Flat roofs are completely different from sloped roofs. Water can run down sloped roofs and go down to the drain. But that is not the case on flat roofs. The entire flat roof must have a layer of watertight seal so that water cannot come through the roof and cause leaks in the house. But like the sloped roof, flat roofs can get damaged and thus need roof repair. It’s a good thing that you can do roof repair on flat roofs, as long as you know how to. How do you do it? Here’s how.

The first thing you should do is to prepare the items you’ll need for the roof repair. Get a mallet, roofing nails, putty knife, utility knife, brooms and roofing cement. These are all the materials needed to repair your flat roof.

To begin roof repair, go to your roof and locate the problems. If you found peeled regions or fractures on it, then do the following steps: Get rid of the dust and dirt on the roof using the broom. Roofing cement cannot stick on surfaces with dirt, that’s why you need to make sure that the entire area is clean. Now cut a shape on to the area where the fracture or peel was discovered. If there are multiple fractures or peels, make use of the same shapes for uniformity. Use the cut shape to make a pattern on the replacement shingles. The size and shape that you create on the replacement shingle should be accurate. If you made a mistake on the size, create multiple replacement shingles so that the shingles can be on the same level as the area on it. Make another replacement shingle. This one must be at least 2 inches larger than the other shingles.

Put the putty knife in the area of the edges. Put roofing cement under the edges. Now, attach the shingle on the hole and nail it down. Cement the shingle. If you are going to use multiple shingles to level the area, the other shingles must not be cemented. Just hammer it down with nails. Tack down the larger replacement shingle on the area and put roofing cement on its edges for the seal.

If there are split shingles on your flat roof, then you need to do a different method. First, slash the shingle into two. Open the slashed area and put roofing cement on it. Use roofing nails to tack down the sides of the shingle. Add a replacement shingle using a similar method as described on the repairing of fractured areas.
Roof repair for your flat roof should now be done. You are now protected from water leaks in the meanwhile. Check your roof regularly to maintain it and prevent anymore leaks.

Justin is a home repair specialist who also writes about roof repair tips and flat roof repair.

When heated air builds up in your attic or the upper crawlspace of your home, it can cause damage and warping of the wood. On particularly hot days, the trapped heat can quickly reach temperatures of over 150 degrees. Combine the hot air with moisture and condensation that can form, and you’ve got the recipe for costly damage.

If you are not properly ventilating your attic or crawlspace, you can experience degradation ad warping of the plywood roof deck after only a few years. The wood may be susceptible to dry rot because of the condensation, and the adhesive glue used on the plywood will deteriorate over time due to the hot and humid conditions.

The metal in the attic will start to sweat and will produce condensation. This moisture will eventually cause the metal to rust. That means your plumbing, ductwork and even exposed nail heads can form oxidation and fall apart. This is more prevalent in humid climates, where rusted metal in the attic can break apart and cause pieces of the roof, the ductwork or the pipes inside the attic to collapse.

In colder climates or during the winter season, your attic and roof deck are susceptible to frost. Insulation alone will trap that moisture inside and eventually lead to your plywood roof deck to develop dry rot. The trapped moisture also can lead to the development of dangerous molds and fungi, which can cause serious health and respiratory problems.

These problems and expensive repair bills can be avoided by making sure your roof and attic have ventilation. There are many different types of household roof and attic ventilation systems, including ridge vents, turbine vents, gable vents, static vents and cupola vents. Each variety of ventilation system circulates air in your attic or crawlspace differently. Some systems are more effective than others, depending on the design of your roof, the climate you live in, and the size of your attic.

To ensure your attic is being ventilated properly, you must have intake and exhaust vents. Intake vents are located on the eaves of the roof and allow air to enter in from the bottom. Exhaust vents are located on the top, or the ridge, of the roof and serve as an escape for the air to leave the attic. Hot air rises and the exhaust vents on the roof coupled with the intake vents on the downside create a natural airflow that circulates air from the bottom up. This circulation prevents hot air build up and allows moisture to escape, thereby minimizing the risk of expensive damage to your home’s upper structure.

