Category: Roofing

What Warranty Can I Expect on My New Roof in Ann Arbor

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As a roofing contractor I often am asked what the warranty is on the roofing jobs we do. That’s a great question and one you should ask any roofer you are considering hiring to work on your home.

Well, there are two critical components to a roofing warranty. One is the manufacturer’s warranty. The second is the roofing contractor’s warranty. Not to be confused, but many times that’s exactly what happens. People understand that they’re getting maybe a 30 year roofing product from the manufacturer and somehow associate that that’s a 30 year service commitment, a warranty commitment. And it’s not. That’s not true at all. We have to break those into again two components. Number one, manufacturer’s side of the deal, roofing contractor’s side of the deal.

The manufacturer will warranty the shingles for wear. So wear is like a tire might wear. Loss of shingle granulization, possible early failure. Those are the things they’re going to warranty their shingles for and it may be a prorated warranty. Probably is. Might have a five year non-prorated period and then for the balance of it a prorated period. Something to investigate and look into. Different manufacturers have different warranties.

Maybe the biggest one though is the roofing contractors warranty because that’s where the rubber hits the road. A properly installed roof has to be warrantied by the roofing contractor.

Now, how do we know that he’s going to stand behind his commitments? Well, find out how long he or she has been in business. Some people are offering large warranties, for over a long period of time, and have not been in business that long. Or have changed ownership. Maybe they have some challenges inside their organization. Very challenging for the homeowner to understand that.

So we have to look around. Call wholesalers. Check with the manufacturer, they have certified contractors that they recommend. Check with your referrals. Maybe visit the contractor, go to his showroom and meet the people. The people you trust, the people who have been in business a long time, the people who care about you, they’re going to be the ones who stand behind their warranty. So the two warranties come together to create the umbrella that protects you and your family with the proper roof job.

Get Loads of Easy Diy Shed Plans

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If you need a storage shed you are probably wondering how to build a shed? If you are good with tools, this will not pose too great a challenge for you. All you need is the right plans to follow for buying and building with. With the wrong plans, this can be a tedious task. In contrast, this will be a simple job if you have the correct plans.

Your first step is of course measure the spot you want to put your shed. Doing this will enable you to determine which size shed you can erect. Once the area and size are determined, it is time for you to buy your DIY shed plans.

After you purchase your plans then you have what you need to know which materials to buy. You need to get all the wood you need to the project. Additionally, you will need a wide variety of tools so make sure you have them all. Your pre-drawn scheme should help.

Once you have all your lumber and tools, you have to chop your wood to size. Having all the wood cut and prepared will shorten the assembly time a great deal.

Your first step is to lay all of the framework on the floor and nail it together. Most people today use nail guns to do this job. After the floor’s foundation is completed, check to see if it is square. At this point, you need to put the boards down for the floor. This is usually sheets of plywood cut to fit. Remember to nail the floorboards securely.

Then, lay out your side supporters and create the framework for each side. Remember to leave an opening for the door. Then place the sheets of plywood in place for the walls and nail in. Now place all outer and inner trim work onto the foundation as is outlined in the blueprint. Each plan differs at this stage though depending on the style of shed.

After the walls are up, it is time to put the rafters and framework up for the roof. Nail them in place while consulting your plans. Next, hem in the shed with your plywood for the roof. Complete any needed trimming for the wood at this point.

Connect both doors by utilizing the proper hardware. Verify that they fit correctly to guarantee they will function properly. There is nothing worse than doors that do not fit right.

Sand and paint your shed whatever color you choose. Be sure to check that you are using outdoor paint, so it will withstand weather conditions. It is a good idea to buy roof shingles for your shed, this is a personal preference and it is not necessary. Naturally, you will need to learn how to do your own shingles before attempting it yourself.

Now that you are an expert in how to build a shed, go purchase your plans. You will save a great deal of money when building you own shed over a ready-built one. You will be filled with a sense of pride each time you glance over at the shed you built on your own. So go and build your shed today!

