Archive for November, 2012
Roof Shingle Thieves in Texas Neighborhood
Coppell Texas, police are looking for suspects involved in stealing roofing shingles from homeowner’s yards. The majority of the 17 reported thefts since June have been in central Coppell.
When talking about the dollar amounts stolen, Sgt. David Moore of the Coppell Police Department said “the amount varies from offense to offense, depending on the number of bundles they take, the brand of shingles, warranty ratings and the grade or quality of the shingles. The average is between $750 and $2,500.”
Taken From Homeowner’s Yards
A few of the shingle thefts have occurred on new construction sites, but most of the roof material thefts occurred at residences where roofs were being replaced due to damage from the recent storms.
Pallets of shingles are being stolen shortly after being delivered to the homes with roof damage. Some area contractors are taking steps to prevent the thefts by delivering the shingles on the day the roof repair is to start.
Homeowners are urged to notify police if they have to keep shingles outdoors so the Coppell Police Department can keep a close eye on the pallets. Be sure and give your full address and where on your property the shingles are being stored.
The police are asking for any tips on these crimes and to report any suspicious behavior by calling (972)304-3600 or submitting anonymous tips on the Coppell Police Departments website or Facebook Page.
Roofing Industry Gives Back To Veterans
For our servicemen and women the challenges faced back home can quickly add up. Leaving families to take care of homeownership responsibilities alone, many of our active duty members are limited in their ability to help. As part of a growing initiative to help those serving our country, there are now many different ways in which industries of all types are reaching out to help.
Roofer Rewards
It can be difficult for a former service member to find employment upon returning home from duty. Therefore, one of the latest developments in helping veterans comes by way of helping inactive members find work. A roofing company in North Carolina is offering veterans a chance at gaining training through an apprenticeship program. The three year roofing program offers a paid employee position, while providing hand-on training. At the end of the program, the company is hoping to be able to retain the veterans for a full-time position.
For more information about the apprenticeship program, visit: bakersince1915.com
Another recent initiative in helping veterans and their families is through a rebate program on roof repair and replacement costs. A leading distributor of a metal roof material manufacturing company is also stepping up to help by offering any homeowner who is currently serving in, or a veteran of, the US Armed Forces , a $500 factory rebate during the month of November.
For more information about the rebate program, visit: http://www.classicmetalroofingsystems.com
Volunteers Help save Roof of Great Auditorium
The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove New Jersey suffered a damaged roof from Hurricane Sandy. The 89 mph wind gusts got under the 30 year old stainless steel roof and tore it off the building.
The 4,000 square foot roof section ripped off exposing approximately 20% of the auditorium. Jack Green of Green Construction said “It fell in one piece. Luckily, it didn’t damage any more of the building.
Green Construction and Gannon Construction with a combined crew of 20 men started work on the auditorium on Thursday. Hurrying to repair the roof and protect the interior and the world famous pipe organ before the rain and snow from Wednesday’s storm arrived.
Roofers Finished in Time for Next Storm
The crews finished the new roof by Tuesday evening, they were able to remove damaged plywood, repair broken rafters, and new deck and tarpaper were nailed down just in time for protection from the storm.
Camp Meeting Association, the owners of the Great Auditorium, tent area and beach pavilions estimated the roof repair will cost between $500,000 and $700,000. The boardwalk repairs are expected to be 4 times that amount.
Hundreds of volunteers arrived to remove debris from the beaches so heavy equipment could come in to do significant roof repair.
The Great Auditorium was built in 1894 and in 1975 Ocean Grove was designated a State and National Historic District. Inside the auditorium is a historic pipe organ that first played publicly in July 1908. The organ is not used during the winter months and in the warm months it is played during Sunday services, recitals and special events.
Green Roof Plan Falling behind in Portland
Portland Oregon set a goal of 43 acres of eco-roofs by 2013; so far the city has only 17.7 acres of green roof systems. Portland introduced Grey to Green, a sustainable storm water management practice program. The city pays up to $5 per square foot for new green roof projects within city limits, currently the new roof costs between $5 and $20 per square foot.
As well as the environmental benefits, a green roof can provide a relaxing or recreational aspect to a roof. According to the industry trade group ‘Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ the green roof market has grown 115% in 2011.
Green Roof Has Many Benefits
Eco roofs, also known as green, living and vegetative roof systems reduce and filter storm water, reduce air pollution, provide a natural habitat for insects and plants, reducing the urban heat island effect and provide added insulation to a building thereby reducing the cooling costs during hot months. A green roof can also increase the life expectancy of the roof, lessen noise levels and provide additional usable space.
One of the reasons people are hesitant to install a living roof is the initial cost. A 2008 Portland study researched a detail cost analysis on traditional roofs versus a green roof. On a 40,000 square foot roof, the green roof would cost $128,803 more after 5 years, but the savings over 40 years was $403,632.
Lighter Rooftop Gardens
As more urban areas begin to utilize rooftop gardens for their many environmental effects, some buildings are beginning to face challenges in their green roof efforts. The roofs of many commercial and residential buildings are not designed to support the weight of a vegetable or plant garden. Luckily, advances in technology is making it possible by designing lighter weight roof garden materials.