Installing a ventilation system in your home’s attic will ensure that you get the most out of your home’s roof. You won’t have to worry about the aesthetic value of the vents, because most ventilation systems can barely be noticed. Make sure you have a proper air circulation system installed to prevent damage and keep your roof in like-new condition.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Tallant Industries. The roofing repair and installation contractors are the premier manufacturer of superior building products, serving domestic and international customers. For more information on their Corrugated Roofing Building Panels please visit their website.

One of the most important parts of an establishment is the roof. It protects individuals from bad weather. It is very important that it is properly constructed to avoid any unexpected accident.

There are different designs that you can pick from depending upon the type of establishment that you are constructing. It also varies in shape, design and overall size. You can also paint it according to the surroundings of the structure that you are building it for.

It is also helpful and will make things easier if you have some knowledge of basic construction, battening, slating, felting and installing the set-up into place.

MATERIALS NEEDED IN CONSTRUCTING A ROOF

The materials needed are exterior wood, scaffolding, drip edge, asphalt shingles, metal flashing, 12 GA nails for roofing, tar paper, rafter ties, fasteners for metal products and clips.

TOOLS

The tools needed are tape measure, claw hammer, canvas nail belts, framing hammer, wrenches, combination square, carpentry level, screwdrivers, hacksaw, drills, chalk line, ladders, felt-tipped pencils and pens, string, hand saw, saw horses, plumb bob, finish hammer, staple gun, clam, nail gun, chisel, tin snip, caulking gun, insurance, blue prints and nail set.

STEPS IN CREATING A ROOF

Check if the ends of the rafter are in correct position. Remember that the ends will not be in a good position if the walls are not parallel with one another. Start by reviewing your building map and laying out the materials and tools that you need. Steadily work upwards to the base of the roof.

The sheets must also be properly installed from the base up to the top. If it is not, raised in four inches increments, carefully divide the last roof sheet so that you can place it easily. The mark for the sheathing must be parallel to the rafters. It is advisable to utilize codes when you are already in the nailing part since it will guide you where you should place the nails.

Do not secure the rafters at the edges of the roof until you have nailed the adjoining sheets. This will enable you to change the location of the rafters if you wish to. You should stagger the joints of the roof sheathing for the different courses. Divide a portion into two parts and then utilize these roof sheaths.

Use metal clips to strengthen the set-up. You need to check once in a while if it the roof is properly aligned. Remember to check each slope individually. You now have a roof that will protect you at all times.

Please click these links if you want to know more about how to build a roof or how to build a roof in general.

If you have a fiber cement roof (e.g. Hardishake©, Maxishake©, Cemwood©, etc.) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, you should read every word of this report. Find out why filing a Hardishake lawsuit claim is a waste of time for almost everyone.

Although HardiShake©, MaxiShake©, and Cemwood© were originally sold as lifetime roofing they now reveal their *alleged fatal flaw. In fact, your Hardi Shake roof may already be showing signs of failure: breaking, cracking, delamination, discoloration, or softening.

Layers of Trouble

In 1996, the marketing representative for HardiShake© trained a small handful of my colleagues to sell their product. As he explained it, the fiber cement shingles were made by rolling a wire mesh wheel through a mixture of sand, wood “cellulose” fibers, and cement. As the wheel turned, it picked up another layer of the mixture. When the collected layers reached 1/4″ thickness, they were stamped into shingles with either a “shake” or “slate” imprint. The shingles were laminated creating a moisture barrier.

Common Complaints

Within a few years of installation, customers in Colleyville reported chips of shingles falling from their roof. I’ve recently inspected homes in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington where the shingles are cracked in two. Another common complaint is that it is impossible to hang Christmas lights without damaging the roof further. You may have noticed that your roof has changed color, become “dirty”, or possibly has started to grow algae.

