• Clear, understandable language and terms
• The total cost of the project as well as breaking down labor and material cost
• Quantity of materials needed
• Amount of labor for each phase of the project
• Contingency allowance for unanticipated costs or changes
• What is the time schedule?
• Will there be any large equipment on the premises to be used on the job.

Contracts

When you choose a roof contractor based on references, business location (you generally want local) and acceptable bid, it is time to get a contract. Along with the correct address of both parties, the contract should also include;

• A copy of the estimate
• How any changes will be handled, such as new work order signed by both parties
• When and how payments will be made
• Any warranties on labor and materials
• Notice of homeowner’s right to cancel, (usually within 3 days)
• How disputes will be handled
• Spells out who will get required permits for the job
• The contractor’s insurance, license or bonding information
• Termination clauses, spells out reasons the homeowners or contractor can leave a job without a penalty

Getting everything in writing is the smart way to protect yourself and your investment. Most local roofers are honest, hardworking business people, unfortunately there are unscrupulous or unqualified people out there eager to take your money and disappear or do shoddy work.

The gravel was believed to have been dredged from the bottom of Indian River and early speculation is the grapeshot is from the war of 1804 Battle of Sitka. 1940’s was the last time the Indian River was dredged for gravel when large amounts were used for military construction. Gravel left over after the war may have been used by the contractor for roof materials on the Hames Center roof.

Balls appear to be canister shot or grapeshot

Calling Brinnen Carter, Chief of resources at Sitka National Historical Park to give an opinion about the balls, he said the spheres have markings that appear to be Russian. He said weapons that fire grapeshot or canister shot were commonly found on ships and land based artillery of all nationalities at the time of the Sitka battle between the Russians and the Tlingit’s.

Repairing the roof at the Hames Center, the old flat roof covering is being removed so that the insulation underneath could be replaced. Using volunteer labor when it is safe and professional roofing services when needed the community center is able to save money and replace the roof systems.

Energy star is a label that helps consumers identify products that save them money and help protect the environment. Manufacturers and retailers sign voluntary agreements allowing them to place the Energy Star label on products that meet or exceed energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE).

Warranties must meet or exceed non Energy Star roofing products

EPA allows manufacturers to use the Energy Star label on reflective roof materials that meet the US EPA’s specifications for solar reflectance and reliability. Energy Star labeled roofing products are designed to save money on utility bills and reduce energy waste. Qualifying reflective roof products must have warranties that are equal to or superior to comparable non reflective roof products.

You will see the Energy Star label right on the roof materials packaging. Eligible roof products include single-ply membranes, built up roofs, modified bitumen, spray polyurethane foam, roof coatings, standing seam profiled metal, composite shingles, clay, concrete, or fiber cement tile, slate, shakes, architectural profiled metal and individual metal roof components.

For manufacturers to get their products qualified for the Energy Star rating, they must test the solar reflectance of their roofing products using the US EPA test methods outlined in the Energy Star Program Requirements for Roof Products.

Ozone, the main ingredient in smog is created when nitrogen oxides react to sunlight. Nitrogen Oxides are gases that are created by vehicle exhaust, power plants and industrial stacks.

An estimated 21 tons of nitrogen oxides could be removed from the air each day if 1 million roofs were sprayed with titanium dioxide.

Kawaii Tam, a lecturer in UC Riverside Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, said “Even a light coating of titanium dioxide can be effective. It would take only about $5 worth of the compound to treat existing roof tiles of an average sized home”.

Titanium Dioxide products on the market now

While there are commercial tiles on the market available now, Tam said they can be expensive and few studies have determined their effectiveness. Most, if not all light colored or white wall and roof paints have titanium dioxide in them to make them opaque and reflective.

White reflective paint is also being used on flat roofing materials to reduce the heat island effect by lowering the roof’s temperature up to 80 degrees. The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in California estimates a minimum of 25% savings in energy use for the average homeowner with a roof with a reflective white coating.

Roofing materials tend to lose their reflective properties over time so it is suggested that you provide regular maintenance and remove dust and debris and occasional reapplications from your local roofer.

While some roofing contractors that install green roofs will offer maintenance for a specified period of time, it will be up to you to maintain your green roof. By making a maintenance plan in advance you can keep your green roof alive and thriving. The plan should include a site map, planting schedule, irrigation controls and inspection of plants and run off systems.

Once you are past the initial installation phase and the new plants are established you will need to check the roof at least once a month. Keep a record of soil tests, plants that are thriving and plants not doing so well, weeding schedule and any drainage concerns.

Fertilizing

Some roofs require once a year fertilizing, although it is not preferable to use fertilizers on the roof as run off will affect the local water quality. If rainwater is harvested for your roof, fertilizing will not be needed.

If the vegetation or maintenance brings you to the edge of the roof fall protection systems must be in place.

Before building a green roof, you will need to know the slope, load capacity, roof materials, drainage, waterproofing and water and electrical sources. You can contact a roofing consultant who will evaluate your current roof and help you design a suitable green roof system. Green roofs must also be designed to comply with local regulations.

