Roofing Tools - Essential Tools For Your Roof
There's no doubt it's a wise move to hire a professional to remove, install or maintain a roof. But with a little bit of time and knowledge, and often with the help of a few friends, it is a realistic do it yourself project. If you use the right roofing tools the job can be relatively easy. Just look for these tools at a local hardware store.
A slate cutter does just what the name implies, cuts slate and shingles. It slices through most roofing materials like the proverbial hot knife through butter. Industrial versions cut 1/2" thick shingles easily. Some models have a punch to get them started, which also offers better control in the cutting process.
Instead of throwing the shingles to the ground, which requires a constant trek to the perilous edge, consider a ridge bucket. These buckets hug the roof so they won't slip even it's steep. It's safer and easier to use a ridge bucket to dispose of materials.
Use a hip runner to install ridge cap and hip ridges perfectly straight every time. Contractors use hip runners, so do it yourself roofers should take the hint.
Seaming pliers aren't for sewing. They're for yanking shingles, especially stubborn shingles that seem to have a mind of their own intent on staying in place. Seaming pliers include flat teeth to grip the shingle without tearing it. Combine the pliers with a good pair of thick work gloves to save your fingers and hands from injuries such as scrapes, bruises and blisters from gripping and pulling rough shingles.
What has a hammer head on one side and an ax and blade on the other? No, not a movie hero's weapon, it's a slater's hammer. This roofing tool can be used both for removing the old and installing the new roof. Don't worry about it going to waste after the project, it's also a handy every day hammer.
Not only will most local hardware stores carry these tools, they'll rent some of the larger ones such as a slate cutter. This way a home owner can use the best quality tools rather than one that's cheaper to purchase. Keep in mind too that knowledge is a roofing tool as important as any other. Local hardware stores, as well as the Internet, are great sources of information. Between books they carry and staff on hand who can give you advice, they can prepare a person for every step of the roofing process.
Chokyi Ooi runs a Home Improvement and Family Resources site and hopes this site can help us to improve our home and family lives. To learn more about Roofing Tools and lots of other guides, feel free to drop by http://www.home-and-family.chokyi.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chokyi_Ooi
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
An Overview of Residential Roofing
An Overview of Residential Roofing
Residential roofing might sound like a boring topic. Except for contractors or specialists, who would want to talk about this? Home owners should. One of the most important elements of a home is the roof. So it's necessary for homeowners to be up to date on this subject at least when it comes to their own home.
Location, location, location is often discussed as the #1 rule in real estate, it's just as important when it comes to residential roofing. Needs for roofs vary by region and include such considerations as ability to withstand tree limbs, wind resistance, fire resistance, ability to withstand or to allow snow to slide off, and even color when it comes to a good looking roof for the area. Residential roofing needs are quite different in a northern, cold and snowy region than they would be in a southern hot and dry region. For those who purchase homes it's important to be familiar with the features and maintenance needs. For home builders, especially if they serve as their own general contractor, selecting the right roof for the region is essential.
Since purchasing pre-built homes is more common, let's examine some of the maintenance issues that are important to ensuring the best performance and longest life from the roofing system. First amongst these issues is timing. Proper maintenance should begin as soon as the system is finished. This will ensure a long term savings. Immediate maintenance includes inspecting the work and checking the contractor's license, insurance, and whether all elements of the system were installed to manufacturer's specifications and to local government guidelines.
After six months to a year the roof should be inspected for debris such as sticks, leaves, and even garbage such as aluminum cans, and those debris removed. This should be repeated at least yearly. Also further ensure proper drainage by cleaning gutters at least once a year. If the residential roof can't drain, it will develop leaks. Leaks cause a great deal of damage, including the possibility of mold that can completely destroy a home.
After only a few years the material at the bottom of vent and other roof protrusions, called pipe boot, may need to be replaced. This is particularly true in states like Oklahoma that don't require pipe jacks to be made out of long lasting lead.
Many roofers convince home owners that the entire roof needs replacing even when there's only a tiny leak. That's nonsense. And the best way to avoid the scam is to have it inspected twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. An easy way to remember to have the residential roofing inspected is to do it when the clocks spring forward and fall back.
Chokyi Ooi runs a Home Improvement and Family Resources site and hopes this site can help us to improve our home and family lives. To learn more about Residential Roofing and lots of other guides, feel free to drop by http://home-and-family.chokyi.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chokyi_Ooi
Residential roofing might sound like a boring topic. Except for contractors or specialists, who would want to talk about this? Home owners should. One of the most important elements of a home is the roof. So it's necessary for homeowners to be up to date on this subject at least when it comes to their own home.
Location, location, location is often discussed as the #1 rule in real estate, it's just as important when it comes to residential roofing. Needs for roofs vary by region and include such considerations as ability to withstand tree limbs, wind resistance, fire resistance, ability to withstand or to allow snow to slide off, and even color when it comes to a good looking roof for the area. Residential roofing needs are quite different in a northern, cold and snowy region than they would be in a southern hot and dry region. For those who purchase homes it's important to be familiar with the features and maintenance needs. For home builders, especially if they serve as their own general contractor, selecting the right roof for the region is essential.
Since purchasing pre-built homes is more common, let's examine some of the maintenance issues that are important to ensuring the best performance and longest life from the roofing system. First amongst these issues is timing. Proper maintenance should begin as soon as the system is finished. This will ensure a long term savings. Immediate maintenance includes inspecting the work and checking the contractor's license, insurance, and whether all elements of the system were installed to manufacturer's specifications and to local government guidelines.
After six months to a year the roof should be inspected for debris such as sticks, leaves, and even garbage such as aluminum cans, and those debris removed. This should be repeated at least yearly. Also further ensure proper drainage by cleaning gutters at least once a year. If the residential roof can't drain, it will develop leaks. Leaks cause a great deal of damage, including the possibility of mold that can completely destroy a home.
After only a few years the material at the bottom of vent and other roof protrusions, called pipe boot, may need to be replaced. This is particularly true in states like Oklahoma that don't require pipe jacks to be made out of long lasting lead.
Many roofers convince home owners that the entire roof needs replacing even when there's only a tiny leak. That's nonsense. And the best way to avoid the scam is to have it inspected twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. An easy way to remember to have the residential roofing inspected is to do it when the clocks spring forward and fall back.
Chokyi Ooi runs a Home Improvement and Family Resources site and hopes this site can help us to improve our home and family lives. To learn more about Residential Roofing and lots of other guides, feel free to drop by http://home-and-family.chokyi.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chokyi_Ooi
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