Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 @ 02:01 PM
Allstate Insurance has started implementing a new policy where they will not cover the full replacement cost of replacing your roof if its older then 10 yrs. Allstate started this program, called House & Home, in Oklahoma and is planning on extending it nationwide over the next three years.
If the roof is over 10 yrs. old, Allstate will only pay the "actual cash value." The actual cash value, also known as market value, is the replacement cost - depreciation. For example,if you were to sell a 3 year old used bike on Craiglist's List you would sell it for less then what you paid for it because its used (or depreciated). No one would buy a used bike for the same price as a new bike. The price of the new bike is the replacement cost. The price you sell it for is the actual cash value (how much the bike sold for in the marketplace). Allstate is going to have the customer cover the cost of the depreciation.
In order for Allstate customer's to be able to replace their roof, they will have to pay "out of pocket" a significant amount more. Their cost will be depreciation plus their deductible. Many people will not be able to afford to replace their damaged roofs.
For more information on the policy...
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120202/NEWS01/120209925/allstate-looks-to-make-homeowners-pay-more-for-roof-repairs
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Fri, Feb 10, 2012 @ 08:40 AM
Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned twice a year. The best time to clean the gutters is late spring and late fall. However, if you live in a neighborhood that has a lot of trees; it is advisable to clean the gutters more often because such areas have leaves falling off the trees all the time. Remember that water trapped in the gutters can damage the walls and the roof of your home. Below are steps that should be followed when cleaning gutters and downspouts.
Required Tools
You should ensure that you have the right tools for the job. Using a garden hose to remove the leaves might create an even bigger mess. Some of the tools required for this task include; an extension ladder, a hand spade, work gloves, and trash bags.
Gain access to the gutters
This should be done using a ladder. However, you should not lean the ladder to the downspouts as they can bend or break. Lean it against the wall which is stronger and holds the ladder firmly. It is always a good idea to have someone hold the ladder while you climb up.
Start With the Downspouts and Move Towards the Center
It is always advisable to start cleaning the downspouts and then move towards the other parts of the gutter. If the downspouts are clogged, you can unclog them using running water. Just place a garden hose at the top and let the water flow into the downspout. If this doesn't unclog the downspout, try using a pressure washer. There will be times when downspouts just won't unclog no matter how hard you try. If you ever find yourself in such a scenario, the best thing to do is call a plumber. They will be in a better position to solve your problem. If you continue trying to unclog it, you might damage the downspouts and the gutters as well.
Remove the Leaves From the Gutters
The leaves can be scooped out using a hand spade or using your hand. If some are stubborn, remove them with your hand. You can put the debris in a trash bag and dispose of it, or you can use it as compost for your garden, to provide nutrients for the plants.
Rinsing
After you have removed all the debris, use a garden hose to flush the gutters with clean water. This should be done until no signs of debris are remaining.
Inspect the Gutters
This should be done after you have removed all the debris and cleaned the gutters using running water. Check for any damage on the gutters. Generally, you should be looking for cracks or holes. If you find any damage, call a plumber to fix it for you. please note that if the damage is extensive, you will have to replace the gutters with new ones.
Cleaning gutters and downspouts is a tiresome activity. If you don't plan on doing it often, you should consider buying protectors which will deflect the leaves from the gutters. You can also use mesh wire to cover the gutters.
About the Author:
Charlie Johnson started C and K Roofing in 1999. Our offices in Nashville, Knoxville and Huntsville offer both commercial roofing services and residential services for homeowners.
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Fri, Feb 03, 2012 @ 04:52 PM
Make a positive environmental impact via your roof with this new smog fighting, concrete, roof tile. BoralPure™ Smog Eating Tile is an innovative new product
How it works...
The tiles are coated with titanium dioxide, which oxidizes harmful NOx released from vehicles by
converting them into cleaner air that is safer to breathe. The roof tile coating contains a photocatalyst, activated by daylight, which helps convert harmful nitrogen oxides into calcium nitrates. When it rains, the calcium nitrates are washed off the roof.
Benefits to the environment...
In one year 2,000 square feet of the Smog Eating Tile negates the same amount of nitrogen oxide produced by one car driving up to 10,800 miles. Also, the World Health Organization estimates 2.4 million people die annually world wide of causes attributed to air pollution. Smog reducing tiles can help save lives.
Why you should believe its true...
A study called the PICADA project (Photocatalytic Innovative Coverings Applications for Depollution Assessment), which is part of the European “Competitive and Sustainable Growth” research program, was conducted from 2002-2006.The project researchers conducted laboratory and full-scale tests to determine the ability of varying strengths of titanium dioxide to remove pollutants (NOx and aromatic compounds), and consequently assess the substance’s potential for use in building construction materials. The PICADA project certifies that photocatalytic cement building materials and coverings absorb and eliminate from 20 to 80% of air pollutants, depending on atmospheric conditions and the level of sunlight that triggers photocatalysis.
