FEMA has issued an ALERT for Rhode Island resident due to the recent storm activity that began March 12, 2010.

This is why The Storm Guy Pre-Screens our contractors. In addition, you call them directly to set up the appointment. Please review the warning FEMA has issued in regards to hiring a contractor.

Link to FEMA Report http://www2.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=51097

Materials-

1 pickle jar (32oz)

One plastic ruler

Waterproof Tape

1 Utility Knife

Optional-

Waterproof (exterior) paint

Cut your plastic ruler to 6 inches

Tape ruler to the inside of the jar

At this point you are done, but if you are feeling extra crafty and want to make it one of a kind you can decorate with waterproof paint. Make sure you leave the spot on the jar where the ruler is open and unpainted.

Rain gauges need to not be obstructed by trees or overhangs. Place them in an open spot for the most accurate readings.

Contractors should be using this time to get all your paperwork together. You want your continued educations classes taken and your license ready to go. Review your BBB rating and make sure you have all your awards and referrals ready. Wouldn’t it look better if when you approached a house you had a folder already set up? Which would include copies of your license, awards and information on roofing and siding for the customers to browse. Certainly you should have your business name on your vehicle. This is very important in building trust with your customers. What other things do you think are important?

A roofing solution that has incredible increase in popularity in the last few years is the metal roof, the main reason for this shift from the more traditional materials used for roofing in the past, such as asphalt, is that metal is stronger and more durable then the products used to provide roofing for houses some years ago. The name of the game here is safety and cost effectiveness, and metal roofing has both benefits for its users.

Because of its durability the metal roof can withstand the dangers of extreme weather conditions, rain and hail, snow and strong winds are the main concern of a home owner as he considers the cost of his new roof, there is also the protection from fire which is as important as the protection form the elements. The level of protection that the metal made roof provides is similar to those of the traditional roofing solutions.

The other cause for the raising popularity of the metal roofing is the huge choice home owners have in color, the metal roof looks good, and since it is going to be used for years it is important that you like what you see, the variety of colors to choose from is huge compared to the very limited traditional roofing shingles market. This choice in color will provide your house the special look that you are looking for and will allow you to combine more daring design concepts into your new home. The cost of metal roofing is usually considerably higher than the cost of the more traditional roofing solutions, the experts say that this is compensated by high durability and a very low probably of any need to replace the roof in a normal life time, while most traditional roofs could be replaced every fifteen to twenty years, the metal roofing can last more than 60 years and serve the house and your family with pride.

Once you make up your mind and you know what kind of roof you are interested in you should look for a contractor and research the warranties issues for the roof you are about to install. Since metal has become popular you should not have a big problem finding a roofing contractor that knows his way around metal roofs, in fact a lot of the contractors today know how to deal with all the roofing solutions in the market.

It is highly recommended that you research these issues before you make you final decision and that you ask experts for help and advice before buying material or closing a deal, this is a very competitive market and you will be surprised at the differences in price and quality.

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About the Author

Daniel Roshard is a interior designer fascinated by garden architecture, he is currently studying interior design integration to public parks and gardens. Daniel is writing Roofing reviews for http://roofing.zupatips.com

When the weatherman reports the direction of the hurricane and it’s heading your way, the only thing any homeowner can do is board up the home. This is usually done using wood but there is a better way now to protect the house.

The best way to protect your home is by using hurricane shutters. These are strong enough to protect the windows and even the doors from gale force winds that could be carrying flying debris.

There are different types of hurricane shutters available in the market. There are the colonial, Bahamas, accordion and roll down versions. These are all made from different types of material such as metal or wood.

The cheapest among all of these is the vinyl version. Available in your local DIY stores, the only drawback with these kinds of shutters is the longevity when compared to other types.

Those who want wood should try Cedar since it has a natural oil that termites and other bugs hate as well as preventing moisture penetration.

Of course, there is always aluminum that is rust resistant. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but this will perform its job when the storm rears its ugly head.

The type of shutter to be chosen will really depend on the severity of previous hurricanes. The person can contact a representative from one of these companies for an ocular inspection and measurements to be made to be able to design the right one for the home.

