1. Trim and Prune Trees.

If you have trees in your backyard that are tall enough to reach your roof, you will need to make sure they are pruned and trimmed. A bad storm is all that it takes to send a limb crashing on to your roof, and this can cause quite a bit of damage. If you have mature trees and you’ve never done this before, you may want to hire a tree service to take care of it for you. This is a step that will do more than just protect your roof, it could save lives.

2. Look for aging caulk and replace it.

If your roof has been caulked, tarred or sealed in any way, it is important to note that this material will age and become less effective over time. Fall is a great time to get up on your roof to inspect for any of these issues. If the caulk looks crinkly or the tar is fading, you’ll want to replace it to make sure that you’re not dealing with leaks all winter long.

3. Tighten loose flashing.

Check around your chimney and other areas of your roof where you have flashing up. This frequently comes loose and in addition to make a lot of noise when the wind blows, it can also lead to leaks which in turn can cause a lot of water damage. Take some roofing screws up with you and if you find any areas that are loose, just screw them down while you are there.

4. Clean the chimney.

If you have a fireplace, it needs to be cleaned at least twice a year and the chimney should be thoroughly swept. This removes any debris that could be a fire hazard, and can also reduce the risk of having dangerous carbon monoxide gases building up in your home. Hire a professional chimney sweep if you have never done this before since it can be a bit dangerous and you don’t want to end up stuck.

5. Look for moisture in the attic or crawlspace.

Before you finish, you’ll also need to check for any trouble spots on the inside. Get in to your attic or crawlspace and inspect for mold, moisture or any sign that leaking may occur. If your insulation is old, this is a great time to replace it while you’re in there.

These simple steps will help you get your home ready for winter, and ensure that you and your family stay warm and dry even in the worst weather.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-18 05:29:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Keep Your Home Safe with a Maintenance Check List Every home has certain requirements, and a seasonal maintenance checklist can help you remember when you last did something, and when it needs to be done again. We all know to replace a light bulb when it burns out and to repair grout when it cracks. But those things that......
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Why Attics are Problem Areas

Attics can be a trap for moisture and mildew, and even prematurely ruin your shingles. Heat rises. So the heat and humidity from your home makes its way up into the attic. This makes the area extra hot and moist. In the winter, when warm air rises into your attic and there's not proper roof venting to pull it up and out, it can cause your roof to warm up and the snow on your roof can start to melt. As the melt runs down the sides, it runs from a warm roof to the colder edge of the roof. This can cause an ice dam, or a ridge of ice, on the edge of your roof that causes water to be held in place.

Ice can build up inside the attic, too, when the moisture cools enough to freeze. In some cases where the condensation is bad enough, it can actually seem to rain inside your attic, with moisture dripping from the ceiling. The water damage this can cause will cost much more to repair than it would cost to invest in good roof venting to prevent it.

Roof Venting Systems

All roof venting systems have to have both intake and exhaust vents that let fresh air in and pull stale air out. There are situations where a certain type of vent can't be used on a specific roof. You'll want to look at the roofing vents you're considering purchasing to see the manufacturer's recommendation for your home. Depending on the square footage of your home, you may need several vents. A good ideal venting plan allows for a foot of vent per 150 square foot of your home. Check with your local building codes to be sure you don't go below any minimum requirements.

Roof vents are very inexpensive, especially compared with the hundreds or thousands of dollars it would cost to repair the damage caused by poor ventilation. Look at the manufacturer's instructions to find the best vent for your specific type of roof.

Types of Roof Venting

Gable vents are the vents you see on the wall of a home below the roof peak. These allow air to escape. Soffit vents go below your eaves on the surface that makes up the floor of your attic. Turbine vents actively move air because they're operated by wind power which turns them and pulls air up and out of the attic. Another option is power roof venting. These run electrically or on solar power. They contain a thermostat that tells them when to kick on and kick off to keep the attic at an ideal temperature to prevent moisture problems.

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Photo Credits: noraxx

Originally posted 2009-09-05 06:36:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• The Hidden Danger Lurking Under Your Bed and Over Your Head When it comes to looking for trouble spots in our homes, we are generally drawn to the obvious. Plumbing systems, heating systems and the things that we see every day will get the most attention when it comes to spotting early warning signs and taking care of problems before they......
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Green roofs fall into two general categories: intensive and extensive. Intensive green roofing has at least a foot of soil on the roof and can really sustain a garden. Several different plant species can grow on an intensive group at one time. But as you can imagine, the weight of a foot of soil requires special structural supports and braces. And this type of roof takes a lot of maintenance and upkeep. These are the rare form of green roofing.

Extensive roofs, on the other hand, are becoming more and more common as the world becomes more environmentally aware. On these roofs, the soil only needs to be a few inches deep, and typically only certain species of plants, usually sedums, are grown. The plants that are grown on extensive green roofing are hardy, hard-to-kill plants that can flourish under almost any conditions.

