What is Roof Flashing?

The flashing on your roof is essentially another shingle but because they are usually found at intersection component parts of your roof where roofs join they are prone to damage and roof leaks caused by bad flashing are a common problem with many roofs. Some of these roof leaks are because the flashing was installed incorrectly while it is quite feasible that the flashing on your roof has been battered and bruised by the elements continually beating, pounding and shining on them. Proper maintenance and early repair are both vital to preventing roof leaks caused by bad flashing.

Flashing installation.

Flashing works in the same way as your shingles do and should overlap the first shingle below. This is so that the water can run down the outside of your roof and not drip down the inside. When flashing becomes damaged or removed you face a very real risk of your roof leaking.

Inspecting your flashing.

Most roof leaks caused by bad flashing can be identified before they occur or at the very least early in their damaging lives. If you have a roof leak you may want to consider checking the flashing yourself or employing a professional roofing contractor to look it over properly. The first step is to look for areas of the flashing that have pulled away from the roof. This will cause cracks in the roof; cracks that water can easily get through and cause damage to your home inside.

Checking your own roof flashing.

If the roofing cement has become damaged or eroded it is vital that you replace it because this will likely be the cause for your flashing coming away from your roof and eventually causing a leak in your roof. If any of the flashing itself is damaged you should also replace this; flashing is made from a number of different materials ranging from sheet metals to rubber. One of the most popular choices at present is aluminum because it is durable, malleable and affordable. If you are in any doubt as to how to apply the roofing cement and flashing yourself then you should pay someone to do this for you because poorly applied it will easily lead to roof leaks caused by bad flashing.

The types of roof flashing.

There are two types of flashing. If you have open valley flashing, the type you can clearly see when looking at the valley where roofs meet, then you can usually check for any damage very easily but if you have closed valley flashing it is virtually impossible to check the condition of it for yourself. Regardless of the type of flashing you have on your roof and whether you believe you can check it yourself or not you should consider using a professional roofing contractor to look at it, and this way you can be absolutely certain whether or not you are likely to suffer from roof leaks caused by bad flashing.

How To Perform Roof Repair

If you are a person who has ever considered performing roof repair, please read this article. You can rest easy knowing that it takes just a little experience and some tools and an average house can be done without any problem.

To learn how to perform roof repair on an asphalt or metal roof takes just a few common tools and a pair of shoes with flat soles. The flat soles will do less damage than those that have heels after you walk on your roof. Make sure before you get on the roof that it is safe to walk on. If you have rotten wood because of a leaky roof, it is possible a rotten board or joist could break when you put your weight on it. Also if you see that the damage is extensive you may want to consider full replacement, because at that point it would be cheaper to replace than to repair.

To learn how to perform repair on an asphalt roof it takes a few tools you probably have already. A shovel is used to remove the shingles, a hammer is used for the roofing nails, and roofing cement can be used to glue bent shingles down and secure them. When you replace a broken or damaged shingle you will remove the row of shingles above it so you can get to the damaged one. One tip is to use the roofing cement to bond a torn shingle down to the roof and secure it with a roofing nail. Completely damaged shingles will need to be replaced. Try to use the same holes that the old shingle used when installing the new shingle in its place.

To learn how to repair a metal roofing is not quite as easy. You will need to identify what type of metal your roof is made of. Once you do, you will need to get a patch made of the same metal. The surface of the metal roof will need cleaning before you start your repair. You will need roofing cement, wire brushes, pliers, sandpaper, solder, soldering guns, flux, tin snips and gloves to handle sharp metal edges. After locating the damaged area you want to repair, you will need to cut a piece of new metal that is two inches larger than the area you are repairing. Then cut off the corners of this new patch with the tin snips. Bend the outer edges of the new metal under. Fold it under one half inch. Sand the folded parts and make them shiny. Now use the flux on the shiny areas of your new patch and the damaged area. Now, put the new patch down on the damaged area and hold it down with a weight, perhaps a brick or block. Use the solder and soldering gun and go along the edges of the new patch and seal down the new patch to the roof. The solder must melt and fill in the gaps between the new patch and the damaged roof. Go all the way around the new patch until you are done. Now, cut another patch larger than the damaged area. Coat the entire area of the soldered patch and press this second patch down on it. Apply another coat of cement over this. Do another patch like the last one if you want to make sure it does not leak. Cover it all again with roofing cement or roof coating and you are done.

