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InspectAPedia ® Home ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR AGE OF ROOFING ALUMINUM ROOFING AMERICAN CEMWOOD ROOFING ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING POWER WASHING ASBESTOS ROOFING / SIDING DUST ASBESTOS MATERIAL REGULATIONS ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES ASPHALT SHINGLE DEFINITIONS ASPHALT SHINGLE FAILURE TYPES ASPHALT SHINGLE INSTALLATION ASPHALT SHINGLE LIFE / WEAR FACTORS ASPHALT SHINGLE PROPERTIES ASPHALT SHINGLE RE-ROOF GUIDE ASPHALT SHINGLE UNDERLAYMENT SPECS ASPHALT SHINGLE VALLEY FLASHING ASPHALT SHINGLES on VERY STEEP ROOFS ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS COMPARED ALGAE STAINS ON ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES ALGAE STAIN TEST METHODS ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS on SHINGLES BLACK STAIN REMOVAL & PREVENTION BLISTERS on ASPHALT SHINGLES CELLOPHANE STRIP REMOVAL? CRACKS in FIBERGLASS SHINGLES CUPPING ASPHALT SHINGLES CURLING ASPHALT SHINGLES EARLY ASPHALT SHINGLE FAILURE EXTRACTIVE BLEEDING on SHINGLES FISHMOUTHING ASPHALT SHINGLES GRANULE LOSS from SHINGLES HAIL DAMAGED SHINGLES LADDERING & STAIR STEPPING SHINGLES LIFE / WEAR FACTORS in SHINGLES MECHANICAL DAMAGE of SHINGLES MOSS & LICHENS on SHINGLES ORGANIC FELT SHINGLE DEFECTS SPLICE DEFECTS on ASPHALT SHINGLES STAINS on ROOF SHINGLES WHAT ARE ASPHALT SHINGLES WIND DAMAGE to ROOFS ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD ATTIC VENTILATION BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE BEST ROOFING PRACTICES ASPHALT SHINGLE PROPERTIES ASPHALT SHINGLE RE-ROOF GUIDE ASPHALT SHINGLE INSTALLATION ASPHALT SHINGLE UNDERLAYMENT SPECS ASPHALT SHINGLE VALLEY FLASHING ASPHALT SHINGLES on VERY STEEP ROOFS ASPHALT SHINGLE RE-ROOF GUIDE BUR BUILT-UP ROOF INSTALLATION BUY Roofing Materials & Equipment CATHEDRAL CEILING ROOF VENTILATION CLAY, CONCRETE, FIBER CEMENT TILE INSTALLATION CLAY TILE ROOF SLOPE, DECK & UNDERLAY CLAY TILE ROOF BATTENS & STACKING CLAY TILE ROOF CONNECTIONS CLAY TILE WIND & SEISMIC CONNECTORS CLAY TILE EAVES, HIP & RAKE DETAILS CLAY TILE ROOF BATTENS & STACKING CLAY TILE ROOF CONNECTIONS COOLING LOAD REDUCTION, VENTING ROOFS FOR EPDM ROOF INSTALLATION FLASHING, CHIMNEY Mistakes & Leaks FLASHING, CLAY TILE ROOFS FLASHING WOOD ROOF DETAILS GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION GALVANIZED STEEL METAL ROOFING ICE DAM PREVENTION ON ROOFS LEAD in ROOFING, EFFECTS LIFE EXPECTANCY of METAL ROOFS LOW SLOPE ROOFING BEST PRACTICES METAL ROOF COATINGS & PAINTS METAL ROOF EXPOSED FASTENER SYSTEM METAL ROOF EXPOSED FASTENER FLASHING METAL ROOF LIFE METAL ROOF MODULAR SHINGLE SYSTEM METAL ROOF STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF TERNE METAL ROOF ZINC METALS USED IN ROOFING MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOF INSTALLATION MODULAR METAL ROOF SHINGLE SYSTEM ROLL ROOFING INSTALLATION STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF INSTALLATION SUPPLIERS Roofing Materials & Equipment TERNE METAL ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT BEST ROOFING PRACTICES VENTILATION, ROOF, BEST PRACTICES VENTILATION to REDUCE COOLING LOADS WALK-ON ROOF SURFACE INSTALLATION WOOD ROOF FLASHING DETAILS WOOD ROOF HIP & RIDGE SPECIFICATIONS WOOD ROOF MAINTENANCE WOOD ROOF SHEATHING, UNDERLAYMENT WOOD ROOF SHINGLE PROPERTIES WOOD SHINGLES, RE-ROOFING WITH WOOD ROOF SLOPE & SHINGLE EXPOSURE TABLES ZINC METAL ROOFING BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE BEST ROOFING PRACTICES BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILT UP ROOFS CARPENTER ANTS CARPENTER BEES CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION