Replacing roof shingles is a hot, back-breaking, dirty job. Care must be observed when installing roof shingles. The pitch of the roof and the temperature can make roof shingle installation difficult for a do-it-yourselver. Before you start, you have to purchase the right style and color asphalt shingles.
A new gutter guard has been tested and it passed. After months of testing, very little organic muck had made it into the gutter. Even with some debris on top of the gutter guards, the water still flowed freely into the gutter. These gutter covers are not maintenance free, but they do keep the rain gutter clean and flowing.
Roof cleaning is a task many have to do because moss,
lichens and algae can grow on shingles and other roofing materials.
Cleaning roof shingles with a pressure washer is possible. Roof shingle
cleaning needs to be done carefully with constant inspection to ensure
the shingles are not being damaged. I tested a powerful pressure washer
on my twenty-year-old roof and was able to clean it without any damage
to the shingles.
Do it yourself roofing may sound like a great idea to save money, but in reality it can be a disaster. There are many important steps that must be followed to ensure roofs will not leak. If you do have friends help, do not break out the alcohol until the job is complete and leak-proof.
Box gutters can be found on many old and historical buildings. They were the gutter of choice years ago before pre-formed metal gutters became widely popular. Box gutters are invisible from the ground and they are somewhat easy to repair.
Rubber roofing often needs an underlayment when it's installed. But roofers need to make sure they can get the new membrane roofing underlayment installed before they leave the jobsite for the day. Covering the unfinished work with a tarp is dangerous as the tarp can blow off in an overnight rainstorm. When that happens, water can seep into the house.
Skylights are a great addition to a home. A skylight allows natural light to enter a home. But these skylight windows can create confusion from time to time. Water that appears in and around the skylight might be condensation or it might be a skylight leak. The challenge is to discover the source of the water.
Thinking of purchasing a gutter guard to keep your gutters clean? Think again. These overpriced gutter guards still have to be maintained, and with a gutter covering that isn't clear, it's even tougher to find the clogs.
Millions of roofs in the United States are plagued with roof moss and roof algae growth. Although these organisms themselves do not cause damage to the roofing materials, they trap water which does accelerate wear and tear. It is easy to clean a roof and more importantly, it is very easy to keep moss and algae from growing again.
Metal roofing can be partially painted to match an older metal roof, but it may not be advisable.
Before disaster strikes, know your shingles to avoid installation and contractor problems. Get written instruction about the shingle type you have or would use for reroofing from the manufacturer.
The shingles mystery -- it pops up every three months. What
IS that clear tape on the back of shingles for?!! To remove or not to remove ...
that is the question ... answered here!
Metal flashings cannot be replaced by a caulk in order to prevent roof leaks. The caulk can pull away from the surface due to expansion and contraction of materials, while metal flashings act as shingles to repel water when installed correctly.
Roof leaks can develop in new homes. Metal flashing prevents these leaks by connecting roofing materials to non-roofing materials. They are made from tin, copper, galvanized steel, lead, aluminum and rubber.
During winter, ice dams on roofs can melt and soak the inside of exterior walls and ceilings. While you can't stop them, you can prevent their damage by installing ice dam membranes underneath your shingles. Even though ice dams may form, the membrane won't let the water into your house.
Roof algae is common on shingles that aren't algae-resistant. It appears like black streaks in the shape of an upside down cone. To kill roof algae, use
Oxygen Bleach. Then install strips of copper at certain locations.
Roofing nails commonly pop out of their asphalt shingle roof holes. Your roof experiences heating and cooling every day, which may cause the nails to slowly wiggle out over time. Or, the roofing nail wasn't driven into the wood beneath the shingle well enough. In either case, these nails can be repaired.
Roof leaks in a valley can be prevented. If a metal flashing has been used, the most common problem is that the shingles were improperly cut. Gravity works with cuts in the tips of shingles to prevent water from leaking into your house during a rainstorm.
