Roof Talk 101 The Best Educational Roof Blog In America

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Roof Talk-101 With The New Year Comes A New Beginning.

The slate is wiped clean and we have an opportunity for a fresh start...a "do over." If resolutions sound "too final" call them "tips" for a better 2015.

1. Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can trust that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.

2. Take a morning walk of gratitude. I call it a "Thank You Walk." It will create a fertile mind ready for success.

3. Make your first meal the biggest and your last meal the smallest. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

4. Zoom Focus. Each day when you wake up in the morning ask: "What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?" Then tune out all the distractions and focus on these actions.

5. Talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself. Instead of listening to your complaints, fears and doubts, talk to yourself and feed your mind with the words and encouragement you need to keep moving forward.

6. Choose faith instead of fear. Faith turns adversities and dead-ends into detours to a better outcome than you thought possible.

7. Don't chase dollars or success. Decide to make a difference and build meaningful relationships and success will find you.

8. Get more sleep. You can't replace sleep with a double latte.

9. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in your purpose, people and the positive present moment.

10. Build your life and career with the 3 greatest success strategies of all...love, serve & care.

11. Every day focus on your purpose. Remember why you do what you do. We don't get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it.

12. Remember there's no such thing as an overnight success. There's no substitute for hard work.

13. Believe that everything happens for a reason and expect good things to come out of challenging experiences.

14. Implement the No Complaining Rule. If you are complaining, you're not leading.

15. Read more books than you did in 2014.

16. Don't seek happiness. Instead decide to live with passion and purpose and happiness will find you.

17. Focus on "Get to" vs "Have to." Each day focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift not an obligation.

18. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

I am thankful for __________.

Today I accomplished____________.

19. Smile and laugh more. They are natural anti-depressants.

20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Roof Talk-101 Benefits Of A Cool Roof

A cool roof is one that has been designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof. Cool roofs can be made of a highly reflective type of paint, a sheet covering, or highly reflective tiles or shingles. Nearly any type of building can benefit from a cool roof, but consider the climate and other factors before deciding to install one.

Just as wearing light-colored clothing can help keep you cool on a sunny day, cool roofs use solar-reflective surfaces to maintain lower roof temperatures. Standard or dark roofs can reach temperatures of 150°F or more in the summer sun. A cool roof under the same conditions could stay more than 50°F cooler.

BENEFITS OF COOL ROOFS

A cool roof can benefit a building and its occupants by:

Reducing energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs
Improving indoor comfort for spaces that are not air conditioned
Decreasing roof temperature, which may extend roof service life.

Beyond the building itself, cool roofs can also benefit the environment, especially when many buildings in a community have them. Cool roofs can:

Reduce local air temperatures (sometimes referred to as the urban heat island effect)
Lower peak electricity demand, which can help prevent power outages
Reduce power plant emissions, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and mercury, by reducing cooling energy use in buildings.

ROOFTEC-LLC and ROOFGUARD-LLC has been installing commercial roofing systems for over 30 years. We have the solutions you are looking for if you desire a new commercial roof or need a re-roof. ROOFTEC-LLC only uses the best products and installation practices to insure you have a worry free commercial roof. For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Roof Talk-101 Picking A Cool Roof: SRI Index Is Key

Most roofing industry experts agree that a cool roof is one that exhibits a combination of high reflectivity and high emissivity. But the questions have always been how high is high and what combination of the two yields the most benefit?

One way to make a decision is to use the Solar Roof Index (SRI) to evaluate a cool roof. The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED 2.2 uses SRI as a way to evaluate a cool roof. LEED version 2.2 is the first national specification to use a relatively new measure of reporting a cool roof’s properties. LEED 2.2 sustainable sites credit 7.2 states that to receive one point, building owners should use a roof with a Solar Reflective Index (SRI) of 78 over at least 75 percent of the roof’s surface for roofs with slopes less than 2:12.

SRI is a unit developed by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. SRI incorporates reflectivity and emissivity properties into one, easy-to-read, standardized measure so that roof buyers won’t have to scratch their heads and try to figure out if a high reflectivity and low emissivity is better or worse than a medium reflectivity and high emissivity.

SRI is calculated with a complex formula spelled out in ASTM E 1980 and is a scale of 1 to 100 that is a measure of a roof’s combined thermal properties. It is defined so that a standard black (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. But some hot roofs can have negative values, and some white thermoplastics and white roof coatings have scored as high as 104 to 110.

SRI as a method for reporting cool roof data will probably take a little while to catch on. Most manufacturers still report separate emissivity and reflectivity data in their literature, but the Cool Roof Rating Council, an organization that verifies and labels cool roofing products has begun using the measure, while retaining reflectivity and emissivity measurements.

