Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Roofing system’

Roof Replacement

October 7th, 2009 No comments

Roof is the most essential part of the home. It protect us and the interiors from heat, rain, wind, snow etc. and since it faces all the hash weather conditions, it is prone to leaks and other defects. So, at some point or the other you will have to get your roof replaced.

Most of the homeowners, do not have much knowledge and experience with roofing. But, you have to keep a lot of things in mind while taking up this replacement project like, the choice of roofing material, the kind of preparation required for different material installation and finding the right roofing contractor for the task. Here are some useful points that can help you with roof replacement.

Most important and before starting with any work, it is important to check the exact condition of the roof. By doing a general survey you will come to know how important is its replacement or can it be postponed for some more time with minor repairs made.

Today, markets are flooded with different roofing materials. The most common and the oldest type of roofing material is the asphalt glass, but it is still a very popular choice. There are many other options coming up like, you can go for wooden roofs, metal roofs, tiles, slate etc.

It is always recommended to remove the old roof layer before installing a new one. If in case you are installing a new one over the old layer, check your roof condition first and make sure that it is in a condition to bear more weight of the new layer.

Roof installation can be a complicated task and different roofing materials have different requirements which must be taken care of to complete the installation successfully. For example, if you are using asphalt glass roof or tiles, you need to have a solid base made up material like plywood. If you have wooden roof, then you need to have an open sheathing for proper roof ventilation.

Before your contractor tears off the existing roofing material, just ask him to protect your house from any resulting damage. Protect your windows and doors by laying some kind of covering over them. Remove the debris instantly. While roof is being replaced, arrange for proper drainage system on the roof.

It is very important to choose the right roofing contractor for the task. You can take some help from the internet. Also, another convenient method is to ask for references from friends and neighbors. For a proper comparison, you must have estimates of at least three contractors.

About the Author:

Regular Inspections- A Longer Roof Service Life

September 11th, 2009 No comments

Purchasing a home is the single largest investment for anyone. But, the roof of your house can undergo serious damage, weathering, disintegration, or malfunctioning at any point throughout its lifetime. So, it is very important to take care of it. Regular maintenance program will help to keep your roof safe for many years. Below information will help you know about the roof inspections.

Any buildup of leaves and pine needles deep enough to hold moisture on the roof will need to be removed. Debris not only traps moisture, but causes mildew to form underneath it, interrupts the flow of water off the roof, can block gutters, and can put undue weight in one area. Use a plastic leaf rake, push broom, or air blower.

Some amount of sunlight should also reach the roof. So if there are so many trees in front of your roof, trim that in such a way that sunlight make it’s way to your roof. This will reduce the moisture and mildew problem and will prevent the debris from collecting over the roof.

Gutters are an important part of the roofing system. So, make sure to check them for any debris or leaves etc. Their proper is very important for the roof. Also, check for any cracks or openings.

Always wear gloves for protection while cleaning the roof. Debris may include sharp and pointed particles which can harm you. Collect all the debris into a bucket and then flush the gutter with a hose. Do carry a hammer with you to fix any loose nails and fix the gutter back to it place.

Flashing is used in areas around the chimneys, vents, skylights etc. These are the most prone areas for roof leaks. So check for loose or damaged flashings They are made up of different metals like steel, aluminum, copper etc. Also, look for any missing or worn out shingle and get it repaired as soon as possible.

If you find loose flashing, dont simply nail it back down. Replace the nails with galvanized screws for a longer lasting solution. Then, cover the screw heads with roofing cement. If you have copper flashing, use copper screws. Galvanized metal will cause copper to corrode.

For sloped roofs, semi annual inspections can keep many troubles away. For flat roofs, the drainage system should be perfect shape all the time, so keeping a regular check is important.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been authoring on roofing for a long time now. His stupendous exposure has given motivation to a host of workers, ranging from River Falls Roofers (Need one? click here!) to West Newton Roofers (Need one? click here!).