Copper Roof Shingles – by Steven Briesemeister

The world is full of copper lovers, and lovers of the copper roof are by no means an exception. There are essentially two different types of copper roof you can buy, there is the solid copper roof that consists solely of sheet copper on your roof. It is very resilient to weathering and will protect your house for decades but it is incredibly costly, as you can imagine. On the other hand, copper roof shingles are made by attached sheets of copper around standard asphalt shingles. All in all, the cost is likely to work out less than a slate roof but once the copper roof shingles have aged and been weathered they will take on the magnificent green look that only copper can create.
Can I use copper roof shingles?
One of the advantages that copper roof shingles offer over other forms of long lasting roofs, especially the solid copper roof, is that the shingles are actually surprisingly light and most roofs and structures can usually cope with the load admirably. As long as you are prepared to pay approximately $4 per square foot (compared to $1 for standard asphalt but up to $15 for solid copper) there is unlikely to be any good reason why you can not use copper roof shingles on your roof.
What kind of life can I expect from copper roof shingles? This is something of a confusing issue. Asphalt roof shingles will normally only last 20 years, but covered in copper sheeting the life of the asphalt shingles can easily be extended to between 30 and 40 years. However, the copper sheet itself will last an average of about 150 years. Obviously the copper roof shingles themselves will only last as long as the asphalt roof shingles that are found underneath the copper.
The cost of copper roof shingles.
Copper roof shingles are by no means a cheap alternative to other styles of roofing but if you like the look of copper and you want a longer life than asphalt shingles can offer then copper roof shingles are an excellent option. The copper sheet doesn’t an excellent job of protecting the asphalt shingles underneath effectively giving them an extended life of around 30 to 40 years. The copper sheeting also protects the shingles from most general wear and tear meaning that with good, regular maintenance you won’t need to have repairs done too often. On a yearly basis copper roof shingles do work out cheap but not overall and not for the initial installation.
Standard asphalt roof shingles usually cost around $1 per square foot, whereas solid copper roofing will set you back around $15 per square foot. Copper roof shingles are available at approximately $4 to $5 per square foot so they are 4 times more expensive than asphalt but considerably cheaper than a full solid copper roof. However, you are undoubtedly paying for the attractive looks of a copper roof but for less money than covering the entire roof in an expensive metal.

Steven Briesemeister who is the owner of http://www.roofer911.com has 33 years experience in all types of roof repair problems and new roof installation for residential and commercial accounts. As a Long Island and Northern Virgina roofing contractor, we believe, “Quality Doesn’t Cost…It Pays!

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Choosing Your Storage Shed Roof – by Stephanie Quinn