Green Roofing

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Continuing the theme of the importance of sustainable gardens, here we will discuss what are known as Green Roofs, the different types available and why they have become such an integral part of modern horticultural planning.

As one can ascertain from the name, the basic premise of a Green Roof is to bring plant matter, and therefore greenery, to our otherwise barren rooftops and thereby take best advantage of the dead spaces in and around our gardens, in order to better support our fast degrading environment.

Due to the nature of photosynthesis, Green Roofs are characteristically easy to establish and maintain because, by their very design, they are in the optimum position for the reception of sunlight and rainwater. The concept is not new ancient dwellings often used turf as a roofing material, but, in modern times, the Green Roof concept has once again been implemented in many commercial and architectural sectors, not to mention the broad following it has in the residential market. Rolls-Royces factory in West Sussex has one of the largest, commercial green roofs in Europe, covering over 32,000m2, and the green roofing project at the Ethelred Estate in London is another good example of the concept being taken more seriously.

The ecological ramifications of projects like these are self-explanatory, more green biomass equates to an increase in the conversion of CO2 to oxygen through photosynthesis, not to mention the purification of air borne moisture that comes into contact with the site. However, there are also great financial gains to made, which are probably best exemplified by the US Postal Distribution building in New York City which saves over $30,000 a year in heating and cooling. The project itself is designed to sustain itself for 50 years, which suggests a total of $1,500,000!

However, were getting ahead of ourselves – very few of us have the space and resources to oversee a project of such scale but, lest we forget, this is effectively an act of charity toward mother nature, and all charity begins at home.

Before you embark on a Green Roof project, it is imperative you check whether youll require planning permission to do so, and what regulation youll have to abide by. However, it is unlikely that youll be bound by many restrictions, as the state encourages their ecological benefits, particularly the green corridor it will provide for local wildlife. Regulations aside, the Green Roofs domestic applications are copious, including a cheap and sustainable form of insulation and greater control over storm water runoff. Research by the Centre for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge has found that “a layer of vegetation can reduce heat loss from buildings, cutting the wind chill factor by 75% and heating demand by 25%”, and the variety of plants you can grow are many – providing colourful coverings for otherwise boring, plain, or ugly roofs.

There are three categories of roof garden: extensive, semi-extensive and intensive. These are defined primarily by the depth requirement of their soil, thus dictating which plants are suited to each.

Extensive Green Roofs

Extensive category green roofs are characterized by their primarily artificial soil combinations that normally integrate materials such as perlite, rockwall, sand and concrete and, as such, they are best designated to drought resistant plants that are in need of good drainage rather than regular moisture. The planting medium is ordinarily supplemented by a filter layer, drainage layer, root barrier membrane and insulation and waterproofing respectively. Readymade Sedum mats enriched with substrate are a good choice for this environment. The planting medium itself should be no fewer than 2 inches deep.

Semi-extensive Green Roofs

The semi-extensive project needs a slightly deeper growing field (4-8 inches) as it should be able to support small perennial plants, though not the beds, trees and shrubs of the intensive green roof. Good plants to try here would be Knautia macedonica, Centaurea scabiosa and Origanum vulgare. As with the extensive roof, you will require all the standard drainage and waterproofing faculties that underpin the soil structure. A semi-extensive roof can take anywhere between twelve and eighteen months to establish and will require regular maintenance, particularly if it is situated at an unorthodox angle or position in relation to the sun. Regular weeding, watering and feeding are all a must, and even then you might find some areas may fail.

Intensive Green Roofs

An intensive Green Roof is that type which is most reminiscent of orthodox gardening, as it is often structured around three dimensions, including raised beds and box crops, and with a much wider range of suitable plants. However, these can only be supported by a richly organic growing medium and plenty of depth to become established – usually around 12 inches. It is important when constructing these raised beds that you use lightweight materials to ensure that the roof itself can support them. There are many other tricks that can be utilized to reduce the weight of the roof garden, such as the bulking out of compost with perlite, and using polystyrene rather than broken pots to crock the bottom of planters being used. However, as we know, the lighter the compost the less sturdy it acts as a plant anchor and pots and planters can easily fall over, but you can overcome this issue with clever placement of plant supports, such as wires and staking.

