I phone Apps Review

For my business I choose to use I phone, from Apple. I love the phone, the plans, and all the features. I wanted to share some of the apps I use, or my family uses. Yes they all have the IPhone, and my little one has a Ipod. So here we go. My wife loves her wallpapers, so she designs my phone to, so theres a wallpaper, and picture for every person calling. She uses a free app 30,000+wallpapers. You can find the app under photography. Find my IPhone is another great app. It can locate all your IPhone, and Ipod and sends a beep. It came in handy last night my daughter lost her Ipod in the house and we used the app to locate it. She found it in a drawer. Att Family Maps is another I use, it locates you via satellite and locates all your family members. Netflix is another, this comes in handy when we are out and my little one is bored. Just tap it and watch a movie. My wife has her paypal app for her ebay store, and yes there's a ebay app also. For the Ipod you have the wheel games. There are a ton to choose from. One of my other favorites that I use alot is the whats around me app, looking for a place to eat, a ATM machine, then this is a great app. Since Valentine's day is around the corner, they have alot of apps out for that right now. From cards to send to music to play. My little one has Ibook, this keeps her reading up to par. I know for me this is the best phone around.

Albondigas A Spanish Soup

Albondigas Soup Recipe

 If fresh mint is not available, you can use a couple teaspoons of dried mint from herbal mint tea. You can also vary the vegetables depending on what you have on hand. Spring peas in their pods instead of shucked peas, for example. Or you could add some chopped fresh zucchini or corn. My mother often puts a couple extra tablespoons of chopped fresh mint directly into the soup. Feel free to substitute ground turkey for the ground beef, we do it often.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 3 quarts of chicken stock  or beef stock OR water OR a mixture of both (we usually use half stock half water as the meatballs will create their own stock)*
• 1/2 cup of tomato sauce

• 1/2 lb of string beans, strings and ends removed, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced

• 1/3 cup of raw white rice
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
• 1 raw egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• A dash of cayenne (optional)

• 1 1/2 cup of frozen or fresh peas
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, crumbled, or 1 Tbsp fresh chopped oregano
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

*If using prepared stock, be sure to use gluten-free stock if you are cooking gluten-free.

Method

1 Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed pot (5-qt) over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute more. Add broth mixture and tomato sauce. Bring to boil and reduce heat to simmer. Add carrots and string beans.
2 Prepare the meatballs. Mix rice into meat, adding mint leaves and parsley, salt and pepper. Mix in raw egg. Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs.

3 Add the meatballs to the simmering soup, one at a time. Cover and let simmer for 1/2 hour. Add the peas towards the end of the 1/2 hour. Add a few pinches of oregano and sprinkle with salt and pepper, and a dash of cayenne, to taste.
Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
Serves 6-8.

I can also cook

Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Sunday Roofing Savings

Senco's Roof Pro Nailers are designed for the user who demands quality, performance and value. Drives.120 shank coil nails from 3/4" to 1-3/4". Use for shingles, tar paper and insulation board. Steel wear plates prevent tool abrasion. Adjustable shingle guide. Adjustable canister for a wide fastener range. Adjustable depth of drive for consistent nail sets. Adjustable exhaust.

To get the best remodeling results, you need solid advice from the best in the business. For Pros by Pros(R) books bring you field-tested techniques and real-world experience from the expert builders and remodeling pros who write for "Fine Homebuilding" magazine. "Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing" gives you the technical expertise and seasoned advice you need to protect your work from water, the home's eternal enemy. Leaks large and small cause the majority of damage in the house, and efforts to prevent or repair that damage account for most of the money spent on home repair. This book presents the basic principles you need to know to waterproof residential structures properly to protect them from water intrusion and to prevent callbacks for flashing or roofing failures.


Keeping a house weatherproof and in good condition is an ongoing task. Under constant attack from a combination of heat, cold, wind and rain, it is vital that the right protection is in place to keep the elements at bay. This book offers guidance, using step-by-step photographs and line drawings, on a wide range of roofing and weatherproofing jobs, as well as home insulation - all important in keeping problems, and bills, to a minimum.Topics covered include: roofing jobs - replacing tiles, slates and repairing flashings; repairing chimney stacks, woodwork, gutters and downpipes; weatherproofing jobs - replacing putty, sealing window frames and repairing brickwork; insulating jobs - roof, loft and wall insulation, draughtproofing, and double glazing and soundproofing.


Asphalt is the most common roofing material in North America. With 65 drawings and over 200 color photographs, this book is an in-depth guide to working with it whether the reader is a professional installing a brand-new roof or a do-it-yourselfer simply making necessary repairs.


Truly a unique patented roofing, siding, contractor bar. Drop forged from fine tool steel, one end has a thin blade with a 2 1/2 in. fulcrum giving it a higher lift than other bars. For removing shingles, downspouts, gutters and nails with ease. The other end has a Japanese pattern nail puller with rounded head to improve leverage.

