Saturday, December 19, 2009

Roof Repair Materials

There is a long list of materials which are commonly used in roof construction; it includes metals, plastics, rubbers, fibers, glass, wood, rocks, ceramics etc. But building just a roof is not enough, its proper finishing and maintenance is something which is of foremost importance. That is why; it’s the need of time that the roofing contractors must also be familiar with the concept of roof coatings.

Roof coatings are a monolithic and fully adhered fluid applied over the roofs. If applied properly, it helps to extend the life of the roof, ultimately saving the cost of re roofing. It has many outstanding features which makes it an important component of roof construction and finishing. When applied over the roof, it acts as a top layer over the underlying roofing system. Its high elasticity allows it to expand and contract back to its original position. But being the top most layer asks for tolerating a lot of environmental effects like UV and infrared, temperature extremities like rain, hail and the physical damage caused due to these factors. Therefore the roof coatings are specially manufactured keeping in view all these factors so that maximal protection is delivered to the roof from these roof weakening causes.

Other Details of Roofing materials can be found at:
http://www.epdmcoatings.com
http://www.liquid-roof.com
http://www.buyliquidroof.com

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Application Instruction for Liquid Rubber

Liquid rubber is far superior to other forms of adhesives, and is able to fill in moderate sized pipe leakages as well as cracks. It can be bought in a clear liquid form as well as in a silicon-type version. If you are looking to purchase liquid-rubber for your home, you should look for the stuff that has "EPDM" on the label. This type of liquid rubber has extra adhesive power and will be better than most other types of liquid-rubber.

There are Following Step involve in Liquid Rubber Application:
  • Surface preparation
  • Coverage:
  • Mixing Directions:
  • Application:
  • Temperature and Cure Conditions:
Surface to be coated with Roof Coatings should be clean, dry and structurally sound. Fasten loose areas with adhesive (contact cement) or pop rivets. Oil or wax must be completely removed with solvent. Remove loose portions of existing coatings and brittle caulk with scraper and wire brush. Whatever still has good adhesion may remain to be recoated. Rusty or pitted metal should be wire brushed to remove loose oxide. Tightly adhering corrosion may be directly coated with EPDM Liquid Rubber®.

EPDM Liquid Rubber® will cover up to 46 square feet per gallon on a very smooth surface. Normal coverage is 40-42 square feet per gallon on an average substrate. The required 20 mil film thickness will be achieved when the above spreading rate is used. If you are uncertain how to calculate the amount of material you will need, please contact EPDM Coatings at (866-311-3736) M-F 9:00.am-5:30 EST.

The container is under filled to allow for the addition of the pre-measured catalyst that is included. A drill, and a mixer (shown below) will be needed to incorporate the catalyst. For a 1 gallon can a short mixer will suffice. For 4 or 5 gallon pails you MUST use a long shaft mixer.
The catalyst will be inside the box for 1 gallon and 1 gallon repair kits. The catalyst will be located under the lid in 4 and 5 gallon pails.

Mix rubber material in can/pail until uniform; center mixer shaft in pail or can and begin mixing until a vortex is formed. Slowly pour all of catalyst into vortex. Move mixer up and down and in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes until all portions of can/pail are uniformly mixed

EPDM Liquid Rubber® may be applied at any temperature that permits it being spread onto the surface. It will waterproof immediately upon application. The solvent will evaporate at a rate governed by temperature but will not be affected by relative humidity. Exposure to freezing temperatures before cure has taken place will not damage the film. The time necessary to reach cure should not be a concern as this process will occur automatically. Exposure to sunlight will accelerate the curing process. The final film properties of the cured membrane will be the same regardless of the time required to achieve cure. EPDM Liquid Rubber® will provide long term protection even under extreme exposure conditions.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Commercial and Industrial Applications of Liquid EPDM

Marine Uses. 

(Product -9911 Ship Shape) Liquid EPDM rubber coatings can be effectively used on ships, boats and barges. because of their inherent characteristics: i.e. Ultra Violet stability, salt resistance, excellent water resistance, low and high temperature tolerance and flexibility.9911 Ship Shape is designed specifically for marine use.

Fish ponds 

Liquid Rubber can be used for repairing fish ponds. It can be use for both commercial and residential purpose. The concrete must first be thoroughly cleaned and dried. If the concrete is porous it should first be primed with a primer. The EPDM rubber is harmless for fish.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Elastomeric Roof Sealants

Elastomeric roof coating is a 100% acrylic, highly elastomeric, titanium fortified roof coating formulated to provide a high solids rubber-like membrane. Designed specifically for use on metal, polyurethane foam, EPDM, APP, masonry, asphalt and wood surfaces, this elastomeric roof coating product forms a highly reflective barrier resulting in significant energy savings! Dries bright white.

