Eugene Makeev asked:


The roof, though one of the most important structures that keeps each New York home as fully functional as possible, is often not given much attention to. This becomes a concern for most when watermarks and other signs of leakage are already evident. These problems should be attended to in the shortest notice to avoid considerably decreasing the lifespan of your roof. But as they say, prevention is always better than cure, so even when these problems have not risen yet, it pays to have scheduled evaluation and maintenance. But who do you call to when wanting to have anything to your New York roof done? You can start by browsing through the list of companies and professional contractors offering roofing services.

The roofing services that different companies and individual NYC contractors provide may be categorized into five major classifications. These includes: roof inspection, roof maintenance, roof repair, roof installation and new construction. These services practically cover every type of roofing system that your home currently has.

. Roof inspection and maintenance can be done on a biannual basis as recommended by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). As winter seasons prove to be the harshest time on roofs, the best time to stage an inspection are late spring and autumnal fall. Maintenance can be done by patching minor problems that can snowballs into something bigger if left undone. Inspection is even offered by many contractors and companies as a free roofing service with an estimate and details on the condition of the roof and needed repairs.

. Roof repair can range from the installation or replacement of a power vent, chimney leak, replacing broken or damaged shingles, valley leak, remove and change rotten wood, leaking flat roof, vent pipes, gutters and others.

. Roof replacement is a must especially to homes within the United States that are located in areas that are prone to severe weather conditions and even calamities. When having your roof replaced, it would be best to seek a professional or company that provides roofing services with a written warranty on workmanship or materials. An accurately done replacement can not only improve the longevity and durability of your new roof but increase the overall appeal of your New York home as well.

. New construction roofs entails major considerations such as the life span of the material you plan on using, the weather conditions in your area and the design of the material. With the proper guidance of your expert and experienced roofing services provider, you will be sure to land with the perfect option on each consideration.

Choosing the right company or contractor to provide you with quality roofing services can be quite a challenge so be careful with parting with your hard-earned money. Here are several factors to look into while at it: be sure to get multiple bids before making the final decision, check with the BBB of Better Business Bureau in your area, inspect the plan for any hidden costs or materials, insurance, good workmanship warranty, check references, and hire somebody that makes you feel at ease.



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Jbn555 asked:


I have to re-roof my house. I am looking for a good local roofing contractor. I have done quite a bit of research already. How do I find out if this company is the best?

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Juan the III asked:


I made a porch that if heavy duty in order to be able to make it into a balcony. I used 2×12 and 3/4 plywood. I originally used roll on roofing, and now I want to transform it into a balcony. What are the steps and what kind of material should I use to make it into a balcony?

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Kris Koonar asked:


The roof plays an important role in maintaining and enhancing the look to your home. With the changing climatic conditions, it has become necessary to select proper roofing material. Today majority of the people concentrate on buying light weight and durable roofs. The need of different type of roofing materials depends on several factors such as the location, weather conditions and natural elements.

For a flat roof, you must consider that the roof provides a water proof casing for the apartment. Generally in flat roofs there are one or two layers of materials for water resistance. The flat roof should be designed in such a way that the accumulated water can be directed into gutters, downspouts and drains to avoid accumulation of water. The materials that are used in flat roofs should not only be long lasting but also cost effective. Here are a few roofing materials that can be used in flat roofs, as per the need and requirement.

Thermoplastic Polyolefin Roofing Membrane also known as TPO is one of the popular and latest materials used and available in the market. Thermoplastic Polyolefin Roofing Material is a single ply. It consists of three layers that make the roof strong and durable to survive in any condition. This material has an arrangement on the outer part of the roof and a thermal insulation barrier in the middle and then a water proof layer that holds the entire roof. The material of this roof is very efficient and reusable if installed with care.

You can also fit the roof with the help of tar or pebbles. As it has been only 10 years since thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membranes have been introduced and hence, its life span can not be determined. Thermoplastic polyolefin roofing is very durable and effective and consists of a low toxicity, as it consists of petrochemicals. TPO can not be recycled.

Elastomeric membrane also known as EPDM roofing material is generally used for commercial and industrial purposes. Made out of ethylene propylene rubber, elastomeric membranes is also a single ply. You can install EPDM either with the help of mechanical fastening or by ballasting. The roofing material is reusable and is effective. It has a lifespan of about 20 plus years; however Elastomeric membranes are found to shrink in certain conditions.

In the market since 1960, Polyvinyl chloride or PVC has been a trusted and widely used roofing material. It has a good record for usage among any thermo plastic roofing membranes. The material has many features and hence it has been preferred by many even after other flat roofs came into the market. It can be manufactured in multiple colors and is fire resistant and protective. Polyvinyl chloride is favorable and strong in any weather conditions. It has a lifespan of 25 plus years. PVC is effective in every sense, the only setback of this material is that it can not be recycled or reused.

Mastic asphalt is one the most durable and trusted materials. It is known as the best waterproofing membrane available in the market. It is effective, flexible and long lasting as it can last for more than 60 years. Mastic asphalt is strong at any temperature; it is odorless, recyclable and non toxic.



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webmaster asked:


 

A new roof is one of the biggest investments you can make in your home. Some of the roof care tips are listed here to guide you. Roof care is very important to upkeep. Any time you have a problem with your roof, we know that it can be an inconvenience to you.

It is important to remember that traffic on your roof should be kept to a minimum as shingles are brittle, especially in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Instead of walking the roof, use a pair of binoculars to get a closer view of the roof surface.

The first thing that you need to do to make your roof last longer is to clean it periodically. Always remember that the dirt and dust that often accumulates on your copper roofing will accelerate the deterioration of your roof. By removing dirt and dust from your roof, you can prolong the life of your roof. According to experts, you can extend the lifespan of your copper roofing to as much as 30% to 40% if you periodically clean it.

