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Helpful tips and advice for home maintenance from your roof to your porch.
What's New? |
12/12/2016
the four kinds of flat roofLiving in the Washington DC area we are all familiar with the fact that there are a wide variety of flat roofs throughout the DC area. Now homeowners can now choose between 4 different kinds of flat roofs.
Pros: Gravel is an excellent fire retardant. Attractive for windows and decks that overlook the roof. It's the cheapest of the four roof varieties. Cons: Very heavy. Joists sometimes have to be strengthened. Smelly and messy to install. Installation's not recommended for occupied homes. It's not a DIY installation job, and it is hard to find the source of leaks. Gravel can clog gutters and scuppers. Modified Bitumen A single-ply rolled roof similar to ice-and-water shield, but impregnated with a mineral-based wear surface. Torch-down systems involve heating the adhesive as the material is unrolled. Newer peel-and-stick systems are safer and easier. Pros: Peel-and-stick material can be installed by homeowners. Its light-colored mineral surface reflects heat and cuts energy bills. Its price is in the middle of the pack. Cons: Torch-down application is a fire hazard, and not recommended for occupied buildings. It's not as scuff- or tear-resistant as rubber-membrane roofs (see the next item). Rubber Membrane EPDM (short for ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a true rubber. The durable material resembles an inner tube, but it's engineered to resist damage from sunlight. EPDM can be mechanically anchored with fasteners, ballasted with stone, or glued. Pros: Homeowner-friendly installation. The material's relatively light yet highly resistant to scuffs and tears. Leaks are easy to patch. Cons: The standard black material absorbs heat, and light-colored coatings (recommended in warm climates) add 30% or more to the cost. Even the black version, though, costs more than BUR or modified bitumen. It's also more vulnerable to punctures than other choices. Contact Boyd Construction Co Inc, the Washington DC area flat roof specialist, any time for a free estimate and to discuss your flat roof options. Here are the top 5 benefits of using white coating on your roof. Reduced roof maintenance costs White roof coatings contain UV blocking pigments to protect your roof from the sun's destructive UV rays, which happen to be the leading cause of roof degradation. Lower air conditioning usage and costs The UV blocking pigments also reflect a majority of the sun’s heat away from the building, allowing your building to remain cooler while using less air conditioning. This results in lower utility bills and a longer life span for your current air conditioning system. Studies show you can save a total of 7-15% of total cooling costs by using a white roof coating. Rebates
Depending on where you live, you can qualify for utility rebates. DSIRE is has excellent Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency® Avoid a costly roof tear-off White roof coatings can extend your roof indefinitely and are 50-70% less cost than replacing your roof. You are able to keep your business open as usual during installation to avoid any loss in sales or production, and no worries about having to leave the home. Quick installation White roof coatings are spray applied directly over the existing, aged roofing substrate allowing contractors to save on installation time and building owners save money. Contact Boyd Construction Co Inc today to get a free consultation and quote on white roof coating your Washington DC home or business.
12/6/2016
Cleaning and Repairing GuttersLearn how to properly clean and repair your guttersPre-Clean Gutters Climb a ladder and clean the junk out of the gutters. Make sure to pay attention to the downspout. Leaves and debris can clog them and water won't drain properly. Along with mildew and mud, you'll end up with sagging gutters. Check for Leaks Check for any leaks, including holes in the gutters and cracked caulking in the seams. Use an old chisel to scrape the old caulking out and dry the area thoroughly. Use new bead silicon sealing to keep water from getting behind the gutters and rotting the boards. Check Gutter Spikes Check all the spikes that are supposed to go through the gutter, through the fascia board and into the rafter behind it. It's a good idea to invest in new gutter spikes so the gutters are securely fastened once again. Check Rivets
During this inspection, check out the rivets on the downspout. Frequently they'll be loose or will have dropped out completely. You can use a rivet gun to secure them anew. Clean Gutters With Pressure Washer Once you've finished with the mechanics, begin cleaning the gutters. The best way to do this is with a pressure washer. Follow the pressure washer instructions to a T. A pressure washer won't hurt the gutters provided you've secured the gutters with screws or new spikes. The real key is to avoid hitting the gutters at too high an angle or you'll blow the shingles off with a high-pressure stream of water. It is always a safe and sometimes a more cost effective option to simply hire a local roofer to do gutter cleaning, repair and pressure washing, like Boyd Construction Co Inc in Washington DC, to save yourself the hassle and potential misshaps. |
Boyd Construction CoFamily owned and operated in the greater Washington DC area since 1932. Archives
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