Boots, gloves, diving suits etc, have proven that rubber is the first impervious product that is totally waterproof. EPDM flexes and resists temperature changes, is totally resistant to atmospheric pollution, unaffected by UV light or ozone and extremely robust to puncture. Unlike bituminous substances it does not crack, peel or become brittle with age, which has been proven with its use in sub zero temperatures in the These facts make EPDM rubber flat roof membranes the best installing flat roof sealant to fix a flat roof structure. Ideal for flat roof contractors or do it yourself flat roof home restoration.

High-strength elastic roofing and sealing material consisting of at least one bonded fabric layer of organic material, optionally at least one further bonded fabric or bonded-fabric material layer of inorganic material, and a coating of bitumen on both sides, where the bonded fabric layer(s) is (are) impregnated with the bitumen, and where the bonded fabric of organic material has a certain area weight and a certain residual deformation after previous elongation. The bitumen coating optionally can be made elastic by the addition of modifiers with sufficiently low glass conversion points.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Roof Care and Maintenance Tips

A new roof is one of the biggest investments you can make in your home. Some of the roof care tips are listed here to guide you. Roof care is very important to upkeep. Any time you have a problem with your roof, we know that it can be an inconvenience to you.
It is important to remember that traffic on your roof should be kept to a minimum as shingles are brittle, especially in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Instead of walking the roof, use a pair of binoculars to get a closer view of the roof surface.

The first thing that you need to do to make your roof last longer is to clean it periodically. Always remember that the dirt and dust that often accumulates on your copper roofing will accelerate the deterioration of your roof. By removing dirt and dust from your roof, you can prolong the life of your roof. According to experts, you can extend the lifespan of your copper roofing to as much as 30% to 40% if you periodically clean it.

Here are some general tips to make sure your roof is in good shape and warning signs to know when it is time to replace them:

1. Inspect your roof in the late fall and early spring (you may need binoculars). Look for loose shingles, or shakes, or, if you have tiles, look for missing or cracked pieces. On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges. Don't forget to check the flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights, and other roof penetrations. They should be tight and in good condition. Also check the condition of the fascia boards near the joints of all eaves metal for signs of leakage or rot. If you see any of these signs of wear, call a professional contractor for a more thorough inspection.
2. Keep gutters and downspouts clean and free of leaves, sticks and other debris.
3. Keep trees trimmed away from building.
4. Stay off the roof! Walking on its surface can do a great deal of damage. And, you could falll! If you must see the roof for yourself, use a firmly braced ladder equipped with rubber safety feet and wear rubber-soled shoes. Stay on the ladder as much as possible.
5. In addition to looking bad, algae, moss and mildew can trap moisture and shorten the life of your roof. Soaking the affected area with a diluted chlorine bleach solution, then pressure washing can be effective in removing these damaging growths. To prevent shingle damage it is recommend using a pressure washing contractor that specializes in this type of removal.
6. Clear off all debris (leaves, branches, etc.) from your roof.
7. After heavy storms, check the attic for water stains and weak shingles.
8. To avoid clogged drains, clean out your gutters and install gutter guards.
9. Make sure that all gutter joints are properly sealed.
10. If you have asphalt shingles, they should be replaced when the mineral granules along the top surface disappear.
11. When you start to see black felt, call your local professional and get the shingles replaced.
12. Check for holes in your gutters. If you install an antenna on your roof, make sure to seal any holes you may have made.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Know your Guarantee! Familiarize yourself with what is and is not covered under both your Workmanship Guarantee and your Product Manufacturers Warranty.
Never paint shingles. This will most certainly decrease the life of your roof. If your roofing material is starting to look worse than desired, it may be time to get a new roof.
Never allow unqualified personnel to perform Roof repairs. This also includes the installation of any antennas or other roof equipment.
Keep roof traffic to a minimum. Only walk on your roof if absolutely necessary. This is especially important if temperatures are below freezing.
Have professional inspections. If you roof is more than 10 – 15 years old, call us or another professional contractor to inspect and provide maintenance (caulking etc.) to your roof every two to three years. For a minimal cost, you can catch leaks before they happen. Also, if you call us just before your five year guarantee is up – we would be happy to stop by and look things over for free.
Downspouts: Down spouts should not be discharged onto the roof surface. To prevent premature wear, downspouts should be extended to the eaves-troughs of the lower roof.
Prevent minor problems from becoming major repairs by inspecting your roof in the late fall and early spring. Using binoculars will give you a good view of the roof while keeping traffic on the roof to a minimum. Look for loose shingles or shakes, or, if you have a tile or slate roof, cracked or missing tile. On shingle roofs, look for curling, fraying and tears at the edges.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Causes of Roof Leaks

Do you have a home? Then you must have a roof. Even if you live in a cave, there is something overhead that keeps the rain and snow from landing directly on you. Nothing revolutionary here, but if you do not understand the construction of your own roof, then you may not understand how to spot roof leaks when its integrity has been breached.
Roof leaks are caused by several factors. Usually, it is not one of these things alone that causes leakage, but a number of these combining to break down the protective covering over the building. These factors or conditions are as follows:

