Browsing all posts in Paul Graham.

Tile Roofs

By Mike Tonsbeek
There basically two types of roof tiles, clay and concrete.  The oldest types of roof tiles are made of clay.  Clay tiles have been around for many centuries dating back to the Neolithic period in China and later made popular by the Romans.  Concrete tiles were first created in the middle of [...]

Water Conservation – A Trick For Your Toilet

(Photo by Muffet)
Here’s a quick and easy way to save water. Try this do-it-yourself trick for your toilet tank.
Simply take two empty plastic bottles and weigh them down with either sand or pebbles (about 2”). Be sure the bottle fits the height of your tank. Then, screw on the lids and put them in your [...]

Protect Your Home from Leaks and Water Intrusion

Various types of leaks may occur in your home and may not present themselves until it rains. There are all sorts of places where water and moisture can penetrate the interior of your home from the outside like roofs, windows, walls, and fireplaces,
Keep in mind that many building materials are very porous like concrete, cinder-block, [...]

‘Cool’ Roofs for Your Home

Not only are builders using metal roofs for commercial buildings, multi-family units and retail shopping centers but, more and more, cool metal roofs are being utilized for residential housing as well.
 
Metal roofs are on the leading edge of technology and are being sought after as an energy saving material for your home. They can [...]

Sheet Metal Failures

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By Mike Tonsbeek

Many building interior moisture intrusion issues are attributed to sheet metal failures. The primary cause for this condition is failed caulking joints. There are several reasons why these joints fail, such as inadequate attachment to the sheet metal components to adjoining surfaces such as walls, chimneys and other vertical or horizontal [...]

Waterproofing Also Improves Energy Efficiencies

Waterproofing protects your home from allowing water and moisture from getting in where it doesn’t belong. But it is not just wetness you’re protecting your home against. There can be serious long-term ramifications from improper waterproofing.
Heavy rain, runoff, poorly placed gutters and many other factors may allow water to accumulate in the soil, creating hydrostatic [...]

The Evils of Ponding Water

What is ponding water?  Ponding water as defined by the NRCA, National Roofing Contractors Association, as water that remains on a roof surface longer than 48 hours after the termination of the most recent rain event.

Long-term ponding water on a roof surface is one of the most destructive conditions that can adversely affect the [...]

Caulking Improves Energy Efficiency

Caulking is a form of waterproofing which is essential for keeping your home safe. Not only is it crucial on the inside but also as protection from the elements and other intrusions from the elements and other intrusions from the outside.
 
Think of caulking as putting a force field around your property. This force field protects [...]

Roof Maintenance

 
Yes, roofs of all types require periodic maintenance.  Most building owners do not proactively maintain their roofs, only calling for service after a problem arises such as interior water intrusion that usually also causes other damage to the building.
Proper proactive roof maintenance should always include a visual inspection by a qualified roofing professional at least [...]

Shingles

Asphalt shingles possess an overwhelming share of the U.S. steep-slope roofing market and may be reinforced with organic or fiberglass materials. Although asphalt shingles reinforced with organic felts have been around much longer, fiberglass-reinforced products now dominate the market.
Organic shingles consist of a cellulose-fiber (i.e., wood) base that is saturated with asphalt and coated with [...]