…… that's why. The picture above shows water damage at the floor framing level in the entry door area of the house we are currently working on. The entry door we're replacing is not that old. This is only one of several areas we found in this home that have severe wood rot. The wood rot is due to a very poorly done previous remodel. This is a prime example what can happen over time if homeowners don't do their due diligence and hire professionals that know what they're doing. So what happened? Simple answer: Improper installation of a new front door with no flashing and waterproofing measures. Small amounts of water were able to penetrate the wall and floor framing under the door threshold which in turn slowly turned the floor framing to mush. We repaired the wood rot and had our roofing and waterproofing contractor – Stazon Roofing – install a proper metal flashing piece before the new front door gets installed. 

The new front door will be installed on top of this flashing piece. What you probably can't see in this picture is that the flashing piece has a an end dam (a small piece of metal that is bent up) -so if any water ever does get under the door threshold, it won't go far. 

Other areas of constant water damage we see in projects is in poorly installed or non-existing shower pans. 

Above you can see a properly installed shower pan, filled with water awaiting plumbing inspection. These liners are installed over a mortar bed for proper drainage and should not have any punctures or penetrations. We just recently had to tear out an entire shower due to an improperly installed shower liner…… a very expensive repair for our client.

As you can see, the potential areas for mistakes that can cost you a lot of money are endless, that's why you should always do your due diligence and hire professional and licensed contractors for any job.

 Written by:

Marc Kleinmann
EGC Custom Homes
http://DallasGreenBuilding.com
m.kleinmann@EGCDallas.com 
  

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 the 19^th century in Germany and gained popularity in the middle of the 20^th century.

Clay tiles have basically remained the same over the centuries when they were individually handmade.  Today’s clay tiles are machine made, achieving more uniformity in both shape and color consistency.  They are available in a variety of shapes and styles and finishes.

Concrete tiles are also machine made for the same reasons as today’s clay tiles.  They have gained more popularity than clay in the current construction industry primarily due to cost but also due to a larger selection styles and colors compared to clay tile.

One of the biggest misconception of tile roofs, either clay or concrete, is that they virtually last forever.  It is true that the tile will last for many, many years; however, tiles are only one component of a tile roof system. One of the more important components of the tile roof system nowadays is the underlayment that the tiles are installed over.  Roof tile primary functions is to serve as a water shedding component, protect the underlayment from damaging elements and provide the desired aesthetics intended by the building’s architects.  

Roof tiles will continue to maintain their popularity for many years to come due to their proven durability and aesthetic values they provide.

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, and mortar. When they are left untreated, it’s inevitable that over time, water will seep through them and create more damage like mold or small and large cracks in the walls and flooring. Keeping your home properly protected from the elements will save on energy expenses as well as keep unwanted insects or rodents from intruding your home.

There are number of solutions which can help repair and prevent water or moisture intrusion such as correct flashing installation, using the correct sealants and the proper application of specific wall systems for these types of problems is significant. Unprofessional or unknowledgeable attempts at these repairs can cost you more time and money down the line. And you may regret cutting corners in these areas.

You also want to be sure you don’t neglect the lower areas of your home. Basements and other below grade areas are ideal for storage, wine cellars or additional living space.  This area can be a magnet to water and moisture damage and it would be greatly beneficial to take all the necessary precautions to ensure that the space is kept moisture free.

Heavy rain, runoff, gutters installed incorrectly or gutters that have been poorly placed and many other factors may allow water to accumulate in the soil, creating hydrostatic pressure over time.  This can cause the basement to crack and leak which can lead to electrical hazards, mold and mildew growth, insect problems and structural and peripheral damage. The damage may look worse than it is and may be easily remedied. Your professional waterproofing company will know the best solutions to these leaks and water intrusion problems. Many of the products used for these purposes are ENERGY STAR^® rated.

DGBA Video Series: A Garden in the sky….

This week I decided to post a video blog on a “Awesome Product.” I found it saves Builders, Framers, And Drywall Companies a lot of Material cost, as well as labor that wasn’t needed. This Product is a one of a kind, and I wish all builders would use this product in place of “Traditional Methods.”  It makes the Drywall Contractors job, much easier when “Archways and Ceilings,” product is installed. I have also looked into the “Green,” aspects of this product.

You can click on the picture above for a link to video blog:

or

Click direct link below to see ”Video,” Below:

Greener Framing Practices

After you have seen Video go to This website to see more information on this product.

Link to Archways and Ceilings website: Must Cut and Paste Link

www.archwaysandceilings.com

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 improve the esthetics of your house and the can also provide long-term savings on energy costs.

So what is the difference between asphalt and metal roofing? Simply put, asphalt traps heat in the house while metal roofs reflect the sun’s energy and keeps heat away from the home. An unpainted metal roof will reflect much of the solar radiation which is usually absorbed in your attic.

‘Cool’ refers to the cooling aspects that the color coating provides on a metal roof.  So for homes in warmer climates like Dallas, a pre-painted or granular coated metal roofing system is recommended. These roofs not only reflect the heat, they also re-emit heat of absorbed solar radiation which can make your home’s temperature even cooler. Your home will stay warmer in the winter because the metal roofs are reflecting inside heat from the underside of the roof back into the home which adds up to a comfortable living environment and more savings for the homeowner.