One tip on how to perform roof repair on an aluminum roof is to use fiberglass patches instead of metal. Aluminum is not a metal to be soldered, so the fiberglass will have to be used instead. Do not worry, it works well on the aluminum roof and is probably easier than on other metals.

Slate and Wood Siding - An Elegant and Historical Combination

Some of the most elegant homes in the Greater New York area have a slate roof from Yonkers as well as beautiful wood siding from Nassau County. These two architectural elements are combined to create a historical and elegant look to many homes. You too can have this special and unique look by using slate and wood on the exterior of your home.

Slate roofing tiles are made of the slate stone and create a beautiful and durable roof for any home. Historically, slate has always been a popular choice among middle and upper class citizens and some very renowned homes in the country are embellished with this type of roofing material. A journey through the country will reveal many historical homes that have slate roofs as well. Choose a slate roof from Yonkers is ideal because they blend so well with the wood siding from Nassau County. This is because slate comes in a large variety of colors that allows for great variety in personal choice. Colors range from the famous 'slate gray' to beautiful shades of blue and green. Combining the slate with the natural look of wood siding is an excellent way to give your home a historical and elegant look.

To complete the look, you must pick an appropriate type of wood siding. There are many different kinds of wood siding available. Some of these require staining and sealing, while others can be kept simple and natural looking. Deciding which goes best with the slate roof from Yonkers you have chosen is up to you. Fir, pine, redwood, cedar and other types of wood are used to create wood siding. These different options vary in price, so it is important to pick a wood that fits into your budget. Keep in mind the color of your slate roof while picking your siding. Wood siding from Nassau County can be a beautiful addition to any home. By drawing on the past, you can create a historical and elegant look and feel for your home through the use of slate and wood siding. These two design elements are rich looking and will be appreciated for years to come.

Windstorm Damages Thousands of Roofs in Walla Walla Valley

January 2008 made history, with wind gusts measuring up to 100 mph, leaving a wake of destruction that resulted in millions of dollars in damage to thousands of homes and businesses throughout Washington states Walla Walla valley.

After the storm swept through and the worst was over, Walla Walla was declared in "a state of emergency" by the governors office as thousands of trees lay across the roads, roofs, cars and power lines. Entire sides of buildings had been swept away, roofs were dismantled, business signs gone forever and thousands of commercial businesses and homes were without power for days on end.

As the power was restored and the damage was being calculated, the cleanup had to begin. And it was hard to tell where to start. Contractors were bombarded with thousands of calls from general construction, yard cleanup, siding repair and roofing. Thousands of roofs, from new to old, had to either be replaced or repaired. It looked as if every roof in the Walla Walla Valley had damage. From several shingles missing to entire roofs dismantled - it was a sight to see. Thousands of people tied-up every roofer in the valley for at least seven months or more, making it near impossible to get an appointment if you had planned for a midsummer re-shingle. Every neighborhood had roofing crews working around the clock to repair or replace existing roof structures as fast a possible to help prevent further damage from occurring due to water leakage.

Now, almost nine months later, the mayhem has died down and the roofing contractors and other construction crews have gone back to their normal work schedules. And with winter now almost upon us once again, it may be just a matter of time before another storm hits and the process starts again.

But to fare better if there is another storm, it is wise to take precautionary measures to at least reduce the damages and associated cost of what occurred in 2008. Below are some suggestions for homeowners that have shingle roof systems so they can try and reduce the amount of damage if another storm occurs.

1) Make sure the roof is heat sealed well so that no shingle edges are loose.
2) A tree barrier helps stop the wind.
3) Keep tree limbs off the roof as they will drag and tear off the shingles.
4) Use good quality shingles.
5) Use a good company that you know is credible and stands behind their work.
6) Install the roof at a time when it can cure properly, usually during the summer so that the shingles cement together in the heat.

Prevention is important, so make sure you home or business is storm-proofed and ready.