If you're planning installation of new gutters, this article will explain the process. Everything from transport of your rain gutters, through cutting and tools, to sealant and gutter hangers. Before you tackle your first gutter, read up here first for some helpful pointers on gutter installation.
If gutters are on your mind, these color photos show how screw type gutter hangers work, along with some installation tips.
Aluminum gutters can prevent long-term damage like efflorescence, wood rot and peeling exterior surfaces on your house. The flashing should drop into the gutter, directing water into the drain pipes that all the gutters are slanted toward. These gutters hold onto the fascia board through fasteners.
A roof is not necessarily maintenance free. Storms can damage, nails work loose, flashings rust. Roofs take a beating. Algae, mildew and moss grow and stain. Take time periodically to check your shingles, roof flashing and general condition. Do roof maintenance before major problems catch you at the worst times.
Stains on shingles from algae and mildew are quite common. Moss and lichen are also a nuisance. A garden hose and
oxygen bleach are solutions.
Shingles stained with unsightly algae have no copper in the roofing shingle granules to kill the roof algae. Clean your roof with
oxygen bleach first, then install copper strips under roofing shingles to keep the black, streaky eyesore at bay.
Roofs require maintenance, like any other part of your house. An annual inspection should suffice for most asphalt shingle roofs. Check the roof flashings and shingles for nail pops. Other roofing materials like slate, metal and tile require less upkeep.
Residential metal roofing comes in a wide variety of choices and is nearly non-maintenance. Installing a metal roof is not a DIY project, and all instructions from manufacturers of metals roofs must be followed perfectly to avoid leaks and problems. When selecting your metal roofing material, stand back 20 to 50 feet to get the proper perspective.
Metal roofing products and far and wide. Always check installation details for metal roofing products, especially with the manufacturer you choose. Be sure the written instructions are followed to the letter to avoid leaks and other problems.
These examples of the cost of metal roofing offer a rough pricing guide. Choose the metal roof you want and call the manufacturer to find locally qualified roofers who have experience installing metal roofs.
While the cost of metal roofs is expensive, they make a great roof for a residential home. Metal roof material is fireproof, attractive and wind resistant. You can create a flat or shingled look. Make sure your roofer follows the metal roof installation instructions exactly.
Locating flat roof leaks is hard, as leaks on flat roofs go in any direction - unlike a sloped roof. Flat roof repair is made more difficult. Follow these tips for finding roof leaks on flat roofs...but stoke your patience...
Roofing membranes and synthetic rubber roofing compounds for flat roofs outperform gravel roofing materials and make roof leak detection far easier. These roofing materials are basically seamless and fight UV damage. Used mostly commercially, flat roof membranes have many residential uses.
There are three basic types of membrane roofing for flat roof repair. These roofing materials enable you to basically shrink wrap your roof! Flat roof membranes take the roof leak worry of yesteryear out of owning a flat roof.
Membrane and EPDM roofing manufacturers are listed. The technical side of epdm roofing and membrane roofing info is covered for the roofer. You may prefer to contact these companies to locate local distributors of epdm roof repair products and roof membrane.
Flat roofs and hot tar roofs were/are chronic leakers. Asphalt shingles do not work well on flat roofs. Rubber roofing is easy to install and works for all the low-slope roofs on your home.
Don't buy any asphalt shingles unless they pass this independent test developed by the ASTM. Asphalt roofing shingles are rated for three criteria important to the durability of the shingles you put on your home.
Locating a leak in roofing can be a major project. I have spent days trying to find a pesky roof leak. Leak detection is more successful when you look sideways, diagonally or up-roof from an inside leak location for the source of the water leak. Use these tips along with a garden hose and sprinkler to find those evasive roof leaks.
A roof leak is a major nuisance for most homeowners.Finding a leak can be frustrating or relatively simple, depending on location and weather conditions. Leak detection may go easier with these tips for locating a water leak and roof leak repair.