Floral and Hardy are experts in this field so if you would like to turn your unused flat roof into a colourful alpine meadow or an exotic Mediterranean-style vista, or you just want your own Hobbit house, just get in touch!

How You Can Do the Garbage Bag Airflow Test

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Nothing beats the coziness of your own home especially during those cold, winter nights. But when you’re freezing in it despite having a furnace then there’s a problem. A good way to check if poor air flow is the concern is to use the garbage bag airflow test.

One of the most common issues with heating and cooling equipment is poor air flow. This problem makes your heating and cooling equipment work like inefficient outdated models and this can waste a lot of your money. The two most common reasons for poor air flow: inadequate duct sizing and a dirty return air filter.

Inadequate Duct Sizing Inadequate duct sizing is usually the result of a poor installation by a contractor who might possibly not have the qualifications to perform proper sizing. This is a very common problem that a homeowner may battle for years to come and could cost thousands of dollars over the life of the equipment. It is extremely crucial that you get references before choosing a contractor.

A Dirty Return Air Filter A dirty return air filter is the easiest problem to fix. Simply change your return air conditioning filter more frequently or utilize a filter that does not restrict air flow. This simple change can lead to huge savings. How You Can Perform the Garbage Bag Air flow Test

Garbage bag airflow test is one of the easiest and cheapest methods to determine the air flow of your furnace registers, bathroom exhaust fan or clothes dryer exhaust. It’s a vital test to pinpoint the reason why your furnace isn’t providing sufficient warm air in your room. This is also important in order to determine whether your newly purchased exhaust is working at its best. The same goes when you’re having major renovations in your home that call for a change in your heating or cooling systems. It’s the cheapest way to check your furnace register and exhaust fans performance as it only requires a garbage bag. This test isn’t a precise measurement of the airflow but it is better than not conducting any test at all.

Here’s how to do the garbage bag airflow test:

1. Secure the mouth of the garbage bag using a tape right into a bent coat hanger or to a cardboard in order to keep it open.

2. Be sure to deflate the bag by crushing it flat.

3. Position the open part of the bag (mouth) over the furnace register or exhaust hood.

4. Using a stopwatch or any gadget track the number of seconds it takes for the bag to fully inflate.

If you’re using a small garbage bag that measures 66 x 91 cm, you should use the information below to determine the airflow:

Inflation time = Airflow

*2 seconds = 35L/s (75 cfm)

*4 seconds = 20 L/s (40 cfm)

*10 seconds = 10 L/s (20 cfm)

However, if you’re using a bigger garbage bag that measures 79 x 119 cm, use this data:

Inflation time = Airlfow

*2 seconds = 100 L/s (210 cfm)

*4 seconds = 50 L/s (105 cfm)

Do You Know What to do About Your Roof Problems

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How long a roof will last is dependent on several controllable factors. The lifespan of a house-top can be extended or reduced depending on the way it is maintained by the homeowner; however, it is a fact that no matter how well it is cared for, at some point the material will deteriorate and risk structure failure. Common signs of structural roof problems include: the presence of granulation; broken shingles; and slipping or cracked shingles. All of this if not detected at an early stage could allow water to penetrate the structure and cause severe damage and premature failure of the entire roof. This top covering of the house is very susceptible to leaking; therefore, homeowners should always practice preventive maintenance and prevent any leaks from starting.

Inspections

Any damage to the integrity of the structure itself can cause susceptibility to water leakage and decay. It is vital to thoroughly inspect the house-top before any major damage occurs. Start the inspection by first checking the interior ceilings for signs of water penetration; this may come in the form of a coffee-colored stain on the ceiling or surrounding walls. Continue the inspection outside by going onto the house-top to check for any indication of structural damage. Look for missing, cracked or loose shingles, granulation, and debris accumulation.