The first set of solar panels was placed on the roof when President Jimmy Carter was in office. The West Wing offices were equipped with a solar water heating system. Even though Ronald Reagan removed the panels when he took office, President George W. Bush had solar systems installed to power a maintenance building and provide heated water for the pool.

Unable to cover entire roof due to security reasons

Because of security the officials won’t tell how many panels were installed but we do know that the project required drilling down to the concrete on the White House roof then using epoxy glue and threading rods to install a gridded subassembly that the panels could be secured to. The administration won’t say who installed the solar panels or any roofers involved but did say they were American companies.

President Obama is hoping to encourage the private and public sectors to find ways to reduce reliance on foreign energy and cut down on emissions being blamed for global warming. The administration will also devote $2 billion to improve the energy efficiency of federal buildings by 2016.

The energy department has two new efficiency rules, one to cut the energy consumption of new electric motors and walk in freezers and two launch a training program at community colleges to help people enter the solar industry.

Certified testing laboratories will rate a roof system with Class “A” being the best, Class “B” or Class “C”. When looking for roofing materials, Class “A” fire rating is the highest rating with the best flame retardant materials. A thin roof system may have better fire performance since it has less fuel to feed a fire, although it may be a less durable roof.

Tile and Metal Roof Fire Concerns

Heavy tile roofing increases the risk of a cave in when there is an interior fire. Firefighters are trained not to go on a tile roof when there is a fire present. Metal roofs while they will not burn, they are heat inducers and the intense heat can ignite other parts of the house.

While thatching is no longer popular as a new building material, it is still used in some European countries. Thatcher’s say it is a misconception that thatching burns fast, they say it burns more like a closed book. Thatching is not as popular, not because of the fire possibility but because it can be quite expensive. New thatched roofs were forbidden in London in the 12th century due to the perceived fire risk.

Flammable wooden French Mansard roofs were common on most buildings and contributed to Boston’s great fire in 1872. The great fire of New York in 1835 was said to be caused by a burst gas pipe ignited by a coal stove. The fire got so hot it melted the new copper roofs and the liquid copper ran off the buildings.

If you are unsure of the best fire retardant roofing material for your climate, ask your local roofers for advice.

If you are able to get on a ladder you can survey your rooftop by standing on the top rungs and using binoculars. You want to look for missing, raised or buckled shingles. You can also check the flashings to make sure they aren’t bent or loose. If you notice your rooftop is swaying or bowed you will want to call a roofer to determine if you have structural damage.

Checking your attic for roof leaks

You can also get into your attic and check for daylight coming through the ceiling. If you have moisture spots on the walls or ceiling, you may roof damage. It is often difficult to determine where the leak is due to water traveling around your rafters and beams before dripping down.

If you suspect you may have roof problems call a few local roofers to get free estimates. If you were able to do a quick survey you will already have an idea of the work required.

Use caution when choosing a roof contractor. Check the Better Business Bureau in yours and surrounding areas for complaints made about roofers you are considering. Talk with your insurance agent to make sure you are doing what you need to for the work to be covered. Get a contract from the roofer spelling out exactly the work to be performed and never give full payment up front.

Since roll roofing can crack in cold weather, it should not be applied when the temperature is below 45 degrees. You will need roll roofing, roof felt, roofing nails, roof cement as well as a ladder, broom, knife nail gun or hammer, tape measurer, chalk line and trowel.

• Clean the area you will be installing the new roofing. Unroll the roofing material on the ground and let it flatten. Cut a full width strip long enough to overlap the eves and rakes by about 3/8 inch. Reroll the material and take to roof.

• Spread roofing cement onto the roof felt with a trowel no more than 1/8 inch thick, thicker layers can cause the roof to blister.

• Put the roll roofing in place, walk along the roofing material to seal it in the roofing cement.

• Apply nails every 3 inches along the roof edges. Use hot dipped galvanized roofing nails long enough to penetrate the deck ¾ inches. Drive nails about 1 inch from the edge but stagger them slightly to avoid splitting the wood.

• The next course overlaps the first by 2 inches. Use the chalk line to mark where to put the roof cement then apply with a trowel. Walk along the edges to seal and nail top edges approximately 18 inches apart.

• Lay subsequent courses and nail up to the top of the roof.

• Seal the holes by covering with roofing cement. A roof cement caulk can be applied with a caulking gun.

If this sounds like a job you don’t want to tackle. Ask your local roofer if they have plenty of experience with this type of roof and get some estimates.

If maintained, a tar and gravel roof has the life expectancy of 15 -20 years. Look for cracked and brittle areas as well as large areas of missing gravel when inspecting your roof for signs of damage.

Check local codes for how many layers acceptable

Some suggest removing an old tar and gravel roof before laying on a new one. The rough surface of an old roof puts the new roof membrane at risk of being punctured when walked on. If you decide to clean off the loose debris from your damaged roof instead of doing a tear off, you can apply another layer of felt, tar and gravel to be installed directly over an old roof; generally up to 3 roofs can be applied.

Tar and gravel roofs are generally the least expensive of the roofing materials for flat roofs. It is a smelly, messy job and not recommended for do it yourselfers. You will want a local roofer with experience in tar and gravel roofs.