Category: Construction

Every year, millions of homeowners replace their roof, either because it has reached the end of its lifespan or the last storm really did a number on it. But even though everyone eventually needs to replace their roof, there are several maintenance tips for shingle roofs you can use to avoid tearing it off sooner rather than later.

First important thing is to maintain your gutter properly. Inadequate ventilation can cause mold, ice damming, and a host of other issues with your roof. As the moisture in your home rises to your attic, if it can get out, it’ll start to build up and condense, causing problems throughout your home. The Federal Housing Administration recommends at least 1 square-foot of ventilation per 300 square-feet of attic space to properly ventilate your home — a standard most homes don’t actually reach. When you have your roof inspection this year, have the inside of your attic and your vents looked at to guarantee that your house is moving air as it should. Check your exhaust and intake vents to make sure they’re free and clear of all leaves, sticks, and seeds.

Lets post about Seamless aluminum gutter replacement and repair. There are many things you can do to prolong the life of your roofing material and prevent leaks, additional damage or even the dreaded replacement. By inspecting your roof twice yearly (and after every storm), you can easily prevent some of the top 10 most common roofing problems. Use a pair of binoculars to conduct this twice yearly exam, because even walking on your roof can cause damage. If you must get on the roof, wear rubber-soled shoes, brace the ladder, and be very careful not to slip and fall.

If it’s safe to do so, a roofer should take photos of the roof and its drainage systems. (Or, ask a colleague to safely assist.) These can give the roofer and the homeowner a baseline record against which to measure if a small problem appears to be getting worse. Or, if the roofer spots a change in the roof and isn’t sure what it means, he can email the photo to a fellow roofer to see if they think it warrants a repair. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to maintain the life of your roof system, or a roofing professional educating your client on the benefits of regular inspection and repair, committing to a consistent schedule is like a well-constructed roof — well worth the investment.

Leaves are easy to remove and there’s no excuse to have them on your roof. Leaves collecting in roof valleys or near the chimney will collect and retain moisture, something you don’t want for your roof’s lifespan—not to mention your house beneath it. Clear the leaves off with a leaf rake or leaf blower, and again, make sure a friend is spotting you from the ground below. There are some jobs that are best left to the professionals, and in this case, it’s an annual roof inspection. While there are definitely things you can do on your own to maintain your roof, like check for obvious physical damage, clean your gutters and keep debris off of your roof, there are other aspects of a roof that to an untrained eye can go amiss. A professional roof inspector will be certified in certain tests and examinations of your roof that can detect underlying damages. You can hire an inspector by calling your trusted, local roofing company, searching online for certified inspectors, or even asking your friends and family who they use. Read extra details on Professional roofers in Colorado Springs.

Party wall issues? Here are a few advices: What is covered by the Act? There are certain items of work that you can only be done after notifying the adjoining owners and either receiving written agreement of the neighbour or with a Party Wall Award prepared by a surveyor/s. Notifiable works include (but are not limited to): cutting into a wall to take the bearing of a beam, for example for a loft conversion, inserting a damp proof course, even if only to your own side of a party wall, raising a party wall and, if necessary, cutting off any objects preventing this from happening, demolishing and rebuilding a party wall, underpinning a party wall or part of a party wall, weathering the junction of adjoining walls or buildings by cutting a flashing into an adjoining building, excavating foundations within three metres of a neighbour’s structure and lower than its foundations, excavating foundations within six metres of a neighbour’s structure and below a line drawn down at 45° from the bottom of its foundations.

In order to ascertain whether any damage to your neighbour’s property has been caused by the execution of the works, a ‘Schedule of Condition’ is normally prepared by the party wall surveyor(s) prior to the works, which can then be referred to following completion. The building owner undertaking the works will be liable for any damage caused. For this reason and to avoid false claims, even in the event your neighbour agrees to the works and accepts the notice it is strongly advisable to prepare a Schedule of Condition of their property in the areas which may potentially be affected.

The Party Wall Act requires you to serve notice on any neighbours that may be affected by your planned works either 1 or 2 months in advance depending upon which type of notice it is. The first decision you have to make to be made is whether to serve the notice yourself or get a Party Wall Surveyor to do it for you. There are no prescribed forms for the notice so there is no reason why you should not do it yourself (there are some sample letters in Part 5 of the Party Wall leaflet) although if you are going to be appointing a surveyor later it would be better to get them to serve the notice as well.

The Party wall act, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 act to give its full name is a piece of legislation that was mainly transferred from Part VI of London Building Acts (amendment) Act 1939, it applies in England and Wales. The main purpose of the act is to provide a framework for amicably preventing and resolving disputes between neighbours in relation to Party Walls, boundary Walls and Excavations near neighbouring buildings. Building owners are given statutory rights that did not exist in existing common law, when undertaking certain types of construction as defined by the Act. As well as these rights it obliges Building owners to give appropriate notice and for the relevant notice period if they intend on carrying out the defined work. Read more info at Party wall surveyor.