Home Improvement Blog

Your roof is one of the main components of your home when it comes to protecting you and your loved ones from the harsh elements. From harsh winter snows to heavy spring rains and summer thunderstorms, your roof needs to be ready to efficiently shed water away from your home rapidly. With installation of a new roof will provide you with many years of protection.

 Signs you may need a new roof installation:

• Roof shingles visibly buckling
• Soft spots on roof decking
• Leaking water through roof shingles
• Ice damming backing up
• Insufficient roof ventilation
  

A properly installed roof requires more than just installing roof shingles on your roof decking. First off a clean, solid roof deck needs to be in place prior to any installation of roofing components. A poor roof deck will comprise the integrity and longevity of your new roof installation. Once existing roof shingles have been stripped down to existing roof decking, cleaned thoroughly and inspected for any potential damages, installation can begin. For new roofs the same procedure is performed minus the removal of existing shingles.

Components of new roof installation:

• Ice and water shield installed on eaves of roof deck(code 3ft in from exterior wall)
• Ice and water shield installed in valleys and under flashings
• ice and water shield installed on roof rake ends of roof deck(not required by code)
• New vent boots around existing vent lines
• Aluminum drip edge around perimeter of all edges of roof
• Vapor barrier paper installed on entire roof deck minus ares where ice and water shield has been installed
• Attic fan(not code but can be added)
• Installation of roof shingles(most commonly used is 30 year architectural shingle)
• Installation of ridge vent

Most common roof shingle on the market has become the popular 30 year architectural shingle which provides superior performance and enhanced esthetic appearance compared to the original  three tab roof. Three tab roof shingles are still available and used at a slightly lower cost than architectural but perform at about half when it comes to wind ratings. Architectural shingles create a much nicer curb appeal due to the 3D appearance and with that a much thicker and durable shingle. In some cases where existing shingles are installed, architectural shingles may be installed over existing roof in areas where codes allow. (Not code or recommended for roofs with two layers in place already) Three tab shingles may also be used in re-roofing but not advised as architectural shingles are heavier and lay flatter.

Longevity and efficiency for your home/roof relies on adequate ventilation and attic insulation for proper air flow and controlled heat/moisture throughout your attic. Inadequate attic ventilation allows stagnant air to buildup. Extreme summer heat can cause dry rot and potentially damage to air conditioning units due to overworking in high temperatures especially with lack of fresh air movement. Higher heat with no ventilation will shorten the lifespan of your roof. During winter heat loss becomes an issue due to inadequate insulation that may lead to ice damming. Ice damming occurs during the winter months with snow buildup that backs up under your shingles during the freeze and thaw process. Ice damming is very common in the northeast and can cause potential water damage.

5 Different types of roof ventilation installs:

• Ridge vents installed at top peaks of roof
• Soffit vents installed under soffits
• Gable vents installed on gable ends of roof peaks
• Attic fan(s) installed in roof powered by electric or solar and activated by a thermostat 
• House fan installed that brings fresh air from outside into living areas of home and into attic

On most any roof you will have a gutter system installed for removing water off of roof and away from the home. Some areas that receive excessive snowfall amounts may opt out to leave gutters off to prevent ice damming. The roof of your home removes tremendous amounts of liquid due to the square footage that collects and needs to be discarded efficiently. Without roof gutter systems water may collect around your foundation and possibly cause water infiltration into your basement. During end of winter with melting snows followed by heavy spring rains the ground water tables rise fast creating hydrostatic pressure buildup which could cause damage to your foundation. Adding extra unwanted roof water to ground water increases pressure dramatically causing your homes Footing Drains to work harder to remove water. When possible it is strongly recommended to extend downspouts away from your home to excrete water away. 

Most new roof replacements can be performed in one day considering size and condition of roof decking when shingles have been removed. Added protection and value to for your home may be to look into the installation of an Egress Window

Here in Orange County NY, just north of New York City,  we can experience many different forms of weather systems. Many areas located just out of the city have higher elevations combined with low lying valleys that make for interesting unpredictable weather at times. During these times potential systems can impact our homes and properties drastically when it comes to moisture systems. Here in New York we experience a full four seasons with a variety of different weather conditions. These conditions range from potential blizzards, thunderstorms, heavy rains and at times even a hurricane. Now, it's not all doom and gloom when talking about New York as most of the time the weather is beautiful, especially with all the changing seasons. Keeping your home and property protected with proper drainage solutions will leave you with now worries and have peace in mind when inclement weather strikes.

Water is one Mother Natures strongest forces responsible for trillions of dollars in damages and disrepair around the world each year. During potentially heavy downpours, especially after heavy melting winter snows are combined with rain, water tables rise drastically along with increased hydrostatic pressures. Low lying homes in valleys or on a mountainside, runoff can be of concern. Massive amounts of water can be produced during this time frame causing basements and properties to flood. There are solutions for your water issues and  some may require excavation, but diverting water away is key to a dry basement.