3/4 in. coiled roofing nails. Box of 7200. Galvanized, full head. For use with Craftsman model nos. 18180, 18455 and 18444. As well as Ridgid brand.3/4 in. coiled roofing nails. Box of 7200. Galvanized, full head. For use with Craftsman model nos. 18180, 18455 and 18444. As well as Ridgid brand.

 

Edge is engineered to withstand the rigors of cutting todays heavier and thicker roofing materials 75% stronger than Stanleys 11-983 Hook Blade resulting in fewer blade changes Cuts roofing shingles, felt paper, Tyvek, foam board, insulation, shingles and other building materials.

 

 

No nailer does everything, but the Bostitch RN46-1 coil roofing nailer comes close. Stop at any construction site and watch as the roofers fly through their job with ease. Chances are, they are using the #1 roofing nailer in the business--the RN46-1. This little tank is built to last even under extreme job conditions. Bostitch makes sure by dragging it 75 miles across asphalt shingles in its testing labs. Constructed of durable, lightweight magnesium, the RN46-1 weighs only 4.8 pounds and delivers 410 inch-pounds of driving power. The tool comes with unique features like a single-action side-load canister that is quick and easy to load; a dry-fire lockout so it won't fire when it runs out of nails; carbide inserts wherever it might contact a work surface; skid-resistant pads; a tool-less shingle guide; and an adjustable-depth guide for setting depths quickly and conveniently.

 

 

4.6lbs, lightweight and compact for easy maneuverability, Depth of drive adjustment to countersink or flush drive nails, Drives wire and plastic sheet collated nails for added flexibility, Adjustable air deflector, directs the air exhaust in any direction. Hitachi

 

18" STEEL SNOW SHOVEL - Arctic Blast series steel snow shovel ~ Durable seal-coated Northern Ash wood handle ~ Extra-wide D-grip on handle ~ Maximum comfort for gloved hands ~ Quick-Connect system for simple and - ~ secure handle to shovel attachment in seconds ~ Overall length 49-1/2"

 

 

Product DetailsHeavy duty degreaser, concentrated formula designed for pressure washers. water soluble solvent, safe for metal surfaces. biodegradable, safe for plant life. great for removal of oil and grease, capable of handling all your equipment and automotive cleaning needs.Features: Biodegradable Biodegradable Concentrated formula designed for pressure washers Grear for removal of oil and grease Heavy duty degreaser Safe for metal surfaces Safe for plant life Water soluble solvent Specifications: Biodegradable/Non-BiodegradableBiodegradableCapacity1.00 GallonConcentrated/DeconcentratedConcentratedDuty RatingHeavy DutyProduct TypeDegreaser WEIGHT & DIMENSIONS Height11.80 in.Width1.90 in.Depth3.80 in.Weight9.00 lbsDimensions11.80" x 1.90" x 3.80"

 

 

 

 

 

What a Tin Roof Is

During the 18th century, tin roofs we're used. They we're call tin-plate back then. These roofs we're commonly found in Canada and soon spread to the United States, after Thomas Jefferson used this on his home. They we're easy to manufacture due to the lightweight. These roofs are still used today, and are so simple to use. The material is able to be rolled, due to it actually being steel, coated with tin. Tin will not corrode by rainwater, and is highly weather resistant. The chemically bonded tin is bonded to the steel in a plating process, the same process that is used to make galvanized nails. Also there are corrugated tin roofs, the ripples tend to stiffen the tin. Usually the corrugated tin roof if the first choice, due to it begin more easy to attach to a wood framed roof. Although these roofs are popular in some parts of the U.S, they can be very expensive to install due to the fact they are very labor intensive. Regular maintenance of a tin roof is that it needs to be painted on a regular basis. This will make the roof last even longer. Also painting the tin roof, you are able to choose from a variety of colors, but the traditional colors that most homeowners use are red or black. Before any painting is done, it is necessary to clean the tin very well with soapy water. A scrub brush will come in handy to get all the residue off. Making sure to rinse well with clean water. Let the tin roof dry completely before painting. It is important when choosing your paint, that it is intended for metal roofing. The best way to paint the roof is during the cooler hours of the day. Although tin roofs have been used for homes, they are also popular on garages, sheds, and barns. This is not the type of material to use on a sloped roof, or steep roof by yourself. It is better to let a professional do it.