Asbestos

In the past, concrete shingles were made with asbestos fibers that served to increase their strength and durability. Due to serious health concerns caused by asbestos, manufacturers were forced to find an alternate way to simulate these benefits. The alternative became wood “cellulose” fibers. While wood fibers initially did a good job of adding strength and durability to concrete shingles, many soon revealed their alleged fatal flaw. When it rains, unprotected wood fibers attract and hold water. As the temperature changes, the fibers expand and contract separating the shingle back into thin brittle layers.

Capillary Suction

One of the important dynamics to look at when studying premature shingle failure is “capillary suction”. Moisture can get into and behind the shingles because they sit tightly on top of each other. Water appears to defy gravity when it is drawn backwards (wicking) into the overlapping above fiber cement shingle. The way to defeat capillary suction is to perfectly seal each shingle (yeah right!). Another method is to ventilate the space between each shingle by creating a gap. Unfortunately, shingles work best at shedding rain water when you eliminate the gaps! It seems to be a proverbial Catch 22.

Bigger In Texas

Our damp climate causes the shingles to fail at a much faster rate than in other parts of the country. Each change in season reveals further damage… eventually leading to extensive interior water damage in your home. Unfortunately, most insurance companies will hold you responsible for those costly repairs due to your faulty roof. They will rightly claim that your policy does not cover manufacture defects. It will cost you thousands & thousands of dollars to replace your roof… not to mention what it will cost to repair your water damaged interior.

If you are planning to replace your old roof with new metal roofing, it would be very cost-efficient if you do it yourself. After all, anyone can learn how to install metal roofing. All you need is to learn the basics of tool-handling and pay attention to detail.

Now, to begin learning how to install metal roofing, we strongly recommend that you read through these very easy steps:

1. Get rid of the old material.

The initial task in how to install metal roofing is getting rid of the previous roofing, including all the nails. You can do this by using a pitchfork or shovel. Upon clearing the roof surface, you have to sweep the entire area with a broom to prepare it for the next step.

2. Roll out the roofing felt.

A 30-lbs. roofing felt needs to be laid out on the entire roof surface. Make sure the each sheet overlaps the previous one by a couple of inches, and that you leave about 3 inches hanging over each edge.

3. Create guidelines on the felt.

Draw parallel lines going from the crown of the roof to the gutter at two feet intervals from one another. You can do this using a chalk line. These straight lines will serve as guidelines when you are placing your metal sheets on the roof.

4. Attach the metal sheets.

If you feel you are confident enough and really know how to install metal roofing, then get ready because this is the biggest and most exciting part of the construction – installing the metal sheets. First, you have to cut a length of metal roofing equal to the distance from the crown to the edge of the roof, adding a couple of inches for the overhang. If you really want to learn how to install metal roofing, you also need to learn to measure accurately.

Lay down the first metal sheet on the leftmost side and attach it to the roof frame with screws every two feet. Repeat the same procedure for the next sheets until you have covered the whole roof. Make sure that each metal sheet overlaps the one beside it by about 2-3 inches.

5. Plug up the gaps.

Use a rubber strip to plug the lines where the metal sheets overlap. This will keep insects and other small animals from burrowing into your roof.

6. Attach the metal edging and cap.

Metal roofing is fast becoming a popular option for homeowners for a variety of reasons. In fact, metal roofing has a lot of advantages over other roofing materials. For one, the life of metal roofs is quite long. Metal roofs can last as long as the house itself if installed properly. This type of roof can seal out water, last through strong winds, and keep snow from accumulating on the roof.

Metal roofing is also resistant to fire, mildew, insects, and rot. Clearly, metal roofs offer a lot to the consumer, so it’s not surprising why they’re becoming more and more popular. And most companies guarantee their products for up to 50 years. Metal roofing materials are very lightweight as well. Because these roofs weigh so little, it’s even possible to apply the new roof over 1-2 existing roofs without taking down the old material or installing more structural support.