Different roofing technologies have different SRI values. Asphalt coatings for example have aluminum pigments added to asphalt cutbacks and emulsions to give coatings solar reflectance index (SRI) values of 21-30 on a scale of 0-100.

Acrylic elastometers on the other hand, a new-generation coatings, have a highly reflective surface, often with an SRI greater than 100. Most highly reflective acrylic elastomers are white, and workers can install them over existing bituminous or non-bituminous roofing. Acrylic elastomers typically are specified at 12 mils for five-year warranties and at 20 mils for 10-year warranties. Some manufacturers specify up to 40 mil applications.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Roof Talk-101 How to Maintain and Repair A Wood Shingle Roof

Just a reminder, keeping your gutters clear of debris and removing hanging branches near the roof will help keep your shingles in top shape.

Clean moss, lichen, and molds with a solution of water and chlorine bleach or other solvent.

But what if your wood shingle roof needs repairs?

Types of Wood Roofs

First of all, there are two basic kinds of wood roofs. Shingles are smooth. Shakes are rough-hewn and rustic. They come in varying lengths, and are typically 16, 18, or 24 inches long. Most are made from red cedar, which is durable and resists insect damage. Sometimes manufacturers use preservative-treated pine or other woods. Maintenance and repair for both types are the same.

Whatever type you choose, when you first have your roof installed be sure to keep a bundle of shingles that can be used for future repairs.

Commercially Available Treatments

If you protect your wood roof with a commercially available treatment, it will last longer. Left unprotected, a wood roof will begin to decay within ten years; but could last as long as 30 years with proper treatment.

Home improvement stores carry a variety of products for this. Each comes with its own specific directions, and it is important to follow those explicitly. You will typically get the best protection if you dip the shingles into the solution, or apply the treatment with a brush for maximum coverage.

Curled Shingles

If your wood shingle curls away from the roof, it can usually be flattened and reattached.

If the shingle is brittle (as often happens in cold weather), you must soften first. Do this by using a propane torch with a flame spreader nozzle. Use it to warm the curled edges; of course be careful not to burn them!
Once they are warm, you should be able to easily flatten the edges and reattach the shingle with asphalt roof cement. Apply roof cement generously to each corner and press back into place.
Use a brick or other heavy object to hold the shingle flat while the roof cement sets.

Repair a Cracked Shingle

It is better to repair small cracks than to replace the shingle.

To fix a crack that is smaller (under ¼ inch), first pull out loose splinters.
Now only the large pieces remain. Nail the large pieces down with galvanized roofing nails, being careful not to drive the nail heads into the shingle; that will damage the shingle surface.
Cover the crack and the nail heads with roofing cement.
For cracks wider than ¼ inch, you will need to use a sheet metal patch. Drive a piece of sheet metal under the crack of the shingle, until the top of the metal reaches past the upper edge of the crack.
Nail the shingle pieces down with galvanized roofing nails, being careful not to drive the nail heads into the shingle, which will damage the shingle surface. Cover the crack and nail heads with roofing cement.
Remove shingles that cannot be repaired
Remove pieces of broken shingle that can be chiseled out or pulled out with your fingers. When you pull, move in a down and out motion to avoid damaging other shingles.
Use a hacksaw to cut nails that held the broken shingle. Cut them even with the sheathing or wood slats. You will probably have to pry the shingle above it up enough to get all the nails. Be careful you don’t crack the good shingle.
Completely remove the broken shingle and then use the hacksaw to remove the nails that secured it, being careful of the decking underneath.
Cut a replacement shingle, making it approximately 3/8 inch narrower than the empty space. This allows the shingle to expand when it gets wet. Drive in the replacement shingle using a wood block and hammer. Nail it down and cover any exposed nail heads with roofing cement.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Roof Talk-101 10 Top To-Dos for Fall Maintenance

Get your home and yard in top shape for winter with these essential fall maintenance tasks.

1. Take Care of Your Furnace. Schedule a professional maintenance visit for thorough inspection of switches, burners, and safety controls; the motor and blower need to be both checked and cleaned by a skilled technician. A task you can -- and should -- do yourself is changing the air filters every 1-3 months.

2. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. A carbon monoxide detector can be a lifesaver when you operate equipment powered by an internal combustion engine -- a generator, for example -- or fuel-burning appliance -- a furnace, range, water heater, or space heater. Fuels that produce CO when burnt include natural gas, oil, wood, coal, and more.

3. Maintain Your Ducts. Maintaining ductwork is one of the best ways to lower your fuel bills while enjoying more efficient, healthful heating this winter. Check for leaks and cracks; then use duct mastic and metallic tape to repair. Insulate ductwork. This will pay off in the good ol' summertime as well, preventing unnecessary loss of your A/C's cool air. While you're at it, clear out any mold or dirt hiding in the ductwork.