Construction and Marriage

Construction and Marriage, how do the two go together. Well they say behind every successful man is a good woman. And my wife put's up with alot. Being self employed there are no set hours. When I am done, that's when I am done. I can't say I am going to be home for dinner, because I don't know what the job intales until I get there. There have been day's during the summer that I start at 5am and get home at 11pm. So that mean's my wife and kids eat alot of meals with out me, do alot of activities without me. But we try as hard as we can to make weekends about family. We make our time quality, because the quality is not always there. There have been days I don't even see my little kiddo. I leave when she is asleep, and I get home and she's in bed. It's not easy being self employed. But my wife understands. She never complains. I know sometimes it's sad for her. Our anniversary is coming up next month. So I want to do something special. But I can't plan it because with all this snow there's been little work. And the first thing my wife says is "work has to come first". She's the best. We didn't even get to have a honeymoon because I had to work. We have never even had a real vacation. Mostly just weekend getaways. But as long as we stay a strong family that's all that's important. So to my wife, and all the other wife's of self employed construction workers, I hope you all have a great Valentine's day. And know you are appreciated.

Air Compressors

I use air compressors everyday for my job. So I wanted to touch base of the many different types of tools and machines that air compressors drive. What can compressed are be used for, well it can lift huge weight objects and drive large nails into lumber and concrete. If you have a compressor that is not building lasting pressure you have a problem. Without the right flow and pressure, it cannot drive or run machines. Two causes may be the limiter switch is not adjusted properly, or there is a air leak. And be aware that the tank itself is not damage, because they can explode. A happy compressor is a contractors best tool. There are a few type's on the market today, electric, gasoline, steam or even man powered. My choice is gasoline. These operate from a combustion engine platform. The use regular fuel right from the gas station. For me all my pneumatic tools are powered by my compressor. Power and portability are important. Mine stays inside my trailer, so I don't have to take it out everyday when working. If you are using a gas compressor it is important to check the fluid levels daily. I have lost compressor's from not doing this. Also I have lost compressor using leaded gasoline. I now only use regular. It's also important to drain any moisture from the air tank. This should become part of your maintenance on your compressor. Also make sure all your valves are working, and that all guards and covers are in place. Some job sites will not let you work if these guards or covers are missing. Maintaining your gas compressor will pro-long it's life, and that is valuable to any construction worker.

  

 

Low Pitch Roofing

A low pitch roof can be done with rolled roofing, but this method can not be used on a totally flat roof. The roof must have at least a slight pitch to it. The roof will also need to have a solid wood deck beneath it. Due to the fact it will still need to be nailed. Having planking spaces between the boards is not acceptable. Measuring the roof is always done first to determine how much of the rolled roofing material will be needed. To properly measure, you would measure the nearest foot, width and length of the area. Times these two numbers and that is the area of the roof. Times by 20 percent, add the two numbers, and you will get the amount of roll roofing you need. When doing rolled roofing, black tar paper will also be needed. Plastic roof tar, galvanized nails are also some supplies that will be need. The best size nail for this job is 1 1/4 to 1 3/4, and that is for laying it over a existing roof. The basic is if there is only one layer you can go over it, more than that must be removed. Depending on the size of the job, it could take a few days.


 

Spanish Style Roofing

Another style of roofing material I would like to cover is Spanish tiles. They give any home so much character. It will defineatley outstand the other homes in any neighborhood. The tiels come in a wide variety of materials, colors, finishes, and patterns. The tiles are made of meterials that have a low moisture absorption rate, similar to clay and concrete. This helps to make them almost unbreakable. They are even tough enough to install and hold solar panels. The spanish tile is a very durable tile, and at the same time requires little maintenance. In Sourthern California and Florida, you will find that the spanish style tile is very predominant. The red style spanish tiles are very popular. Another style that is less in weight, is called a half barrel, which looks like a cylinder that was cut in half, and are ususally sixteen inches long. You many find many historical buildings today with spanish style tiles. These tiles can be removed and repaired. Any where that may have warm climates seem to favor the spanish style tile. It has a natual ability to capture light, and blends in with the natural surrounds of the home. The tile will withstand any rough weather, and are not costly when repairs are needed. But they do require occasional cleaning. When cleaning time comes, it is best to assess the tiles conditions. It is important to note when the tiles are wet they will appear darker, so it is important to look the tiles over for the dirty parts before wetting. Spraying on the far corners should be done first. You can use a power washer that is powerful and have a setting that will lift the algae or mold that may form on the tile surface. You can use a long handled brush to scrub areas that may have heavy mold and algae deposits. The rest can be sprayed with a bleach solution to remove any stains and stubborn dirt, but make sure you rinse really good.

