Archive for September, 2012
Damaged Roof Disasters
If you have an old or damaged roof you may not be worried about having it replaced if there haven’t been any signs of danger. However, even minor roof damage can quickly lead to bigger, and more costly, problems.
Not Just Money
Not only is a damaged roof more costly in terms of roof repair, but it can be dangerous as well. A roof isn’t just a protective covering of a building, but also one of the main supporting structures. If roof damage compromises the structural integrity of the roof, injury and death could result.
Roof collapse is most often a product of weak support beams, excessive weight or substandard roof materials. If the support beams get damaged, the roof covering will not be able to bear weight or even hold up over time. Water damage and pests, like termites, are two common culprits of weakened support beams. Excessive weight on a roof is most common in climates with a lot of snow. Not all roof materials are made to withstand the additional weight of snow on the roof, which is why choosing the right roof material is important. Further, if the roof materials installed on the building are of poor quality or violate code, even a new roof could be subject to roof collapse or other damage.
It is important that homeowners and building supervisors ensure that their roof is maintained properly and inspected routinely for problems. Catching a minor problem early could potentially save lives.
Roof Holes Possibly Due to Airplane Waste
Two homeowners in Valley Stream N.Y. were surprised on Sunday by the sound of loud crashing noises around 3:30 a.m. Something ripped through shingles, roof decking and insulation and tore a hole in two neighbor’s roofs. Fortunately no one was hurt considering the damage the objects could have inflicted on a person sleeping. One hole is reported to be large enough for a basketball to fit through.
One of the homeowner’s roofer found a brown wet stain inside the damaged attic. The roofer determined it couldn’t have been a bird making this kind of damage; it must have come from a plane. The roof repairs could cost thousands of dollars, and possibly even a new roof.
FAA Says Frozen Sewage Falls from Planes a Couple Times a Year
The FAA admitted this kind of occurrence happens a couple of times a year when airplane toilets leak and being at such a high altitude the waste freezes and breaks into chunks as it falls. Blue Ice as it is called is a combination of blue disinfectant and human waste.
An inspector from the FAA will go to the homes in Valley Stream, check air traffic reports from Sunday and then ask the airlines to check for leaks. To determine if they are at fault for the damage.
The Right Roof Material For Your Climate
These days roof materials come in nearly every style, color and make. The variety makes for a range of options for homeowners, but also tough decisions. Many people simply don’t know the different benefits of certain roofing products or which would be best for their home. In fact, choosing the right roof material depends a lot on the climate in which you live.
The Right Stuff
Asphalt shingles–as the most common roof material, most people assume it is also the superior product for roofs. The benefit to asphalt shingles is that they are the most versatile and are adequate for use in any climate. However, they are the easiest to damage. Windy climates are better off avoiding them to prevent increased need for maintenance, as well as extremely hot climates to prevent fading and chipping.
Metal— is becoming a more popular roof product that offers increased durability and a longer life span than asphalt shingles. It is great for climates that experience weather extremes, and is especially good in winter climates. Metal roofs also offer better recycled product options, which can help reduce the cost of installing a new roof. The drawback to metal is its ability to be dented, which makes it a poor roof choice for areas that are prone to hail storms.
Slate and Tile— are both favored because of their aesthetic appeal. Many people enjoy the upgraded look of a slate or tile roof. Both are great for moderate to hot climates, as they can absorb the heat and keep the interior of a home cool. However, both are not well suited for climates that receive a lot of snow. Slate and tile are heavier roof products and cannot hold up well under the added weight of snow.
Texas DA Investigating State Farm Roof Claims
In Austin Texas investigators are trying to determine why State Farm Insurance turned down thousands of claims involving Hurricane Ike. Hundreds of lawsuits and a class action suit involving approximately 110,000 claimants were filed in Houston and Galveston over the handling of the 2008 storm regarding “lifted shingle” damage.
The lifted shingle damage is when high winds break the watertight seal on roof shingles and partially pulls them away from the roof. Houston Attorney Steve Mostyn said State Farm and a subsidiary State Farm Lloyds, intentionally denied the lifted shingle claims and took deliberate steps to initially deny roof-damage claims.
Paid Over $1.5 Billion to Claimants
State Farm Lloyds said that they are continuing to work to resolve their policy holders’ claims, including those in litigation. “We are proud of our response to Hurricane Ike. To date we have paid our policyholders more than $1.5 billion, much of which went to repair or replace roofs.” They went on to say they strongly dispute the lawsuit accusations and have cooperated fully with the Travis County District Attorney.
