roofing: Articles tagged with “roofing”

The roof is one of the most important parts of your house when it comes to protecting the rest of the building and its occupants from extreme weather conditions. However, many roofs are in a state of disrepair, and they are left to worsen before people are willing to act and either pay for decent repairs or bite the bullet and have a new roof fitted. Paying for patched repairs or doing them yourself, when you don't really know what you are doing, may seem cheaper in the short term but it won't be long before you have to patch holes on a regular basis. One of the most effective ways to lengthen the lifespan of any roof is with regular maintenance and checks conducted by a professional.

Q: How do I know my roof needs repair or replacement if I have never noticed a leak?

The flashing on your roof is essentially another shingle but because it is usually found at intersections where the component parts of your roof join they are prone to damage. Roof leaks caused by bad flashing are a common problem. Some roof leaks occur because the flashing was installed incorrectly, but it is also feasible that the flashing on your roof has been battered and bruised by the elements. Proper maintenance and early repair are both vital to preventing roof leaks caused by bad flashing.

A roofing contractor license indicates that a person is licensed to work as a roofer but be aware that different states have different requirements for the procurement of a license. Indeed, some states only require you to prove you have worked as a roofer and pay a nominal fee. In fact, for an extra few bucks you don't need to bother with a roofing contractor license and can purchase a general contractor's license. This means that even if you have no experience in any field apart from roofing you are now registered to work as an electrician or a plumber and there is no way a potential customer can tell the type of work you specialize in.

What is torchdown roofing?

Torchdown roofing is sometimes also referred to as rubberized asphalt and is the most common type of roofing to be used on flat roofs. The asphalt is melted onto the roof using a torch creating an impermeable roof that has an average life of between 15 and 20 years. It is ideal for flat roofs because of the protection it offers from rainwater that might collect on the surface. The cost is only slightly more than the traditional tar and gravel that is frequently used to cover flat roofs but torchdown roofing gives slightly better results. For an extra $1000 it is worth the extra, but there have been reports of several house fires being started because of the torches used in the process of installing the roof.

Classic cathedral ceilings are beautiful and timeless. They give the home an open, airy feel but they are also more prone to moisture damage than a traditional ceiling. The design of a cathedral ceiling creates isolated air spaces which are more difficult to treat. For years there has been an ongoing debate among experts who feel that ventilation is necessary for cathedral ceilings. Some say it is required to help eliminate the moisture buildup, while others say a simpler method will suffice. The question many are asking is, "What is best?" The real answer, however, lies with only one question. "What is best for my home?" You, and only you, can make a well-informed decision about how to properly care for and protect your ceiling.

The importance of a sound roof

Your home is designed to protect you, your family and your property from the elements, and the roof is the part of the house that takes the most damage in providing you with this invaluable service. Yet it is the one area of the home that is most overlooked by people looking to purchase a home and by those looking to upgrade or maintain their existing home. However, without adequate maintenance and regular care your roof is liable to take leaks and can become damaged very easily in the worst of conditions.

The temperature of your roof plays an important part in a number of environmental factors within your home. If your roof collects heat without reflecting any then your home will get hot during the summer months meaning you will have to pay more for energy to keep your air conditioning running or face long sweaty days with no reprise from the searing temperatures. This extra heat can also cause a build up of moisture inside your roof and eventually cause damage to the timber structure; this damage may manifest itself in the form of cracks, warped materials and leaks. Also in winter your home will get cold and you will have to pay more for heating. There are essentially four main types of reflective roofing materials you may want to consider using for your roof.

Good quality roofing is a vital aspect to any house. Not only does it protect the house itself from the elements but if it is well constructed it will protect everything within the house too.

Looking after the roof is the first and possibly most important step to caring for the long-term life of any house. Roof leaks are obviously a big problem in any house but knowing the correlation between melting snow and roof leaks can help to prevent one of the major problems that many houses face. When snow melts and runs down the roof it often refreezes at it reaches the edge of the roof and the gutter. You've probably stood back in awe looking at these ice dams that form, but these can cause havoc with the integrity of your roof. However, they are relatively easy to prevent and doing so will save money and headaches in the future.

The power of the rain

When it starts raining outside an incredible amount of water beats down on the roof of your house. Your roof does the job of protecting your house and everything in it from the rain. Most roofs are sloped so water can run off and prevent heavy collections of rainwater from gathering in pockets all over the roof. If this were to happen the roof could become severely damaged and eventually holes will form where the rainwater once was (it would now be underneath the hole that has formed).

The job of your roof

The roof is the part of the house that takes the most damage when protecting us from the elements. It has to cope with extreme conditions ranging from wintry ice to summer sun. Many substances simply can not withstand this diverse abuse meaning it is important to select strong roofing made from a durable and resistant material that will withstand just about anything. Advances in technology have seen various new forms of roofing as well as advances in old techniques and reduces in cost, so the options are wide when selecting good roofing.

Modern roofing options are the result of eons of invention and experimentation. Some, such as slate and wood shakes, have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Others, such as asphalt/fiberglass composites, lightweight concrete, and coated-metal tile, are products of the technological revolution. Each has slightly different durability, appearance, cost, and ease of application.

Roof damage

Simple roofing problems can easily become bigger and more expensive problems if they are left unattended. For this reason the most effective way to prevent large repair bills to your roof is to have regular and thorough checks done. You can have a certified roof inspection done that will give you a two-year certificate. If anything goes wrong with your roof in this two-year period the roofing contractor who carried out the roofing inspection will repair the damages free of charge. By using a service similar to this problems can be identified early and rectified before they become uncontrollable and a new roof is required.

Q: I am currently doing some research on rubber roofing and was wondering if you could tell me whatever you know about it and if you ever installed it, and the pros and cons of rubber tiles.

Q: I am looking for a low cost method for re-proofing my 10x50 mobile home. Someone suggested rubber sheeting. Where can I find this type product? Please email this information to me if you can be of any assistance.

Q: Is an ice guard mandatory on a roof, and where should it be?

More than ever, homeowners are frustrated by poor performing roofing products and upset when a new roof costing between $5,000 and $10,000 lasts only 12 to 15 years. In some cases, the problem is a troublesome brand of materials. More often, however, it is inadequate attic ventilation.

Building standards, driven by energy shortages, have sewn up the homes that we live in tighter than a drum. Surprisingly, standards of ventilation adopted in the 1930s are still in use today! Most homes are woefully under ventilated.

This information can clarify and help answer some questions about roofing repair.

For homeowners who live in an area prone to harsh winters, you know what a nightmare snow and ice can cause for your roof. During the worst months of winter, snow sometimes accumulates faster than it can be removed, which causes a buildup on your roof. Continued cold weather causes the presence of ice, which can cause even more damage. As temperatures begin to warm up, it would seem that problems should be over when the snow begins to melt. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case.