Repairs

After conducting a thorough assessment of this top part of the house and discovering there is a problem with the structure that may require repairs, a homeowner needs to make a decision about the next step. It must be decided if an expert from a roof company is needed to perform the job or if they can make the repairs on their own. It is fairly easy for a homeowner to make minor repairs provided they have adequate knowledge regarding how to perform any required repairs.

Water Leakage

Once water staining has been observed, a leak should be suspected. The first action homeowners should take is to locate the point of water penetration. After locating this spot, a nail should be hammered into the area of the leak. The homeowner should then go outside to look for the area on the roof that needs to be repaired. If the seepage has been caused by loose flashing around a chimney or vent, all that needs to happen is to tighten the flashing with rust-resistant screws. If the cause of the leak is due to damaged shingles, the damaged shingle must be removed and replaced with a new one, ensuring that the replacement tab is larger than the damaged tab. The homeowner must remember to put roofing cement over all nail heads to secure a tight seal.

Cleaning

Sometimes a problem may be caused by the accumulation of debris on the roof or because of an algae infestation. Dark staining on the roof caused by algae can be removed simply by making a bleach solution and spraying it onto the affected area. The solution needs to soak on the area where it has been applied for 15 to 30 minutes before using a soft bristle brush to scrub off the wet section of the roof. Then, the area should be thoroughly rinsed with clear water. Remove pine needles, leaves and twigs from any area that might cause water to back up. Be sure that down-spouts are properly working.

Suntouch Radiant Floor Heating System

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Suntouch radiant floor heating is one of the best products for warming your floors. Generally people think more discomfort especially in winter season to keep their feet on floor particularly in morning times. So many people are thinking to get this suntouch radiant floor heating system in their homes.

Suntouch radiant floor heating system is not a new concept but it is getting its hazardous importance from few years. There are different types of home heating systems that use radiant heat they are: underfloor heating systems, wall heating systems, ceiling panels etc. Among them underfloor and wall heating systems are more important.

There are two types of suntouch radiant floor heating system the first one is electric suntouch radiant floor heating system and the other one is water type floor heating system. These both have their own importance but of this electric suntouch radiant floor heating system is much popular.

In Water type floor heating system the hot water will moves through the pipes and thus the heat generates. Though it is popular people generally dont opt this because the installation cost is very high and it consumes much time to get heated. Whereas in electric suntouch radiant floor heating system, electric pads are installed under the floor and you can keep this pads where ever you need. This type consumes less energy and installation is also very easy.

These suntouch radiant floor heating systems are installed where the warm floors are mostly needed, especially in cool months. These are specially suited for bathrooms, kitchens and also for the mudrooms. This also controls your thermostat. You can save lot of money as well as energy.

These radiant floor heaters are installed under the floor so you can also enjoy more space. These floor heaters are easy to install when the house is in construction or in remodeling. For so many it is effective but for the normal people it is not that much easy to install. It requires lot of cost to install. Of course it may be less expensive after installation but it costs high when installing. It also breaks up your floor which makes your home bad.

The main advantage of this system is it is a good aid for the people who are suffering with allergies and asthma. And this system evenly transfers heat to all the rooms in your house. This suntouch radiant floor heating system will not create any noise in your home.

There are so many companies which are offering this suntouch radiant floor heating systems. And there are so many products now available in the market. You can also get this product through online. There is also bargaining in the web so you can get this product even for lower cost. But make sure that your product must be qualitative.

You have to do home work before going to buy this product. It also needs professionals to install this suntouch radiant floor heating system. So get a good product, install it and enjoy the cool winter with this heating system for a long time.