4. Check Doors and Windows. Another place where you may be losing precious heat is your doors and windows. If you can see daylight through their frames, there are cracks that need attention, pronto, with the help of caulk or weatherstripping. In an older home, consider replacing windows with energy-efficient versions. Over time, the amount you save on utilities will more than offset the cost of replacement.

5. Adjust Your Ceiling Fans. Adjust ceiling fans to rotate clockwise in the cold weather. Simply flipping a switch on the fan housing will change the rotational direction and allow the paddles to better circulate heat produced by your HVAC. The result? You'll feel much warmer for a minimal cost.

6. Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney. Check your chimney (with the help of a flashlight) for leaves, nesting animals, or other blockage, which require removal by a professional. Clean out dirt and leftover ashes from the firebox. To go greener, consider purchasing an EPA-certified insert or a clean-burning electric fireplace.

7. Shield Your Outdoor A/C Unit. Protect your air conditioning unit as it "hibernates" for the season, by means of a special A/C cover. This will shield it from the elements -- wind, rain, snow, and hail -- as well as mice, rabbits, or other pests looking for a cozy winter home.

8. Inspect Your Roof. From the vantage point of your attic, check for daylight peeping through cracks or worn spots in your roof. Then go outside and inspect the roof for "bubbles" or shingles that are missing, curling, loose, or broken. Look at the condition of the flashing too. Trim any overhanging tree branches. When you're in the market for a roof replacement, consider impact-resistant roofing materials.

9. Clear Your Gutters. Clogged gutters will overflow, potentially causing major damage to your home's foundation or roof. Remove the fall's accumulation of dead leaves, pine needles, and twigs by hand (wear sturdy work gloves) or with a trowel. Then scoop out any residue from asphalt roofing shingles. When relatively clear, flush the gutters and the downspouts with water from your garden hose. Repair gutter leaks with silicone sealer and replace damaged hangers.

10. Care for Your Yard. Rake up the remaining fallen leaves to let your lawn breathe and to promote revitalization of cool season grasses like bluegrass or fescue. Dethatch and aerate the lawn. If you haven't already done so, bring potted plants inside till spring. Wrap delicate shrubs in burlap, or build a rudimentary shelter from repurposed poles or pallets to protect them from winter storms. Empty your kiddy pool and remove water feature pumps. Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets. Disconnect hoses and put them away indoors.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Roof Talk-101 L.E.A.F Winterizing Your Roof

Roofing Contractor in Columbus Ohio | Winterization

It’s that time of the year again. The blistering heat is subsiding, and trees are changing colors. You can drink apple cider, go pumpkin picking, dress up for Halloween and do all of your favorite fall activities. However, this seemingly magical time can also be a huge headache for homeowners, as they worry about how the ensuing weather changes will affect their homes. It is no secret that rain, snow and frigid weather can really take their toll on your roofing system. Luckily, you can stand up to Old Man Winter if you take the necessary steps and prepare in advance. Since it is autumn when most homeowners start to get worried, you should remember the acronym L.E.A.F. This symbolizes the four major areas of which you should pay attention to in order to protect your roofing system: Leaky gutters, Excessive debris, Attic ventilation, and Flashing. Whether you hire a professional roofing contractor or you do it yourself, you should get in the habit of inspecting your roof twice a year. This is especially true for these four important factors listed above, so that you can catch any damage early and save yourself time and money in the long run.

Let’s Begin with Leaky Gutters

One area that is important to keep a vigilant eye on, especially with winter rapidly approaching, are leaky gutters. Autumn and winter are chockfull of rain and snow; and you will absolutely need healthy, well-running gutters if you want to avoid damage to your roofing system. Gutters allow pesky precipitation to drain from your roof. One thing you can do to ensure that your gutters are up to par is remove leaves, branches or other debris that may be clogging them. In addition to clearing debris, make sure that your gutters are securely fastened. Improper installation can lead to build up and overflow, which can affect your roofing system negatively.

Free Your Roof of Excessive Debris

When you embark on spring-cleaning, you should not just focus on the interior of your home, but you should include your roofing system as well. When the weather is nice, it’s the perfect time to inspect your roof and make sure that the valleys and linings are free of twigs, branches, leaves, and other debris. Excessive debris, if ignored, can block rain and melted snow from exiting your roof, which adds an unhealthy amount of weight on top of your roof. This extra mass can lead to extensive damage, including leaks, deterioration and shingle damage.

Assess Your Attic Ventilation Efficiency

As stated above, heavy snow and ice on your roof can cause damage to your roofing system. It can even warp your trusses and rafters, as well as inflate your heating bill costs. To combat this problem and save your roofing system, it is essential to install an attic ventilation system. This technique will help your attic circulate air in and out. Improved air circulation decreases the chance of snow and ice buildup, which minimizes potential damage, as well as your heating costs.