 

Slate Roofing

One of the oldest roofing materials out there are slate roofs. What is a slate roof? Well it is composed of individual tiles that are made of natural stone, formed under intense hear and pressure. Thus slate is fine grained rock that splits along the cleavage planes. Slate roofing dates back to the 1600's. You find alot of slate roofing on old archeological homes. There are benefits to slate roofing, thus it is a high quality material. Hard, and will not saturate with water. It is fireproof, and can last well over a hundred years. There are even environmental considerations, in that slate is a responsible material. Since the slate roofing will out last the structure, it can be recycled many times over. You can find slate companies mostly along the Eastern Shore States, from New York to Vermont. One fact about owning a slate roof is, to keep the longevity of it you should make sure the rain and snow will slide off it when constructed, therefore it is usually constructed on a steep roof that is to steep to walk on. Today's market gives you the option of choosing a slate roof as well as synthetic slate roofs. The synthetic has many reasons why it is the better choice. The synthetic slate roof by far is the best cost effective choice. It also has the same qualities of natural slate. Even the visual is identical in color and texture. The shape is even the same as the natural slate. With natural slate one thing to be concerned about is the weight on the roof. Stone is heavy, and this means there is more pressure that is resting on your joists. This is a big concern when putting slate on older homes. The synthetic slate tiles are much lighter, and have fewer worries. The cost of the synthetic slate tile also is much lower in cost for installation as well. And if ever needed, these tiles are much easier to replace. Also the synthetic slate tile, comes in a large range of colors. The homeowner is given more choices to find a color they prefer. Installing the tiles are done in a pattern, adding texture and style to any home. The pattern and shape of the tile can be altered to add more depth and texture. Some other advantages of synthetic slate roofs are they can be installed in the same manner as shingles. Not taking as long to install. There are not that many alterations that will be needed. Using real slate sometimes requires joists to be replaces or reinforced. With the synthetic slate tile, this does not need to be done before installation. Just about all standard roof structures can support the synthetic slate tile. So when re-doing your roof you may consider going with synthetic slate tiles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workboot Product Review

  Pronghorn GTX is my work boot of choice for the winter months. The 6 inch Hunting Boot is a durable full-grain leather. And I can count on it for the days when it's wet outside. Here are the boots features:

Durable full-grain leather, plus breathable 1000 Denier nylon upper

100% waterproof GORE-TEX ® lining for ultimate, breathable comfort

Nylon Shank

Advanced stability and exceptional support of the TERRA FORCE ® platform

Fatigue Fighter ™ footbeds for quick drying and high mileage arch support

Claw-like Danner Mountain Goat TF ™ outsole for superior traction over rugged terrain

Scuff-proof Tech-Tuff toe and heel

Ideal for high mileage over rugged terrain

Anyone in construction would ove these, great for hunting to!

Roof Rafters is Today's talk of the Blog

There are seven types of different roof rafters that are used to build a roof. Gable is the simple one, it uses only one common rafter. Three other types are the common, hip and hip jack, all needed to frame the hip roof. All of these can be cut from common framing lumber, laminated veneer, glued laminated beams, timbers, steal or I beams from wood called TJI.
The common rafter is found in framed roofs that run from the exterior wall up to the ridge board. These set the height and center the ridge board of the span. The ridge board locations establishes the hip and valley rafters location. Hip rafters are 45 degree angles to the commons, they are from the outside corners of the building to the ridge board. Hip jacks on the outside walls, then run up to the hip rafter which is in line with common rafters. Valley rafters are then placed at the inside corners to the ridge, and then they are also at 45 degree angles to the commons. The valley jacks then run from the valley rafter up to the ridge board, and are in line with the commons. Then there are the cripple jacks, they are used if a valley and hip are located close together, and go from a valley to the hip rafter. A flying hip, is also known as the mystery hip, and go from a valley rafter meeting a ridge to the end of a higher ridge board.
Cutting a notch that allows a rafters underside to sit flat on the wall's top plate is called a "birds mouth" or a "birds beak". To properly cut one of these you must know the desired slope or pitch of your roof and the length of the individual rafter. Knowing this you can use a carpenter's rafter table with framing square to then layout the location in where all the rafter cuts will include a bird's mouth cut.
Know that rafters are sloped timbers that are supporting a building's roof from the gable peak to the overhang. The rafters ends are noses of those beams at the edge of the roof. Southwest architecture are long exposed rafters that extend from the end of a roof, and has decorative mill work which is called rafter tail. This gives the support beams visual appeal.
What is a bullnose rafter? These are ends that are popular southwest style that are simple to mill and easily added to existing roofs which already have exposed rafter ends. To make these, is to round off the lower end of a rafter. Then you have a double bullnose, these are popular also in the southwest style, a variation on the basic bullnose style. The end of these are composed of two curves on the same end. The upper portion is heart shaped carved out of the lower corner of a rafter. The crown and the scroll rafter ends are another southwestern rafter style, they both ornate more than the bullnose varieties, but are just as appealing. The ends of the crown rafters are inset bullnose with sharp edges at both of the ends of the curve. Ends are scrolled to resemble a S shape curve that is just below the upper corner of the rafter, and terminates a small notch at the bottom.

