Archive for April, 2012
World’s Largest Rooftop Garden
Manhattan based Brighten Farms plans to turn a Brooklyn warehouse into the world’s largest rooftop garden. The hydroponic farm will be on top of the former US Navy warehouse In Sunset Park. The soil-less farm will be 8 stories high and overlook the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.
The 100.000 square foot garden is expecting an annual yield of 1 million pounds of hydroponically grown produce. The green roof will also help reduce rain water runoff overloading the city’s sewer and water systems.
Burroughs President Marty Markowitz said “Here in New York, we don’t have acres and acres of unused land to grow fresh food, but Brooklyn’s got plenty of industrial buildings with unused roofs that are perfect for urban farming.“ Markowitz also headed the revisions to the city’s zoning laws to maximize rooftop space for farming.
Fresh Produce to Local Grocers
Brighten Farms design, finance, build and operate the roof top greenhouses. They are hoping any roof repair and renovations will be complete in early 2013. This will be 1 of 6 commercial roof top farms in the city supplying fresh organic produce to local residents and businesses.
The second largest rooftop farm is in New York City on top of a 6 story Brooklyn Grange warehouse. The 40,000 square foot garden is on its second growing season.
Solar Powered City
New York City is known for its dense skyscrapers and trend setting ways. With so many people and buildings crammed into a tiny space, New York City faces many challenges when maintaining a high quality of live and keeping their carbon footprint limited. Now a new project stands to bring a big impact through solar roof panels installed around the city.
The Big Apple
New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has approved a solar power project that intends to triple the city’s solar power production. 10 city-owned building will take part in the project and their roof will be home to enough solar panels to generate 648 kilowatts of power. The roof panels will be enough to power 143 households for up to 24 hours. While this may seem like a drop in the bucket for a city the size of New York the point isn’t that only 143 households worth of power will be generated, but that the city and local community is gaining a new found respect for the potential of alternative energy sources.
The green roof movement is very much a lead by example type of concept. Despite years of popularity and use in other countries, America is just now jumping on the bandwagon for alternative and green energy sources. Although New York City is far from being a completely solar powered city, it has much to gain in the future with the continued advancement of their green roof movement. Some of the buildings already contain rooftop gardens and green space, both of which bring a much needed sense of nature to residents while also cutting down on smog and providing a space to grow fresh produce.
Man Shoots Himself with Nail Gun on Roof
In Camden New Jersey, a self-employed builder accidentally shot himself in the heart with a nail gun. On March 31st, Dennis Hennis was working on his neighbor’s old roof when the nail gun he was using jammed. While trying to clear it, it accidentally went off and discharged a 3 ½ inch nail into his chest.
The nail entered the right side of the 52 year olds heart; he went into cardiac arrest and was airlifted to Cooper Hospital in Camden. Mr. Hennis was released from the hospital Friday after a team of trauma and cardiac surgeons were able to repair the damage.
Dennis said “I thought I was done, I really did” he also said he will be more careful with his nail gun in the future.
3 ½ inch Nails from Framing Nailer
The nail gun he was using is usually used for framing and not necessarily for roofing. A framing nailer can be used on the joists or rafters while working on a roof.
We are seeing these unusual accidents occurring more frequently, earlier in March a man in Florida nailed his finger to his roof and took rescue crews 90 minutes to get him down. And these are just the more sensational accidents that make the news, many more go unreported.
Unless you are a professional roofer yourself, it may be prudent to hire a reputable roofing company to do the repairs; it will certainly be safer for you.
Re-roofing A Home
Generally, homeowners pay little attention to the state or integrity of their roof unless a problem becomes visible. In addition to the lack of knowledge regarding roof damage, most homeowners have a limited understanding of when a home needs a new roof versus a simple roof repair.
Repair Vs. New Roof
Re-roofing a home is the process of installing an entirely new roof. More specifically, the removal of an old roof and installation of a new roof. While most assume this distinction is obvious, there are many instances in which a roof contractor may simply install new roof materials over the old materials. This can be dangerous and may even be a violation of city code. In general, roofs should not have more than two or three layers of roof materials at any given time.
Having too many layers of roof materials is one of the top reasons for re-roofing a home. Other reasons for re-roofing a home include a severely damaged roof, sagging or warping of underlying roof base materials, water damaged base materials that may or may not include problems with mold or mildew and roofs that are older than 30 years without a product warranty.
Arlington Texas PD Policing Roofing Contractors
Arlington Texas Police Department is keeping “shady contractors” from entering tornado damaged neighborhoods. Tuesday’s storm caused major damage to Arlington buildings and cars. No fatalities have been reported but more than a dozen people were reported injured. Mark Hannah, Insurance Council of Texas spokesman predicts the damage will run into the tens of millions of dollars. Estimated over 500 homes and businesses were damaged in Arlington.
The storm damaged neighborhoods attracted shady roofing contractors looking to take advantage of the situation. The quick response of the city to protect the homeowners was similar to that the police took after Arlington was hit with tornado’s in 2000.
Policing The Area
Arlington is requiring roofing contractors, window repairmen, general contractors and laborers to provide proof that the residents asked for their service. Security efforts are keeping unsolicited workers out of the tornado damaged neighborhoods. Police are checking ID’s of resident’s and contractors before allowing them into the regions. Those workers trying to enter without proper credentials are being met by the residents and escorted into the area.
Storm damaged storage sheds and fences will not require permits, but permits and inspections are still needed for repairs made to Arlington homes. Arlington does not plan on charging storm victims for the work permits.
