ROOF LEAKS – by Green Fin

<p>
1. Poor Roof Construction — This has become a serious problem in the past 15 years or so. Due to constant changes in the economy, the bidding on new structures (which includes virtually every kind of building including schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, shopping malls, and industrial buildings) has become so fierce that to get the job the roofing contractors must cut corners.<p>
The roofing contractors must fight the weather to meet completion deadlines. Oftentimes installation continues during unfavorable weather conditions. Sometimes moisture is trapped in the roofing system and can contribute to early failure of the roof. <p>
2. Normal Aging and Weathering – A roof begins to deteriorate the day it is constructed. Its main enemy is the weather. It takes a pounding from the sun, rain, snow and sleet; it is scorched by intense summer heat and buffeted by high winds from storms. The sun dries out the roofing paper; causes the tar to run and sag, weakening the roof mat. As this oxidation soaks the oils out of the paper, it becomes brittle and subject to cracking and splitting; and when the weather suddenly changes, the extreme expansion and contraction brings the ultimate disaster – A roof leak!<p>
3. Settling of the Building – All buildings settle; It is their nature, but some settle much more than others. When a building settles at an abnormal rate, this puts great stress on the roof. This unusual movement can, and will, create enough strain to cause a roof leak, which if left ignored will result in a general roof breakdown.<p>
4. Vibrations – Some of these result from natural phenomena such as earth tremors, severe storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Even buildings located many miles from such an act of nature can get enough impact to put a strain on the building, which in turn carried to the roof can contribute to a roof leak. Other vibrations from machines, equipment, air conditioners, railroads and truck traffic cause early failure.<p>
5. Mechanical Damage – Much more prevalent than you might think. In today’s technology, it has become standard to put many pieces of equipment on the roofs; air conditioning units, phone and TV antennas, sign supports, elevator housings etc., which presents a serious problem for two reasons.<p>
Sources:
<a href ="http://www.fixallroofs.com"> Roof Leaks and Roof Repair</a>
<a href ="http://www.buyliquidroof.com"> Liquid Rubber & Liquid EPDM</a>
<a href ="http://www.epdmcoatings.com"> EPDM Coatings</a>

Author is keen in home improvement researches.

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Reflective Roof Coatings Institute Formed – by Ken Bowman

The Reflective Roof Coatings Insitute is a non-profit trade organization that will promote the benefits of reflective roof coatings in extending the life of roof systems while reducing energy consumption and demand for the building envelope. Kansas City, MO (PRWEB) December 31, 2005 — Several companies engaged in the development and manufacture of reflective roof coating materials have banded together to form the Reflective Roof Coatings Institute (RRCI). The purposes of the Institute are: 1. To promote the benefits of reflective roof coatings in extending the life of roof systems while reducing energy consumption and demand for the building envelope; 2. To promote the highest standards in product promotion, application training and product performance within the reflective roof coating industry; 3. To promote the development and research of data relating to the application, performance and value of reflective roof coatings; and 4. To advance the best interests of the reflective roof coatings industry. The first organizational meeting was held in Chicago in November where Jim Leonard, president of ERSystems, Rockford, MN, was named the interim president of RRCI. “Because of the growing importance of the California Energy Commission’s Title 24 program, we felt the time was right to form an organization that would not only promote reflective roof coatings but also provide a means to educate the end-users of their benefits”, stated Leonard at the recent organization meeting. At present the RRCI is engaged in actively recruiting new members and have had twenty companies become Founding Members of the Institute. Ken Bowman, president of the Robstan Group, Inc – an association management company located in Kansas City, MO – has been retained to act as the executive director and help manage RRCI. Bowman said, “With our experience in managing construction related associations, we are very proud that the Robstan Group has been chosen to be RRCI’s partners in getting this association started.” The next meeting of RRCI will be held in Las Vegas on February 12, 2006 at the Tropicana Resort & Casino that will be open to the entire industry. “At this meeting, we will continue the business of establishing the Institute but we are also going to have general sessions to discuss issues facing our industry. We feel this meeting will be a great start for RRCI in helping provide an educational venue for reflective roof coatings”, stated Leonard. There are three categories of membership in RRCI: Manufacturer, Raw Material Supplier and Associate, which includes sales representatives, design professionals, consultants, architects and engineers. For more information about the Reflective Roof Coatings Institute, please contact Ken Bowman at 816.472.8870 or visit www.reflectivecoatings.org. # # #

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Proper Ventilation for Your OR Roof – by Mark Starr

Ventilation is a vital component to any good roofing job in Portland OR. In addition to installing a quality rooftop, your roofing contractor in Portland should construct an adequate ventilation system. Learn more about the importance of proper ventilation for your OR roof.

Adequate Roofing Ventilation Increases the Longevity of Your OR Roof

Your roofing contractor in Portland can describe for you how proper ventilation is the most important element in the lifespan of your roof. A solid ventilation system for your OR roof can increase its longevity by as much as a decade. In fact, while inadequate roofing materials or the workmanship might be contributing factors to premature roof damage, the cause is most often due to poor roof ventilation.