BoralPure™ Smog Eating Tiles...
Barcelona Country Slate
Smog Eating Tile is available in a total of six colors, and in three architectural shapes– Low Profile, Medium Profile and High Profile.
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Thu, Jan 26, 2012 @ 08:59 AM
When getting your roof replaced, recycling the old roofing materials is important. There are different uses for different types of shingles.
Asphalt shingles can be ground up and turned into asphalt pavement. The newly constructed Dallas Cowboy stadium used Warm Asphalt Mix, which contains recycled asphalt pavement and recycled shingles, on their parking lots.
Asphalt shingles can also be recycled and used for new shingles.
Metal roofing products (metal standing seam, valley flashing, nails) can be heated, melted down, and combined with other metals to be reprocessed. Metal roofing can be recycled into new roof material, street signs, cans for foods and beverages, etc.
Old wood shakes have multiple uses. You can donate them to Habitat for Humanity, use them as firewood, or use them as mulch or animal bedding.
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Wed, Jan 18, 2012 @ 11:38 AM
When using concrete tiles to do a re-roof, there are a couple things that need to be addressed.
1. Before you start demoing, if you have existing concrete tiles you are removing, make sure you have enough dumpsters to dispose of the tiles. The dumpsters can hold a certain amount of weight, so verify the weight each dumpster can hold with the weight of the concrete tiles.
2. Concrete tiles are significantly more heavy than any other type of shingle. You have to make sure that the framing and decking you have can support the heavy concrete tile. If you are worried about whether or not your roofing structure can hold the concrete tiles, you can hire a structural engineer. You don't want this to happen to your roof...
3. You have to make sure that whatever was used on the roof previously (asphalt shingle, wood shakes, etc...) is removed. You need a clean surface to place the battens on so that they lay level. The concrete tiles are nailed onto the battens. Each concrete tile locks in with the adjacent tile, forming a solid union. If you try to place battens over existing shingles, they can make the surface uneven, causing the battens to be uneven. This prevents the concrete tiles from being able to lock together correctly. Below is an example of how the concrete interlocks.
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Fri, Jan 13, 2012 @ 04:18 PM
Shingle roofs are designed to shed water. There are a couple factors involving the roof system that determine the quality.
Slope:
The risk of water penetration increases as the slope of the roof decreases. Typically, slopes below 4/12 are more susceptible to water penetration. If there is a low sloping roof, special underlayment is required. Areas of the roof where water is ponding, increases the chances of leaks and rotting. So having a steep sloping roof sheds water nicely because the water is able to run off the roof fastly.
Wind:
Wind can uplift shingles, allowing water to get under the uplifted shingles. Shingle design and proper installation can prevent wind uplift. Shingle design elements include sealant strips, which prevent uplift once they are sealed. Organic shingles are stiffer than asphalt shingles, so they do not need as strong of an adhesive sealant as asphalt shingles.
Fastening:
Improper fastening of shingles causes shingles to easily become loose. Three common mistakes are high nailing, using too few fasteners, and angled or slanted fastening. As long as the manufacturers installation instructions are followed, fastening the shingles to the roof is simple.
Flashing:
Where there are breaks in the roof, for example skylights, hips, valleys, ridges, vents, special care needs to be taken. When leaks occur, it is usually traceable to workmanship of the flashing.
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Thu, Jan 05, 2012 @ 12:19 PM
Metal roofs are becoming more and more popular. As the demand increases, so does the need for metal paint finishes. Since metal only comes in one color, the desire for different paint colors is high.There are a variety of different finishes you can use, but one stands out above the rest. Kynar 500® paint. It has been repeatedly tested and proven better then other metal paint finishes.
Kynar 500® has high-performance fluoropolymer resin in it that keeps the metal looking vibrant and appealing. It also has an unpresidented ability to retain color and gloss. Also, it has a high chipping resistance.
Kynar 500® paint outlasts its competitors. It barely fades from UV exposure over a long period of time. The picture below is a case study done on performance. You don't have to worry about the bright color you picked out years ago fading.
Metal Roofs with Kynar 500® paint can reduce energy bills by up to 40%. The paint can achieve over a 70% solar reflectance. This results in a cooler roof surface, which means less heat is transferred into the building. Saving money on home/building cooling costs. Metal roofs with KYNAR 500® paints are included in the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star Roof Products Program and the California Energy Commission’s Cool Roof Savings Program.
