Insulation, Gutters, Downspouts
& Moss Control
Insulation
Insulating
the attic of a house is important for heating and cooling inside the
house. However, the ideal temperature of the attic/roof area is close to
the outside temperature (to prevent unnecessary condensation).
Therefore, insulation should first be applied between the ceiling
joists; this will allow insulation of the living areas of the home,
without creating too much heat in the well-ventilated attic area.
Additionally, insulation should never block vents--inside or out. Take
special care when placing insulation near soffit vents.
If the roof decking is the ceiling (as is the case with tongue and
groove decking, with no attic space), insulation can be added in the
form of rigid insulation on top of the decking.
Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts perform the simple function of taking water away
from the roof to a location far from the foundation. The most common
gutters are aluminum, and are installed by contractors. Vinyl gutter
systems are also available to the homeowner without the specialized
tools to deal with the aluminum gutters. Other gutter systems are made
of tin, copper or wood.
If water is still collecting near the foundation, drain extensions
(above or below ground) can be added to draw the water away from the
house. Another low budget fix is to raise the soil level near the
foundation, so that the land slopes away from the house, and not into
the house.
Maintain your gutters by:
-
Cleaning out leaves and debris regularly;
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Add leaf guards to
the gutters, if possible;
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Cleaning downspouts regularly;
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Checking for leaks;
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Maintaining gutter supports.
Moss Control
The first step to moss control is prevention by placing a zinc or copper
strip under the edge of the ridge cap. The zinc or copper changes the
composition of rain so that moss growth is reduced and/or stopped. Some
composition materials come with zinc granules already embedded in the
shingles.
If moss is already growing on the roof, cleaning agents can remove the
existing moss growth. This, however, is not a quick fix and may require
repeated applications to control the problem. These products can be very
toxic and should be used only according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
After the moss has been killed, the dead moss will remain on the roof.
Though unsightly, it is no longer a hazard to the roof. The dead moss
can be removed with a soft broom, but caution should be used when doing
this, since walking on the roof (especially older roofs) can cause
significant damage.
MAKE
THE RIGHT MOVE –
CALL CHESS TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE:
(248) 398-1050 or click
for online estimate form
Website
by Knight Concepts Inc.