<p>
- Do you want to try to match the roofline of your home with your storage shed roof? By matching the roof style, your storage shed will blend in with your home.<p>
- Think about the climate where you live when choosing your storage shed roof. Steeper roofs keep snow from accumulating in snowy climates. Roofs with deep overhangs can partly shield windows, keeping the inside of sheds in hot climates cooler.<p>
- What about gutters and downspouts? Most of the time, sheds don’t need gutters and downspouts, but if your does, take this into consideration when choosing your storage shed roof.<p>
- Do you have tall items to store? If so, a taller gable storage shed roof will work better than a flat storage shed roof.<p>
<b>Types of Storage Shed Roofs</b><p>
The most common types of storage shed roofs include:<p>
- Flat Storage Shed Roof – Flat roofs are the most simple to install, but are less stylish than storage shed roofs with peaks. Flat roofs sometimes have drainage problems.<p>
- Gable (or Pitched) Storage Shed Roof – Gable roofs are two-sided sloping roofs that meet in the center at the top. Gable roofs make a peak with two triangular areas taking up the space in between the two slopes.<p>
- Gambrel Storage Shed Roof – A gambrel roof, common to many barns, is a two-sided roof with a double slope on each side. The lower slope is steeper. Just like with a gable roof, the two triangular sections take up the space in between the slopes. <p>
- Hipped Storage Shed Roof – Similar to the shape of a pyramid, a hipped roof has four sides that slope down flat from one center point.<p>
- Saltbox Storage Shed Roof – A saltbox roof is also similar to a gable roof. One side of the roof pitch is long and flat with the other side being short and more steep. The triangular sections in between the slopes follow the shape of the peak.<p>
<b>Storage Shed Roof Materials</b><p>
When choosing the material for your storage shed roof, you want it to be durable and long lasting so it will protect your valuables for many years to come. Common storage shed roof materials include:<p>
- Asphalt Shingles – Asphalt shingles are commonly used on residential home roofs, so they make a perfect choice for a storage shed roof if you want your shed to blend and already have asphalt shingles on the roof of your home. Asphalt shingles are simple to install, long lasting, weatherproof, and durable.<p>
- Clay and Concrete Tiles – Whether your choose clay or concrete, these tiles make an attractive, long lasting, weatherproof, and durable storage shed roof choice. Most of the people who choose clay and concrete tiles already have them installed on the roof of their home.<p>
- Felt – When using felt for a storage shed roof, nail it directly to the wood sheathing on flat roofs only. Make sure you choose felt with a preservative coating. While felt is the least expensive and simplest to install of all of the storage shed roof materials, it is not as stylish as other materials.<p>
- Metal – Some people love the sound of rain on a metal roof and others don’t enjoy the noise, so keep noise in mind when choosing metal for your storage shed roof. Metal roofs are a logical choice if you aren’t bothered by the noise because they are inexpensive, simple to install, attractive, lightweight, water tight, rot-resistant, insect-resistant, and fire resistant. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions so you don’t have trouble with rust down the road.<p>
- Slate Tiles – Slate is expensive and takes considerable effort to install, but they make a hardwearing, long lasting, attractive, waterproof, and durable storage shed roof.<p>
- Wood Shakes and Wood Shingles – Made from either cedar or pine, wood shakes (rough cut wood) or wood shingles (smooth cut wood) are one of the most attractive choices for a storage shed roof. They are long lasting and durable. However, they are an expensive choice.<p>

Want more ideas for your storage shed roof? Check out the free resources available at www.buildashedplans.com.

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Choosing a Portland Oregon Roofing Specialist for Your Home – by Mark Starr

<p>Portland, Oregon, is well known for its lush green landscape. The City of Roses is located in the climate zone of the Marine west coast, which means warmth in the summer and lots of precipitation throughout the rest of the year.</p><p>
<p>Given the climate of this vibrant portal city, a solid roof structure for your home is of utmost importance. Routine maintenance and repair are essential to preserving the strength of your roof and protecting your loved ones and belongings. So, what factors do you consider while choosing a Portland roof repair specialist for your home?</p><p>
<b>Roof Repair Specialist in Portland — Hire a Qualified Professional</b><p>
<p>Whether you’re looking for regular maintenance, repairs to a damaged or leaky roof or in need of a complete replacement, make sure to hire a professional in roof repair. Portland is a beautiful city with a unique climate that calls for a qualified <a href="http://www.roofportland.com/our-services/roof-repair/">roof repair specialist. Portland</a> weather requires that you have a sturdy roof to protect against a variety of conditions including sun, rain, drizzle, heat, algae, moss and at times, even snow or ice.</p> <p>
<b>Best Roofer in Portland — Experience and Expertise</b> <p>
<p>A Portland roof repair specialist should be well versed in all forms of the trade, such as contemporary flat roofs, metal roofs, composition roofing, skylights and cur outs. However, in this region, someone who specializes in highly pitched steep roofs will likely be your <a href="http://www.roofportland.com/contact-us/">best roofer. Portland</a> homes often require highly pitched roof structures in order to guard against moisture and rainfall.</p> <p>
<p>Highly pitched steep roofs are difficult to access. As a result, expertise and precision are paramount from your roof repair specialist. Portland roofers should be able to complete the job safely and effectively, without creating much disruption to your daily life.</p><p>
<p>Learn about the expertise level before hiring anyone to do a <a href="http://www.roofportland.com/our-services/residential/">roof repair. Portland</a> roofing professionals should have several years of experience and be able to demonstrate industry knowledge for issues such as creating a level nailing surface, laying tiles correctly and ensuring proper ventilation.</p> <p>
<b>Roof Repair in Portland — Verify the Reputation of Your Portland Roof Repair Specialist</b><p>
<p>One surefire way to hire a first rate <a href="http://www.roofportland.com/">Portland roof repair specialist</a> is to research consumer reviews. Refer to the Better Business Bureau online and find out if there are any customer complaints and the manner in which they were resolved.</p> <p>
<p>Don’t just rely on one reference to track down the right company to do your roof repair. Portland roofing reviews are available on several consumer ratings websites. These sites allow customers to post their experiences, whether good or bad, and ultimately help you locate the right Portland roof repair specialist for the job.</p> <p>
<p>Combine your web research with local advice from friends and neighbors to locate the best roofer. Portland roofers with a solid standing in the community have earned that reputation for a good reason.</p>