Stylish Designs of Living Room Furniture

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Most people are very careful about the way their design and style their living room. This is the face of their whole house, and the form which presents itself to the outside world. A look at the living room is the first impression that guests will have of your house, and you certainly want it to be good. This is why the colours and decor of the living room are carefully chosen, as is every piece of furniture that is placed in it. Living room furniture has plenty attached to it. For one, it should not be too dated and look completely out of style. There are some pieces which have an antique value associated with it. Barring these, it is important that your living room furniture is with the times and looks contemporary.

When you select a look for your living room furniture, make sure you have an idea of how you want your room to look. Some rooms are rather small and would need fewer pieces. You could modify the furniture to make do for a smaller sofa with a lowered seating capacity. If your living room is larger, you will need to have to put in more than just the basics. Here, you can actually play with space, colours and textures and enjoy the experience of moving things around till they meet with your satisfaction.

The smaller pieces of living room furniture may seem less important, but they, in fact, complete the look and also give your living room character. When you look for smaller artefacts, ensure that they either blend in completely, or have an interesting angle to your room. Either of the two impacts can be extremely interesting and can bring in new dimensions to your living room.

Some people find the process of doing up their living room quite daunting. With constraints of space and options, you will sometimes feel that the place you have does not do justice to all the things that you want to put in to your living room. However, keep your mind open and look at the various options available to you. The market today allows for plenty of styles and designs, and you are sure to find the perfect match for your bedroom, even though you may not be able to find what you thought of. Ultimately, you will find that you have a living room which looks better than you imagined it to be, and this will be a space you are proud to own.

Self Storage Buildings – Why Steel Structures Are The Best

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Self storage buildings made of steel offer benefits to owners as well as customers. More and more people are discovering the cost effectiveness, sturdiness, and eco-friendliness of car storage, boat storage, furniture storage, garage storage, and RV storage facilities built of steel.

Owners

Setting up a self storage business is easy. You can easily find a business loan because this is seen as lucrative, low risk business. Self storage buildings of steel are cheap and easy to construct. You need to invest little, and the returns are high. Business is booming because more and more people understand the advantages of self storage. Therefore, occupancy is high at all times. What is more, self storage is seen as a recession resistant business. People might stop buying homes, but they will always need extra storage space.

Cost of steel self storage buildings is as much as 60% lower than concrete buildings. Steel is weather proof, fire proof, and corrosion resistant. It does not encourage growth of pests and mold. Steel self storage buildings can be easily constructed and expanded. These buildings are low on maintenance. The surface can be painted in attractive colors to resemble concrete, brick, or stone. The cost benefits of steel buildings are passed on to customers.

Customers

If you are looking for extra storage space, a self storage warehouse may be the best answer for your needs. Storage warehouses are safe, fireproof, and pest resistant. Most self storage buildings have foolproof security arrangements such as 24/7 guards, swipe card keys, and fire alarms.

Many steel self storage buildings are constructed from recycled steel. This makes them ecofriendly and acts as an added incentive for environment conscious customers. Self storage can be used for all occasions whenever a little extra space is desirable – for de-cluttering homes, storing inventory and documents, or during relocation.

Homeowners use self storage warehouse during home renovations. The storage facility can hold their belongings until renovations are complete. Moving storage services offer portable storage containers that are delivered to the customer. They can put their belongings in the container and have it sent to the moving and storage facility or to their new destination. Moving storage services offer discounts for storage if customers use their moving service.

Self storage warehouses are located all across the US. Therefore, finding one close to your location is not very difficult. You can select storage units or portable containers from a range of sizes. This helps you save on costs, because rental rates depend on size of the container and facilities such as round-the-clock security, post-business-hours access, and climate control.

