Many know that having a roof installed is a time-consuming, expensive part of home maintenance. With the fluctuation in prices, material and labor, it can become a veritable maintenance nightmare. Finding the right roofing company is essential to ensure the best job is done; however, after a project has been completed, the main challenge begins which is keeping a roof in great shape. The easiest and most important way to accomplish this goal is to have proper air ventilation in the attic.

Problems

Attic ventilation can be tricky. Because of the way that both hot and cool air moves, there is much more involved than simply making sure of a few vents in the attic or having a window that can be opened. It is fairly obvious that poor ventilation of hot air in warm weather can create problems; however, this is also true in cold weather.

In the summer, heat retention will inflate air-conditioning costs. In the winter, inadequate attic ventilation can create ice damming on the roof; this problem occurs when the space in the attic under the roof is warm and not circulating, causing snow to melt which then refreezes into ice when it gets to the metal gutters. This forms into ice which then prevents additional melting water from going through the gutters away from the roof.

Water sits on the roof and eventually soaks in under the shingles where it has dammed up behind the frozen ice. Condensation inside an attic causes a long list of damage including: rusting of metal hardware; dry rotting of rafters and ceiling components; and mold.

Inspections

Poor attic ventilation is a sure-fire way to cause unforeseen damage to a home and it can also drastically shorten the life of a roof. Up to ninety percent of homes, whether old or new, have inadequate ventilation. So it is a good idea to have the attic inspected by a professional who can use certain methods to increase airflow. Not only will the amount and function of attic vents need to be determined but other factors as well. It is important to know what kind of attic insulation is used,where it is placed, and whether any HVAC lines run through the space, all of which should be checked as it can affect the quality of airflow.

Other Issues

Some frequently seen shortcuts that can drastically affect attic air movement are bathroom exhaust vents routed to soffit vents, HVAC systems installed within the attic space, and unprotected electrical wiring running through the space. What is particularly troubling is that not only do many of these shortcuts create ventilation issues in a home and damage the roof, they are fire hazards as well. None of these should be used because heat buildup and condensation is hard to prevent in the small space of an attic.

By going into the attic and taking care of all things that inadvertently trap heat, utility bills should be lower, moisture in the home should be minor, and less mold can be eliminated. A roof can then last throughout its service life as well, saving on repairs and premature replacement. Ensuring there is sufficient attic airflow will keep things dry and cool all year round, giving that roof a fighting chance to protect the home that it covers!

Schulte Roofing Are The Trusted Roof Houston Tx Specialists!

Have you been searching for an expert for your roof Houston Tx needs? Call Schulte Roofing at 800-367-7663 as they are ready and able to help all customers in the greater Houston area with any roofing needs!

According to the Illinois Insurance Government website, ?some (insurance) companies have begun to specifically exclude or limit coverage for mold.? The website goes on to say that even in the case of coverage for accidents such as burst pipes, or sump pump failures, some insurance companies still exclude coverage for mold.

This places a significant burden on homeowners when according to the Environmental Protection Agency; toxic mold is one of the most damaging environmental compounds ? made even worse when trapped inside a home.

So how do you know if your policy cover against mold? Well the Illinois Insurance Government website suggests reading your policy carefully with an eye for the following exclusionary clauses:

• aExcluding all coverage for mold-related damage (except mold that results from a covered fire/lightning loss as stated above).
• aExcluding all coverage for mold-related claims, but offering buy-back endorsements, which provide some mold coverage if you pay extra money.
• aProviding a limited amount of coverage for mold-related claims, either by limiting the amount of money available to pay mold-related claims (e.g. $5000); or by paying for some mold-related expenses, such as clean-up, and excluding others, such as remediation and testing.
• aProviding coverage for mold-related claims in the policy and increasing the price of the policy to pay for anticipated costs.
• aPlacing tighter restrictions on what kinds of homes they will insure, such as refusing to insure homes that have suffered previous water damage, or homes that are built of certain construction materials such as synthetic stucco.

This governmental agency suggests that if you are unsure if your policy covers mold, contact your insurance agent immediately, and regardless of the outcome, take steps to prevent mold growth.

One of the best ways to prevent mold ? prevent water from entering the home in the first place. And the most common route of entry for water is through the roof. Complicating matters further, most roof leaks go undetected for as long as a year before being noticed. Adding insult to injury, if the water leak causes additional damage to the home as a result of maintenance that was not done on time; the insurance company may have grounds to deny the claim.

All the more reason to have your roof inspected regularly ? and especially after a hailstorm. ASAP ROOFING, a national roofing company with offices in Aurora, Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana, offers free home inspections for this reason. According to company co-owner, Kirk McCoy, ?There is nothing worse than arriving at a home and knowing that we could have prevented the additional damage to a home as a result of an undetected leak.?

If you think you might need a home inspection, just contact ASAP ROOFING atawww.asaproofing.com, and the professionals will be happy to inspect your roof, and your home for any water leaks, mold, or hail damage.

References:

Illinois Insurance Government Website:ahttp://insurance.illinois.gov

Environmental Protection Agency Website:a www.epa.gov

Written byaNick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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A Classic Metal Roof saves on Energy Bills

Global warming.

Knowing your ?Carbon footprint.?

?Limited natural resources.?

Higher fuel costs.

Higher energy bills.