Mark Starr covers articles on roof repair in Portland for the website Roof Portland, an Oregon based company specializing in residential and commercial roofing and roof repairs.

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Can Roof Hail Damage Result in Replacing an Entire Roof? – by Tim McLoughlin

<p>How much damage to your roof can come during a hail storm? In Georgia, hail storms are not that uncommon and many homeowners visually see hail several times during the year. That is the case in metro Atlanta, where the last few years have resulted in elevated hail activity. </p><p>
<p>Most people are somewhat aware of the damage hail can cause, in particular the larger variety of hail that is notorious for damaging and denting cars. This awareness doesn’t always fully translate into the impact a hail storm can have on your home’s roof. While you can visually see the damage to your car after a hail storm, you can’t always see the damage to a roof. The damage you can’t see can put the longevity of your roof at risk. </p><p>
<p>Roof replacement due to hail damage is one of the most expensive fixes for homeowners and insurance companies. Hail can vary in size dramatically, falling as small as the size of tiny pellets, or as large as baseballs. It is typically the larger hail that can cause enough damage to your asphalt roof to justify a roof replacement. </p>
<p><b>Asphalt Roof Shingle Damage from Hail: </b><br>
Hail damage to asphalt roofs occur when hail beating against the surface of asphalt shingle results in the protective granular surface of the shingle to loosen and potentially fall off. When the granules are loosened, the asphalt shingles loses some of its protection potential and becomes vulnerable to additional damage. <br>
- <b>Note: </b> Damaged asphalt layers can potentially allow water seepage into the roof. <br>
- <b>Tip: </b> If the granules of an asphalt shingle are removed by a hail storm, the shingle’s longevity can be severely diminished.</p><p>
<p><b>Signs of Hail Damage to an Asphalt Roof: </b><br>
- Bruises or small dents in the asphalt shingle <br>
- Granulation is displaced exposing the asphalt <br>
- Granulation has settled at the base of your downspouts <br>
- The spots hit by hail usually leave a soft spot in the shingle <br>
- Significantly damaged metal air vents on the roof indicate similar hit pattern for roof <br>
- Damage and denting of siding, or gutters </p><p>
<p><b>If my Roof is damaged, how fast should I replace it? </b><br>
There is a misconception if your roof sustains damage from a hail storm that your roof needs to be replaced immediately. You’ll find some conflicting evidence online from other roofers that advise immediately replacing your roof. In Georgia for example, any reliable <a href="http://www.ktmroofing.com/">roofing contractor in Atlanta</a> should tell you otherwise. Typically the damage sustained from a hail storm will pose no immediate threat to your roof. The threat is in the longevity of the roof, because hail can dramatically decrease a roof’s life expectancy. The deteriorated protection from a roof that is not expected to last its full life is why insurance companies will authorize the replacement of your roof. </p><p>
<p><b>Will Homeowner’s Insurance Cover a New Roof? </b><br>
This answer varies by the coverage on your homeowner’s insurance policy. For some homeowners the answer is "yes." If you believe your home has been the victim of hail, contact your insurance company to determine if your policy will cover the damage. For many homeowners they will be able to have the roof repaired, or replaced and will need to pay a deductable. <br>
- <b>Tip: </b> If you are unsure if you homeowner’s policy covers hail damage to your roof, contact your insurance company. </p><p>
<p><b>Caution: Avoid Storm Chasers! </b><br>
Homeowners need to beware of ’storm chasers.’ A storm chaser typically consists of an out of town roofing contractor that goes door to door after a hail storm soliciting for business. While it may seem tempting and convenient, these roofers can do more harm than good. Make sure any roofer you look to work with has a good reputation in the community. Look for a roofer that is located locally and check references. Look for references that are over a year old and ones that are more recent, within the last 30 days. Finally never give a deposit for a roof. A reliable roofer will only ask for payment once the roof has been complete. </p>
<p>
If you think your home has sustained <a href="http://www.ktmroofing.com/atlanta-roof-hail-damage.html">roof hail damage</a>, get a professional opinion. Experienced roofing contractors should be willing to provide <a href="http://www.ktmroofing.com/estimate.html">free roofing estimates</a> upon request.</p>