There are additional advantages to a cool metal roof system that you may not have considered. Check out these 10 personal and environmental benefits of a metal roofing system:

1. Wide variety of ‘cool’ colors and finishes so you can customize your roof to meet your architectural style

2. Fire resistance can save your family and contents in case of a fire

3. Contain a significant amount of recycled material and are 100% recyclable

4. Can be designed to resist strong winds.

5. Low-maintenance and they do not warp, split or crack

6. They can be configured to catch rain water for harvesting systems

7. Are light weight and can be applied over an original roof saving waste and removal costs

8. Sustainable and have greater durability than other roofing systems which leads to a longer life cycle

9. Homeowner may qualify for a tax credit or insurance rebate

10. Most metal roofing systems come with a 20 year warranty

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 pressure over time. This accumulation can cause the foundation to crack and leak and may cause electrical hazards, mold and mildew growth, insect problems and structural damage to your property.

Waterproofing is an extensive term and includes the application of coating systems, caulking, and sealants. They all play an intricate part in protecting your property and keeping it air and water tight.

There are an assortment of coating systems, caulking and sealants which help safeguard your exterior walls, concrete floors, windows and water features from moisture, chemicals, and heat and freeze-thaw damage. Many applications are ENERGY STAR® rated and come in a variety of colors, styles and textures which can be customized specifically for your decorative and architectural needs.

It is recommended to allow a professional to fill your waterproofing needs. They are trained to detect any unforeseen problem areas that others may not be able to identify.  This preventative maintenance can help to ensure your family and your home is properly protected for years to come.

(jaz)

Cutting back unnecessary energy use is an easy way to keep your hard earned money in your pocket. Here are some suggestions you can do at home, at absolutely no cost to you.

Let the sunshine in. Open drapes and let the sun heat your home for free (get them closed again at sundown so they help insulate).

Rearrange your rooms. Move your furniture around so you are sitting near interior walls – exterior walls and older windows are likely to be drafty. Don't sit in the draft.

Keep it shut. Traditional fireplaces are an energy loser – it's best not to use them because they pull heated air out of the house and up the chimney. When not in use, make absolutely sure the damper is closed. Before closing the damper, make sure that you don't have any smoldering embers. If you decide not to use a fireplace, then block off the chimney with a piece of rigid insulation from the hardware store that fits snugly into the space (dampers don't shut fully without some leaking).

Eliminate wasted energy. Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Unplug that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't truly need it – this seemingly convenient way to keep extra drinks cold adds 10-25 percent to your electric bill. Turn off kitchen and bath-ventilating fans after they've done their job – these fans can blow out a house-full of heated air if inadvertently left on. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning to prevent up to 8 percent of your furnace-heated air from going up the chimney.

Shorten showers. Simply reducing that lingering time by a few minutes can save hundreds of gallons of hot water per month for a family of four. Showers account for 2/3 of your water heating costs. Cutting your showers in half will reduce your water heating costs by 33 percent.

Use appliances efficiently. Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer. Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer's energy use by 75 percent. Be sure to clean your clothes dryer's lint trap after each use. Use the moisture-sensing automatic drying setting on your dryer if you have one.

Put your computer and monitor to sleep. Most computers come with the power management features turned off. On computers using Windows, open your power management software and set it so your computer goes to sleep if you're away from your machine for 5 to 15 minutes. Those who use Macintosh computers look for the setting in your Control Panels called "Energy Saver" and set it accordingly. When you're done using your computer, turn it off (see next tip). Do not leave it in sleep mode overnight as it is still drawing a small amount of power.

Plug "leaking energy" in electronics. Many new TVs, VCRs, chargers, computer peripherals and other electronics use electricity even when they are switched "off." Although these "standby losses" are only a few watts each, they add up to more than 50 watts in a typical home that is consumed all the time. If possible, unplug electronic devices and chargers that have a block-shaped transformer on the plug when they are not in use. For computer scanners, printers and other devices that are plugged into a power strip, simply switch off the power strip after shutting down your computer. The best way to minimize these losses of electricity is to purchase ENERGY STAR® products.
 

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 life cycle of a flat roof system.  The UBC, Uniform Building Code, and the IBC, International Building Code, require that a flat roof surface deck is provided with a minimal sloping of ¼” per foot for proper roof drainage.  Most buildings are built with that requirement, however, while this sloping is provided at the building framing stage some sloping is lost when the with the adding of additional construction components that typically are suspended from roof joists or trusses such as ceiling, plumbing and electrical systems. Heavy roof top equipment such as HVAC, refrigeration and air circulation systems may also contribute to loss of sloping to the roof deck.

There are several methods of correcting water ponding issues on a flat roof.  The most effective is to provide proper sloping with tapered insulation or re-decking with rip-strip framing.  For moderate to severe localized ponding, layering additional roofing membrane can produce limited success, however, care must be exercised not to just to move the ponding issue to another location of the roof.  Another method to correct moderate to severe ponding, is installing an additional surface drain recessed in to a sump box at the deepest point of the ponding.  This method requires the enlistment of a plumbing contractor for feasibility and installation of a drainpipe to the exterior of the building.

Most roofing material manufacturers will void their product warranties when ponding water conditions exist.  There are a limited type of roofing systems were ponding water does not affect the roof system life cycle or manufacturers warranties. The use of these systems should always be explored.

One should always consult with a qualified professional roofing contractor when dealing with ponding water conditions on a roof.   Budget restraints may leave both the building owner and roofing contractor with limited options on the decision to choose the lesser of two evils in choosing the better solution to the condition.

MT