Self storage buildings can accommodate every type of item, from large boats, bulky furniture, and heavy home appliances and business equipment to delicate electronic equipment, CDs, documents, and antiques. Steel structures offer additional security to customers and maintenance-free ownership to proprietors.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Push-fit Fittings

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Different Types of Plumbing Fittings
– In the UK there are two ways in which most plumbing is done, the first and most common is done with copper pipe and fittings, the other is the newer plastic push fit system. The copper pipe and fittings has come under scrutiny recently as the joining of the copper pipes is increasingly
difficult as it is often time consuming and awkward due to the fact that copper pipe is often supplied in straight lengths meaning that it needs
to be joined or bent when ever a change of direction occurs. Plastics on the other hand, like that of the push fit system helps to eradicate this awkwardness. Push fit gives you a simple and easy way to make a joint without losing reliability and can be straightforwardly broken down and reassembled.

Advantages of Push-fit
– Plastic pipe is flexible; it is able to bend in a non-linear fashion. Copper piping has limited flexibility.
Plastic piping will not burst. Copper piping has a tendency to freeze and burst leaving huge amounts of damage making it harder to introduce this into
cold areas like cellars. Very much in contrast to plastic pipe.
Due to its flexibility plastic pipe can be pushed thought holes in joists rather than being laid in notches. This is not realistic with copper piping
as it is hard to get the holes in line.
Push fit systems can also be used with copper pipe when so desired as it is very adaptable.

Disadvantages of Push-Fit
– Due to its flexibility the plastic pipe will not support its own weight. This is will not jeopardize its ability to work however, but it would be difficult to poke a bent pipe through a hole in floor boards.
Plastic pipe cannot come into contact with anything that is very hot, for example a boiler. If in contact with a boiler there is a possibility that it could melt therefore it is advised that metal pipe work is used for the first few feet.
Aesthetically the plastic pipes are bigger and less attractive than its copper counter parts.
Plastic pipes and fittings are pricier than their competitor copper.

Availability
– Like that of the copper piping, plastic piping is available in both 15mm and 22mm diameter. They are available in a wide range of accessories
including: straight, right angled and Tee couplings. Washing machine taps, tap connectors, in-line stopcocks, one-way valves, stop ends and tank connectors.

Useful Suggestions
– If you don’t normally use plastic fittings it is certainly worth keeping some around, especially in the winter. If a pipe bursts you will be able to fix the problem in a matter of minutes and the effects will be long lasting.

Leeds Roofers Reveals Spotting Roofing Difficulties

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One of the most overlooked things when it comes to roofing is simple enough even for the inexperienced eyes of a homeowner. A frequent examination of your roof tiles from whatever height you might be most comfortable with, be that at the floor or up a ladder, with binoculars or not, will ensure that minor jobs don’t come to be household emergencies.

A few roofing problems that tend to be seen are outlined below
The roof structure frame may easily become stressed since , tiles getting porous, they keep water which makes them heavier.

When there is water on your roof this has a chance to freeze and expand and this is likely to cause tiles to become cracked and broken.The stormy English weather is incredibly adept at finding any weaknesses so cracked and damaged tiles are much more inclined to be the weakest link.. Leaks frequently occur where there is a missing or loose tile .
Moss is not good for the longevity of a roof structure since as it grows it may easily lift up the tiles and leave the roof covering exposed to stormy weather. Moss is a cause of a great number of problems on a roofing.. The large volume of water which is stored by moss is one of its major difficulties.In winter moss and the water it holds gets frozen causing damage identified as frost heave and ice dams which results in damage to all areas with the roof top.
Birds tear off the top layer of roof moss, to expose the insects living in it after which discard the moss which usually finds its way into the gutter, and will be the cause of leaks and overflow.. In the worse instances this can easily also be the cause of drainage complications if the material is allowed to get into them.

When the cement comes loose from ridges that is both a would-be hazard due to falling debris as well as leaving the roof top at risk of water getting in . Rain hardly ever falls straight down, the force of the wind blows it in every which way which means that it’s going to get into the gaps and into the roof structure.

Damaged flashings are also the root of many roof troubles. This might be as a result of inadequate fitting or simple weakening of the joints over time.. So check them regularly.
Frequent gutter cleaning will be certain that water runs off effortlessly.