Roof leaks can be found where roofs end and other materials start, such as chimneys, valleys, walls or plumbing vents. Cracks or slits in asphalt shingles or missing granules can also be the cause of leaks. Repair your shingles in cool weather when you find trouble spots.
Can gutters be protected from leaves and eliminate gutter cleaning? Some gutter protection does work very well for big leaves. But small pine needles and flower buds get through and build up a mucky mess in your gutter. I tested some gutter guard or gutter cover models and report some pros and cons, as well as tips for gutter cleaning.
Is gutter protection or gutter cleaning more cost effective? Spending cash on a gutter cover may not be the best way to use your money. Investing it might. Check out this cost calculation for a gutter screen vs. cash investment.
Gutters can be protected from big leaves with a gutter guard. Small debris manages to infiltrate gutter covers, however, and gutter cleaning is not avoided. I tested four gutter protection screens for efficiency of gutter leaf protection..and the winners and losers are listed here.
Gutter guards - do you really never have to clean your gutters again? While they may block big debris such as leaves, almost all the gutter covers I tested failed in the spring when small buds clogged up the gutters.
Installing membrane roofing on roof trouble spots can minimize or eliminate leaks due to wind blown rain and ice dams. These sheets of modified asphalt seal out water leaks and close nail holes where water can make its way into your home.
You can install your own asphalt shingles on your roof. With planning, thought, these tips and some additional reading suggested here, your roofing project will be safe and successful.
Roofing membranes are modified asphalt on sheeting and all virtually the same. Except for the thickness. Some of the roof membranes are produced for certain parts of the country as well. Buy the thickest membrane you can muster and take time to read product literature..it will pay off!
Roofs depend on gravity to keep water from entering underneath shingles and other roofing materials. In the winter, ice dams can form. The best way to prevent leaks caused by ice dams is to install ice dam membranes under the finished roofing material.
Aluminum gutters advanced gutter technology greatly. Seamless gutters do have seams and can leak. Traditional aluminum rain gutters are available that look seamless, come in lengths up to 37 feet long and have an invisible hanger system, like some of the seamless gutter systems. When selecting a gutter for your home, focus on attributes that will make your gutters last.
Not all gutters are available in every part of the US. Seamless rain gutters are local jobs. Check these gutter manufacturers to research your needs and compare gutter systems.
Gutter installation can be simplified with a drawing of the gutters you will install. Your sketches will help determine the parts and materials needed to install your rain gutters. Plan your cuts on each gutter and minimize waste. These tips take you through cutting, assembly and sealing of aluminum gutter systems.
Aluminum gutter systems have improved. Seamless gutters come in lengths up to 37 feet and two sizes, 5 inch and 6 inch. They don't attach using ferrules and spikes, but instead attach by hidden hangers.
Slate roofing is beautiful and long lasting, gracing castles in Europe and homes in the U.S. Slate does become brittle, falls dangerously, and requires special techniques to affix and repair. A new option for a roof of slate is now available for your new home or building. Read these facts and tips if you own or plan to install a slate roof.
Helpful and informative slate literature is available from the following slate quarriers and distributors. Two top notch trade publications are also listed.
Repairing a roof of slate is not a DIY project. Slate roofing can be slippery and dangerous, and requires special tools and special skill. Here's what to do if you proceed on your own... or what to watch for if you hire out repair of your roofing slate.
Slate is excellent for roofs. It is fireproof, resists hail damage and has a long service life. When it starts to crack or becoming brittle, you may need to do some slate roof repair. The causes of its stress could be loose nails or nature.
Shingles on many homes are now showing streaky, black stains for the first time. This roofing problem has escalated in past years and appears out of the blue on the roof. Roof algae has overtaken the roofing shingles - but there is a solution. Clean your roofing shingle with
oxygen bleach and add copper or zinc strips. Here's why your shingles are suffering.
Algae resistant shingles are usually available in all 50 states of the USA. To locate a local supplier of roofing shingles, try one of the listed manufacturers. Great sources of algae info and algae resistant roofing shingle information are also available.
