How To Find A Flat Roof Leak – Infrared Survey – by Steven Briesemeister

A roof leak is caused by one thing – moisture. This can sometimes be difficult to detect, but technology has provided roofing professionals with a new method of how to find a flat roof leak using infrared survey. Because of their simplicity, flat roofs are very common. Unfortunately, also because of their design, a flat roof is more susceptible to water build up and damage.
The Concept Of Finding A Flat Roof Leak With Infrared Survey
It is thought that infrared surveys may help to promote a longer life for your roof. Inspections, of this type, allows the infrared camera to scan the entire roof area for moisture. The concept of finding a flat roof leak using infrared survey is quite fascinating. During the afternoon, the sun heats the roof structure with it’s warm rays. As the sun sets in the evening, the roof begins to cool. If there is a leak in the roof, the insulation or roof structure will become wet. A higher thermal mass is found in wet insulation than that of the rest of the structure. The infrared survey will be able to detect this moisture from a clear picture of the damaged area. Because of the technical work involved, a professional should be used to detect a flat roof leak using infrared survey.
Two Options Of Finding A Flat Roof Leak Using Infrared Survey
There are two ways to search for a flat roof leak using infrared survey. One is from a distance and the other is by performing a walk-on roof inspection. Anytime you, or anyone else, is walking on a roof, it is extremely dangerous. This is especially true if it is raining or if the roof is wet from a previous rain. Obviously, if you are searching for a leak or moisture, there is a suspicion that the roof is wet, so use extreme caution if you opt for the walk-on inspection. Let your contractor know that the roof may be slippery. Being professionals, they are already likely to be aware of this fact, but it’s a good idea to remind them to be careful.
Detecting Problems Before It’s Too Late
Each day, roofs are ruined because of improper maintenance or simply because the damaged area cannot be located. In order for a roof to last, it requires regular maintenance by the homeowners, but also by professional roofing contractors. Regular checks should be done to search for leaks, cracks, rotting or other damage. If left untreated, these problems can lead to the entire roof needing replaced. This is not necessary if proper maintenance is done, including the use of infrared survey to find a flat roof leak. Flat roofs are especially vulnerable to water damage because there is no roof slope for the water to flow to. Often, water will pool in one area of a flat roof and begin to weigh down the structure, which will cause leaks and other structural problems. The areas of moisture can quickly be identified using an infrared survey.

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! For more roof related articles, kindly visit: http://www.roofer911.com/roofing_articles.htm

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How Long to Install a New Roof? – by Steven Briesemeister

The roof is by far one of the most important parts of your house when it comes to protecting the rest of the building and it’s occupants from extreme weather conditions and many roofs are in a state of disrepair. Yet, despite this, 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 prove cheaper in the short term but it won’t be long before you have to patch up the holes on a very 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.
The life of your roof.
Knowing how long to install a new roof really is a question of knowing how well looked after your current roof is. Many new roofs come with a life of up to 20 years and some more durable and hard wearing roofs will have a life as long as 40 or 50 years but if you don’t care for your roof and regularly have it checked and maintained you face a very real risk of substantially decreasing this lifespan. When you have a new roof fitted you should, as far as possible, pay as much as you can afford to ensure that you get as long a life as possible with your new roof.
Taking the plunge.
Having a new roof fitted will mean a fairly major upheaval in your life. It may be necessary for you to move out while it is being done so it is important to know exactly how long to install a new roof will take. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t that straight forward. Everything depends on the size of the roof, the shape of the roof and exactly what you are having fitted. Applying a single layer of shingles on an existing roof is unlikely to take longer than a few days but having your existing roof completely removed and an entirely new one built can take a number of weeks. To get an accurate idea you should get a quote from a professional roofing contractor and ensure that this information will be included. Do be aware that things can go wrong and even when there is nothing wrong with the roof a sudden change in the weather can set the construction of your new roof back dramatically.
Start as you mean to go on.
Once you have your new roof fitted you shouldn’t just assume that because it comes with a ten-year warranty you won’t need to do anything about maintenance for the first ten years. You should, wherever possible, have an annual check up just to make sure that everything is ok because if a small problem is found it can be fixed before the small problem grows into a much larger and more costly problem.