 Poor Roof Construction
 Normal Aging and Weathering
 Settling of the Building
 Vibrations
 Mechanical Damage

Liquid EPDM, Roof Coatings, Liquid Roof

Friday, May 1, 2009

Roof Designs also affect Roofing Problems

When you start to consider different roof designs, the most obvious thing most people look at is the shape and style of the design. Does it match the shape and style of the house? Will it fit with the general style of the neighborhood? These are both very important considerations, but there are other factors to consider as well. Roof design has a huge impact on how a house looks, but it also has a huge impact on how much a house costs and what kind of maintenance will be needed over the life of the roof.
Roof designs that are simple and have few intersecting surfaces are the easiest to install and are perfect for houses with a simple design. They are the least expensive to build and require the simplest maintenance over the long run. Gutters are easier to install and maintain on simple roof designs and there are few clog points, valleys, and other spots that need to be cleaned and maintained to prevent leaks. A simple style of roof is extremely functional and practical. The street appeal of your home will be strong if the roof is in good repair and the rest of the house is neat, tidy, and has attractive landscaping.
Roof Designs
A roof design that is more complex is more expensive to build and requires more expertise to install. It adds tremendously to the attractiveness of the home, though, as well as to the amount of maintenance and other work that is required. For instance, a complex roof with many corners, turns, and different lengths requires custom gutters to ensure proper drainage. You will need to clean those gutters regularly to prevent clogs. The many valleys and connecting points of the roof surface will require regular maintenance to make sure they stay water tight.
Complex roof designs do add a lot to the value and overall appearance of your home which will increase it's street appeal. When you think about roof designs for your home, remember to take into account shape, style, cost, and long term maintenance needs.
To Check out Roof Repair Solutions follow the links below;
EPDM

EPDM
Roof Repair
Roof Coatings

Thursday, March 26, 2009

What happens if we ignore roof leaks for some time?

Once a flat roof starts leaking, the inside damages will span from stained ceilings in the best case scenario to thousands of dollars in damages. Falling sheet-rock, electrical system damages, popping hardwoods and destroyed carpets, damaged furniture and home goods; these are only some of the outcomes of those leaks. Patching these leaky roofs may seem like the best solution, and the cheapest way out, but in reality, it usually proves to be the worst solution. Consider the following: the cost of patching the roof + fixing whatever damages the leak caused to the interior. Then, in 3-9 months, depending on the type of roof covering and quality of the patch work (which by the way, no contractor will ever warranty or uphold), your roof starts leaking again - maybe in the same place, maybe in a different one, but the process is irreversible. Patch is only a temporary fix and usually won't last, the roof will keep on leaking, and every time you patch it, you through away your money.

Majority of flat roof systems were not 'designed' with repairs in mind - best you could do to repair a flat roof was to pour some tar on the leaky spot. In fact, tar was pretty much the only feasible option. Unfortunately, after a short period of time you had to fix it again, as tar would dry up, crack and let the water in. New leaks would form elsewhere. So it was a constant repair, until a new leak begins and more money is spent. Such repairs are a perfect example of sunk costs, which cannot be recovered, and the fix lasts only a short period of time. After a series of such repairs, the owner would get sick & tired of it, and get a 'new' roof. Maybe a different type of flat roof, which unfortunately had the same inherited problems as the old one, but carried a different name and was made of different materials. Seems like a very sad situation for somebody with such a roof, doesn't it?

Many people are faced with a choice to either continue this cycle for the lack of other options, or to build a pitched frame roof with asphalt shingles on top of their flat roof and be done with it. However there are two problems involved here. First one - such an 'upgrade' is very costly and you would still have to re-shingle your roof every 12 to 15 years. The second one is more complex. While it might be pretty straight-forward process if you have a small, rectangular house, that is not always the case. Many houses have odd shapes, multiple levels and mixed pitched and flat roofs. Now, if you have a 200' x 100' factory, that task becomes extremely difficult to implement, and I will not even try to guess the costs involved.

Roof Leaks, Roof Repair, Roof Coatings, Liquid Roof

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Extend Your Roof Life

When last time you have inspected your roof? Does your roof have leaks? Do you know how leaks can damage your roof? Has the roof had leaks in the past? A proper maintenance program depends on such data in order to make repairs efficient. Inspection records need to be kept with all your other roof information so you can determine a reasonable and diligent inspection schedule. Having all roofing documents and records organized properly will help immensely if you need to have the roof inspected or surveyed by professionals. It will also save time and lower the cost of the inspection, avoiding costly data duplication. If you have the roofing warranty papers, you can claim of your roof. Different companies offer different roof warranties. Most common is for 2 years. So if you inspect your roof regularly, have your roof maintain for leaks and other damages you can save your self from BIG maintenance cost.

Roof Leaks