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

• How to Repair a Ceramic Tile Roof Out of all the roofing materials you can use, ceramic tile is by far the nicest looking. Unfortunately, it's also very easily damaged and requires quite a bit of upkeep. For many homeowners however, this is a price they're willing to pay, given that the final product is so beautiful.......
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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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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

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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

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Before you get started, you're going to need some tools. You'll need:

• a ladder that is tall (and safe) enough to reach your roof
• replacement
• tiles
• silicone
• caulk
• gloves
• measuring tape

It's actually quite easy to fix these tiles, but you're going to need to remember that your safety comes first before getting up on your own roof. If you have never gotten up there before, you may want to consider hiring a professional. However, if heights don't bother you and your roof doesn't have a funny pitch, you should be safe. Many people prefer to use a tethering system that will catch them if they slip. This is available at most hardware stores and is well worth the money.

Now, you're ready to get started. You're going to need your replacement tiles and they may be quite heavy. If you've got quite a few that need to be replaced, it's best to take them up in small batches rather than risk breaking some on the way up. Sure, it takes a bit longer and making 100 trips can be frustrating, but it's better than having to run out and find more tile. Whenever you get a new ceramic tile roof, we always recommend keeping a few replacement tiles around the house. You'll have the exact brand and color if you need to get more and it's a lot easier when you have them all ready to go.

Once you have your replacement tiles up on the roof, you're ready to get started. First, remove the old and broken tiles. You'll notice that on the back of each tile, there should be a copper wire hanger. By far, ceramic tiles are the easiest to replace, which is a good thing considering how easily they are damaged. Most roofers prefer to work with a wire that is bent into either a "Z" or an "L" to ensure that it will hang properly.

Remove that old tile and place it aside. Get your new tile and make sure that the wire is properly shaped. If your tile doesn't have copper wire hangers, you can buy some new wires to attach to the back. Take your silicone and place one bead between the hanger and the tile to make sure it will stick. You can also add caulk if you need a little more rigidity.

Slide the tile into place on the roof, catching the hanger so that it will remain attached to the other tiles. Repeat the same process with any other broken tiles and you're done!

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-15 04:14:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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