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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Home Inspection – Going On Top – by robert hanania

Everyone who buys or sells a house, apartment or condo is going to use a home inspector at one time or another and even though you pretty much know what they do, many of you might have more appreciation for them once you learn more details of there chosen profession. Home inspectors have been around for a long time and they will be here for a lot longer, preparing reports, giving advice and recommendations and to some, a peace of mind. Because this is a big subject and there is a lot to say, right know I will focus on roof inspection and also give a little class on roof construction.
First the basics – Pitched Roofs
The basic structure of a typical pitched roof is: the framework, a deck and a weather resistant covering. The purpose of the deck is to serve as a base for supporting the roof covering, which is what protects the roof. (Pretty simple so far, right?) A pitched roof has a series of parallel beams (joists) joined at the top at angles, like tepees with a supporting overlay (the deck), usually plywood or similar material that serves as a base for supporting the roof covering (shingles), which has the purpose of shedding the water away from the roof either into gutters or just falling off the roofline. The deck is not waterproof so the shingles must be intact and able to withstand all types of weather, (except tornadoes and meteoroids) be it snow, hail, or rain.
I can’t speak for all home inspectors because they have there own techniques and working procedures. Like most people I had a couple of them look over my house, so from my experience they generally do a outside visual of roofs that entails walking around the house, sometimes with the aid of binoculars for close-up viewing or use a ladder for ranch type houses, if practical. They generally don’t want to walk up there for liability issues (fear of there foot going through the roof), but I feel that is the best way to check for roof structural integrity and they need to do it anyway for flat roofs. Needless to say they would be responsible for any damages they do in the course inspection!
A typical roof inspection will include checking for:
Uneven shingles – poor installation of a second layer over an old one. This might be ok but will be prone to water damage. When making an attic inspection the deck should be checked for damage and signs of leakage.

Sagging roof – probably deck damage, but may be a structural problem like a damaged ridge beam (A beam placed on end at the top of the roof and fastened to the rafters) or a roof deck that may not have adequate bracing or spacing of wood-frame support members. This is better left for a structural engineer for evaluation.

Roof ventilation – in a way roofs have to breathe too, that’s why there are roof vents on the roof and in the soffit (a horizontal board nailed to a roof overhang). Warm air must have an escape in attic space or there will be moisture buildup and the wood will rot. This can also cause streaks on interior walls and peeling paint. An inspection should be made of vent placement and count to evaluate if there is adequate ventilation.

Shingles- If the roof is pitched it will most likely have overlapping shingles to shed water away and down the roof. The south and southwest sides of the roof gets most of the sun that makes brittle and age faster, thereby causing deterioration. If there is any cracking, pealing or breakage of these ’tiles’ they will need repair or replacement because it will not protect the roof.

Flat Roofs
Even if a roof has a slight pitch it is considered a flat roof. As with the pitched roof this is the first thing inspected. Sometimes an interior wall that has signs of water damage could be traced back to the roof. Since this type of roof can’t be seen from the ground inspection must be made at top of the house. On a two story or more building access to the roof has to be made from inside, a stairwell, ladder, or an access hole in the ceiling of a room, probably a bedroom closet or pantry. As with any type of roof ventilation is key so checking for air vents is a must. A ventilation opening can be a pipe coming from the roof top or an open space on the side of the roofline right below the roof. A flat roof differs from a pitched one in that it is water tight, not just shedding water like a pitched one. At one time standing water was considered a good thing because it would cool the roof a bit during the summer months. There should be no ponds of standing water because this could be a breeding ground for insects and more importantly plants, where the roots can break through the asphalt covering. Special attention should me made when inspecting flat roofs because even small cracks between the roofs drain and the roof covering could become serious.
There are many types of flat roofs like single-ply membrane, roll roofing, metal roofs, hot tar covered or built-up roofs an inspecting them is similar in every case. The inspector will look for any visible cracking, blisters, weak spots or any kind of corrosion that will compromise the structural integrity of the roof. The cause of a leak on an interior wall or ceiling may be hard to find because it may have started on the roof, then zig-zagged its way down, but several feet away from the area you saw it.
These are some of the things home inspectors look for and report on when checking roofs. They not only go in 120ºF attics but also crawl under houses, and look in chimney stacks, but do with a great of courtesy and professionalism!