The Advantages of Rubber Slate Roofs and Brick Veneers

Slate roofs and brick fronts can be an attractive look for any home. Unfortunately, slate and brick is often expensive, making using them impractical in many cases. There is an excellent alternative, imitation slate roof and brick veneers. Rubber slate roofs from Queens are made from mostly recycled products and brick veneer from Brooklyn are imitation building products easily available for purchase in the New York area.

There are several advantages to using these alternative products. First, they are easy to clean and to maintain. Any homeowner can easily take care of these themselves. Conversely, real slate and brick must be professionally cleaned. This maintenance can be very costly. Second, because these products are made from recycled materials, they are environmentally friendly, making them ideal for anyone interested in reducing their carbon footprint. Updating the look of your home with easy to maintain and environmental friendly products is easy with the use of rubber slate roofs from Queens and brick veneer from Brooklyn.

Perhaps the best thing about these imitation building products is just how cost effective they are. Not only do the products cost less money to purchase, in most cases they are easy to install. A competent homeowner, with just a little bit of 'do it yourself' know how will be able to install these products themselves. Both imitation slate roofs and imitation brick siding can be installed in a short amount of time with a minimum amount of tools. Combine all of these facts and what you get is a very cost effective project that will update the look of your home and increase its value.

Once you make a decision to use renew the look of your home, there simply is no other choice than rubber slate roofs from Queens and brick veneer from Brooklyn. These quality imitation building products will allow you to add value to your home by spending as little money as possible. Easy to install, clean and maintain, both of these products will not only modernize the look of you home, they will be an excellent selling point if and when you decide to sell the home.

Make Sure The Roofer Is Prepared

The best way to ensure that your roofer is prepared to handle your project is to hire a roofing contractor with experience. You should always ask for references from previous customers and then call those customers to hear their experiences first hand. You should ask the references questions regarding how long it took until the project was completed, whether or not they have had any serious problems since using the roofer, and if the written estimate was a true description of the final cost of the project. One of the best questions to ask is whether or not the customer feels that the roofing company or roofer could be described as trustworthy. By taking the time to contact the roofer's references, you can make certain that you are contracting with a professional roofer that is prepared and performs quality work.

You should always double check the written estimate for detailed explanations regarding the project and ask any questions that you may have before you agree to contract with the roofer. The best way to ensure that the roofer is prepared for your project is to take a close look at the estimate and make certain that you feel comfortable with the work, the price of materials, and that the roofer is purchasing enough materials to complete the project in a timely manner.

To make sure that the roofer is prepared, you should ask for verification of needed building permits, insurance, workman's compensation insurance for any subcontractors or employees, and look for a contractor that is bonded. If a roofer fails to show you any of these items, there is a very good chance that the roofing company is not adequately prepared for your job, and if any accidents were to occur, you could be held liable. You should understand that some roofers may carry certain insurance for their workers, but if it is not specifically general liability insurance or workman's compensation insurance, you will be held responsible for any injuries. Be sure to see all proof of insurance before entering a contract with the roofing company.

Picking Roofing and Siding For Your New Home

When building a new home, making appropriate choices for siding and roofing is one of the most important decisions you can make. There are several excellent choices for wood siding in Westchester as well as complimentary roofing from the Bronx. Picking the style and type of siding that fits your personal style and that is appropriate for the area you live in is important.

A good building contractor will be able to help you determine which type of siding to use when building a new home. There are several popular choices available. Pine is perhaps the most popular choice and the most traditional. It is also the least expensive. Spruce is a popular choice on the east coast especially, but it is important to seal this wood. Fir is another popular choice for wood siding in Westchester. It is another inexpensive choice for wood siding. Redwood is an interesting choice, and a fun one to pick matching roofing from the Bronx for. The texture and color of the wood is legendary.

Your contractor will also review your choices for roofing materials. The choices here are nearly endless when you take into consideration the different styles and colors available. Some of the choices are shingles, slate and traditional tiles. These come in many different colors from red to black and nearly every color in-between. Work carefully with your contractor to pick the best combination for your home.