CEMWOOD ROOFING CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS CHIMNEY INSPECTION & REPAIRS CHIMNEY FLASHING Mistakes & Leaks CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR CLAY TILE ROOFING CLAY TILE ROOF BATTENS & STACKING CLAY TILE ROOF CONNECTIONS CLAY TILE ROOF DAMAGE & WEAR CLAY TILE EAVES, HIP & RAKE DETAILS CLAY TILE ROOF FLASHING CLAY TILE ROOF SLOPE, DECK & UNDERLAY CLAY TILE ROOF SPECIFICATIONS CLAY TILE ROOF SUPPLIERS CLAY TILE ROOF STYLES, DESIGNS CLAY ROOF TILE TYPES CLAY TILE WIND & SEISMIC CONNECTORS CLAY, CONCRETE, FIBER CEMENT TILE INSTALLATION COLD WEATHER ROOF TROUBLE CONCRETE ROOFING COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS CORRUGATED ROOFING COPPER ROOFING DEBRIS STAINING on ROOFS DECKS, ROOFTOP CONSTRUCTION DEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etc DISASTERS: BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR Hurricane or Storm Flooding Hurricane Safety Preparation Hurricane Damage Prevention Wildfire Damage Prevention Windstorm Damage Prevention DISPUTE RESOLUTION on ROOF JOB PROBLEMS ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings EPDM, RUBBER, PVC ROOFING EPDM ROOF LEAK REPAIRS EXTRACTIVE BLEEDING on SHINGLES FELT UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS FIBER CEMENT & FIBERBOARD ROOFING FIRE RATINGS for ROOF SURFACES FIRE RETARDANT PLYWOOD FLASHING on BUILDINGS FLASHING, ASPHALT SHINGLE VALLEYS FLASHING, CHIMNEY Mistakes & Leaks FLASHING, CLAY TILE ROOFS FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK FLASHING for METAL ROOFS FLASHING ROOF WALL DETAILS FLASHING ROOF-WALL SNAFU FLASHING SIDING DETAILS FLASHING WALL DETAILS FLASHING WINDOW DETAILS FLASHING WOOD ROOF DETAILS FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION Green House or Solarium Roof Leaks GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS HAIL DAMAGED SHINGLES HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roof Solutions HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET ICE DAM PREVENTION INSECT INFESTATION / DAMAGE INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEAKY ROOF DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LOW SLOPE ROOFING MASONITE WOODRUF FIBERBOARD ROOFING MEMBRANE & SINGLE PLY ROOFS METAL ROOFING ALUMINUM ROOFING ALUMINIZED STEEL METAL ROOFS BARN ROOFING, METAL COPPER ROOFING CORRUGATED METAL ROOFS ENAMELED STEEL ROOFS GALVALUME METAL ROOFS GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION GALVANIZED STEEL ROOFS LEAD in ROOFING, EFFECTS LIFE EXPECTANCY of METAL ROOFS METAL ROOF COATINGS & PAINTS METAL ROOF EXPOSED FASTENER SYSTEM METAL ROOF EXPOSED FASTENER FLASHING METAL ROOF LIFE METAL ROOF MODULAR SHINGLE SYSTEM METAL ROOF STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF TERNE METAL ROOF ZINC METALS USED IN ROOFING METAL SHINGLE ROOF, ANTIQUE EMBOSSED METAL SHINGLE ROOF MODULAR METAL ROOFING SOURCES, MANUFACTURERS MODULAR METAL ROOF SHINGLE SYSTEM NOISE TRANSMISSION in ROOFS SNOW GUARDS & SNOW BRAKES SOLDERED FLAT METAL & FLAT COPPER ROOF STAINLESS STEEL ROOFS STANDING SEAM METAL ROOF INSTALLATION TERNE METAL ROOFING ZINC METAL ROOFS MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOFING NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE NOISE CONTROL for ROOFS PLASTIC ROOFING TYPES PVC, EPDM, RUBBER ROOFING ROLL ROOFING, ASPHALT ROOF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES - PHOTO GUIDE ROOF CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS ROOF COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS ROOF DORMER TYPES - PHOTO GUIDE ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS ROOF JOB PROBLEMS, RESOLVING ROOF LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR ROOF NOISE TRANSMISSION ROOF REPLACEMENT SNAFUs ROOF SLOPE DEFINITIONS ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS ROOFING FELT UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS ROOFING MATERIALS, Age, Types ROOFING TILE SHAPES & PROFILES ROOFING UNDERLAYMENT BEST PRACTICES RUBBER, EPDM, PVC ROOFING SADDLE CONSTRUCTION at CHIMNEYS SIDING TYPES, INSTALLATION, DEFECTS SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR SLATE ROOF COLORS SLATE ROOF COLORS & SLATE CHEMISTRY SLATE ROOF CONDITION, OTHER FACTORS SLATE ROOF DEFECTS SLATE ROOF INSPECTION COURSE SLATE ROOF INSPECTION PROCEDURE SLATE ROOF INSTALLATION QUALITY SLATE ROOF LEAKS SLATE ROOF LEAKS, TEMPORARY REPAIR SLATE ROOF LIFE EXPECTANCY SLATE ROOF PATTERNS SLATE ROOF PHOTO LIBRARY SLATE ROOF REPAIRS SLATE ROOF REPAIR, WORN OUT SLATE ROOF REPAIRS, HISTORY OF SLATE ROOFS, STEEP SLOPE SLATE ROOF TYPES SLATE ROOF TYPES, RIBBON SLATES SLATE ROOF PHOTO LIBRARY SLATE ROOF REPAIR REFERENCES SLATE ROOF SOURCES & TOOLS SNOW GUARDS & SNOW BRAKES SOD ROOFING SOUND CONTROL in buildings STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on & in BUILDINGS, CAUSES & CURES STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE STANDARDS for ROOFING STONE CLEANING METHODS STONE ROOFING STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS TEST LABS - ROOF SHINGLE THATCH ROOFING Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick THERMAL EXPANSION of HOT WATER THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL IMAGING, THERMOGRAPHY THERMAL IMAGING MOLD SCANS THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS TILE ROOFING TREES & SHRUBS, TRIM OFF BUILDING TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF TRUSSES, Floor & Roof UNDERLAYMENT REQUIREMENTS on ROOFS VENTILATION in BUILDINGS WALK-ON ROOF SURFACES WARRANTIES for ROOF SHINGLES SHINGLE WARRANTY EVALUATION SHINGLE CLASS ACTION & CONTACT INFO REPORTING SHINGLE FAILURES ROOF FAILURE REPORT FORM ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING CEMWOOD ROOFING MASONITE WOODRUF FIBERBOARD ROOFING ROOFING COMPANIES CONTACT INFO WALL CONSTRUCTION BARRIER vs CAVITY WATER ENTRY in buildings WIND DAMAGE to ROOFS WINTERIZE A BUILDING WOOD SHAKE & SHINGLE ROOFING WOOD ROOF COATINGS & FIRE RATINGS WOOD ROOF INSPECTION GUIDE Wood Roof Wear or Installation Problems Wood Roof Moss & Lichens WOOD ROOF INSTALLATION SPECS Wood Roof Flashing Details Wood Roof Hip & Ridge Details WOOD ROOF LIFE EXPECTANCY WOOD ROOF MAINTENANCE WOOD ROOF SHAKES INSTALLATION WOOD ROOF SHEATHING, UNDERLAYMENT WOOD ROOF SHINGLE PROPERTIES WOOD SHINGLES, RE-ROOFING WITH WORKMANSHIP & ROOF DAMAGE ZINC METAL ROOFING More Information |
Building roofs: inspection, installation, diagnosis, repair & replacement guide: these articles provide in-depth un-biased articles about building roofing materials, installations, inspection, roof problem or roof leak diagnosis and repair, roof covering or shingle product failures, roof warranties, roofing and roof structure defects, roofing repairs, and all types of roof covering products. Page top Photo: collapsed barn, Cooperstown, NY leaves only its roof in view - Daniel Friedman Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman. Roofing Installation, Inspection, Diagnosis & Repairs Here is a quick comparison of common roofing materials. Our roofing inspection, diagnosis, repair and installation articles listed at left and below provide roof inspection, roof leak or problem diagnosis, roof installation, and roof repair information as well as details about the factors that affect the life of any roof. We include roof warranty and claim information and links to roofing product sources.