The Benefits of Roof Ventilation — Moisture Control

A quality roofing job in Portland OR consists of a ventilation system that helps to regulate moisture levels within the home. Most homes produce an average of five pounds of water vapor each day. Without proper ventilation for your OR roof, the woodwork inside your home can start to rot, the insulation can lose its efficiency and your home can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Components of a Proper Roof Ventilation System

Your roofing job in Portland should result in a properly installed ventilation system that effectively balances airflow and controls the temperature underneath the roofing structure. Adequate ventilation for your OR roof consists of two parts: intake and exhaust.

The intake and exhaust hoses create an air exchange system to prevent the temperature under the roof from getting to hot. Hot air flows out, while cool air from the outside flows in.

Your roofing contractor in Portland will install roof vents to help circulate air and prevent condensation. The number and placement of vents should be in compliance with Portland building codes.

Roofing Portland OR — Types of Ventilation for Your Roof

Proper roof ventilation for your home can be achieved through a variety of methods. Common roof vents include dormer vents, turbine vents, gable vents, ridge vents and circular vents.

The most adequate ventilation system is comprised of vents that not only maximize the balance of airflow, but also work well with the appearance of your home. Consult with your roofing contractor in Portland to determine which type of ventilation system will work best for your OR roof.

Mark Starr covers articles on roofing in Portland OR for Elements Roofing, an Oregon based company specializing in new roof installations and OR roof repair.

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Paramount Disaster Recovery Roof Consultants Launches Three New Web Sites to Assist Homeowners with Roof Damage Insurance Claims, Including Calshake and Cemwood Roofs – by Steve Slepcevic

Roof consultants can save homeowners and property owners hundreds of thousands of dollars. Paramount Disaster Recovery Inc. launches three new web sites to help property owners navigate the roof damage insurance claims process. Palos Verdes, CA (PRWEB) June 13, 2005 — Now that the rainy season has ended many homeowners and building owners are looking to make roof repairs. Unfortunately most of them will end up paying far more for those repairs than they should because they don™t understand the roof damage insurance claim process. Homeowners can save themselves a great deal of money and countless headaches by using a roof consultant firm, such as Paramount Disaster Recovery Inc., to handle the entire roof damage insurance claim process. Insurance companies are looking to limit or deny payout on roof damage claims. Many causes of roof damage, including foot traffic, high winds, and hail among others, are covered by most insurance policies. However, many of these legitimate claims are rejected or only partially paid for by the homeowner™s insurance company because of poor documentation or incomplete roof inspection. That is where a roof consultant can end up saving the homeowner hundreds of thousands of dollars in roof repair costs. One recent Paramount client was initially awarded a $1500 claim to patch their roof that had been damaged by high winds. After Paramount had a chance to access the total damage it was discovered that the roof patch that the insurance company had recommended was an inadequate solution and had in fact led to mold growth within the structure. The Paramount team of insurance claim consultants re-filed the claim documenting the original damage along with the additional mold damage and won a settlement of $380,000 for the client. This paid for the mold removal and a complete roof replacement. Without the help of Paramount™s roof consultants the client would have had to pay those costs completely out of his own pocket. For a homeowner, commercial building owner, even Homeowners Associations the roof damage insurance claim process can be an overwhelming experience. In order to make the process easier Paramount is launching three new web sites, www.roof-damage.com, www.calshake.com, and www.cemwood.com. Roof consultants can save property owners hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless headaches. Now Paramount has made the process even easier with three new web sites designed to provide the information and resources needed to get your roof fixed right. About Paramount Disaster Recovery Inc.: Since 1989 Paramount Disaster Recovery has been helping individual homeowners, business owners, and homeowner associations (HOA) with their roof repair needs, including roof consultants, insurance claim consultants, and roofing contractors. Paramount is a proud member of the Building Owners & Managers Association International, the Community Associations Institute, and the National Institute of Disaster Restoration. Contact: Steve Slepcevic Paramount Disaster Recovery Inc. 310-265-8846 http://www.paramountinc.com

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New Environmental Green Roof is Installed on The New Wind Engineering Building – by Todd Schowalter

St. Louis based Wind Engineering firm utilized Green Roof Blocks ™, to install the environment friendly roof at its Oak Bend office building. (PRWEB) November 19, 2005 — On Oct. 21 Wind Engineering went Green. The St. Louis based engineering firm utilized Green Roof Blocks ™, to install the environment friendly roof at its Oak Bend office building. 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. Many communities are looking to the green roofing concept as a possible strategy of replacing the green space sacrificed by the building process. While traditional green roofs are expensive, require expensive water proofing, drainage systems and an excessive amount of soil, Wind Engineering opted for the new portable system developed by Green Roof Blocks™. Green Roof Blocks™ are self contained portable units that hold four square feet of drought resistant sedum foliage that are available in over 400 plant styles. The 98 Green Roof Blocks™ installed for the Wind Engineering project were grown off site for nearly three months to allow the plants to develop and mature. This option allowed the rooftop to be instantly green with fully grown plants rather than the typical seedlings planted in many green roofs. The Green Roof Blocks™ were hoisted to the roof using a shingle roofing conveyor provided by Roofers Mart, an area roofing supplier. “This was the first time we used a conveyor to roof load our green roof. It really worked out well,” said Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks™. “We were able to roof load and install 98 Green Roof Blocks™ in under 40 minutes. That’s less than half the time of using a crane.” 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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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 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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