Dry Rot

What is dry rot? Well dry rot is decay that happens in the timber, in buildings or any wood structured building. It is caused by certain typs of fungi. This type of rot occurs with out the source of water. The history of dry rot goes back in time with the decay of cured wood in construction. Point in case dry wood versus newly felled trees. The fungus that causes dry rot usually attacks the part of the wood that provides the wood's strenght, and stiffness. Weak wood is somewhat on the dry side, and this is where the name dry rot came from. It may even have a brittle and or blockly bubbly look. The odd side of it dry rot results from to much moisture in contact with the wood. This fungus has the ability to transport water from wet areas to dry areas. This is what allows the fungus to grow. And it is growing in dry wood. It can eventually disintegrate wood if left untreated. So often dry rot is confused and thought to be a carpenter ant or termite problem. Of course when trying to prevent dry rot damage, you want to try and reduce excess moisture. If you have a leaky pipe or infiltration problem, you want to get it contained as soon as possible.

Question and Answer for the Day Is ?

Often when driving around, you will see roofs on homes that have black streaks running down them. Could it be from acorns rolling down the roof, is it smut coming from the chimney, or is it the shingles are loosing their granules? Well maybe, but I would be more inclined to say its algae or moss.

Product Review for Today is.............

Later on in my post I will get to talking about the importance of roof ventilation. But for now I wanted to share with my fellow bloggers the most common venting system I use, and what product I use for it. For all most all my jobs when installing ridge vent I use a product called Cobra. The reason being Cobra Ridge Vents Low profile fiber mat lets the maximum airflow, and yet it prevents water and insect infestation. When you are driving along take notice at the top of a house you will see some that are flat and some that are raised. The raised is because the home has ridge vent. I swear by this product it is one of the best out there.

CSN Review

Head over to Csn stores it, has so many items to choose from like modern furniture, coffe tables, bookshelves and to much more to list. They honestly have over 200 stores...endless! But don't take my word for it, go and check it out for your self. And make sure you tell all your friends, and family members to! This is one of my favorite places to shop, and I hope it becomes yours to.

Lets go over skylights

A skylight is a special type of window built into the roof of a house, or commerical property, in order to allow the natural light to come into the house directly. A skylight may be installed for aesthetic purposes, or even as part of a general passive-heating strategy. With so many different types of skylights, with so many different designs, as well as so many materials, and even more added components.

So oftern customers end up choosing a skylight that is far too large for their house feeling this will let as much light in as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes even the best skylights have much poorer insulation than a comparable space of roof, so a large skylight is allowing large amounts of heat to escape during cold weather, therefore letting to much heat to enter the house during warm weather. This is why, it is recommended to consider how much direct sun the homeowners roof receives, and how great the temperature shift is from one season to another, before choosing to have a skylight installed. In general, a skylight usually allows approximately eight times as much light to enter the house as the same as, a comparably sized wall window.
The three main classes of a skylight that are, widely in use are, a ventilating skylight that may be opened to allow air to pass through. These skylights are the perfect choice for a homeowner or property owners bathroom or kitchen, where they will help to relieve any excess moisture and to keep the flow of air steady flowing. Ventilating skylights are most of the time controlled by a remote, or a hand crank, or even by an automatic sensor which will track inside temperature.

Next is a fixed skylight. This is any type of skylight which can not be opened. This type of skylight is only used to allow light to pass into the house, or commercial property. At Lasts, is the tubular skylight it is a essentially a very small skylight, that is intended mainly for a hallway or any small room where a traditional skylight would not be a easy fit.
All toll there are nine main skylight styles to choose from, in which may be used for both ventilating the home or commercial property, and fixed skylights that may also be used. Five of these do come in a small to mid-size housing, the cost and difficulty of installation depends greatly on the style the homeowner or property owner choose's.
The flat skylight is the most common skylight that is choosen by a homeowner, or property owner, usually being a square or rectangular piece of flat glass or even arylic, which can be fixed or ventilating. The round skylight comes out of the roof as a half-sphere bubble. The polygon skylight peaks up out of the roof and has a number of glass or acrylic polygons -- these skylights can be very expensive than simpler models, but are also very impressive to the eye. The pyramid skylight is simple, four-triangle pyramid  that juts out of the roof. Lastly, is the dome skylight which is similar to the flat skylight, with the exception, of,  that the glass rounds up past the surface of the roof.
Also in addition to these primary residential styles, there are also four styles of skylights more often associated with large buildings. The first being the hip ridge skylight which is a long rectangular skylight that peaks up above the roof surface then to a central ridge, which than has a sloping triangular piece of glass on either short end. Next is the ridge skylight which is a simpler version, it has, two long triangles sloping in towards one another, and then has straight triangles closing off either end. Also there is a lean-to skylight which is a simple slope, which rises from the roof of one story and ends by leaning against the upper wall of the next story. And there is the barrel vault skylight is even a more complex form of the lean-to, This consists of a half-sphere against an upper wall, often seen in large arboretums.
The two main materials that is often used to construct a skylight are glass and acrylic. They both have their strengths and they both have their weaknesses, and most often it comes down to a simple matter of what the homeowners, or property owners preference is. Both of these, have different glazings that are available, different insulation factors, and both have a slightly different look to the trained eye. Other synthetic materials are also sometimes used, this is Lexan, which has a added benefit of high durability, in which is recommended for regions that often have powerful storms.
 Then there is the glazing insulation factor, and the durability of a skylight  in which are all additional factors to take into consideration when a homeowner or property owner is purchasing a skylight. Glass skylights can be purchased with multiple panes, which the area between the panes are serving as a region of insulation. All the skylights can be glazed to shield against UV radiation, this will reduce the amount of light allowed to pass, or even increase the amount of heat that will be retained. The price for buying and installing a basic skylight can cost approximately between US$1000-US$2000, getting into the more durable and more technologically advanced models, you will see a  increase in the price. Ornate shapes and peaks also will  add  to the cost significantly, while the installation of multiple modules may reduce the cost more noticeably.

