Category: Construction

A key piece of advice when it comes to maintaining a shingle roof is to wash it. At some point, your roof will start to look dirty, with long, dark streaks flowing from peak to eave. This is algae growing on your house. Algae won’t cause any immediate damage, but if you leave it long enough it can slowly rot your shingles. To get rid of these little plant-like critters, spray your roof with a 50 percent mix of water and bleach. The bleach will kill the algae fairly quickly, but you’ll also want to install copper strips just beneath your roof’s peak. When it rains, the copper molecules will stream down your roof, killing any algae fixing for a comeback.

First important step is to maintain your roof properly. “Being misinformed about your home policy can be an extremely expensive mistake — especially when a few inches of water in a 1,000 square-foot home can easily cost over $10,000 in repairs,” said Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst at insuranceQuotes. Double-checking your policy may not seem like an obvious roof maintenance tip, but it can definitely help you know what to prepare for in the future.

Lets write about Commercial roofing repair and replacement for metal roofs. The cost of roof replacement on your home or business is second only to the cost of buying the building itself. That’s why roof maintenance is critical. Simple maintenance and prevention can extend the life of your roof and prevent costly replacement before its time.

An important part of roof maintenance is the routine cleaning, clearing and tidying of the roof and its related systems. Pay attention not only to shingles and flashing but other key components, such as eavestroughs, down spouts, installations (such as skylights, vents, chimneys, solar panels), and ventilation. Here’s what we recommend: Working from the ground, homeowners should where possible regularly clear debris from the roof, including leaves, branches, and other items that may be cluttering the surface. Your roofer may use a leaf blower to do this, being sure to blow the air down the roof (so he’s not blowing debris up and underneath the shingles). To reduce the amount of debris that gathers, cut away vegetation that may be hanging over the roof. (Hire a contractor to cut away difficult or hard to reach areas.)

Moss might seem harmless, but its growth can actually damage your roof. If you want to keep a well-maintained roof, then conducting an inspection and occasional moss removal procedure is going to dramatically extend its longevity and prevent damage from occurring. Moss traps moisture, and homeowners know that moisture means problems—you don’t want any moisture near your home’s structure because it leads to things like weakening in the structuring and compromising its integrity. The moss must go! Use an environmentally safe pesticide to remove the moss and consider placing zinc strips if the moss likes to keep coming back. See more details at Roofing services in Colorado Springs.

Party wall issues? Here are some tips: What is not covered by the Act? The Act relates only to certain specific types of work and is permissive in nature. It should not be seen as a method of objecting to or preventing works and it is not intended to be applied to minor jobs that do not affect the structural integrity or loading of a party wall. It is generally agreed that works such as fixing plug sockets, screwing in shelving or replastering walls are minor works and do not require a notice. Notices: The workings of the Act are always instigated by the of issuing notices. This is the first stage of the process and, without the issue of valid notices, no further action can be taken under the provision of the Act. Written notice must be served on adjoining owners at least two months before starting any party wall works (one month for works to the line of junction or excavations). All adjoining owners must be served a notice and there are likely to be instances where there is more than one adjoining property and more than one owner of each property (ie: if the adjoining property is split into flats and owned on a leasehold basis, notices will be required to both leaseholder and freeholder of all flats affected by the works). Works to a party wall, or those affecting a ceiling or floor, will also require a notice to adjoining owners living above or below.

Party wall matters can cause a delay to the project, so this should be considered reasonably early in the design stage. Depending on the notice required you may need to inform your neighbours up to 2 months prior to your proposed start date. If the project is complex it may take some time for the surveyors to come to an agreement, or several awards may be required. The act does provide various mechanisms for non cooperation including non communication of adjoining owners and their surveyors, however there are also rights of appeal and referral to a third surveyor if necessary.

Even if you receive verbal consent at this stage, you still need to serve the notice and obtain written consent. To be helpful, there’s no reason why you could not write a consent letter which your neighbour can just sign but you need to make sure that your neighbour understands what you are planning to do and what they are signing – if your neighbour is a frail, 102 year old widow and they give consent without consulting anyone, you could be accused of taking advantage of your position when her 25 stone, 32 year old grandson finds out what you got her to sign. In cases like this, you may consider it worthwhile to employ a Surveyor just so, if disputes arise later, you can prove that you have not taken advantage of your neighbour’s ignorance.

Ok so I should never serve notices myself? Actually that is not what we are saying we are just saying weigh up what it could potentially cost you if you get it wrong and if you don’t really understand what your doing its probably cheaper and easier to get a Party Wall Surveyor to do it for you. We have provided DIY templates in the notices section at the top of the website for you to easily fill out if you know what you are doing these are based of Facility of Party Wall Surveyors documents and include our details for easy appointments should you need a party wall surveyor. Should you need an expert Party Wall Surveyor Kent or generally on party wall matters please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01843 808184 or email us at info@home-heroes.co.uk or use our contact form on the website. Read extra details at Party Wall Surveyor Whitstable.