Roof Slope or Roof Pitch DefinitionsWhat is the definition of roof slope and how are rise, run, slope, angle and percent slope related?
Roofers express roof slope as "rise" or "pitch", measured in inches of vertical rise per foot of horizontal distance or "run". So a 3-inch rise roof, also described as a 3 in 12 roof, means that for every 12" (or foot) of horizontal distance, the height of the roof increases by 3". Our sketch (left) shows the relationship between horizontal distance or "run" and roof slope or "rise". [Click any image to see an enlarged, detailed version.] While roof slope is typically expressed in "rise", it can also be expressed in degrees or in percent of slope. A 3-in-12 roof rises 3" for every 12" of run. That's the same as a 14 degree slope, or a 25 % slope. Why is the roof slope 25%? 3" of rise per 12" of run is the same as 1" of rise per 4" of run or 1/4 = 25%. Definitions of Low Slope & Steep Slope Roofs
Steep slope roofing is defined as any roof pitched greater than 3 in 12 or 14 degrees or 25%. Roof slope affects roof life (steeper roofs drain better so may be more leak resistant), as well as roof installation cost (steeper roofs are harder or even impossible to walk-on without using roof jacks or scaffolding, increasing labor costs to install roofing). Our photo (above-left) shows a steep slope roof. You can see by eye that this is certainly more than 3" of rise for every foot of horizontal distance or run of the roof slope, and you'll also see that the slate roofers were using roof jacks to work on the roof surface. Low slope roofing is defined as any roof pitched at 3" in 12" or 14 degrees or 25% slope or less. Flat roofing is roughly horizontal or "flat" but in fact very few "flat" roofs are really flat, either because it is difficult to build a dead flat surface over a building, or more importantly because even "flat" roofs need to drain water to avoid ponding and leaks. So most "flat" roofs have at least a little slope either towards one or more roof edges or towards roof drains. So "flat" roofs are really "low-slope" roofs most of the time. To avoid ponding and leaks, flat roofs typically have a nominal drainage slope of 2% to 4%. What are the Minimum Slope Requirement for Metal Roofs?Most metal roofing systems can be installed on slopes of 3:12 and greater and standing-seam systems from 2:12 and greater. Special standing-seam systems designed for slopes as shallow as 1/2 :12 require field crimping machinery and have sealant in all seams. The height of the ribs at seams and whether they are protected with a sealant affect how weathertight a roof will be under extreme weather. Roof Covering Fire Resistance or "Fire Ratings"
Class "A" roof fire ratings mean that under the specifics of the UL (or ASTM) fire rating test definition, the roof is effective against severe fire exposure. Class "B" roof fire ratings mean that the roof is effective against moderate fire exposure. Class "C" roof fire ratings mean that the roof is effective against slight fire exposure only. Details about roof fire resistance effectiveness and roof fire ratings are at FIRE RATINGS for ROOF SURFACES. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)... Ask a Question or Search InspectApediaQuestions & answers or comments about types of roofing materials, installation, inspection, diagnosis, repair, maintenance, & warranties Question: Staining on building from roof shingles made from recycled tires?