electrobloom*: HOLLY AND FRIEND

electrobloom*: HOLLY AND FRIEND

Writing & Exploring: The Seventh Horn - Excerpt 4

Writing & Exploring: The Seventh Horn - Excerpt 4: " This portion of Market Street that extended beyond City Hall to the east was not as torn up and broken down as other part..."

Ice on the Roof

With the weather the way it is today, you are looking at getting ice damns. The rain is a good thing to get rid of all this snow, but with the temps we are having you are looking at ice dams. As I stated before,

leaves and snow are simple, but when it comes to clearing layers of frozen ice from your fragile gutters is a daunting task. Many home- owners or any property managers face ice-dammed and snow-capped roofs every season. Here are a few ideas you the home-owner or property manager can do for eliminating those icy conditions.

• Start the winter season with completely cleared gutters before the ice and snow even start. Ice is less likely to build up and cause dams if there is nothing in your gutters before the temperatures drop.
• Check your downspouts for any blockages. Clear any debris from the downspouts, if you do this melting water from the gutter ice will begin to run off immediately.
• To remove the excess snow from the roof, use a roof rake by pulling the snow in a downward direction from the roof slopes. Don't pull the snow across the roof because you can start breaking off shingles. 
• You can, very carefully use a chisel, large screwdriver or the back of a hammer to chip away at a small portion of the gutter ice. But don't start chipping until you have gotten all the snow swept off the roof. You only need to chip enough ice away to get a even water can flow. It is very important to chip gently, the gutters probly are already under an enormous strain.
• Hose down the gutter with hot water if at all possible. This step is optional, and could be tricky to accpolish. As long as you have gotten the snow is cleared off the roof, gutter ice will melt quickly as the temperatures rise. It may even be possible to hose down the gutter to melt the ice. Only use a hose with a spray nozzle and if you can produce hot water. Of course, the temperature must be warm enough for the water to not freeze again.
• Installing gutter guards, and aluminum heating panels or wire mesh heating guards will also help prevent ice dams. You can also have installed custom heating systems that are designed to stop ice before it solidifies on your roof and also in your gutter. This is a option that could be expensive, but one that would save you time and money every winter.

  
  
   

   

   

    

   

 

   

Ice and Rescue

Well my wife's bird feel down out of the tree today, I knew around 5am she is used to eating but, that's not why she came down. It started snowing last night and with that and the rain and ice her wings we're starting to freeze. I got up before 5am watched her and she tried to fly and feel to the ground. I got her in the house fast, me and my wife blew dry her and took turns holding her for body heat. She is doing good, eating and drinking and playing on her cage. Thank god, because I tryied getting her since 11am yesterday. And I don't think if she stayed up there she would have made it. And with this ice I don't think I would have been able to climb any tree's today.

Todays Post & Review

Still no work on the board, but then again the weather doesn't look goo for this week. Today I was cleaning out our heater filter and when I went out the back door, our amazon grey parrot got out. I have been climbing trees all day. She is still up there and it is now 7pm. If she makes it through the night I will be out there bright and early. So I wanted to try and blog alittle while taking a break on shining a flashlight on her to make sure she is OK. I wanted to let everyone know about the number cleaning product that I use alot to clean grease off siding, and mold off roofing shingles. Simple Green is my choice. I sometimes don't even mix it with water, just use it straight out of the bottle. This product is from Sunshine MFG. I usually pick up a gallon bottle at my local Auto Zone store. It last me at least three months. My wife also uses it for household cleaning. She loves the scent. And with the pet's we have never had a problem. The other day we cleaned the grout on the marble floor in the kitchen and the simple green cleaned it in one two three. This product also comes in a lemon scent that my wife keeps up in the bathroom. We have a tub that was done by bath fitters and she uses the lemon scent to clean the tub. It leaves a nice shine. The best thing about simple green is that it is non toxic, so it's a "nice green economy product". This product I highly recommend.

