Flat roofs and hot tar roofs were/are chronic leakers. Asphalt shingles do not work well on flat roofs. Rubber roofing is easy to install and works for all the low-slope roofs on your home.
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Roofing membranes and synthetic rubber roofing compounds for flat roofs outperform gravel roofing materials and make roof leak detection far easier. These roofing materials are basically seamless and fight UV damage. Used mostly commercially, flat roof membranes have many residential uses.
Drainage Paving Stones Out in nature when it rains on soil, most of the water goes into the ground. Yeah, this column is about drainage paving stones, but you need to know something first. I say this assuming: it's not a downpour the soil is not saturated from days of rain the soil isn't frozen Read More »
Hot water needed now? Hot water recirculating systems work best with a gravity loop.
Crumbling Brick Pavers Why Do Paving Brick Crumble? The concrete paving brick crumble because the Portland cement used to hold together the sand and gravel loses its ability to hold together the sand and gravel used to create each brick. This happens most frequently in cold climates. Water soaks into the concrete paving brick. When Read More »
If you build a deck with Trex decking, it might not be as maintenance-free as you might think. Large patches of white fungus and different species of mushrooms have been found growing on the underside of the decking.
AsktheBuilder Newsletter If you're a new subscriber, welcome to the family! Spring is here in central New Hampshire. It's a long time coming to the Northeast for the most part. When it finally decides to stick around, it makes up for lost time. Perhaps the best part is what I call the second fall. CLICK Read More »
New Home Quality Control I didn’t ask permission from my editor to depart from my normal question and answer format, but I’m sure he’ll agree this is a long overdue column. I’ve been writing this column now for over twenty-three years. Ask the Builder was first published October 2, 1993. It was my original goal Read More »
The following checklist is a FREE sample of some very important things you need to make sure happen as you build your new home or room addition. There are MANY OTHER THINGS that are important and they're included in a comprehensive checklist I created years ago. Don't count on the building code to protect you. It's Read More »
Installing vinyl siding can be done by a determined homeowner. Paying attention to details is important when working with vinyl siding. Upgrading your exterior insulation, air infiltration and weather barriers prior to vinyl siding installation is also a consideration.
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