Make sure to pick your contractor for this portion of building your new home. It is important that you work with someone who is familiar with wood siding. The siding itself must be prepared correctly and the different types of wood all require slightly different methods for coloring or staining it. Make sure to find a contractor who can work with you to ensure your finished product is what you want. The choices for wood siding in Westchester are many and varied and picking complimentary roofing from the Bronx can be a fun, if difficult choice for any homeowner to make. These choices can make all the difference in the final appearance of your new home.

Increasing the Value of Your Home With Flat Roofs and Stucco

These days, anything you can do to increase the value of your home is a good thing. It is even better if you can do it without breaking the bank. Replacing stucco in your Manhattan home is one way to do this. Another way is with flat roofs from Brooklyn. These are two simple and inexpensive updates that will not just make your home worth more; they will make it look great too.

Flat roofs are ideal for most structures, but especially for homes. They allow the homeowner to utilize all of the space they have available because there is no need to leave room for eaves. Another great feature of flat roofs is how easy they are to repair and maintain. Flat roofs are considered to be the most cost effective method of roofing. The inexpensive nature of the flat roof, greater space and ease of repairs makes these roofs excellent selling points if you decide to sell your home. Stucco is also an ideal home improvement. Simple to apply, this treatment looks elegant on any home.

Stucco is actually a man made rock cement material. It is exceptionally durable and can last for years. Another great thing about stucco is the fact that by adding pigments to the mix prior to application, your stucco home will never have to be painted. These homes are full of character and are popular in older cities throughout the country. Because of the ease of application, repairs and maintenance are also easy. If you are looking to increase the value of your home flat roofs from Brooklyn and replacing stucco in your Manhattan home are ideal.

Companies that perform these two services are easy to locate thorough greater New York. When searching for a professional company to help you update your home, make sure to research their credentials. Roofers, especially, should be certified. Another good tip is to get several different estimates. There are often a wide range of prices from different stores, so shopping around is crucial. Creating unique homes is can be easy and inexpensive. Making careful choices about you are the exterior of your home, it is possible to create the home of your dreams. Increase the value of your home through the use of flat roofs from Brooklyn and replacing stucco in your Manhattan home.

White is the New Green in Metal Roofing

If you haven't noticed, start looking up, because these energy efficient wonders are fast becoming the "Prius" of metal roofing.

It started in the fall of 2007. It was almost like someone had flipped a switch. The orders for white metal roofing started to increase disproportionately. We had sold a few white roofs over the years, but the sudden interest caught us by surprise.

White is definitely the most energy saving of the roof colors. The PVDF resin finish commonly known as a High R kynar/hylar is the finish of choice on high quality lifetime aluminum roofing. The roofs being manufactured in this finish are all energy star rated. They are highly reflective and will keep a house substantially cooler in the summer, with some reports of up to 30 percent cooler. If one is using air conditioning, that equates to a significant savings. If one is not using air conditioning, it means a much more comfortable home in these hot, sultry, dog days of summer.

Another reason so many folks are interested in aluminum roofing is its high post-consumer recycled content. In some cases, as much as 95 percent of the product could be made of post-consumer recycled aluminum. This is not the case with all manufacturers. Be sure to ask if the roof you are considering is made from this type of material.

With white roof sales approaching a 1000 percent increase over the last year, maybe they are becoming the new "Prius" of the green movement. With energy prices on the rise globally, maybe these folks that put metal roofs on their homes now, especially white metal roofs, will all look like geniuses over the next decade as energy costs soar.

What's the cost of a metal roof? Contact us and we'll be happy to provide you with a free estimate We are part of a worldwide dealer network.

Mike Gonet is a Sr. Partner with Classic Metal Roofs, LLC, located in Massachusetts and serving all of Southern New England. For information, call toll free 866-660-6668. Classic Metal Roofs, LLC, is the exclusive dealer in Southern New England for Classic Metal Roofing Systems, Inc. of Ohio. Let our certified installation crews install a new metal roof on your home. Our installers are employees of Classic Metal Roofs, LLC. We are licensed and insured in the states we work.

http://www.classicmetalroofs.com

How To Replace A Damaged Asphalt Roof Shingle

Scenario:

My roof has asphalt shingles that are damaged. Some of them are broken and curled. What's the easiest way to replace damaged asphalt roof shingles?