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Thu, Dec 22, 2011 @ 10:19 AM
Hiring a professional to clean your roof can be expensive. Besides the labor charges, most roof cleaners will include an upcharge on their materials. However, a DIY’er can cut those roof cleaning costs by making their own cleaning solution and investing a little sweat equity.
Here’s What You’ll Need
1. Water
2. Bleach
3. Garden pump sprayer
4. Long-handled bristle brush
5. Garden hose
6. Ladder
Getting Started
Don’t try to clean your roof when it’s hot and sunny. Heat can make your shingles malleable and a lot easier to damage. Try to pick a cool, overcast morning. Working on the wrong day at the wrong time can make this project seem almost unbearable.
Mix 3 parts hot water and 1 part bleach to make your own cleaning solution. Any cleaning solution can cause some shingles to discolor so test a small, discreet area before doing your entire roof.
Cover shrubs and plants around the perimeter of your house. If you want to spend a little more money, you can use green roofing cleansers that are bio-degradable and won't hurt your shrubbery. Some lawn and garden centers will have this available.
Use your garden pump sprayer to soak a manageable-sized part of your roof. Be careful of any wind that may blow the spray back on to you. Let the cleaning solution sit for 15 minutes but don’t let it dry out.
Scrub the area with a bristle brush. Good asphalt shingles are pretty sturdy. If they don’t hold up to some gentle brushing, you should probably stop and call a roofing company for a free inspection. No sense in cleaning your roof if you really need to replace the shingles. In Texas and Oklahoma, call Legends Roofing for a free roof inspection.If you need a Nashville roofing company, call C&K Roofing
Rinse the cleaning solution off the roof with a garden hose. Spray a new section and repeat these steps until the job is finished. Your primary goal is to remove any mold and mildew. Stains may take a little more effort.
If you’re comfortable with working on roofs, some time and effort can give you a great looking roof for almost no out of pocket cost. If you’re unsure, it’s always safest to hire a professional roof cleaner. While it may cost a few hundred dollars, a single cleaning may be all a roof needs in its lifetime.
About the Author:
Charlie Johnson started C and K Roofing in 1999. Our offices in Nashville, Knoxville and Huntsville offer both commercial roofing services and residential services for homeowners.
Posted by Kanish Ali on Thu, Dec 08, 2011 @ 03:15 PM
The waste disposal system in your house has pvc pipes that vent fumes through the roof to prevent sewer gases from entering your house. In order to prevent water intrusion due to the hole cut in the decking for the pipe, a boot has to be installed over the pipe. There are two types of boots that can be used.
A rubber boot has a rubber collar around the plumbing pipe where the roof decking and pipe (that penetrates through the decking) meet. Rubber boots are available in different sizes according to the size of the pipe.
Disadvantages: The sun causes the rubber to dry out, causing cracks in the rubber. This will cause water penetration.
A lead boot is a lead sheet that is formed and welded to fit the shape of pvc pipes. They come in different sizes, and depending on the size of the pipe is the size you buy. They range from 1.5 inches to 4 inches.
Disadvantages: Although lead pipes are less likely to weather, there is one disadvantage. Squirrels often enjoy eating lead boots! This may cause small holes to appear on the lead boots over a period of time which may eventually lead to a leak. Taking note of the squirrel population in your neighborhood could be a useful tool in deciding whether to go with a rubber or lead boot.
Posted by Jacqi ragsdale on Thu, Dec 01, 2011 @ 08:59 AM
When installing a new roof or replacing an existing roof, the installation of attic ventilation is important. There are two main categories of ventilation, intake and exhaust vents.
Intake vents are usually located in or near the roof eave or below at the roof's edge. There are different types of intake vents, you can decide which is best for your house by looking at the structure of the house, where the units will be located, and the net free area provided by each unit.
Common types of intake vent include: undereave vents (mounted in the soffit), continuous soffit vents (mounted in the soffit), vented drip edge (used when there is no eave area), the Edge Vent Shingle-over (installed roof-top), mini-louvers (installed in exterior walls to help eliminate moisture), and vented soffit panels (vinyl or aluminum soffits with vent openings already cut into the panels).
Below is an example of an undereave vent mounted in the soffit vent.
Exhaust vents: Allow an unobstructed outflow of attic air, while preventing precipitation from entering in.
Common types of exhaust vents include: roof louvers (installed as close to the ridge as possible, and are round, square, or slantback), gable louvers (installed in the gable ends of the house), ridge vent (installed on the ridge of a house, lifts air out of the attic), wind turbines (uses rotary motion of blades that create an area of low pressure, pulling air from the attic), power attic ventilators (uses rotary motion of blades to pull attic air, but instead of wind, it uses electricity to drive motors).
Below is an example of a wind turbine.