Water buildup occurs from excessive rainfall and heavy snow melts increasing ground water tables and return resulting in hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure refers to water pressure buildup and is a major cause of basement water problems. Water weighs slightly more than 60lbs. per cubic foot. When the soil around your foundation is saturated with water, there can be tens of thousands of pounds of hydrostatic pressure buildup against your foundation. Required for every home built, footing drains are the most effective drainage component in relieving hydrostatic pressure. Buildup occurs during times where high ground water tables reach levels where oversaturated soils cannot dissipate water at an adequate rate.

Hydrostatic pressure buildup can be extremely harmful to your homes main structure, the foundation, causing damage to the integrity of your entire structure. Water infiltration into your basement can cause massive damage, plus most all basements have the perfect ecosystem for the rapid growth of toxic mold and mildew to spore. Due to the natural environment of basements, moisture and humidity are always a concern to control. Installation of egress windows and dehumidifiers can help lower moisture levels in any basement creating better airflow.

Signs of hydrostatic pressure in your basement:

• Bowing walls with horizontal cracks and water seepage
• Water infiltration where your basement floor meets the foundation wall
• Water near basement windows and/or window wells
• Deteriorated basement foundation walls
• Musty smell in basement
• Visual evidence of water seepage on foundation walls
• Visible water seepage on cracks of basement floor

Unfinished basements will be easier to determine if you have a problem as opposed to a finished basement. Finished basements may hide problems for many years before discovering the immense damage that has occurred. Hidden behind your walls spawns the perfect environment for toxic mold and mildew to grow rampant that can lead to potential health ailments impacting your entire family. Not only water issues in your basement can contribute to these issues, your roof is another major main component in protecting your home from water damage.

Different drainage solution applications for your home and property

Footing drains

Footing drains are required for all homes constructed for removal of unwanted water from your foundation walls and footings. Without the installation of footing drains, you can potentially run the high of water infiltration and structural damage to your most important structural component, your foundation. As ground water tables rise combined with runoff, soils quickly become saturated, leading to high levels of hydrostatic pressure buildup. Pressure buildup against your foundation wall can reach as high as 33,000 psi. Relieving this pressure is essential in maintaining the integrity of your home and prevent water infiltration that can be responsible for thousands of dollars in water damage repairs. Most visible indications of a failing footing drain is evidence of water and/or moisture in corners where foundation meets basement floor. In order to replace footing drains excavation is a must from the exterior of your foundation down to the footing. Best application is to have footing drains discharge unwanted water out to daylight. This all depends on your properties topography and grade in coordination with the home. If grade is not sufficient, a dry well may need to be added on property to contain unwanted water to dissipate back into the soil.

Curtain Drain

Curtain drains are essentially an in ground gutter system used for removing unwanted water near home or low lying areas on property with standing water. These drainage systems may also contain runoff water that discharges of a hillside into your property and/or home. Excavated down usually 18-24 inches, these trenches are effective in catching and removing water effectively. Installed with corrugated pipe, filter fabric and aggregate, water runs freely away from your home. In extreme cases where water tables are high and flooding in basement is of constant concern, curtain drain mat be dug the depth of the footing drains and work in conjunction together. In general, adding a curtain drain is a fast solution for wet areas throughout your property.

Swales

Swales are excavated troughs down to a divot to contain and divert water efficiently from runoff or at the base of a hillside.  They are most commonly used for stormwaters that are used along rural highways and residential streets to convey runoff. Width of trench is excavated sloped at each end allowing water to flow down the the base. Swales can be left natural after excavation for grass of swamp grass to grow or lined with filter fabric and lined with river rock or rip-rap. A fast solution for wet properties especially with high rates of water runoff.

Sump pumps

Sump pumps are a great solution for removing water that has protruded into your basement. As ground waters rise and hydrostatic pressure increases water will usually infiltrate to the point of least resistance. A sump pump can help relieve this pressure before causing major damage. A sump pump basin is installed into your basements floor using a high flow pump to remove unwanted water quickly. Sumps pumps work off a float switch that activate when water rises to a set level and sufficiently excretes water outside of your home. Other systems can also be incorporated with pump such as French drains and minimal amounts grey water if necessary.  

Dry wells

Dry well are used for containing water diverted from another source such as drainage systems or grey water. In footing drains, curtain drains and/or gutter downspouts, dry wells may be used if you do not have enough grade on property to relieve water to daylight. Other applications may be for diverting grey water from laundry and/or slop sinks to avoid contamination of your septic system if you have one. Heavy laundry detergents kill off good bacteria needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem in you septic system allowing solids to breakdown properly. Waters are routed to the dry well where they will permeate back into the soils. 

Gutter downspouts

During heavy rains and snows, your roof per square footage handles extreme amounts of liquids in which is quickly diverted into your gutters. Liquids from your gutters then become the job of the downspouts to remove water quickly to ground level. Most downspouts discharge right at ground level right on your foundation walls leaving excessive amounts of water to pool and possibly permeate into your foundation. A simple extension can fix or the best way is to run downspouts into a solid underground line to divert water away from the home. 

Drylok

Drylok basement sealer is a great application on all interior basement walls. Recommended two coats on walls helps achieve maximum performance of 11-12 psi to protect against water infiltration through your foundation walls. All concrete is permeable and Drylok will help seal out unwanted moisture and fill cracks up to 1/8" wide. Larger cracks may be filled with hydraulic cement or other concrete fillers on the market before applying Drylok.