Benefits of Green Roofing

One of the benefits of a green roof is much less stormwater runoff. The roofing material beneath the protective layer and the soil is no longer exposed to sunlight, which breaks roofing down. This means you'll replace roofing materials less frequently, which saves you money and spares the landfill. A roof with growing vegetation stays cooler, which keeps the home a little cooler as well. It serves as an extra layer of insulation. Green roofing attracts birds and animals, giving them back some of their habitat that has been lost. In some parts of Europe, people even let goats graze on their roofs.

Do You Have to Weed and Mow Green Roofing?

If you're picturing yourself trying to balance on your roof while killing dandelions with a weed popper or pushing a mower, don't worry: the shallow soil inhibits weed growth, and sedums are the typical plant life, which only grow to a certain height.

The biggest problem with green roofing is the impracticality of installing one on an existing structure. Because the roof wasn't built to support the kind of weight that 3 or 4 inches of rain-soaked soil creates, the roof of a home would almost have to be rebuilt. Green roofing is also currently much more expensive than a traditional roof, and not many contractors have dealt with installing one.

Certain types of roofs like steeply pitched or oddly angled roofing also present challenges for retrofitting a green roof. A contractor or architect experienced with these roofs would need to carefully evaluate a structure before changes could be made. But if you're planning new construction and you can find an architect experienced with green roofing, it's one option to consider.

Photo Credits: eaallen

Originally posted 2009-09-24 06:54:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1) Surface Drainage -

This problem is the most frequently cited problem that homeowners face. It is the back up or slower than standard drainage of surface water, and it is responsible for the number one household malady - water in the basement.

2) Electrical Wiring -

This common problem is the result of insufficient overload protection, insufficient electrical supply and home wired connections, which are potentially dangerous to occupants.

3) Roof -

This ailment is the result of degraded or damaged shingles, which causes roof leakage. Flashing that was improperly installed can also be a problem.

4) Heating -

This category includes such items as a defective, non functioning thermostat, chimney blockage, and an unsafe venting of exhaust away from the home.

5) Overall Maintenance -

This is where various areas of easy to repair items accumulate, such as makeshift fixes for wiring or plumbing, broken fixtures, cracked and peeling painted surfaces, and degraded masonry.

6) Structural Issues -

This category covers damage sustained by load bearing, structural components, such as the foundation, floor joists, rafters, support beams, headers around doors and windows, and much more.

7) Plumbing -

Plumbing problems rank high when it comes to issues of the home. This includes the presence of old and outdated materials, defective or damaged fixtures, problems with the septic system or sewer lines, and so forth.

Exterior-

Problems with the exterior of the home, such as for doors, windows and outer surfaces, allow atmospheric heat and humidity penetration, although they do not have much of an impact on the overall structure. Caulking and weather striping are the usual suspects when it comes to issues of the exterior.

9) Ventilation-

It is frequently the case that individuals will over seal their home in an effort to have a more efficient air system. This results in the excessive build up of moisture, however, leading to rotting of structural elements.

10) Miscellaneous-

This catchall category covers cosmetic issues that were not cited enough to gain its own category.

The results of the survey are dependent upon the age of the home and the area it is located in. Homes in the desert do not have as strict regulations on rain protection than in Chicago for example. For the homeowner, it is important to go through the home and review various sections of the home in relation to these categories. They should avoid any self repairs if their skill level is not considered to be up to standards, especially when it comes to wiring and plumbing. Fix what you can before the inspection, and you may avoid having to do the same procedure twice.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2009-01-21 05:56:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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When the proper safety precautions are taken, and when you have the right tools, you can fix your own roof. However, some leaks may require professional assistance, and it may be cheaper in the long run to have someone do it for you. Before you step one foot on your roof, carefully consider all of your options and put your safety first.

The first step to take when fixing your roof is to determine where the leak is and where the water is coming from. In some cases, the leak may not even be from the roof at all, such as when air conditioning lines leak. The first place to look are skylights and the flashing around your roof. Commonly, flashing around the chimney is the first place that leaks start since this can be blown off in bad weather.

If you are noticing water stains on your ceilings, the leaks may be harder to trace. The first step is to access either the attic or the crawlspace. You should be able to have a better idea of the origination of the leak from there. If you have several leaks, it may take a lot more time to track down each spot that is causing the problem.

Once you have determined the location of the leak, it’s time to head up to the roof to start fixing it. One leak will usually not require replacing the entire roof, and it is best to try to spot fix first before going to the extra trouble and expense of replacing a roof. Before you go up, you’ll need to have the right tools at your disposal. Purchase extra flashing to match what you already have, and have extra pieces of your roofing material ready to go.

You will also need a hammer, screwdrivers and a staple gun, depending on the type of roofing material you have. Access your roof safely and inspect the material and flashing. You should also take a look at the flashing by your gutters, since this is another trouble area. Once you have found the exact spot of the leak on the roof, you can better evaluate what needs to be done. Take your time and make sure that you do the job right to avoid having to go back up to re-fix what you might have missed.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-08-28 05:20:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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