State Farm Lloyds also submitted a rate filing notice to Texas Department of Insurance that customers across the state will see homeowners insurance premiums go up an average of 20% due to increase number of claims siting roofing prices have gone up almost 90% in the last five years.
Tips For Finding A Roofer
Roof contractors are plentiful, but not all offer the level of quality and professionalism you deserve. When searching for the right roofer, homeowners carry the burden of effort. Knowing what to look for and what to avoid can save you time and money.
The Value Of Knowledge
Finding a reputable person to perform work on your home isn’t easy. After all, you only know as much as the contractor tells you, right? Wrong! You have the power to educate yourself to the right and wrong aspects of roof repair. All you need to do is a little home work.
While there are online services available to help you gain information about local roofers, they certainly can’t tell you everything. A good place to start your search is the Better Business Bureau, reviewing ratings of different service providers in your area.
Once you have narrowed down your search to three to five roofers with A+ ratings, give them a call. Ask about their licenses and insurance. It is a good idea to request proof of these credentials in order to verify they are who they represent to be. Pick only those who have liability insurance, are licensed with the county or city and have been in business for numerous years.
By now your list should be getting shorter. Do a reference check by asking former customers their opinions on the work performed by the roofer in question. Good answers are honest ones, and only a former customer can give you insight into what you can expect.
Once you have a final list of those to consider, have each give you a bid on the job. While price is important, it isn’t everything. Keep in mind that the quality of products being used and the warranty on labor is also an important factor in choosing the right roofer.
Massive Green Roof for Portland Walmart
People of Portland Oregon typically oppose such large construction in their neighborhoods, but with the promise of the largest green roof in Oregon, they seem to be onboard.
Construction has recently begun on the 90,000 square foot facility in North Portland; the green roof will be 40,600 square feet. The store is scheduled to open in fall 2013.
The new roof was designed by the Audubon Society of Portland, Urban Greenspaces Institute and several other organizations.
The roof will have 3 levels, each approximately 13,000 square feet. The different sections will contain different levels of soil that will assist the Bureau of Environmental Services during a three year water run off performance study to determine which soil works best to reduce storm water runoff. The roof will also consist of compost piles and water basins in an effort to create wildlife habitats. Another section will contain a rougher soil determine what kind of plants can adapt and survive on the rooftop environment.
Repairing Roofs After Hurricane Isaac
Many people along the Gulf Coast are returning home to clean up after Hurricane Isaac ripped through their towns last week. Many homes have been devastated by the storm, and people will be looking to pick up the pieces as they rebuild walls and repair damaged roofs. Luckily, some people and businesses are offering aid to those affected by the hurricane for home and roof repair.
A Helping Hand
There is a saying that good things can come from bad experiences, and the relief efforts now being aimed at Hurricane Isaac victims are proof of that. Many roof contractors have gathered around the Gulf to help homeowners being to rebuild their lives. Offering free, no-obligation inspections of roof damage, these contractors are simply helping homeowners gather vital information needed to begin a claim with insurance companies. Further, many are even offering to install a new roof for reduced costs once the insurance approves the claim.
A Thorough Plan
Homeowners in need of a new roof after the storm should be prepared for a lengthy process to rebuild. Not only will they be responsible for completing insurance claim documentation, but they may also be required to take photographic evidence of the damage and even submit multiple bids for service. It is important to be thorough with information when filing a claim with insurance companies and offer full disclosure. The more information and documentation provided, the better the chances of obtaining a quick approval for repair work.
Wind Rips Off Stadium Roof
In Montreal Canada Thursday 16,800 square feet of aluminum roof membrane was ripped from the roof of the Maurice Richard Arena. No one was injured when the violent 60 kilometers an hour wind crumpled the arena roof.
The arena has been undergoing renovations for the past two weeks, 60 percent of the roof membrane had already been removed. The full renovation project is scheduled to be finished by early January.
$3 Million Roof Work
Part of the $5.7 million renovation includes replacing the roof membrane with a new roof of stainless steel covering half a millimeter thick. Any extra costs due to the storm are expected to be covered by the contractor’s insurance company.
When the crew arrived to work on Friday morning they discovered peeled back sections of the metal roof hanging from the southern edge of the dome and parts of the roof had been blown onto the nearby arena grounds.
Approximately 1/8 of the original roof membrane was left intact on the roof. The 60,000 square foot arena and original circular dome were built back in 1958.
