proper material.
The first - and most important - step in properly covering your damaged roof is choosing the right kind of tarp. One of the most popular, widely used choices is 2.7 ounce blue tarp. This kind of tarp is a big seller because it comes in a huge selection of sizes and is one of the least expensive options. However, you do get what you pay for: in exchange for saving a few dollars, you run the risk of not properly protecting your roof. Blue tarp is just not heavy duty enough to do this important job adequately.
Rather than skimp on the materials, you should invest in a heavy duty tarp that will do the job right. A great example is a silver, 6.0 ounce per square yard style tarp. These are incredibly strong and tear resistant. Using a tarp like this to protect your damaged roof is a great first step in ensuring that further, irreversible damages do not occur.
Once you have purchased the proper kind of tarp, gather the other necessary supplies. You will need a couple of 2 x 4 wood strips, nails, a hammer, a knife, safety glasses and a ladder. You will preferably want to have all of these supplies at the ready on a utility belt so that your hands are free. Pinpoint the areas on the roof where the damage has occurred and where leaks have started, then carry your silver tarp and tools to the roof and follow these steps:
1) Roll out enough of the tarp to cover the damaged section(s) of the roof; it should extend from the eaves to the peak, and it should be cut so that an additional four feet are on either end.
2) The 2 x 4's should be two feet longer than the width of the tarp; wrap one end of the tarp around one of them. Carefully nail in or staple the tarp to the 2 x 4.
3) Nail another 2 x 4 over the tarp that is already secured to the first 2 x 4; the tarp will now be between the two strips of wood.
4) Place the secured end of the tarp on the eaves line; drape the tarp over the ridge and to the other side of the roof.
5) Secure the other end of the tarp the same way you did the first one (see step 3); nail it to the roof cheathing.
6) Use additional 2 x 4's to nail down and secure the other sides of the tarp.
By purchasing the right kind of tarp and carefully following these steps, you can make sure your roof is properly protected. Why run the risk of having your roof destroyed? Doing this job the right way, with the right materials, is imperative.
Tarpaulins expert Robert Page has worked in the tarps industry for over twenty-five years. Robert has used Heavy Duty tarps in the past as he enjoys DIY in his spare time. For more information, please visit http://www.tarpaflex.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Page