Roof algae stains occur on asphalt shingle roofs, usually on the north side. The roof algae starts as dots, then takes a cone shape and can eventually cover your entire roof! Introduce copper or zinc strips to kill roof algae You can also use
Oxygen Bleach.
Cedar shakes create a beautiful roof, hard to duplicate, but often mimicked. Cedar shake roofing must be maintained periodically and protected with preservatives to extend the life of the cedar shake and to maintain its status as 'roof beautiful'.
To keep your cedar shakes in top condition, you must regularly clean them and keep them free of debris. Control moss and preserve your cleaned cedar shake roofing properly. Read these tips for properly maintaining cedar shake and for roof safety.
Install the best cedar shakes on your new or existing roof. Only members of the Cedar Shake Bureau can use trademark grade names for the best cedar shake roofing. Sources of important cedar shake information and preservatives are listed here.
Cedar shake roofs are popular for many reasons. They create such a distinct look that asphalt shingles and metal roof manufactures have entire product lines that try to mimic wood. But wood roofs need maintenance and the help of chemicals to keep them healthy.
Asphalt roofing is widely used for shingles today. Sadly, the construction industry has little formal education for newcomers, and they learn mistakes made for years by their mentors. Roofing installation of asphalt shingles is often done incorrectly. This extensive primer will inform you of proper basics and guidelines to assure that your roofing shingles are installed properly and perform to their manufacturer's specifications.
Check these resources for information about shingles of asphalt and proper roof installation.
Asphalt shingles need a roofing underlayment of felt. If your roofing is installed without a felt underlayment, it may void your insurance coverage. An underlayment for asphalt shingles also covers irregularities and improves the appearance of your roof shingles.
Asphalt shingles are very common in the Midwest. What happens when they fail? Problems can be caused through the location of nails, the sealing compound beneath the shingles, installing shingles in the cold and not using felt paper.
Roof leaks are often caused by a faulty roof flashing. The metal roof flashing may not have been installed properly. This column provides illustrations of common roof flashings and installation tips.
A large number of roofing problems are due to leaks caused by faulty roof flashing. Residential roofing has transitions at junctions of projecting objects. These areas of the roof require special treatment with flashings to prevent leaks. These roofing tips cover advisories for residential roofing and flashing that you need to know to avoid problems and to hire the best professional for this very important roofing material.
Roofing requires roof flashing at junctions of objects projecting through the roof. Flashing is a transition area and extremely important to leak prevention. These publications are highly recommended for further reading to understand the great importance of the art of proper roof flashing installation.
Roof leaks can happen in the center of a roof, but they usually don't. Roof leaks happen where the roof touches up against non-roofing materials such as walls or chimneys. Metal flashings protect water from leaking into these intersections. Caulk is not a replacement for these flashings.
Ice dams may not be avoidable, but you can prevent a leak from ruining your home. Understand how an ice dam can form to know how to minimize potential roof leak problems. Consider membrane roofing to help keep water leaks outside your home.
Before ice dams cause you trouble, review these leak prevention products from these manufacturers. If reroofing, remodeling, or building, seriously consider the importance of protection from ice dam damage and roof leak.
Ice dams may not be preventable, but these design tips can do wonders to prevent leak damage and minimize ice dam size. Membrane roofing is highly advised to keep water out. If building or remodeling, watch low roof pitch, ventilation, roof overhang, heel height and other items covered to fight potential roof leak problems.
Ice dams can form on any roof under cold weather and snowfall. When gutters turn to solid ice and the barrier creeps up onto your roof, thawing will cause a deluge of ice dam water to leak into your home. Protect your roof with an ice dam membrane.
Roof repair of rotten wood should be verified before you allow a roofer to charge you extra when he installs your new roof. Ask him for a cost breakdown and monitor his progress. You can also address the cost in the bidding stage.