Tim McLoughlin is a reliable roofing contractor and expert on common roofing problems. His company, KTM Roofing is renowned among roofing companies in Atlanta, GA.

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Aerial Infrared Roof Moisture Surveys – by Gregory R. Stockton

Aerial Infrared Roof Moisture Surveys

INTRODUCTION

IR P/PM (infrared predictive/preventive maintenance) is not limited to annual infrared surveys of electrical switchgear. For instance, infrared thermography can be a very effective tool for roof asset management. IR roof moisture surveys are performed on roofs to quantify the extent of roof moisture (water) that is inside the roof system. Infrared thermography is not leak management. No matter how the water got into the substrate, the purpose of this type of survey is simply to find and document where the water is located. Extending the life of a roof will save the owner the expense and aggravation of re-roofing or re-covering. Re-roofing means that the roof is taken down to the decking and replaced completely. Re-covering means that the waterproofing layer(s) are removed, the wet insulation is removed and replaced and a new waterproofing layer is put down. The cost of an infrared roof moisture survey is three to five CENTS per square foot. It cost between three and five DOLLARS per square foot to repair/replace roofs, so knowing the exact location of the subsurface water is extremely useful information, since only those areas that are damaged need to be repaired. This information is used to plan budgets and when needed, as a bid document for contracting repairs and/or replacement of the roof.

Keywords: Infrared, Thermography, Roof, Roof Asset Management, Infrared Roof Moisture Survey.

ROOF MAINTENANCE IN GENERAL

The ravages of sun, wind, rain, snow, chemicals, leakage, rapid changes in temperature and time – will eventually cause every roof to fail. Some roofs last 40-50 years…when they are well maintained. Owners may believe that a roof warranty will somehow protect them from having to do maintenance. Not so, as roof warranties are written by roofing manufacturers for the purpose of protecting themselves from liability. For example, often a warranty is written so that if improperly installed or defective roofing materials are used on a roof and water leaks into the electrical switchgear room causing an explosion, the roofing manufacturer will replace the materials, the roofer will reinstall the materials, but the building owner has to pay for the replacement of the switchgear and any downtime that resulted from the failure. Also, the roofer’s and roofing manufacturer’s liability, in the case of roof failures are also reduced by vaguely written roof warranties, which do not define words like “regular” or “routine” maintenance. Not accepting the roof warranty is not the answer, since the roof will not be installed unless the owner agrees to the warranty. To eliminate these problems, the building owner should have an agreement with a qualified roofer or roof consultant to inspect and maintain the roof (in accordance with the terms of the warranty) at least once a year.