Shingle eater review

Shingle eater is the most valuable tool when ripping shingles off the roof. When this product first came out, I purchased several of them. It made ripping the shingles off ten times faster than the old fashion way. I used to have to use a little shovel before this product came out. Using a little shovel made the job take more time to do. Using this product I can usually get the shingles off in a matter of hours. These tools are made by Shingle Eater MFG. They are very durable and do not bend. There lifespan is depending on usuage usually last is two years, and that is basically using it everyday. I usually use the larger ones, it is easier on the back, cuts out alot of bending. Roofing can be very rough, these things have fallen off the roof many times and they are still durable. There are no parts to remove and replace. The construction of them are the best I have seen. They will definately increase any roofers productitivy regardless of the roof pitch. You can choose the shingle eater that is right for you regardless of your height and size. They come with four to ten teeth. I prefer the ten tooth overall. That is the best for large jobs. For smaller jobs I prefer the four tooth shingle eater. Shingle eater stands by their product. Shingle eater has been in business for twenty five years, and after you use their product you can see why. This is a product valuable to the roofing industry. Easy to find they are available at most place's that sell roofing materials. I give this product ten stars.

Stanley tape measure Review

This is my tape measure of choice. When I am doing roofing I need a strong product. My first and only choice is the stanley fat max tape measure. The size I prefer is 35', when measuring the roof. I can keep this tape measure right in my tool pouch it fits perfectly. It is durable and dependable. This product would be a great benefit to any one in construction. If you are looking for a good tape measure, than the stanley tape measure is a great choice to buy.

Quote for the day

The minor towers next to the citizen. Let me know what you thing this means to you.

Saturday and still not...............................

working. I went yesterday to pick up a small paycheck for a repair I did. It will at least cover my wife's truck payment. The month is almost over though and we still have alot of unpaid bills, and money to come up with. It's fair to say the credit cards are going to have to wait. This recession is killing the construction workers. At least the ones I know. Most guy's here in New Jersey have not worked since the last snow storm after Christmas. Alot of people are hurting. Being self employed is getting harder and harder. I used to be in the resturant business I started as a bus boy, if I had stayed maybe by now I would have been a cook. My wife and I love to cook. One of our dreams is to get a lunch truck. But every time we save money of course out the door it goes. I tryed doing house's directly without subcontracting but it was to slow getting work. That's why I decided to subcontract. The plan be would have to be to give up and sell everything not nailed to the wall, buy a rv and do full time rv living. My wife assures me that it's just the winter months but it seems to get worse and worse every year. The government gave the banks all this money but yet the banks don't want to help any one.

Let's talk Solar

It's not just solar panels anymore, they now have many products out there "like solar asphalt shingles". Uni-Solar is one maker of this great new product. They look just like asphalt shingles. To minimize interconnects, they come in 4'x8' sheets.The product is the best when going solar. The sheets can't be cut, so you need a roof with lots of space where there is nothing sticking up out of it (vents, skylights, chimneys). The PV shingles are nailed onto the plywood sheathing of the roof, interconnections are made under the plywood. Regular asphalt shingle are used to fill in around the edges. Shingles that are used will match the existing color. The DC electricity from the shingles is then routed to a battery bank or inverter, usually a electrician is needed for that process. Solar panels and photovoltaic shingles both collect sunlight and they convert it into energy. Solar shingles, are a photovoltaic roofing material that closely resembles standard asphalt shingles.

There are many types of photovoltaic roofing products and they compliment many different roofing materials including asphalt shingles, standing seam metal roofing, and slate or concrete tiles. BIPV roofing products are produced by mfg's whose products are designed to serve both functions. As a roofing material to protect the home and as a electrical device to produce electricity. PV systems can be sized on a small scale this will produce a limited amount of energy or can be large enough to power an entire home and to send excess electricity to the utility.

 this is what it may look like.

This is a ice dam

When snow accumulates on a roof a cycle of melting and refreezing can occur. The snow melts on the surface of the roof as heat escapes from the attic through the roof. As the water runs down the roof it refreezes near the edge of the roof where heat escape is less and the surface of the roof is colder. This refreezing gradually builds up a ridge or heap of ice commonly referred to as an ice dam. The ice dam blocks the flow of melting snow, causing water to pool up behind the ice. When the ice dam reaches a certain size the water behind it will seep under the roofing, through the roof causing damage to the roof, attic, insulation, ceiling and walls inside the house. This situation can cause a lot of damage to a house and damage can occur quickly, especially as spring approaches and mild days cause water to pool up quickly.

Keep this in mind

You should use a roof rake to clear at least a few feet from the edge (eaves) of the roof to prevent ice dams.When the ice builds up high enough, the water from the snow melting can't run off the roof, allowing it to find a way under your shingles. The pitch(slope)of your roof is also a factor if you have a steep pitched roof you have less to worry about. The weight of the snow is distributed more to the outside walls if the pitch is steep, and more onto the rafters if the pitch is low.The snow MUST be removed if the forecast calls for rain.The snow will act like sponge holding the water and adding an incredible amount of weight.