Robert is the owner and operator of this website: http://www.houseimprovementonline.net and a true fanatic of learning and sharing ‘how to’ material and info. If you love anything ‘do it yourself’ you should visit this website and http://www.fileanddatarecovery.com

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Green Roof Is Installed At The New St. Louis Variety Playground In Forest Park . – by Todd Schowalter

Green Roof Blocks ™, recently installed its patent pending self contained green roof system at the new St. Louis Variety Playground in Forest Park. (PRWEB) November 19, 2005 — Green Roof Blocks ™, recently installed its patent pending self contained green roof system at the new St. Louis Variety Playground in Forest Park. The educational green roof was contracted by BSI Construction. BSI served as the general contractor of the 10,200 square foot playground which is located next to the Lindell Pavilion Visitors Center and was dedicated on October 22. Green Roof Blocks™, makers of the nation’;s only portable green roof system, installed the green roof on the playground’s entry pavilion. Green Roofs are aesthetic vegetated roof covers that help to reduce energy consumption and costs, decrease storm water runoff, and preserve the life of roof materials. Green Roof Blocks™ is a subsidiary of St. Louis Metalworks, with offices located at 11701 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033. The company maintains a web site at: www.greenroofblocks.com and media site at, www.greenroofsmedia.com. ###

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Green Roof Blocks„¢ Donates Green Roof Program to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – by Todd Schowalter

Green Roof Blocks„¢, makers of a portable self-contained green roof system, recently donated its patent pending product to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The university will use the green roof system for research purposes. St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) August 11, 2005 — Green Roof Blocks„¢, makers of a portable self-contained green roof system, recently donated its patent pending product to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The university will use the green roof system for research purposes. Green Roofs are vegetated roof covers that help to reduce energy consumption and costs, decrease storm water runoff, and preserve the life of roof materials. Individual Green Roof Blocks„¢ cover four square feet of roof surface and contain a growth medium with drought resistant plants. The initial Green Roof Blocks„¢ were installed on the SIUE Engineering Building on July 20. The event was attended by several notable SIUE faculty and administrative members including, Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, Provost and Vice Chancellor Sharon Hahs, Vice Chancellor Ken Neher, Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Stephen Hansen, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Kent Neely, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Wendy Shaw, Director of the Environmental Sciences Program Kevin Johnson, Director of Facilities Management Bob Washburn, Associate Professor of Environmental Science Program and Department of Biological Sciences Dr. William Retzlaff, Campus Architect Richard Klein, Engineering Faculty Dr. Susan Morgan, Environmental Sciences Faculty Dr. Nic Guehlstorf, School of Engineering Director of Development Sarah MacDougal and Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Krista Forrester. Also in attendance were Green Roof Blocks„¢ president Kelly Luckett, Green Roof Blocks„¢ vice-president Mike Crowell, Jost Greenhouse owner Vic Jost, and Lakeside Roofing. The initial 16 Green Roof Blocks„¢ installed are part of an eventual 1000 Green Roof Block„¢ system. The remaining Green Roof Blocks„¢ may be purchased by individuals for $100 each, with proceeds benefiting the student research project. Contributors will be able to compose a message on an engraved plate that will be mounted on a plaque overlooking the green roof. Each position on the roof will have a corresponding position on the plaque allowing donors to identify the particular Green Roof Blocks„¢ their donation made possible. Those interested should contact Marilyn Marsho, 618-650-5048 or by e-mail: e-mail protected from spam bots. The research project is being directed by Dr. William Retzlaff of the Environmental Sciences Program and will evaluate green roof performance “ including storm water runoff quality and quantity, plant growth, performance, and coverage, and green roof thermal characteristics. Research information as it becomes available will be posted at, http://www.green-siue.com. Green Roof Blocks„¢ is a subsidiary of St. Louis Metalworks, with offices located at 11701 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033. The company maintains a web site at, www.greenroofblocks.com and media site at, www.greenroofsmedia.com .

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Green Roof Blocks„¢ Attends Environmental Expo Hosted By Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee – by Todd Schowalter

Green Roof Blocks (TM), makers of a completely self contained, portable green roof system, has been invited by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) to demonstrate its product Green Roof Blocks„¢ during the Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Products Exposition for Olympic Projects taking place July 12“14, 2005 in Beijing. St. Louis, MO July 11, 2005– Green Roof Blocks (TM), has been invited by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) to demonstrate its product Green Roof Blocks„¢ during the Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Products Exposition for Olympic Projects taking place July 12“14, 2005 in Beijing. Green Roof Blocks„¢ are self contained portable units that hold four square feet of drought resistant sedum foliage. Green Roof Blocks help to reduce energy consumption and costs, decrease storm water run off and preserve the life of the roof by up to four times.The decorative and functional units are placed on the existing roof and provide building owners with a decorative and affordable way to literally add “life” to the building. A typical commercial green roof requires expensive water proofing, drainage systems and an excessive amount of soil. However, Green Roof Blocks„¢ are completely self contained and provide an affordable solution to installing a green roof. The Beijing expo will allow exhibitors to demonstrate their products and services to China ’s growing green construction community. The expo will be attended primarily by owners, investors, contractors, designers and municipal government departments involved in the Olympic projects. In addition to the upcoming Olympic Games, Green Roof Blocks„¢ hopes to expand its sales efforts to additional China markets. Green Roof Blocks„¢ is a subsidiary of St. Louis Metalworks, with offices located at 11701 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033.The company maintains a web site at, www.greenroofblocks.com and media site at, www.greenroofsmedia.com .