Waterproofing problems manifest themselves in two ways: Leakage and entrained moisture contamination. Leakage is pretty simple, although the leak inside the building rarely directly relates to the exact spot on the roof, since the water flows down the slope of the roof to a spot that is not sealed and into the building at that point. Most leaks occur where the waterproofing is sealed or where there is a penetration of the roof. Since most types of roof systems absorb some amount of water, it is harder to find the exact spot of water contamination in the insulation because it may not leak into the building until it has absorbed all the water it can hold. There are three types of surveys that are used to find water in a roof. Nuclear gauges-which count neutrons, capacitance meters-which measure resistance, and infrared-which measures heat. Both nuclear gauges and capacitance meters are used to take spot readings on a 10′ X 10′ or 20′ X 20′ grid on the roof. These measurements are used to extrapolate where the water is from the readings obtained from the gauge. They are good for types of roofs that do not gain or lose much solar energy and therefore, do not lend themselves to infrared.

BASICS OF INFRARED ROOF MOISTURE SURVEYS

During the day, the sun radiates energy onto the roof and into the roof substrate, and then at night, the roof radiates the heat back into outer space (See Figure 1). This is called radiational cooling. Areas of the roof that are of a higher mass (wet) retain this heat longer than that of the lower mass (dry) areas. Infrared imagers can detect this heat and “see” the warmer, higher mass areas, during the “window” of uneven heat dissipation.

Figure 1) Areas of the roof that are wet retain heat longer than dry areas.

Some roofs and insulation types or combinations do not absorb any water. These roofs leak straight into the building. Even roofs, which have insulation types that do absorb water, some do not exhibit a good infrared signal, primarily for two reasons. 1) The surface is too reflective, and/or 2) the roof’s ballast is so thick (or dense), that daylight radiation is not absorbed into the substrate (insulation), therefore it cannot be emitted back into the atmosphere at night. Even with a strong infrared signal, factors on the roof can affect the analysis and interpretation of the data. Some of these factors: water between multiple layers, old patches, heavy flood coats, reflective coatings, heat-producing equipment under the roof -or heat blowing down onto the roof, stains, ponding water on the roof, heavy build-up of ballast at parapet walls and along edges, etc. These roofs should be inspected by other methods as described above.

WALK-ON INFRARED ROOF SURVEYING

To perform a walk-on or on-roof survey properly, a crew of three to four people is needed: an experienced infrared thermographer and helper, an experienced roof consultant or roofer and the building owners’ representative for access and security. The crew walks around the roof(s) and when an area of suspect moisture is found, the roof consultant verifies it is wet and then the helper marks the edges of the area directly on the roof with marking paint as instructed by the thermographer. The crew needs authorization and access to all areas and levels of the roof(s) from either ladders or roof hatches and plenty of time to collect data. The infrared images are stored on videotape or digital media and printed (See Figure 2).

Figure 2) On-roof IR image.

The next day, the thermographer goes back on the roof(s) to take matching visual photographs of the marked areas that contain subsurface moisture. The problem with on-roof infrared is that when one is standing on the roof, eye-level is at best six feet over the surface. Even with the best hand-held infrared camera available, there is virtually no way to get large areas (800 sq. ft. blobs or 100′ long striations) of moisture contamination on the screen in one infrared shot. Taking multiple shots is labor-intensive and makes the report confusing. When performing on-roof surveys, many times “you can’t see the forest for the trees.” Marking the roof is fairly easy, but it is very difficult/time-consuming to produce accurate drawings of the wet areas from painted lines on a roof. Often the drawing supplied by the owner is outdated, incorrect or even non-existent.