There are no trees around the house. We live in New Jersey right on the bay. Our builder had the gutters washed, but the black stain could not be removed. Also, upon further investigation, my husband found extra shingles stored under the eaves of our attic. To our surprise "Royal Roofing" was stamped on the inside of each shingle--not Eternit! Are these two separate companies? The architect's notes indicated "Eternit" as the roofing tiles--now I'm confused. Unfortunately, he has passed away and his business was dissolved. When I contacted Eternit in England via e-mail, they said that they never manufactured a roof tile made from "recycled" tires. That was exactly how our architect described the tiles to us! He was very excited about its reported durability and longevity. Once again, Daniel, I hope you can shed light on this dilemma! - M. Reply: Bleed-out and run-down stains on the building vs. shingle life
I'm not sure that all of the black stains in your photos are due to the composition of your roof shingles, and it's common to see some black stains on the outer edges of white K-profile aluminum gutters even on asphalt shingle roofs. More about diagnosing building stains is at STAINS on & in BUILDINGS, CAUSES & CURES. But if your roof shingles are bleeding out significant levels of black debris, in addition to needing to clean the building exterior, you ought to be able to avoid stains on other building surfaces by properly routing roof runoff into gutters and downspouts. A second question that might arise is whether or not black runout stains from a roofing product are a sign of deterioration or reduced roof life. Certainly the manufacturers of plastic and composite roof shingles we list below all promise rather long-life warranties. Your roof shingles may be a Canadian product: Royal Dura Shingles. But first let's correctly identify your shingles and then ask the manufacturer for an opinion and advice. "Royal" as a roofing name alone is a bit broad as you'll see from our references below, including manufacturer names, roofing company names, and several asphalt shingle product names including IKO Royal Estate shingle and GAF Royal Sovereign shingles. "Royal Roofing" may be a company name or a shingle model produced by a company of a different name. In any case, Eternit, a company about which you asked us previously, produced fiber cement shingles and is separate from Royal Group Technologies who produce Dura slate roof shingles (see our company list below). Several companies produce roofing shingles made from recycled materials, rubber, composites, plastics, including:
Question: How do I track down roof leaks and decide if leaks are active or inactive? Wet spots & black mold found during interior repairs after prior roof leaks and a new roof installationWe live in a condo building, four story, concrete structure with brick face. We have had our flat, concrete roof repaired multiple times in the past few years. Last year the roof was sponge-y with water. We had repairs made in all areas as per a building inspector's advice, and a water expert's advice, except for some tuck pointing problems which were terribly expensive, and didn't look all that problematic . Also we installed roof vents. This summer the roof is no longer sponge-y. It is solid. But the owners of the fourth (top) floor apartment are having interior work done and are discovering black mold and water/moisture coming in in the very areas they want to repair. The roof LOOKS good, flashing and parapets are tight, caps on parapets are repaired and in good shape, roof surface (modified bitumen) has been sealed this summer and looks to be in good shape. Is it possible this is still water percolating down from our concrete roof? Or should we be looking for new leaks? Should we be calling yet another roofer? Or should we be waiting for the interior to be free of the old buildup of water which is still making its way down from the soggy, sponge-y roof we had last summer. Thank you for any advice you can give us. - M.J. Reply: Look for & trace moisture or water under the roof, explore for leaks during mold cleanup, don't look just for "black mold"Our home page for roof leak detection, diagnosis, and repair (where to patch) is at LEAKY ROOF DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR. Excerpts are below. If your roof is low slope or flat water travels and it can be tricky tracking down a leak - an inspector using infra red and moisture meters should be able to help sort out the question of whether there is an active leak and if so where it originates. As you report that the top floor occupant has found wet areas, it seems likely that other than concrete and structural members, other wet materials such as insulation will need to be removed - a step that will help trace the size and pattern of wet areas back to inspection points on the roof above. It's common on large commercial buildings and apartments to simply add another layer of roofing over leaky flat or low-slope roofs. Sometimes the roofer will also put down a layer of insulating board first. As long as the roof can be mechanically secured soundly to the structure, that practice is acceptable in many communities. But roofing over wet layers of old material can lead to future troubles including
If the roofer roofed over wet conditions they could take a long time to dry out, particularly if the roof was installed atop multiple layers of old material. You didn't say how long ago the new roof was installed nor whether or not there was a tear-off of old layers. Also, while we like modified bitumen as a roof covering material, the roof can "look good" but could have improperly made seams. An experienced roofer or roof inspector will look closely at the modified bitumen seams and flashing details to be more confident that at least from above the roof doesn't show obvious leak points. See our detailed response to this question at LEAKY ROOF DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR. Also see MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOFING for details about the type of roofing installed on this building. .
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