Contractors will usually charge per foot so you should probably look around and compare the rates before deciding on the one to get.

Hurricane shutters are easy to install. They’re usually screwed onto the top of the wall so the shutter can be pulled down. This is much better than boarding up the home because the people who live there can stay inside when waiting for an order about whether to evacuate or not.

In fact, those who know some basic carpentry skills can save some money by buying the materials and building this at home.

It’s always a good idea to get some friends or some members of the family to help to put the hurricane shutter into position given the weight of this thing once it is fully assembled.

Generally, hurricane shutters are placed outside of the home. Some people have even installed a second one inside that is more decorative adding a slightly bizarre but nevertheless idiosyncratic touch to the home.

When the hurricane has passed, the exterior covering can be removed and stored in the garage. This should be kept in a secure and safe place so it can be brought out again to protect the home against the next one, especially since more than 10 of these darn hurricanes come every year.

Hurricane shutters don’t look that nice from the outside however this should not deter the person from getting one for the home. It may not protect the home entirely when the storm comes but at least this can reduce the cost of repairs as insurance companies are unwilling to cough up!

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ – Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Find out more about hurricane shutters in the author’s free information site http://www.shuttersonline.info

Roofing Shingles Installation Basics

When it comes time to replace the shingles on your home, you will need all the information you can get in regards roofing shingles installation basics. Therefore, why not start at the beginning, with the types of roofing shingles. There are four popular categories of shingles, wood shakes, slate, laminated, and asphalt shingles. To know which you should be choosing, you should understand how each one works and what features they have, all of which can help you determine which is right for you.

Asphalt roofing shingles are the most popular of all types. They are constructed with paper, glass, or fiber, with intense durability. These shingles are designed to last between twenty and thirty years.

Laminated roofing shingles are also becoming extremely popular. These shingles have a design that adds depth, color, and character to any room. Constructed with many different materials, such as asphalt, it creates a look of expensive roofing materials, without the large costs.

Slate roofing shingles also referred to as stone shingles are heavy but durable. Popular, but not overly used before it tends to break easy and can be extremely hard to work with. Many people enjoy the natural, handcrafted, and colorful look that slate shingles offer, as well as the durability, which allows the shingles to last for more than 100 years.

Wood roofing shingles, also known as shakes, are constructed with different treated woods such as pine, spruce, or cedar, and although cedar is the best type of wood used. While with first installation, the wood shingles are bright and lively colors, after the first year of use, it will dull quickly to the color of gray. Furthermore, splintering, warping, and shrinking are common complaints with wood roofing shingles, and generally have to be replaced within thirty years or less.

If you simply do not know how to or want to install your own roofing shingles, your best bet is to hire a professional roofer. When contacting roofers make sure that you opt for a company that is well established, carries a business license, and has permanent addresses and telephone numbers. Ask to view the companies insurance, bonding, training, and certificate information.

You will also want to choose a company that provides you with a full, written estimate of every aspect of the job; this includes time of completion, warranty, labor costs, and materials they intend to use. Before choosing a roofing shingles installer, make sure that you obtain a minimum of three estimates. This allows you to compare prices, as well as warranty, services, and ultimately work ethics. Obtain references, this is obviously important, you are entrusting the roofer with a valuable possession, your home. You want to be sure that they are qualified, trustworthy, hardworking, and professional.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ – Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Daniel Roshard is a interior designer fascinated by garden architecture, he is currently studying interior design integration to public parks and gardens. Daniel is writing Roofing reviews for http://roofing.zupatips.com ]]> http://howto.thestormguy.com/2009/09/11/roofing-shingles-installation-basics/feed/ 0 http://howto.thestormguy.com/2009/09/11/caring-for-your-homes-external-siding/ http://howto.thestormguy.com/2009/09/11/caring-for-your-homes-external-siding/#comments Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:11:22 +0000 thestormguy http://howto.thestormguy.com/?p=83 Caring for Your Home’s External Siding

If your home’s exterior is starting to look grungy, it may be time for a power wash treatment to clean the siding. Whether you have aluminum, vinyl, or another type of siding for your house, it needs to be cleaned from time to time to remove mud, mildew, and any possible mold that is growing in niches or on the surface.