AERIAL INFRARED ROOF SURVEYING

There is never a time when on-roof imagery is better than aerial imagery. While the best IR imagery of a roof is taken from the air, the same laws of physics apply to both aerial IR and on-roof IR…like a dry roof, low winds and no rain on the night of the survey. Also, the “window” when the roof is radiating heat differently from wet and dry areas is longer with aerial infrared because slight nuances of temperatures over large areas are distinguishable. The high angle of view allows the aerial thermographer to produce more usable imagery and therefore accurate CAD drawings. The cameras that are used for on-roof surveys are not of sufficient spatial resolution to obtain good imagery from flight altitudes of 1,200 – 1,500 feet above the roof, so high-resolution, large format IR cameras (See Figure 3) are required.

Figure 3) Large format infrared imager, fixed-mounted in a light aircraft.

Once the aircraft is over a building, very little time (five minutes per 200,000 square feet, about 25 minutes for two million square feet) is required to fly over making multiple passes. The imagery is recorded on digital videotape. Visual photographs are taken earlier in the day or the next day. After returning to the office, the photos are printed and the thermographs are saved on the computer. The raw video imagery, thermographs and photographs are used to make an edited videotape copy of the passes over the building. Both visual and infrared images are used to do the analysis by overlaying the CAD drawing of the roof ‘over’ the digitized photographs and thermographs. The drawings always need to be corrected, because rooftop equipment has been removed, moved or added since the last update of the drawings. Then, areas of suspected moisture contamination are drawn on the CAD file. The result is a report where visual, infrared and CAD components (printed and video) are well matched and lined-up. The report is given to a roof consultant who verifies the wet insulation during the day, while making other condition notes on the roof.

Fixed-wing aerial infrared imaging provides many advantages over on-roof infrared imaging:

·Access to multiple levels of the roof is not a problem.
·High-angle, straight down infrared images lessen reflection problems.
·High-resolution images capture large areas at once, making report writing easier and less expensive to produce.
·Plan-view imaging allows for infrared images, visual images and AutoCAD drawings to be reconciled closely. As a result, the report is clear, concise and easy to understand (See Figure 4a, 4b, 4c).
·Plan view imaging allows accurate marking of areas of suspect roof moisture contamination.
·The printed CAD drawings can be used on the roof to paint areas of moisture contamination directly on the roof (after verification), if desired.

Figure 4a) Photograph of a roof.

Figure 4b) Thermograph of a roof.

Figure 4c) Scaled CAD drawing of a roof.

·The aerial infrared thermographer can wait for a good night for imaging, surveying many roofs under good conditions.
·The trending of roof moisture becomes possible.
·An aircrew of two can easily survey many millions of square feet in a single night.
·Processing the data is done in the office, not on the roof.
·Report components can be purchased as needed. Aerial IR allows the building owner to buy only the report he needs at that time.

The biggest advantage of aerial infrared is on roofs that are the most difficult to image from any distance or angle. Roofs that, for instance, have a lot of ballast, are covered with reflective coatings or for whatever reason are impossible to image while standing on the roof. With high-resolution, plan view aerial imagery, slight nuances of temperature can be seen from far enough away to actually see the pattern of heat and make a determination of where the problems are.

CONCLUSIONS

Every day millions of square feet of perfectly good roofing materials are disposed of in our landfills. Why? Because roofs are often replaced because know one knows where exactly the roof is damaged until it is too late. If you want your roof to last, it must be regularly maintained by professionals. Infrared roof moisture surveying is the best method of non-destructive testing on roofs, and aerial infrared is the best platform for performing infrared roof moisture surveys. Improvements in IR cameras and flight methodology, aerial infrared thermography and aerial infrared reports are getting better and more useable everyday.

Author Biography
Gregory R. Stockton is President of Stockton Infrared Thermographic Services, Inc.. (http://www.stocktoninfrared.com). Greg has twenty-five years experience in the construction industry, specializing in facilities construction, maintenance and energy-related technologies. He has performed infrared thermography since 1989 and has published fourteen white papers and numerous articles on infrared thermography.

