SafeHaven Development LLC, Minnesota Storm Damage: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

Maplewood Storm damage Repair

Lack of Maintenance and Inspection

Loose shingles, vents or flashing can allow water to seep underneath--even uphill, against the pitch of the roof--due to wind. Worn-down shingles due to weather or abuse tend to cause leaks as well. Most roof leaks can be avoided with twice-annual inspection.

Note that most roof leaks start with age, as all roofs need eventual replacement.

How Does a Roof Leak Start?

Surprisingly, the sun does more to damage a roof than wind or rain. The constant bombardment of the sun's rays works to make shingles brittle over time. The sun also softens the tar that binds shingles together, which makes them susceptible to warping. Due to warping and cracking, rainwater can penetrate through the interlocking system of shingles your roof integrity depends on.

Rain and wind, after the sun, are the most common causes of roof leaks. Stormy weather can make shingles shift, bypass imperfect seals around vents and flashing, and otherwise infiltrate beneath the shingles and roofing felt

Roof Leak Prevention/Solution

The search for a good roof begins when you hire the roofer. Get references and check them. Purchase the correct materials for your location and make sure all the vents in your roof are leak-proof. It is better to err on the safe side when it comes to sealing your roof. Use additional silicone roof caulking around all vents, chimneys and bootjacks.

Roofing Leak Effects

A roof leak can have devastating effects on the interior finish or structure of a home. If the leak goes undetected, it will grow in size as the surrounding materials rot and sag. If a leak travels in an interior wall, you may not notice the growth of unhealthy mold until the whole wall reaches the stage where total replacement is required.

About Roof Leaks

A roof can leak for a number of reasons, but the most common is substandard installation of the roof. Over half of all roof leaks in typical residences are the result of improper flashing around roof vents and in the valley where the roof lines meet. Storms are the second-leading cause of leaks, since strong winds can rip shingles from the roof and force water underneath some types of shingles.

Does Your Home Need a New Roof?

How do you keep your roof in good shape? Easy—by paying attention. Inspecting your roof for signs of damage should be done annually, but most people don't.

Most roofs made of asphalt are designed to last usefully for about a decade and a half, and roofs made of metal, slate, or tile last even longer, but you should still buck the trend of ignoring the roof and make sure your roof is properly maintained—after all, useful service is a bare minimum that you should endeavor to surpass.

Take a stroll outside and look, really look, at your roof. Usually you take it for granted—it's there, it has shingles, it keeps the rain out. Now that you're taking a good look at it, does anything look out of place? Are there shingles that are loose, maybe damaged, or even shingles which have black streaks on them? Are trees touching your roof? If you answered yes to the above questions, then it's time for a check up.

Is there a cost difference in insurance for different types of roofing?

Yes, there is a cost difference in insurance for the different types of roofing. These costs are determined by many factors. Calculations vary from state to state and are dependent on the types of weather they have as well as taxes required by the state. The type of roofing used influences insurance costs. They have varied life spans so the insurance cost depends on that. Their durability also comes into play

What's the difference between 25-year and 30-year shingles?

25-year shingles weighs much heavier than 30-yr shingles. In laminated architectural-type shingles, the former weighs between 235 and 265 pounds per 100 square feet, while the latter weighs between 265 and 310 pounds per 100 square feet. Their thickened state makes the 30-year shingles much more durable.

What roof problems should I look for on the home I'm considering buying?

First, expect some leakage problems. Try to know the history of the roof by inquiring what materials are used in constructing the roof. Have a structural engineer or a person knowledgeable in this thing to explain to you how they constructed the roofing of the house you considering buying.

Next, you look on the durability of the materials used. Structural engineers do have some standards on the materials they are using in roofing and at the same time computing for the life span of the materials used. There is a probability that different materials are used, so these are things that you also need to consider.

Lastly, never forget that once you have occupied the house, that every day there is a possibility for roof problems. Just remember the things that you need to infuse in your mind in order to be prepared for any roof problems that you will encounter.

How much ventilation does my roof need?

It depends on the attic space of your roofing. A bigger attic space that you have will require much more ventilation to avoid damage on your roof and also to increase energy efficiency. In order to have an idea of the ventilation of your roof, construction standards is that there should at least be a one square foot of exhaust ventilation required for every 300 square feet of attic space.

I did some repairs to my roof and noticed there is no roofing felt under them. Is this the correct way to install shingles?

No, it is not. Unless it's an overlay (recover), there should be felt underlayment separating the roofing materials and the deck. Many home builders install roofs this way so that they can save money. It is frowned upon by the National Roofing Contractor's Association, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Assocation, and any roofer with integrity.

Underlayment provides a vapor barrier between the roof deck and the shingles, is a secondary waterproofing element of the roof, and prevents the wood deck from leaching oils from the asphalt shingles.

Some people are telling me to use organic shingles, and others are telling me fiber glass shingles. What's the difference and which do I use?

What you choose to use is up to you. Most roofers in the northern parts of the country prefer the organic shingles, while the southern parts prefer the fiber glass shingles. The fiber glass shingles are easier to work with and the organic shingles have more asphalt and are heavier and more expensive to manufacture.

Old Shingles may keep your Roof at risk!

Old roof shingles is the added weight to the roof. Asphalt roofing shingles are very heavy, and by stacking new shingles on to old ones you may overstress the roof. This could lead to simple stress cracks in the interior walls and ceilings of the home, to all out catastrophic failure of the roof. Low pitched roofs are more susceptible to this problem than higher pitched roofs.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

MN Residential Roofing

Your roof is one of the most vital parts your home. Not only does it need to be properly designed and installed to prevent leaks, but it plays a critical role in heating and cooling efficiency. Your roof absorbs enormous amounts of energy from the sun, and is battered with snow and ice in the winter. An improperly installed roof won’t last long under that kind of strain!

Whether it be maintenance, repair, or starting from scratch, our job is to ensure that the roof over your head is safe.

A large selection of shingle roofs, rubber/metal roofs, cedar shake and pine shake wood, standing seam & copper roofs are available.

Storm Damage

As a local MN storm repair specialist you can count on our company to handle your insurance claim from start to finish.

Residential Roofing

Whether it be maintenance, repair, or starting from scratch, our job is to ensure that the roof over your head is safe.

Ideas for Updating Your Kitchen on a Budget

Strip and Paint.

If you have are lucky enough to have solid wood cabinets, strip the paint or old finish. Then add a couple of drops of yellow or green oil pigment (available at your local craft store) to your favorite stain and apply to the cabinets. The stain color will have more depth with this small addition.