Things that can add to your home’s dirty siding including bird droppings, especially if they nest under the eaves of the house or in your attic. Insect invasions, like ants or bees, will need to cleared out. Follow the directions on an insect repellent can or call an exterminator for advice. It’s important to get rid of these pests before washing the siding, or you could get badly stung. Scrapes from cars or bicycles, along with other outdoor toys, should be wiped clear or fixed, if necessary. Then you will be ready to clean the siding.

The best way to clean your siding is by renting a power wash system that attaches to your garden hose and creates a jet spray that loosens dirt and debris from the surface and forces it to the ground. Most tool rental stores offer this equipment at an affordable rental price. After hooking it up and adjusting the water spray, start at the top of your house, just below the roof, and work you way down, level by level, until you reach the bottom, thoroughly spraying each section to remove streaks of dirt. If your siding is muddy or very dirty, try adding a teaspoon of trisodium phosphate to each gallon of water for increased cleansing action. Begin spraying from the bottom up when using the cleanser, and then go over the same area, level by level, as you work your way back down to the ground with a clear water rinse.

You may need to use a wire brush to scrape away burns, bird droppings, cobwebs, or other stains and debris before washing the siding. While you’re at it, look for evidence of mildew or mold. You can treat these with laundry bleach, although check a small area first to be sure it doesn’t change the color of your siding. Trim away brush from the siding so you can work close to it, and this will also keep the brush from hugging the house and encouraging insect or rodent nesting.

While you’re at it, inspect the siding for signs of chipping, cracking, breaking, or crumbling. If you have spare siding available and know how, you can try replacing the damaged pieces yourself. If not, call an expert siding repairperson that can fix the broken areas for you to make your home look almost as good as new. Plan on power washing the exterior once or twice a year to keep the siding in good shape. If you’re not sure about how to use a power washer, you can pay someone to do this chore for you. Check his or her credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and ask for references, first.

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About the Author

For more information about siding products, visit the vinyl and aluminum siding site at http://www.sidingco.com.

Start from checking the problem inside the house. You should identify which parts of the house are affected by a roof leak. This can help you estimate how big the affected area is and how much roof repair is required. Watermarks in the ceiling don’t necessarily say the problem is right above it, though. If the roof is built at a higher angle, the crack may be found on a different location.

Once you have identified the areas for roof repair, you then need to find out if this problem is caused by weather conditions or the roof structure itself. If the roof is built sturdily, but the materials used cannot withstand its environment (strong winds, storms or hail), this would still cause you some serious roof problems in the long run. If it were caused by a poorly designed roof structure, it would be best to contact your contractor immediately and raise those issues for a permanent fix.

Aside from taking into consideration what had caused the roof damage, you also need to consider what type of roof you are dealing with. Roof repair for cedar shingles won’t necessarily apply if you’re dealing with asphalt shingles. It is best to check all the materials and tools needed to fix the job.

For example, in dealing with wooden shake roofs, you need a hammer and chisel to detach the broken shake from the area and a hacksaw to cut off the old nail heads that are protruding. Once done, replace the broken shake with a new one, making sure that its size is smaller than the previous one so as to provide a small space for the shake to swell in.

For shingle roofs, you may just need to flatten out any curled shingles back to its place with a hammer. There are also cases when you have to warm the shingles up with a torch before you can flatten them because they have stiffened up due to cold climate. Roof repair for flashing between roof pitches or valleys and drainpipes require you to scrape it first with a wire brush before applying generous amounts of roof cement to seal those gaps and cracks completely.

These simple applications in roof repair should be considered as a quick fix for those small roof problems. This will at least give you an idea where and how to deal with it. If you found out that the affected area is bigger than you have thought, consulting a professional roofer for a permanent solution would still be the best approach in dealing with these roof problems.

Justin is a home repair specialist who also writes about roof repairs and how to fix rubber roofs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Morgan_Tuttle