Lighten Up
Along a rural town in the state of New York you can find an old family farm that is working on some unique roof materials that are taking the industry by storm. Outside of LaGrange, New York the Hitsman family farm is home to large Styrofoam bins filled with a mysterious looking product resembling soil.
Gaia Soil is a new type of gardening material made from recycled Styrofoam and extruded polystyrene. Coated with pectin, a complex carbohydrate often used in food and plants, Gaia soil can be used to grow plants just about anywhere. Reducing the weight load of traditional soil by nearly 75%, Gaia soil solutions make for a light weight solution for rooftop gardens.
Now buildings of just about any size can take advantage of a green roof solution that filters storm runoff, reduces energy costs and creates a healthier atmosphere.
Disaster Area Roofs from Plastic Bottles
Students from the School of Architecture and Design at New York Institute of Technology have come up with a way to use discarded plastic bottles as roofing materials. The team used water and soda bottles to create a tile type design for roof repair easy to create by people in areas struck by disaster.
The Soda Bottle Interface Bracket (SodaBIB) project is for building a simple emergency roof that can be put together with no other tools but a hammer. They wanted to design a roof system that could be constructed without the use of electricity or tools that many people did not have access to during a disaster.
Creates Tile Effect For Water To Drain Off
The bottles are connected by a plastic fastener with holes the size of water bottle caps. The bottom layer of bottles is smashed into a concave shape and screwed into the fastener then a solid bottle is placed on top of it and screwed into another hole creating a tile like effect when the bottles overlap each other.
Pallets were redesigned to incorporate the plastic supports into a self-contained unit. When the bottles of water were shipped to disaster victims they would not have to locate the connecting plastic fastener. The pallet will have a series of holes for the empty bottles to be screwed into and reused for the immediate roofing.
Jason Van Nest, associate professor in the School of Architecture and design said “And what we are most excited about with this project is that the pallet ends up getting disassembled practically without any tools. Individuals can break it into building material and then merely crush the bottles.”
Roofing Concerns After Hurricane Sandy
Much of the northeast was devastated by the Frankenstorm of 2012. Since the weather has improved, many families and business owners are returning to survey the damage. One of the most likely scenarios facing many is roof damage.
Rebuilding and Repairing
For some the future holds rebuilding in order to move forward after the storm’s damage; for others, repairing may suffice. The common thread held by people in both categories is that insurance claim lines are going to be packed and the help offered by government agencies can take months.
One of the best ways to begin the process of roof repair or replacement after a major weather event is by surveying and documenting the damage. This means inspecting the roof yourself and taking pictures of the damage. It may even be wise to hire a roof contractor to perform a professional inspection of the roof. In many cases, a roofer can provide you with an estimate for the damage and even help you gather the documentation required by your insurance company.
The bottom line is that you will need patience, both for gathering the necessary information and dealing with a backlogged insurance claims office.
Catholic University Installs Green Roof
The Catholic University of America in District of Columbia is installing a green roof on top of Aquinas Hall. Approximately 1/3 of the roof will be filled with living plants and the other 2/3 has existing solar panels that supply electricity to the building.
Richard Weil senior project manager said “the new insulation board was completely installed and trimmed at the two roof drains, so remaining work includes the roof membrane, parapet wall coping, railing post sealing and green module installation”.
Green Roof Cooler than Asphalt Roof
There will be 4-6 inches of soil that will supply added insulation for the building. There will be a variety of sustainable grasses and plants to absorb the sun keeping the building cooler.
When the roof is finished, little to no maintenance will be required. The plants and grasses will be able to live on their own. Brian Alexander, director of energy and utilities management said “Moving parts break, with a green roof all you have to do is sit back and it makes power.”
The new roof is part of the University’s promise to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Besides having 2,600 solar panels making the university the biggest solar installation in District of Columbia, they also have a lawn over the law school parking garage and a garden on top of Father O’Connell Hall.
Many of the buildings and carports have solar panels to supply their energy. The students designed a solar powered picnic table that produces enough energy to power electronic devices.
Hospital Living Roof Speeds Healing
Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla Washington is losing the gravel roof and installing a vegetative roof. Director of Public Affairs Kathleen Obenland says “there’s been studies that have actually shown that patients who have a more pleasing view, need less pain medication, they feel better, heal faster”.
The cost of the roof project is about $600,000. Installation of the green roof is due to be completed next week. They are using a roll out product with green sedums from the nursery. In the near future they plan on adding murals on the exposed walls hiding more rooftop units.
Hospital recognized for Environmental Efforts
Obenland went on to say “we believe that as a member of the community, it’s important to be environmentally friendly, and its part of our mission and values.”
Although the green roof has health benefits, for the patients and for the building, the new roof will be closed off to the public.
Other benefits of the green roof will be to reduce storm water runoff, conserve energy, more insulation for the roof and reduce the amount of money spent on power.
The Providence St. Mary Medical Center was founded by Mother Joseph of the Sisters of Providence who arrived in Walla Walla with her sister in 1863. The hospital opened in January 1880 as the first non-military hospital in Washington east of the Cascade Mountains.