Global environmental impact trickles down to local and individual environmental impact. That is, the more resources we consume together, the more it costs us individually. It seems like we are at a critical point where we need to focus our efforts at conservation and reducing energy consumption. Conversely, the more we work as individuals to reduce our energy use, the more we contribute to the life and health of our world.

At Classic Metal Roofing Systems, we are committed to energy efficiency and to the environment. Our product is made of recycled aluminum thereby reducing waste. Our roofing systems also reduce energy consumption which saves you money.

We recently received this report from a new owner in Kentucky:

?I just wanted to give you some feedback on our new roof?not just its looks, but the improved energy usage. Our July-August KU bill shows we used 208 kwh with the metal roof vs 249 kwh last year with shingles (both time periods had the same outside average temp of 78 degrees). That?s a 17% reduction in energy use ? not too bad!?

(For more information on our Kentucky Roofing experts, go to kentuckymetalroofing.com).

These folks learned what millions of homeowners around the world have already known ? A Classic Metal Roofing System will reduce your energy use. That saves you money two ways?First, in the immediate, you are spending less on your cooling costs in the summer. That means more money every month in your pocket to save for the kid?s college tuition, your own retirement or dream vacation. Second, in the long term, you are using your air conditioner less which means it will last longer and save you the headache of a broken unit needing replaced on the hottest day of the year.

At Classic Metal Roofing Systems, we are committed to providing residential roofing that is energy efficient, environmentally friendly and beautiful for life. For more information, please visit us at classicmetalroofingsystems.com.

A Press release dated April 6, 2006 suggested thataOwens Corninganew Surenail Technology, ?Delivers Faster Installation and HighestaWind Resistanceaof Any Entry-Level Laminated Product.?

And although there have been doubters that any one technology could really withstand 130 MPH wind, reduce shingle buckling, or leaking, when Owens Corning traded the previous nailing strip for a thinner but stronger reinforced fabric strip, the result was indeed, remarkable.

As the fabric overlays the seam of the shingle laminate layers, not only does it offer better fastener holding power, the enhanced, patented Owens Corning, ?Tru-Bond? sealant grips to the fabric nailing strip better than it would to a shingle alone.

Best of all, although the Owens Corning new Surenail Technology reduces the total amount of nails used by 33% ? reducing the risk of leakage due to rust at nail penetrations ? it has not lost anything in the strength department as the roof itself it actually more wind resistance. In fact, Owens Corning warranties the new roof technology up to 130 mph wind.

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Here is what the company itself has to say about it?s new technology:

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?SureNail wider nailing area with the industry?s most clearly defined nailing zone ? Embedded SureNail strips clearly define where to nail, giving the installer a larger target, eliminating any confusion about nailing boundaries and speeding the installation process. Faster installation can enhance profitability and fewer nailing errors can mean fewer call backs. Highest wind resistance rating of any entry-level laminated shingle ? Instead of the shingle sealant gripping only rough granules of the shingle below, innovative placement of Owens Corning?s TruBond« sealant grips the shingle?s SureNail strip, providing double the bond strength of our previous Oakridge« shingle. This allows Oakridge PRO 30« shingles to carry an industry-leading wind resistance rating of 110 MPH*, and 130 MPH* for Oakridge PRO 40« and Oakridge Pro 50« shingles. Instant, flat installation ? Unlike most laminated shingles, strategic placement of the SureNail strip eliminates humps or ?fish mouths? typically associated with newly-applied laminate shingles, providing homeowners a great looking roof immediately, even in colder climates, helping to reduce the chance of call backs.?

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As ASAP ROOFING is always wanting to deliver the best quality products to it?s customers, Surenail Technology, along with Owens Corning Roof Shingles are the preferred product installed on all ASAP roofs. for more information about Surenail Technology or ASAP ROOFING, just visitwww.asaproofing.com

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Written by Nick Dorotik

nick@asaproofing.com

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For more information about ASAP ROOFING, visit http://asaproofing.com/

References:

http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/Owens-Corning-Introduces-Shingle-Technology-that-Delivers-Faster-Installation-and-Highest-Wind-Resistance-of-Any-Entry-Level-Laminated-Product-482209

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http://roofing.owenscorning.com/homeowner/shingles/surenail.aspx

Attractive Alternatives

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Whether you?re building a new home or replacing your old roof, tiling is a great alternative to traditional roofing.

• Installing a tile or slate roof gives you the opportunity to add a unique look to the house.
• This type of roofing easily lasts 50 to 100 years, making it a smart and secure investment.
• It?s a common misconception that the materials are too heavy for some types of residential roofing, but our huge selection of tiling gives you plenty of options.

Unlike ordinary roofing, tile gives you a wonderful range of styles. Whether your home?s design is classic or contemporary, you?ll find the right colors and shapes to enhance that important curb appeal. We?ll be happy to consult with you and explain the durability and the advantages of this superior roofing material.

Long-Lasting Benefits

Tiled roofs are beautiful and add to a home?s good looks as well as its value. They also have many benefits over traditional roofing and actually save you money over time.

Here are just a few reasons why these roofs are such a great value:

• Tile is very durable and lasts the lifetime of your home.
• It?s a great insulator against heat and cold, so it holds down energy costs.
• The material is fire-resistant, adding another layer of security.
• Tile holds up through the worst North Texas storms and saves on costly repair bills.