Roofing Advice That Can Save You A Hassle
Repairs on the roof may not be enough to stop those leaks and solve all of your problems. Sometimes an entire replacement is needed to fix the underlying problems with your home. Use this article to determine whether it's time to replace or time to repair the roof over your head.
If you are seeking out a leak on your roof, use a hose to find where the problem is. If you aren't having any luck, reverse the direction of the water. If you're pouring it down the roof, try spraying it up the roof. Continue to move the water around until the leak is found.
When selecting a roofer, ask loved ones for their experiences and recommendations. You need ask questions about cost, quality and whether they were pleased overall with the work. Ask about the clean-up job that was done after work was completed and if warranties are offered.
Avoid putting off a roof repair for any length of time, even if it seems like a minor issue. Once a shingle or two have blown off, it's much easier for the wind to get underneath the rest and blow them off too, one-by-one. Fixing your roof right away will minimize damage, saving you money.
To avoid a common scam roofing companies engage in, don't pay anything to your contractor until the supplies have been delivered. Some firms will ask for a down payment up front to cover their supplies, but you should pay them only once you have the supplies in hand so you get what you pay for.
If you have a leaking roof, but the roofing contractor you contacted can't get there for a couple days, you might want to try a temporary fix. Buy some heavy plastic and use nails to keep it attached to the area. It isn't a long-term solution, but it will do.
If you plan on working on your roof yourself, make sure that you take the proper precautions before you begin. Perhaps the most important thing for you to remember is to wear rubber soled shoes. This will prevent your from slipping as it will provide a stable footing as you work.
When working on your roof while it is hot, always take plenty of breaks. The heat of the sun can get to you and cause problems. If you will be working during the heat of the day, be sure you take a break often and drink plenty of water.
To maintain your roof properly, keep debris away from it. If debris builds up, it can cause water to stagnate. When water sits on the roof, shingle layers start to rot, which requires costly repair work.
Roofing contractors you hire should have current credentials. Nearly every state makes licensing a requirement, so be sure that they more info have the proper licensing. Also check out their insurance and Workers' Compensation.
Keeping your roof clear of sticks, leaves and excess debris can keep the quality up. Build up of such materials causes water to stay put. The more water that lingers on your roof, the more the layers underneath will rot, and that can lead to very expensive repairs.
Be sure to clean out your gutters on a regular basis. If they get backed up, water may leak into your attic, which can cause permanent damage to your roof. Check your gutters often, and give your roof a deep cleaning one or twice a year. This is key to keeping it in great shape.
Check with Better Solar Panels Business Bureau if the roofer you are considering has anything on record. This will allow you to see whether or not previous customers have lodged any complaints with any contractors you are thinking of hiring. The Chamber of Commerce is another useful resource.
If you want a unique looking roof, make sure to ask your potential roofer how experienced they are in this particular area. If they don't have much experience with that specific type of roof, then you need a different contractor. You definitely shouldn't be taking chances concerning your roof.
It is dangerous to get on a roof. A roof is designed to repel the elements, not for being conducive to human beings. Make sure that your shoes have rubber soles so as to prevent slipping. A harness should also be used if you can. Lastly, be sure that you have someone around to help you out.
More often than not you are going to need a latter to gain access to your roof. When using a ladder, make sure that it's on a level, solid surface so that it does not slip. If your ladder will be going on dirt, dig two small holes where the bottom of the ladder will be.
Ask for references for any roofing contractor that you are considering. If they are reputable, they should have plenty of references available. If they tell you they have done work for others in your area, drive by and take a look at what they have done. Try talking to a few owners if that is an available option.
If you live in a cold climate, take extra precautions when having your new roof installed. When the temperature dips below freezing, rain left in your gutters can freeze and cause cracks. Your roofer can prevent this by installing an ice and water barrier. This rubber membrane may cost a few hundred dollars more, but it can also save you thousands.
All homeowners acknowledge the vital nature of a sturdy, impenetrable roof. That is not to say, though, that they all realize how they can ensure that their roofs remain in ideal condition. With any luck, the piece above has served as a wonderful reference guide for anyone interested in learning more about roof maintenance and repair.
Solar farms keep the neighbourhood cool, inspecting solar panels in broad daylight
The Sun may be fading fast here in the northern hemisphere, but the number of solar panels installed here in the UK and elsewhere continues to grow by leaps and bounds. As the area of land covered by solar panels increases, have you ever wondered if converting all that solar energy into electricity is affecting the local environment?
The answer is yes, at least in arid ecosystems, according to a team of researchers at the UK’s Lancaster University, Ludong University in China, and the University of California Davis in the US. They studied two large solar farms – one in California and the other in China’s Qinghai province – and found that the facilities were cooler than their surroundings. This was based on satellite temperature observations taken before and after the installation of solar panels and, in the case of the California facility, measurements taken on the ground.
Both solar farms created “cool islands” that extended about 700 m from the perimeters of the facilities. The cooling effect was significant, with land surface temperatures about 2 °C cooler 100 m from the edges of the solar farms.
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