Wednesday saw volunteers from neighbors, Home Depot, local churches and concerned citizens pitching in to cut up trees, clear debris and put tarps over damaged roofs.
OSHA Cites Wis. Firm for Violations of Workers on Rooftop
OSHA cited a Neenah, Wisconsin contracting firm for failing to provide fall protection devises for their workers and also failed to provide related training.
GTO Contractors could be fined up to $122,000 for the violations from 2 construction sites. OSHA investigators discovered roofers were exposed to fall hazards for roof repair in Janesville and Middleton. The investigators found workers on a steep roof and were not taking proper safety precautions.
GTO has been cited for similar violations 5 times by OSHA since 2007.
OSHA has been cracking down on violators since re-instating the stricter fall safety rules last year. The directive requires more training and safety precautions for workers who are working above ground by 6 feet. The new directive states that construction employees must comply with the Federal Regulation 1926.501(b)(13) and may no longer use alternate safety methods.
Federal Regulation 1926.501(b)(13) “Each employee engaged in residential construction activities 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above lower levels shall be protected by guardrail systems, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system unless another provision in paragraph (b) of this section provides for an alternative fall protection measure. Exception: When the employer can demonstrate that it is infeasible or creates a greater hazard to use these systems, the employer shall develop and implement a fall protection plan which meets the requirements of paragraph (k) of 1926.502.”
Metal Roofs Top Trends
Over the years roof materials have stayed somewhat steady in their composition. Although some green roofing improvements have spurred the need for more recycled products, many roofing materials are similar to what they were made from 100 years ago. One aspect of residential roofing that is changing in recent years, is the shift towards non-traditional materials.
Metal Reigns
Metal roofs have been used in commercial roofing for numerous years. Although some residential homes to boast a metal roof, the majority of homes are still made from asphalt shingles or clay tiles. As the benefits behind metal roofs become more apparent, more homeowners are looking to metal for their roof repair or replacement.
Metal roofs can be made from aluminum, copper or steel. Not only can they be recycled into new roof products, but they are also easily made from old scrap metal. Further, metal roofs can last upwards of 40 or more years, a good 10 to 20 years more than a traditional residential roof material. Metal roofs are perfect for wet, hot, cold or windy climates; which gives them a very versatile edge in the market. They even come with the added benefit of being a great material for applying a white roof coating, a material that is energy efficient and improves the home’s ability to maintain constant temperature.
Colorado Roofing Company Falsified Warranties
Central States roofing in Colorado Springs, Colorado has paid $110,000 in a settlement alleging they forged warranties in 2007.
Bill Hauschildt, the roofing company owner admitted to forging the warranties in over a dozen Air Force Academy roofs. He previously stated a manager had forged the warranties and that person had been fired.
The phony documents were discovered when another Air Force contractor contacted the shingles company listed on the warranty and learned they were fake.
Filed in Federal Court Last Year
The complaint was filed in Federal Court on April 18, 2011. The complaint states that instead of paying for the warranties, Central States Roofing provided false warranties to get their final payment from the Air force.
Hauschildt said “we settled everything and everyone is happy now.” He also said he is taking an ethics class to “teach me from not doing that.”
Roof Rocket Sponsors Team In Charity Event For Wounded Warriors
Roof Rocket online roof repair and roofing resource website had the pleasure of sponsoring Team Hog Wild this past weekend outside of Dallas at a Tough Mudder event. The charity event was host to over a thousand competitors and spectators, who took on the already summertime temperatures to fight their way through a muddy course filled with traps, hurdles and challenging obstacles.
The Tough Mudder event puts challengers through a grueling 12 mile obstacle course to test their skill, strength and mental fortitude. The event is held annually in cities around the United States, as well as in the UK and Australia. To date, the 
events have challenged thousands of competitors and raised over $2.5 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project, a program that provides our military members essential services to help them recover from their experiences and transition back into civilian life.
The Wounded Warrior Project has been providing service men and women combat stress recovery programs, benefits counseling, helping with employment opportunities after their active duty times and even helps pay for adaptive equipment to those who were wounded. Roof Rocket is proud to have been a part of a mission to help support our troops and give back to those who have fought hard for our freedom. Team Hog Wild was just one of many teams out taking the hit from the punishing course in the name of helping those who help us each and every day.
Check out more pictures from the event on Roof Rocket’s Facebook page!
Hospital Changes Roof to White China Mosaic
In Saraspur Ahmedabad India, the Smt. Shardeben General Hospital replaced its black tar roof with a reflective white china mosaic.
Head of medicine Dr. Shubha Desai stated that the hospital’s roof repair is helping save lives. Reducing the indoor temperatures and improving the health of the patients, especially the infants. The children’s unit and neonatal ward where previously on the top and hottest floor of the hospital until recently moved to the lower and cooler levels of the hospital.
Ahmedabad Population About 3,910,000
Ahmedabad is one of the fastest growing cities in India, Smt. Shardaben General Hospital is the city’s municipal hospital and it services some of the poorest communities in India. The hospital sees a dramatic increase in heat related illnesses during the hot summer months.
Ahmedabad gets extreme heat for several months a year. Average summer heat from March to June is 106 degrees, the average temperature from November to February is 86 degrees. The climate is dry until the southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September.
Ahmedabad Municipal Operation is planning to replace all the hospital roofs with the cooler white roofs to help mitigate the intense heat.