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Green Roof Blocks™ Expands Operations To Beijing. – by Todd Schowalter

Green Roof Blocks (TM), manufacturers of a patent pending self contained green roof system, has expanded its operations to Beijing, China. St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) October 7, 2005 — Green Roof Blocks (TM), manufacturers of a patent pending self contained green roof system, has expanded its operations to Beijing, China. Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks™ hopes that this is just the beginning of the company’s global expansion. “We are very pleased with our manufacturing and distribution resources in Beijing,” says Luckett. “We hope that over time can expand to other areas of the globe utilizing the same methods.” The methods that Luckett refers to involve establishing a solid manufacturing and outside sales force, as well as selecting growers who are able to produce and cultivate the Green Roof Blocks™ growth medium. Green Roof Blocks™ contain a growth composition comprised of drought resistant sedums propagated in a soil specifically engineered for rooftop applications. Several growers were contacted in Beijing and in Southern China in order to establish a network of growers capable of meeting the growing Chinese demand. “The green roof market in China is one of enormous potential,” says Luckett. “The various provincial governments have mandated green roof usage for new building projects as well as for retrofitting existing buildings.” In addition to a grower, Green Roof Blocks™ selected a manufacturing facility, sales force and Director of Operations for its Beijing market. Green Roofs are vegetated roof covers that help to reduce energy consumption and costs, decrease storm water runoff, and preserve the life of roof materials. Green Roof Blocks™ were designed as an affordable and flexible option to installing a green roof which is typically an expensive process. Green Roof Blocksª are self-contained portable units that cover four square feet of roof surface and contain a growth medium with drought resistant plants. In addition to energy and cost savings, Green Roof Blocks™ strive to provide environmental benefits, as well. Says Luckett, “ Just as in the U.S., the Chinese government encourages private building owners to invest in making China a greener and healthier place to live. As the green (roof) building industry continues to seek a balance between budgetary and environmental priorities, and demand for these products increases, green roofs will continue to gain popularity and we should all breath a little easier.” Green Roof Blocks™ is a subsidiary of St. Louis Metalworks, with offices located at 11701 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033. The company maintains a web site at, www.greenroofblocks.com and media site at, www.greenroofsmedia.com .

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Green Roof Blocks™ Expands Green Roof Program At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – by Todd Schowalter

Green Roof Blocks™, makers of a portable self-contained green roof system, recently donated an additional 108 units of its product to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) October 7, 2005 — Green Roof Blocks™, makers of a portable self-contained green roof system, recently donated an additional 108 units of its product to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The addition to the green roof experiment was installed on the SIUE Engineering Building on September 20. The university is utilizing the green roof system for research purposes and is part of an eventual 1000 Green Roof Block™ system. Green Roofs are vegetated roof covers that help to reduce energy consumption and costs, decrease storm water runoff, and preserve the life of roof materials. Individual Green Roof Blocks™ cover four square feet of roof surface and contain a growth medium with drought resistant plants. The installation follows an initial 16 Green Roof Block™ installation on the SIUE Engineering Building on July 20. The Green Roof experiment is a collaborative effort between Green Roof Blocks™, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, G.R.E.E.N. (Green Roof Environmental Evaluation Network) , The University of Georgia, and The University of Missouri at Columbia. The research project was coordinated by Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks™ and is being directed by Dr. William Retzlaff of the SIUE Environmental Sciences Program. Plant growth, performance, roof coverage and thermal characteristics will be evaluated over the next 2 years. Research outcomes will be shared with those wishing to establish commercial green roof installations. Green Roof Blocks™ is a subsidiary of St. Louis Metalworks, with offices located at 11701 New Halls Ferry Rd., Florissant, MO 63033. The company maintains a web site at, www.greenroofblocks.com and media site at, www.greenroofsmedia.com .

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