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Read your roof

Detect problems before it’s too late

MOST HOMEOWNERS take
every root for granted. pavi
scant attention to the one feature
of the home which usually pro-
vides long-term, dependable pro-
tection for our single largest: in-
vestinent,

This neglect often results in
damage to the home and its con-
tents and comes as an unpleasant
awakening.

To avoid surprises and unan-
Geipated major rey home-
owners can easily “read! their
cools, which usually give signals
about their condition long before
they fail altogether,

According to the CertainTeed
Home lnstitute these telltale
“Pin-about-to-fait’ oor + L-need-
help" symptoms can usually be
teadily detected.

Advice from experts

1. Cheek dewnspouts — period-
ically for accumulation of ceramic
roofing granules. These are ap-
plied to asphalt rooting shingles
during manufacture to protect the

asphalt in the shingles trom che
effects of ultraviolet iadiarion.
U-V causes the asphalt to
deteriorate as the shingle ages on
the roof.

As the ceramic granuies wash
from the roof, a viscious evele ac-
velerates — with more loss of
granules. Eventually. the shingles
deteriorate, change color and may
buckle. curl or break off.

2. When cleaning downspouts.
look closely at the shingles. If
their color has changed (due to
the loss of granules) or if Uhewre
becinning tooocurl up oer cup.
thes‘re showing signs of age. The
roof is clearly a re-roofing can-
didate at this point.

3. For those whe don't like
heights or ladders, a pair ef bin-
oculars provide a bird's eve view
trom the ground. Look for miss-
ing shingles, or those discolored
or distorted in any wa

If missing shingles are the only
problem. a reputable roofing con-
tractor can quickly replace them
for you lo) protect surrounding
rool areas,

4.0b mest hemes in your
neighborhood were constructed at
about the same rime and one or
More roots are beginning to fail.
check sours carefully. Chances
are. IVT) be next.

3. To see if water is already get-
ting into the home. visit vour at-
tic. Inspect the plywood decking
overhead. Water stains will show
up as dark areas. Extensive water
damage will cause othe reot’s
structure fo) weaken and oniay
mean costly repairs, so it’s best to
nip these leaks in the bud.

G. Many coof leaks occur where
the roof deck abuts siding: around
chimneys. skylights or dormers. or
in the valleys where (Wo rool sec:
tions form an imerted os) where
water drains down during storms,

These areas are particularly sen-
site ro) damage and to the
asphals drving out, sa thes need
routine teapplications of asphalr-
based roofing mastic or seakint to
keep them warertight.

Unfortunately, when the

See Check Page 30

Windows reduce condensation

From page 28

— will reduce the performance of
ao standard) = double-glazed unit
window by about 24 per cent,

Look for the CCMC (Canadian
Construction Materials Centre)
number on a meni window frame.
ft indicates the window has been
tested for condensation resistance
and is likely cquipped with a
thermal break.

Wood is a good choice as a
framing ratterial. It is rigid) and
conducts litte heat. In a conven-
tional double-glazed unit window,
the wood frame fas about the
same iasulating value as the gliz-

investment.

FREE ESTIMATES, PICK-UP

ing.

Wood frames need regular
Maintenance (0 resist rot and
mildew, Clad wood frames are
protected with a covering of alu-
minum or vinyl These windows
require litte maintenanee, but the
cladding must be well installed to
prevent moisture from. collecting
behind it.

Vinyl frames provide good in-
sulation and de sor need painting.
However, vinyl frames that) are
teinforeed with metal on the in-
side to increase Uneir rigidity will
lose heat. Its better to reinforce
with wood.

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The suitability of other materi-
als for frames and sashes is being
logked at. Fiberglass frames are
now appearing, This material
holds considerable promise
because it is non-conductive, rigid
and. unlike wood, requires litte
nuaintenanee.

Energy Savings

Typically, high-performance
windows cost TS ta 20) per cent
mere than their comventional
counterparts. This additional ex-
pense can be quickly recovered in
terms of reduced energy costs.

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12660 BRIDGEPORT ROAD. RICHMOND
(next to Ikea) 273-9674

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