Another plus – metal roofing goes up quickly and easily. Most metal roofing materials arrive in sheets or sections of shingles, so someone with a decent amount of experience can throw them together in a very short amount of time. It is true, however, that you can purchase single metal shingles that are more expensive and time-consuming to install, so make sure you purchase the faster version.

The fire resistant quality of a metal roof is one of the most important advantages. Steel roofing is non-combustible, so it has been given a Class A fire rating – the highest a material can receive. But take note that if you will be applying a tin roof over a combustible material, such as wood shingles, the overall safety rating of your home will go down.

Steel roofing is made of metal, so it reflects radiant heat away from your house. This minimizes heat gain during the day, which has the potential to reduce energy costs in your home. This also benefits the environment. A tin roof is not as effective when it comes to insulation, but oftentimes contractors will leave some dead air space in between the tiles and the roof deck to allow for some insulation.

As you can see, metal roofing has a lot of advantages, but the one disadvantage is cost. The cost of metal roofing initially is on the expensive side. Comparable to other high-end materials, the price of metal roofing ranges from between $150 and $600 per 100 square feet. But the good news is that the price doesn’t necessarily make this material the most expensive option. You get back what you put in if you stay in the house for a long period of time, and don’t plan on moving anytime soon.

When it comes to metal roofing you have to make a decision – pay a little more for a high-quality product from the start and benefit from all it has to offer down the line, or choose another material that may end up costing you more in the long run? It’s all up to you, but after learning the facts, the choice should be clear.

Attics are used by most people to store valuable keepsakes and reminders of a treasured past. Every attic contains some sort of story that people remember for a long time. Attics can be treasure-troves of information and mementos that bring a family together. However, what most people do not know is the fact that attics are not really that ideal a place to keep your treasured mementos in. This is because attics are the most vulnerable to heat and humidity during the summer. This means that every summer, your treasures are exposed to the type of conditions that destroy them slowly. One way to prevent this from happening is the installation of solar roof vents.

Why solar roof vents?

1) Climate control – as said before, you need to prevent heat from damaging your stuff. Even if you don’t have an attic, you would understand the need for proper climate control during the hot summer months. Solar roof vents can help you by letting air circulate within your house and maintaining a cool temperature. This means that people will no longer have to suffer under the heat of the summer sun.

This also means that your stuff will be protected from the sort of damage that heat can cause. Solar roof vents can help you keep the temperature in your attic even and thus, maintain the condition of your stuff.

2) Energy savings – let’s face it: when people hear the word climate control, they immediately think about air conditioning. Of course, with this thought comes the idea of high electricity bills. Some people would rather sweat it out than pay the cost of having the air conditioning turned on the whole summer. However, solar roof vents lets you have the benefit of having a cool home without the cost of air conditioning.

One fact you should remember is that solar roof vents run on free energy. They are powered by the sun. Because of this, you really have no worries regarding the cost of the electricity. Alternative energy is very helpful since it is easy on the budget and does the job efficiently. That’s why solar roof vents are just the thing for you.

3) Environment-friendly – the best thing about solar roof vents is that they harness the power of the sun. They manage to produce electricity without pollution. Consider this: every time you use the air conditioning system, you use commercial electricity. This means that more electricity has to be produced. This electricity is mostly produced using either fossil fuels or nuclear plants. Both produce enormous amounts of pollution. This does not help the earth, or you, any.

Solar roof vents make use of clean energy. They harness the power of the sun without any by-products that can harm the earth. This means that you will be able to control your home temperature without costing the planet that you live in.
The benefits of using solar roof vents are undeniable. It is often the case that many people tend to abandon these products because they think that these products are not practical. As you have seen, solar roof vents are the most practical things that you can use to cool your home. They provide you with comfort for virtually nothing. So do yourself and the earth a favour and get a solar roof vent.

