Lay over me… or not- Cle Elum Home inspection- Roofs

So you need a new roof what should I do, and what is right?

We all know that one layer of roofing material is best, right? This should always be the standard answer in my book, no exceptions but hey I do always get to write the rules.

And it is very obvious that most think the code says we can add a second layer of roofing, right?

Well hold on there buckaroo, the answer has a qualifier… The code actually states something that many overlook.

                             

So let’s take a peak what the code actually states:


From the IRC (international residential code)-  

R907.3 Re-covering versus replacement.

New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing existing roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur:

1.      Where the existing roof or roof covering is water-soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing.

2.      Where the existing roof covering is wood shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile.

3.      Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering.

4.      For asphalt shingles, when the building is located in an area subject to moderate or severe hail exposure according to Figure R903.5.

Exceptions:
1. Complete and separate roofing systems, such as standing-seam metal roof systems, that are designed to transmit the roof loads directly to the building’s structural system and that do not rely on existing roofs and roof coverings for support, shall not require the removal of existing roof coverings.
2. Installation of metal panel, metal shingle, and concrete and clay tile roof coverings over existing wood shake roofs shall be permitted when the application is in accordance with Section R907.4.
3. The application of new protective coating over existing spray polyurethane foam roofing systems shall be permitted without tear-off of existing roof coverings.

So there you have it, the answer is maybe if certain condition can be met.

Or the simpler answer, which is what this Wenatchee Home Inspector always advises, is do not do it and just remove the exiting roof and do it right.

This way your roof decking is inspected and the job can be completed more professionally, your home will love you for it!

Make me happy and hire a true professional roofer.

                                                       

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

Steve Jobs

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more… 
   

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

www.ncwhomeinspections.com

Home Remedies… Chelan and Wenatchee Home Inspector

Home Remedies… Chelan and Wenatchee Home Inspector

We do get to see some fun things out there in the world of Real Estate and property inspections. You all know what I mean.

Well as a home Inspector one of the great privileges I have is to be able to document some very inventive people’s contraptions.

Too bad most of the inventions are downright dangerous.

Here we have an example of some cool work. This is a window unit Air Conditioner that just did not have a a proper connection and needed a fix.
             




But what if you do not have an outlet readily available? No problem we can fix that, and here is the fix.
                               


Now here is the full view.

                                      
                                           ( at least there is not outlet over the baseboard heater)


I informed my client that I think this needs further evaluation by a licensed Electrician. Do you think that was good advice?

"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur..."

Red Adair

“Inspecting the World-One Home at a time”

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…                             
NCW Home Inspections LLC-509-670-9572

Professional Home Inspection in Chelan County

Wenatchee and Leavenworth Home Inspection-Insulation in the home

Wenatchee and Leavenworth Hom Inspection- Insulations in a home.

This is a follow up to my blog on The Scientific Basics of an Insulator.
There are many ways to insulate a home. Fiberglass is the most common but you may want to consider other options. They all have their plusses and minuses.
I am not a big fan of fiberglass for many reasons but it is the industry standard. So here is a list with some information of all the major insulators in no particular order.
The R-value for an insulator is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry.


Insulation Comparison









Cellulose insulation (R-values- 3.0-3.7 + total fill) is made of ground-up, recycled newsprint treated with borate as a fire and pest retardant. Cellulose can be damp- or dry-blown into walls and dry-blown into attics.

 

Fiberglass insulation (2.2-4.0) has been the industry standard, is made from spun glass fibers, and is available in faced or unfaced batts or loose-fill. Precautions should be taken during installation to avoid contact with skin or inhalation of airborne glass fibers. Traditionally, formaldehyde has been used to bind these glass fibers. Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that can off-gas potentially irritating or harmful chemicals into a home. Recycled-content and "no added formaldehyde" products are readily available at comparable costs. Listed by National Toxicology Program, Department of Health and Human Services as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcino­gen.

Cotton insulation (3.0-3.7) is available in faced or unfaced batts. It is manufactured from postindustrial recycled content fibers of the textile industry (primarily blue jean factories), with some polyester fiber for strength and "loft." Unlike fiberglass and mineral wool, cotton insulation is not irritating or potentially dangerous to handle. It should be torn, not cut, to fit. Cork and wool insulation are options made from rapidly renewable, natural sources and now available.

Foam board typically has a higher R-value per inch than batt and loose-fill products (e.g., expanded polystyrene, 3.8; extruded polystyrene, 5.0; polyisocyanurate, 5.8-7.0). Well-installed foam board (taped at the seams) creates an improved air barrier. Look for products that use water or pentane as the blowing or foaming agent instead of HCFC, which contributes to ozone layer destruction.







Spray-in place foams (3.9-4.3 + total fill) have excellent air-sealing properties, high R-values, and most of them can easily be installed anywhere, including overhead. They are a particularly effective choice for "cathedralized" attics (insulation is installed at the rafters, so the attic is within the thermal envelope. This is a good approach if ductwork is placed in the attic). Most of these foams are low-density, open-cell polyurethane or polyicynene. HCFC-free foam is available, as is soy-based foam. Spray foams are newer in the market, so installers may be hard to find and costs may be high.













Mineral wool (2.8-3.7) is produced as batts or loose-fill made from rock wool (from natural rock) or slag wool (an iron ore blast furnace waste product).











Structural insulated panels (SIPs) (4.0 + total fill) consist of rigid expanded polystyrene foam sandwiched between panels of oriented strand board (OSB). SIPs are fabricated off-site, come in thicknesses from 4 to 12 inches, and are fairly interchangeable with wood frame construction if incorporated early in a project's design phase. SIPs advantages include a very high effective Rvalue, excellent soundproofing performance, and rapid on-site installation. Note that mechanical ventilation is typically required when using SIPs due to the resulting airtight nature of such construction. As with foam board and spray foams, look for products fabricated with and from more environmentally friendly foam materials.





Radiant Barrier-(little or no R-value) Radiant barrier insulation systems reflect radiant heat energy instead of trying to absorb it. Radiant barriers come in a variety of forms, including reflective foil, reflective metal roof shingles, reflective laminated roof sheathing, and even reflective chips, which can be applied over loose-fill insulation. The reflective material, usually aluminum, is applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials. Substrate materials include kraft paper, plastic films, cardboard, oriented strand board, and air infiltration barrier material. Some products are fiber-reinforced to increase the durability and ease of handling.

Radiant barriers-which don't provide a significant amount of thermal insulation-can be combined with many types of insulation materials. These combinations are called reflective insulation systems. In these combinations, radiant barriers can also act as the insulation's facing material.

Recycled Content (environmental comparisons)

Insulation materials vary in their recycled content.  Which insulation offers the environmental benefits of resource conservation and reduced waste? The typical recycled content of various insulations is as follows:

Fiberglass: 0-30%, mostly post-industrial, some post-consumer

Cellulose: 75-95%, mostly newspapers

Mineral wool: 0-90%, rock wool - 0%, slag - 90%

Cotton: 75-95%, post-industrial fabric trimmings

Foam board: 0-50%, post-industrial foam

Spray foam: 0-15%, post-industrial chemicals

Radiant Barriers: 0-100%, mostly recycled aluminum

Wenatchee and Leavenworth Hom Inspection- Insulations in a home.

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more...                           

NCW Home Inspections LLC-509-670-9572