Solution:

The next time you take a look at you house you should take time to see if there are any torn, broken or buckled asphalt shingles on your roof. It may well be time to replace some shingles. Replacing asphalt shingles is a job most do it yourself individuals can do, but if you're unsure or if you're not comfortable with heights you might want to consider hiring a roofing contractor.

Before you get started make sure the weather is going to be warm for a couple of days with no rain in the forecast.

You're going to need:

Hammer

Pry Bar

Ladder

Caulk Gun

Roofing Tar

Roofing Nails (1 1/4")

Asphalt Shingles

First you're going to have to get rid of the old asphalt shingles before you can replace the shingles. You'll need a flat pry bar to lift up the shingle. Start by loosening the shingle tab above the damaged shingle. Next place it under the damaged shingle tab to raise it and then pry the nails out. If you can't remove it completely use a claw hammer to finish the job. Continue with this process until all of the damaged shingles that need replaced are removed.

Now it's time to replace the asphalt shingle. Place the new shingle exactly how it was removed. Nail it in place with 1 1/4" roofing nails. You're going to have to reseal the new shingle by using asphalt roofing tar to coat the nail heads. Don't forget to cement each tab with about a 1 inch diameter dab of the tar. Continue on with the same procedure for the other damaged asphalt shingles that need replaced.

Don't forget safety:

Don't be leaning over the edge of the roof. Use your ladder for replacing old shingles on the edge of the roof.

Make sure your ladder is set up on a flat surface and that it won't move or slide.

If your roof has a steep pitch you are going to need roof jacks that are available at your local rental store. These are usually made of metal and are basically brackets that are nailed into the rafters or the sheathing. Then you place boards across the brackets to obtain a work platform. You may need to set up several roof jacks depending on how many damaged shingles you plan on replacing.

Don't try to replace damaged shingles in the rain or if your roof is wet as it can get pretty slippery up there.

Good luck with your project and remember - safety first!

Roofing Repairs Re-Pointing And Replacement Of Ridge Tiles

Replacing broken or missing ridge tiles is something that should only be attempted by an expert roofing contractor. It's a difficult job that requires a multitude of skills and a lot of expensive equipment, not things that your average homeowner usually possess offhand.

Re pointing the hips on buildings is even more difficult being as there is nowhere to hang a roof crawler safely, it is necessary to remove a number of tiles from the roof to enable safe access. It is important that safety is observed at all times when dealing with roof repairs, especially on taller buildings and when trying to reach the outermost sections of tiling.

When re-pointing ridge tiles, it's not just simply good enough to skim over the existing tiles with a pointing trowel, thinking that it will last forever. The tiles should be lifted carefully and cleaned, any old cement then given a good brushing off to remove mosses and lichens, then given a quick brush over with uni-bond. The slates themselves need a little uni-bond applying to where the tiles are to go back, this will insure that the ridge and the roof tiles are bonded together with the cement that has been used to re-bed them.

It is always worth noting that the ridge irons should be replaced if the ridge tiles are to be re-bedded. Leaving old rusting iron work is a false economy and should be attended to at the same time as the roofing repairs. Matching of the ridges is paramount when the tiles have been blown from the roof in storms, as the old ones will probably be no good and matching replacements must be found, there are a lot of reclaimed building material yards in Nottingham to search for such replacements.

It is some times a good idea that when the tiles are in a conspicuous place like the front of the house, tiles may be removed from the rear roof of the property and moved to the front and the new tiles placed at the rear were they will in time catch carbons and dirt staining them the same color as those on the front roof.

when all the work is completed you shouldn't really be able to see there has been a repair at all. When choosing a roof repairer in Nottingham always employ a time served trades man and don't be afraid to ask about public liability insurance. Lastly never employ a builder that finds you, by this i mean the stranger that knocks at the door with tales of how you are missing a slate, and he just happens to have one exactly the same in the van. Thank him kindly and tell him the matter is in hand and close the door never employ one of these traveling builders that finds you, today he is a roofer yesterday he was properly a tar-mack monster and tomorrow he will be selling pegs. I know of at least 100 tradesmen from Nottingham and none of which go out canvasing for work door to door a builder that doesn't own a land line telephone or have an address may be difficult to find again.