Traditional thatch roofing is arguably the most beautiful and natural looking roofing material available, with its high volumes and rustic & cool atmosphere you might want to overlook the fact that there are various considerations to be taken into account before setting your mind on this particular roofing material for your dream home. Consider the advantages and disadvantages below:

Advantages

• As local materials always tend to harmonize with the land¬scape surrounding their place of origin, thatch, as a natural material, will always blend well with a rural environment. After one season’s exposure thatch will lose its fresh, straw color and take on a dusty grey appearance which is very attractive.

• There is an ecological advantage to be gained by using thatch in that it is pro¬duced by natural processes that do not use scarce and expensive resources of energy.

• The thatching process is a labor intensive activity and, therefore, of practical economic value where unemployment among the lower income groups is common.

• A thatched roof will ensure that a building will be cool in summer and warm in winter.

• High volumes allows for mezzanine floors to be built, to which costs can be offset to the cost of the roof allowing a viable ‘double storey’ solution.

• It is beautiful and natural.

Disadvantages

• Costs: Initial cost up to about 60% more expensive than most other roofing materials readily available. Also, because of the various perceived risks involved with this roofing choice your insurance premiums will also be higher on your home in comparison to other roofing materials.

• Thatched houses are more vulnerable to fire risk than those covered with other materials, and it is therefore imperative that precautions be taken to reduce the risk.

• Being an organic material, thatch is susceptible to decay and decomposition and precautions must be taken to minimize the possibility of this process taking place. Firstly, the grass must be mature when laid, which may be green when delivered but will gradually take on a light brown appearance. Leaves falling from nearby trees must not be allowed to accumulate on the roof surface.

• The pitch of the roof must not be less than 45° to facilitate rapid run¬off of water. Generally speaking, the steeper the pitch of the roof the greater will be the durability of the thatch. However, it is not recommended that any vegetation should be allowed to grow on the thatch as water flow from the roof can thereby be impeded.

• Thatch can provide a harbor for vermin, but normally such infestation does not reach serious proportions. However, if such problems arise the thatch can be sprayed with one of the commercially available toxicants.

Flat roofs may be a cheap choice at the beginning but as time passes by you are going to realize that they are not necessarily the best option for they present a number of problems. They have a high cost of maintenance meaning that you will have to spend a lot of money on their care. Flat roofs are highly susceptible to damages, which require that keep replacing them every now and then. Replacing these flat roofs is not an easy task and may take many days before the process is completed.

The coatings of flat roofs usually wear off within a short period of time. They are likely to get damaged if the weather is too hot or too cold. Too much rain may also cause considerable damage to the flat roofs. Flat roofs do not allow for easy flow of water to the ground. This water may cause the roof to rust or cave in. pitched or slanted roofs do not have this problem. The water flows easily down the roof leaving very little or no room for damage.

The water that accumulates on the roof tops usually weakens the roof material causing leakages. The water can also cause untold damage to walls especially if the house has just been built. During the winter season, a lot of snow will collect on top of the flat roof. Taking the snow out is hard enough, not to mention that damage that it can incur not only on the roof, but to the entire house. These roofs are uneconomical for top floors.

Flat roofing offer little or no ventilation. When it is very hot, these flat roofs usually absorb incredible amounts of heat making the house to be uncomfortably hot. Many people are forced to add a layer of insulation to avoid overheating. The same case applies during the extremely cold seasons when the roof lets in cold into the house. Slanted roofs on the other hand allow for energy conservation.

Flat roofing also present security concerns. Burglars will find it very easy to get onto your roof and into the house before you know what is happening. With a slanting roof, it would be hard for the thief to balance his weight, thus reducing the chances of burglary. Another security issue concerning flat roofs is their inability to withstand natural calamities such as strong winds and earthquakes. The design of slanted roofs makes them to withstand the pressure caused by these forces of nature.

When building a house, make sure that you choose the slanting roof as a design for your rooftop. This will save you a lot of utility and maintenance cost as compared to flat roofs. Pitched roofs will from the effects of adverse weather conditions and will last longer.