Don’t Forget about Flashing

Finally, when inspecting your roofing system in preparation for winter, you should pay special attention to flashing. Flashing is the structure used to protect the edges of your roof. It can also be seen on roof piping, chimneys and roofing vents. Flashing is very important because it is the main barrier standing between the under part of your roof and the outdoors. Unfortunately, your roof flashing can rip, tear and loosen, thanks to strong winds and substantial rain. If your flashing is damaged in any way, water can seep into your home and ruin ceilings, insulation, walls, and electrical work. Therefore, it is important to inspect your flashing before you have a huge problem. If you find any damage on your flashing, replace or fix it as soon as possible. It will cost you a lot less than it will to repair or replace your entire roofing system, which you will have to do if you let the damage get out of control.

You Can Now Start Winterizing Your Roof

In summary, it’s very important to inspect your roof in the spring and fall if you want to make sure it is working its best to defend against the brutal winter months. Regardless of whether you do the job yourself or hire a residential or commercial roofing company, special attention should be given to four main areas – Leaky gutters, Excessive debris, Attic ventilation, and Flashing – which together make up the acronym L.E.A.F. If these four areas are taken care of in advance, chances are that you will have successfully winterized your roofing system. That should give you enough peace of mind to shake off the winter blues and enjoy all the wonderful things the winter season brings!

For more information visit us at. www.rooftec-llc.com and we also invite you to Like Us on our RoofTec-LLC Facebook Page .

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Roof Talk-101 What to Look For When Inspecting A Commercial Roofing System

Any roof inspection should look at the roof, of course, but the roof surface is only one item that should be checked. The first thing to look at is your files. Do you have all of the paperwork you need? How about a copy of the warranty? Do you have the names and phone numbers of the companies that have been involved with the roof — previous inspectors, roofing contractors, architects, manufacturer technical services? You should have a copy of all the repair orders and the results of the repairs made. Finally, there should be a roof plan, drawn to scale, that not only shows all the equipment on the roof, but also the locations of any leaks and any repairs made.

The walls and glazing should also be checked. Too many times, leaks from wall, sealant and window failures are disguised as "roof" leaks. Look for cracks and water stains that may be symptomatic of problems in these areas. The worst offenders are pipes, conduit and other penetrations through the walls. Too often these are left unsealed, especially when they are installed as retrofits.

Once those steps have been taken, you are ready to look at the roof. The best place to start is with an overall look at the roof. Is it covered in debris, like leaves, plants and old air conditioning equipment? This is a sure sign that the roof has been neglected. Look at the surface of the roof. If there is a coating, is it intact? If there is gravel or ballast, are the rocks evenly distributed and covering the whole surface?

The surface of the roof provides protection from ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which causes most roofing materials to age and break down. It's like your skin. If you don't give yourself UV protection, your skin ages prematurely and sometimes with serious results.

You should also check the drainage system. If there are large areas of standing water that never seem to go away, it may be possible to solve the problem simply by removing the gunk from around the drain. Or you may need to snake the roof drain pipes or down spouts. Standing water can lead to premature failure of the roof as the water may leach the chemicals that keep roofs pliable out of the membrane. Worse still, if there is a puncture in an area of standing water, what should have been a minor drip becomes a major disaster as all of that standing water ends up inside the building.

Roof failures rarely start in the large expanses of field membrane. Any roof check should pay special attention to the membrane and metal at changes in plane and at penetrations through the roof. First, make sure the surfacing is intact. Look for punctures, tears and scrapes in the membrane. Check for unsealed laps both in the vertical part of the flashings and also where the flashing terminates on the field of the roof. Make sure the membrane is not drooping. This is a symptom that the flashing was improperly installed — either it wasn't fastened properly at the top, or it was not properly adhered to the wall or curb. If you see diagonal wrinkles in the flashings, you have a situation where the roof deck and the wall are moving independently. These wrinkles will end up as cracks in the flashings and ultimately as leaks.

If you have expansion joints running across your roof, include them in the inspection. Some roofing contractors don't terminate expansion joints correctly and, as a result, the expansion joints crack at the ends. Check the rubber bellows for cuts and open laps and also for "repairs" done with roofing cement or other inappropriate materials.

If penetrations such as pipes and equipment stands are waterproofed with metal or plastic pitch pans or concrete rings, check the sealer to be sure that it is not cracked and that the pan or ring is completely filled with the sealer. Check the bottom of the concrete ring to be sure the seal between the ring and the roof membrane is still sealed. Check alternate flashings such as prefabricated metals or plastic or rubber boots for cracks, holes and failed sealants.