Here are some general tips to make sure your roof is in good shape and warning signs to know when it is time to replace them:

Inspect your roof in the late fall and early spring (you may need binoculars). Look for loose shingles, or shakes, or, if you have tiles, look for missing or cracked pieces. On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges. Don’t forget to check the flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights, and other roof penetrations. They should be tight and in good condition. Also check the condition of the fascia boards near the joints of all eaves metal for signs of leakage or rot. If you see any of these signs of wear, call a professional contractor for a more thorough inspection. Keep gutters and downspouts clean and free of leaves, sticks and other debris. Keep trees trimmed away from building. Stay off the roof! Walking on its surface can do a great deal of damage. And, you could falll! If you must see the roof for yourself, use a firmly braced ladder equipped with rubber safety feet and wear rubber-soled shoes. Stay on the ladder as much as possible. In addition to looking bad, algae, moss and mildew can trap moisture and shorten the life of your roof. Soaking the affected area with a diluted chlorine bleach solution, then pressure washing can be effective in removing these damaging growths. To prevent shingle damage it is recommend using a pressure washing contractor that specializes in this type of removal. Clear off all debris (leaves, branches, etc.) from your roof. After heavy storms, check the attic for water stains and weak shingles. To avoid clogged drains, clean out your gutters and install gutter guards. Make sure that all gutter joints are properly sealed. If you have asphalt shingles, they should be replaced when the mineral granules along the top surface disappear. When you start to see black felt, call your local professional and get the shingles replaced. Check for holes in your gutters. If you install an antenna on your roof, make sure to seal any holes you may have made.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Know your Guarantee! Familiarize yourself with what is and is not covered under both your Workmanship Guarantee and your Product Manufacturers Warranty. Never paint shingles. This will most certainly decrease the life of your roof. If your roofing material is starting to look worse than desired, it may be time to get a new roof. Never allow unqualified personnel to perform repairs to your roof system. This also includes the installation of any antennas or other roof equipment. Keep roof traffic to a minimum. Only walk on your roof if absolutely necessary. This is especially important if temperatures are below freezing. Have professional inspections. If you roof is more than 10 – 15 years old, call us or another professional contractor to inspect and provide maintenance (caulking etc.) to your roof every two to three years. For a minimal cost, you can catch leaks before they happen. Also, if you call us just before your five year guarantee is up – we would be happy to stop by and look things over for free. Downspouts: Down spouts should not be discharged onto the roof surface. To prevent premature wear, downspouts should be extended to the eaves-troughs of the lower roof.

Prevent minor problems from becoming major repairs by inspecting your roof in the late fall and early spring. Using binoculars will give you a good view of the roof while keeping traffic on the roof to a minimum. Look for loose shingles or shakes, or, if you have a tile or slate roof, cracked or missing tile. On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges.



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asked:


I am planning to place a steel shingle roof over a wood shake roof.
I will add a 1 1/2 inch insulation blanket with radiant foil in between the 2 by 2 supports.
Two questions.
Does leaving the shake under the steel make the roof more susceptible to fire
Should the foil on the insulation go up or down. If up it is touching the steel. If down it is a 1/2 inch above the shakes.

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Kris Koonar asked:


Flat roofs are gaining popularity by the day. Unfortunately due to their design they are more susceptible to water build up on the roof surface, which makes them prone to damage resulting in leaks. A leak in a flat roof is extremely difficult to locate because the water entering at a particular spot in the roof membrane usually percolates through the roof only when it is far away from the leak. This happens in a sloped roof also but there it is possible to discount the area below the point where the leak is visible from below because the water does not travel against gravity. However, in a flat roof, water is able to travel in any direction from the actual point of the leak and this is what makes it tough to locate.

When you want to locate a leak in your flat roof, the best time to do it is when the roof is dry and cool. This allows for proper inspection to locate trouble spots. Generally main areas for roof leaks are in and around chimney stacks or plumbing pipes protruding out of the roof. Another area that is prone to leaks is a seam in flashings and the roofing membrane. All these places should be examined minutely for even tiny openings, cracks or breaks. These defects let in the water that leaks into the building.

Every flat roof has some low spots, which let water to pool in leading to damage in the waterproof roof membrane at that place. It develops tiny holes and splits in these places leading to leaks. The low spots can be identified by dried dirt rings that are formed as the water puddles in these low spots dries out.

The latest method for flat roof leak detection is through Infrared surveys. The survey is conducted by scanning the whole roof area for signs of moisture. The technology works on an interesting principle. The roof heats up in the sun during the day and starts cooling down as the sun go down in the evening. During cooling the area of the roof insulation or roof structure that has a leak tends to become wet by the condensing moisture within and acquires a higher thermal mass as compared to the dry parts of the roof. By conducting an infrared survey it is possible to detect these areas containing moisture through a clear picture of the damaged area. This is highly technical work and should only be carried out by a qualified technical professional.

The infrared survey can be carried out in two different ways for detecting a flat roof leak. It can either be conducted from a distance or through performing a ‘walk on’ inspection of the roof. The latter can be extremely dangerous if the roof is wet from a previous shower or if it is raining during the inspection. Professionals are aware of the need to take necessary precautions however; it is always advisable to remind them to be cautious.

Finding roof leaks is an important part of the maintenance schedule for flat roofs. Every year numerous roofs are ruined simply because of maintenance issues. When the area of damage leading to cracks, leaks, rotting etc. cannot be identified and is left untreated it may require the whole roof to be replaced in a short time.

Timely detection and rectification of leaks is the key to the long life of your flat roof.



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