A solid foundation is essential for a strong, durable home. Without one, a house could collapse.
Getting a roof installation done correctly will help protect your investment and ensure the structure of your home is strong. This is why it’s important to hire a professional roofing contractor. They are licensed, insured, experienced and have a solid reputation.
Rebar
The foundation of your home is a footing that anchors the house to the ground and carries the weight of the structure. While footings can be made of a variety of materials, in most new homes they are constructed from reinforced concrete. Contractors erect wooden forms and install steel reinforcing bars, known as rebar, between the form faces, before filling them with poured concrete. Once the concrete sets, the forms are removed.
Rebar is placed in the concrete to increase its tensile strength, which is important in areas of your foundation that are subjected to tension like the corners and abutments. Rebar also has good thermal properties, so it expands and contracts at the same rate as concrete, which helps maintain a structurally sound building.
There are several types of rebar available, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The most common is carbon steel, which is often referred to as black bar. It is very versatile and easy to work with, but it corrodes faster than other varieties, so it's not ideal for use in high-humidity environments or structures that are frequently exposed to water.
Another option is ductile iron, which is much stronger than carbon steel. It is a bit more difficult to work with and requires careful installation, but it is highly durable and can withstand a lot of stress. Some rebar has codes stamped on it that give information about its quality and origins. It's helpful to know how to read these marks so that you can ask the right questions if you are purchasing rebar from a supplier.
Underlayment
Underlayment is a layer of protective felt (15lb, 30lb, or synthetic) placed over your roof's decking (the wooden framework) to help keep water and ice from damaging your home. It also helps protect against sound vibrations and provides a barrier to extreme heat or cold.
The type of underlayment used on your roof will depend on the climate where you live. For example, if you live in an area where it rains frequently, an underlayment with an IIC (impact noise reduction rating) of 50 or higher should be used. This will prevent the loud thudding noises that can sometimes occur when walking on your roof.
If you're planning on working on a roof, please be sure to wear a safety harness and use a fall protection kit. Falling off a roof is not only dangerous, but it can be deadly. It's also a good idea to leave steep and/or high roof work to the professionals. Also, it's important to always be careful when climbing on a wet or slippery surface. Wearing rubber soled shoes with traction will make the job easier. roofing edinburgh
Flashing
A home’s roof is designed to keep water from seeping through and damaging the interior, walls, and foundation. Ideally, when it rains, water runs off the roof and onto the ground away from the exterior of the building and landscaping. However, when a roof has issues, moisture can enter the home and cause mold growth, rot, and other problems. One of the most common issues with a roof is leaks, which occur at a variety of junctures, including holes that were put in for features like chimneys, skylights, and vents. These junctures tend to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes, which can make it difficult to seal the holes.
Flashing is a type of waterproof material that is installed at these critical junctures to help create a more weather-resistant roof. It is typically made from metal, such as lead, copper, or galvanized steel, and is rolled out and sealed in place.
Most often, flashing is installed around the openings of pipes or vents that protrude from the roof. The center of the flashing is either metal for a vent cap, or it has a rubber compression fitting that will wrap around a pipe. The other end of the flashing is then slid under the shingles and along the back edge to protect the shingle from moisture, and it is sealed in place with caulking.
Drip Edges
Whether you’re building a new home, or replacing the roof on an existing one, drip edges are important to help prevent leaks and damage. But, they are often an afterthought for homeowners (or roofing contractors who don’t want to take the time to properly install them), and even when they are installed, they don’t always provide the protection they’re supposed to.
Drip edges are metal strips that protect the soffit and fascia of your roof by diverting water away from the edge of your roof and into gutters. This helps to prevent rot of the soffit and fascia, as well as mold and mildew growth underneath your roof. It also helps to prevent water from pooling at the base of your house walls, which can damage foundations and walls.
In addition to helping your home stay safe from water, drip edges also provide a finished look to your roof and the structure of your house. They are available in a wide range of materials and colors, making them a perfect complement to any exterior style. Plus, they are easy to install, and can be done without the need for any additional flashing or shingle installation.
The most common type of drip edge is a C-style drip edge, which is a "C" shaped piece of metal that comes down over the top of your roof deck and helps to roll water into your gutters. There are also T shaped drip edges, which have an added flange at the bottom that can divert more water into your gutters. Both of these types of drip edge are commonly used on homes with no fascia boards, but are also useful for homes with fascia boards that need extra protection.
Aside from preventing water damage, drip edges can also help keep pests out of your roof. By covering the space between the fascia board and the roof deck, they seal what is known as the carpenter's gap, which can allow rodents and other critters to enter your home through the attic. This is particularly important in Florida, where high winds can easily bend or peel back shingles, and create a space for unwanted critters to nest and invade your home.