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A Few Good Tips on Tile Roof Installation – by Chuck Sarte

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In fact, the flat tile roofs that are the most popular only have a life span of just over fifty years, because they are manufactured from saw dust mixed with cement which will slowly break down over time. Spanish style ceramic tile roofs however; can easily last the life of your home but they are substantially more expensive to purchase.<p>
Due to the actual weight of tile, the roof itself has to be framed to accommodate it, so if you have an existing asphalt composition roof on your building the framing probably isn’t strong enough to accommodate a tile roof. Also, if you are considering installing a time roof yourself, you can pretty much forget about it, because they are extremely heavy to load and install on your roof and require a considerable level of expertise to work with.<p>
They do look great however and will add considerably to the value of your home after the work is done. Also, due to their life span you can pretty much rest assured that you will never have to deal with your roof for the duration of your life once your tile roof is installed.<p>
Color choices and the fact they they are resistant to fading makes a tile roof an excellent choice for someone that desires an attractive roof that won’t change for decades. Also, they do insulate against and reflect out heat much better than other types of roofing systems that are available today.

Written by Chuck Sarte. Find the latest information on Tile Roof Installation Ohio

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Hiring Scaffolding – by Phil ray

Hiring scaffolding

When you need scaffolding to do a job don’t think of it as a DIY job. If you need scaffolding you’ll need to contact a scaffolding hire company. If you do it yourself, you may find that you will become liable for any problems or issues that arise.
A good place to start looking for a hire company is your Local Council or authority. They may have a list of approved hire companies and you will need to contact them to find out. Remember – your Local Authority will not be able to recommend a particular company as such, but you should be able to make sure that it is am approved company.

In this way you can help to make sure that you employ a qualified builder or scaffolding company to carry out the erection of scaffolding. Again, as working off scaffolding can be a hazardous occupation, leave any building work to the professionals and a qualified builder to do any related building work.

Scaffolding licences

Your scaffolding may need a license. It is the responsibility of the builder or scaffolding Hire Company to get a licence for any scaffolding that is put up on the highway (this includes the pavement). However, you need to be clear that it is your responsibility to check they have this and that it does not run out before the building work is finished.

You can always contact your local authority to apply for more information as to if you need a license and what to do about this.

Safety

Safety is of prime importance when erecting or using scaffolding. Employing qualified people to erect your scaffolding and carry out building work should help to make sure your building site is a safe place. However you should discuss safety issues with the person or company you employ. In particular, you will need to be aware of the following points:

- Scaffolding should always be erected on a firm, level foundation.

- If there is any risk to the public, schedule scaffolding work for quiet times or get a highway closure your local council.

- It is dangerous to erect scaffolding too near power lines. Your local power company can temporally move or protect cables but you will need to organise this well in advance.

- All scaffold boards used should be British Standard BS2482.

- There must be suitably strong barriers in place if someone could fall more than two metres.

- in order to avoid building waste falling on passers-by, keep scaffold boards clear and provide protective catch netting if necessary.

- Ladders should be strong, secure and in good condition, domestic ladders are generally not suitable. Make sure that they are long enough and securely fixed for safety’s sake!

Heavy or bulky loads shouldn’t be carried up and down ladders. Make sure a hoist is available for heavy or large awkward loads.

Make sure that scaffolding structures are checked weekly, and inspected after alterations, damage and extreme weather conditions. Make sure that it is recorded that you have an appointed person responsible for doing this – even if it is you.

Components should never be removed out of position for any reason whatsoever. Even on a temporary basis.

Building Regulations

it is always wise to contact your local council for details of any building regulations you may need to consider, like the ‘materials and workmanship’ regulation or the ‘access to and use of building’ regulation. Copies of the current building regulations are available from Building Regulations Publications HMSO.

You also need to make sure you have any necessary planning permission for the building project your scaffolding relates to. Again your local council will be able to advise you on this.

Remember – when it comes to scaffolding – safety first, last and always!

Article by Philip Ray
©

Whilst this article endeavours to contain up to date and accurate information, the article can only be considered as a guide. The author would always recommend that you take local independent professional advice.

