Mindzle

Posts Tagged ‘home improvement’

A roofer is a roofer is a roofer, true?  Not necessarily.  There are different types of roofs and consequently different types of roofing professionals.  When you think of a roofer, you probably think about the guys who come up in a pick up truck with shingles and nails to put a roof on your home. Well flat roofs are different and don’t even utilize shingles.

So working on a flat roof should be a lot simpler than working on an inclined roof, true?  This is not right in all cases.  Flat roofs until really recently were covered with tar and gravel to protect them from the weather.  However, tar and gravel tends to break down and crack over time because of the weather and needs to be restored after a time.  The tar applied to fix a flat roof is hot tar kept in a high temperature vessel until it is ready to be poured onto the roof.  This tar is hot enough to severely hurt someone that gets in contact with it. Check out flat roof company for more information on this and why newer roofing styles can be much better and safer.

Another risk to working on a flat roof is that the roofers are standing upright rather than seated on the slope of the roof.  If the roof is in a damaged state, it is quite plausible that the roofer could fall right through the roof with no warning, and nothing to stop him but the weakened roof.  A sloped roof can cave in, also, but if the roofer is sitting, he is spread out more and is less likely to go straight through than if he were in a standing position. 

Newer flat roofs are constructed with rolled material that acts as a membrane.  You can take a look at epdm roofing for details on modern flat roof materials. This material is often less hazardous to work with than hot tar and gravel, and repels water and other components better, too.  The problem with the membrane material is that it doesn’t hold people effectively.  It is easily damaged if walked on.  Many apartment buildings with a flat roof will allow entrance to the roof for residents to use.  This cannot be done with a membrane roof unless something is built over the membrane to protect it. 

The most recent innovation in flat roofing is the green roof.  This roof will have the membrane material as a base, but will be topped with top soil and grass.  The top soil will absorb any water that settles on the roof, and will also act as the protective layer over the membrane material.  Residents can have a small garden on a green roof if they wish, but need to be careful of flowers and shrubs with deep roots, as these roots can damage the membrane layer of the flat roof.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that people in the Western World live in relatively good conditions – but I bet most people didn’t know that around 40% of homes in the UK, Canada and across the EU are infected with damp and toxic mould.If you’ve moved home lately chances are you’ll have encountered at least one nightmare property infested with mould.  But most people aren’t even aware of the problem.Many people don’t even notice damp in its early stages as it is hidden in corners behind furniture or even inside the walls. 

Health problems
There are a number of frightening health issues caused by damp in the home.Many times people get hayfever-like symptoms as a result of damp – watery eyes, sneezing and nasal congestion.  But a recent study also showed it can cause asthma in children and certainly make things work for asthma sufferers.There have also been cases of serious respiratory illness arising from damp.  Another recent study even revealed a connection between mold and depression! 

Causes
How, then, does this fungal intruder enter your home?  Well the first thing to say is a bit of mould is entirely normal and can be found everywhere.However the major problems start when it’s left untreated and allowed to spread.Mold occurs when there too much moisture in the atmosphere and it has nowhere to escape.Water collects in the atmosphere from places like the bathroom, as well as condensation on windows.But it needs to go somewhere!Inadequate ventilation sometimes occurs because builders don’t take care to properly damp proof a new house.Another cause is when a house lacks proper air vents.And the more we are concerned about saving energy these days, the more we are tending to lock the air – and moisture – into our homes.

Dealing with damp
I hope I’ve managed to convince you that the threat of mold is a problem that shouldn’t be ignored – we should all be worried about preventing it. It’s not just for people who already have damp problems.Left unchecked it becomes a lot harder – and costlier – to deal with.  Here are some top tips on how to avoid damp buildup in your home or workplace:

1. Dry up any build up of condensation you notice around the house within 24-48 hours.Don’t forget – mold cannot survive without water in the atmosphere.
2. Ensure that you get proper ventilation in the building to give moisture an escape route.If there aren’t proper air vents to the outside, get them installed.
3. Consider getting insulation put in on cold surfaces prote to attracting condensation – such as piping, windows and roofs.
4. It’s well worth considering investing in one of the many dehumidifiers out there to remove moisture from the atmosphere.  Certain portable air conditioners also do the job, with the added bonus of keeping you cool in the summer.
5. Know your rights.Once mold problems get serious they can cause serious problems that could cost you a lot. Find out from your home insurance to see if your policy covers mold damage. Tenants should push their landlords to have a professional damp inspector visit and assess the house.