After many years working in the construction industry, Phil now teaches in the UK. He has written many articles for web sites like Householders Guide, ukhomeonline.co.uk and yourhomeonlineuk.co.uk. His wide knowledge of the Construction Industry and Housing Markets makes him a popular author on Buying Real Estate.©

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Construction Accidents – An Unfortunate Product of the Building Boom – by Tim Penn

The early part of the 20th Century saw the United States enjoy an unprecedented building boom, both for residential and commercial properties. This was obviously a benefit to the overall economy, as more people own homes and commercial property now than ever before. Owning property is one of the safest and most reliable investments available for many reasons, but there was also an upswing in one unfortunate variable in regards to this boom – a distinct rise in construction accidents.

Below is a look at some of the construction accidents that have occurred with alarming frequency in recent years, but you also need to understand that if you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you need to contact a construction injury lawyer as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation.

Construction Falls
Statistics compiled by the government show that on average, more than 1,200 construction workers are killed every year in the United States, and this industry also leads the way in terms of workplace injuries. The same statistical compilation that was formulated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the most common type of construction worker injury is the fall, and that makes sense.

Construction workers are required to climb upon structures that are not stable in order to complete certain aspects of a building job, and certain situations and occurrences lead to a construction worker falling from extremely dangerous heights. This also falls in line with the fact that the most common construction worker injury is to the back, as the back is what normally takes the brunt of a fall.

Scaffolding Worker Injury
Another extremely common construction worker injury is the scaffolding worker injury, and this, too, was one of the leading causes of missed work time and serious injuries within the construction industry. Scaffolding is often built with only a temporary means of access in mind, and as a result these structures are often unstable in nature. Therefore, the types of construction accidents that can occur include falling from the scaffolding, head injuries from falling debris from the top of the scaffolding and a plethora of “other” injuries that result from the collapse of the scaffolding.

Welding Injury
Every year, more than 10,000 people are injured as a result of a welding accident. Welding is an inherently hazardous duty to perform, and as you may guess, the leading type of construction injuries that occur as a result of welding is an injury to the eye or eyes. Welding guns produce heat that tops 1,000 degrees, which means that this flame or heat causes serious injuries when making contact with the eyes.
Of course, there are many other causes and types of construction worker injuries. If you have been injured on the job, you may have the right to file a construction accident lawsuit. Contact a construction injury lawyer today to get the process of protecting and enforcing your rights started.

Learn more about construction construction accident
then visit www.resource4constructionsiteaccidents.com
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What’s Contained In A Construction Business Plan – by Shaunta Pleasant

It is no secret that the construction business has been an extremely profitable place to see for quite a number of years.

Home construction and business construction have both been growing at incredible rates, and that means that there is significant opportunity in all aspects of building and repairing homes and businesses.

==Start Up Capital For Your Business==

Of course in order to be successful in the construction world, you will need a solid construction business plan behind you.

Without such a business plan for your proposed business, you will be unable to raise the startup capital you need, or to attract the funds you may need to finance growth or ongoing operations.

==Structuring Your Business Properly==

In addition, the information you gather while creating your construction business plan can help you to structure your business properly, and it can even help you easily see the challenges and the opportunities of you new business venture.

==Running Your Construction Business==

Your construction business plan should also include information on how you plan to run your business, and how you plan to attract and retain qualified employees.

Finding skilled help at an affordable hourly rate is one of the most serious challenges facing the construction industry, and it is important for your construction business plan to address this important issue.

==The Information To Bring With You When You Are Getting financed==

When you do start searching for startup funds for your new construction business, it is important to be as prepared as possible for your meeting with the business lender.

You will of course need to bring your construction business plan with you, and you will want to make sure that it is accurate and complete prior to arriving at the meeting.

Chances are the business lender will also want to see other financial information, such as your bank account statements and tax returns, so be sure that you have all the information needed at your fingertips.

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional web writer and editor on business plan topics. Visit my site to learn more about writing a business plan at http://www.business-plan-made-easy.com/construction-business-plan.html

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