Get Ice out of Gutters

Cut up a pair of pantyhose so that you have two "legs." Fill the legs with calcium chloride.

2

Lay the sausage-shaped hose packets perpendicular to your gutters over the roof. You should position them at least 18 inches apart for the best results.

3

Chisel a pathway through the ice so that any runoff from the roof will have some place to drain. You don't have to chisel the entire dam away, as the water which runs off will be above freezing and will help melt the rest.

4

Attach a garden hose to a spigot and run it over the downspout. Turn the water on to get a small stream. Place the garden hose over the downspout so the water drips into the spout. As long as the water is warmer than freezing, it will help break up the ice.

5

Install roof-mounted heating cables in the gutters once they have been cleared to keep the ice from forming again.

 

Ice out of the gutters

Start every winter season with completely cleared gutters. Ice is less likely to build up and cause dams if there is nothing in your gutters when the temperature drops.

2

Check your downspouts for blockages. Clear any debris from the downspouts, and melting water from the gutter ice will begin to run off immediately.

3

Remove excess snow with a roof rake by pulling the snow downward in the direction the roof slopes. Do not pull the snow across the roof because you run the risk of breaking off shingles. (Roof rakes can be purchased at most hardware stores.)

4

Use a chisel, large screwdriver or the back of a hammer to chip away at a small portion of the gutter ice. Don't start chipping until the snow has been swept off the roof. You only need to chip enough ice to create an area through which water can flow. Chip gently; your gutter is already under an enormous strain.

5

Hose down the gutter with hot water. This step is optional. As long as the snow is cleared off the roof, gutter ice will melt quickly as the temperature rises. If you feel you can't wait for this, hose down the gutter to melt the ice. Only use a hose if it has a spray nozzle and you can produce hot water. Also, the temperature must be warm enough for the water to not freeze on contact with the ice.

6

Consider the installation of gutter guards and aluminum heating panels or wire mesh heating guards.
 

Shovel for snow removal on roof

A roof snow shovel is also known as a roof rake. It's essentially a long telescoping pole, at the end of which is a flat steel plate. The bottom half of this plate is bent inward at a 90-degree angle. Attached to this bottom lip is a flexible strip of high-density rubber, similar to a squeegee. It's designed to free a house's roof of snow.

Need for a Roof Snow Shovel

Most northern homes are designed to have slanting roofs. The purpose of this is to prevent the shear weight of a heavy mass of snow from caving it in. Not all houses have a sufficient angle to do this. Houses in temperate and subtropical zones may not have such roofs at all. This necessitates a roof snow shovel if the home's owner wants to keep the roof intact.

Function

Most single homes have roofs that are low enough to reach with the pole of a roof snow shovel without climbing a ladder. Some people would need to purchase an extra pole to extend their reach even further. This is important because the user standing at the top of a ladder is a serious hazard. Since the head of the shovel is turned inward, snow is pulled off the roof to land at the user's feet. If the user is on a ladder, the considerable weight of a great deal of snow could hit him once it's dislodged and knock him clean off the ladder to strike the ground below.

 

Flat Roof Snow Removal

Snow accumulation on flat roofs can pose a safety problem, as the weight of the snow can exceed the safe carrying capacity of the roof. Water accumulated as snow melts can also cause leaks. Hand-shoveling snow off the roof is one of the few options available if the snow load on a flat roof reaches an unacceptable level.

Flat Roof Snow Removal

1. Building codes in snow-prone areas usually require roof construction capable of handling a considerable snow load. Building owners or managers should know the pounds per square foot the roof is capable of carrying safely.
   
   The weight of snow varies with the water content. In some areas snow is relatively dry and light. Other areas receive snow that is wet and heavy when it falls. The snow will also vary as winter progresses. Early fall and late spring snowstorms often contain more moisture and heavier snow.
   
   Gather 1 cubic foot of snow, melt it and weigh the water. If the water in 1 cubic foot of snow weighs 3 pounds, for example, and there is an average snow depth on the roof of 2 feet, the average load on the roof is 6 pounds per square foot.
   
   On some roofs deeper snow accumulations occur in obstructed areas such as around plumbing vents or heating or air-conditioning units. If the average weight of a cubic foot of snow is 3 pounds and the snow is 6 feet deep in one area of the roof, the load on that area is 18 pounds per square foot. If the roof has a safe load of 15 pounds per square foot, for example, the snow would need to be removed from that area.
   
   Few mechanized options exist for removing snow from a roof. Even if tractors or other snow-moving equipment could be placed on the roof it would likely exceed the safe load-carrying capacity of the roof. Shovels and walk-behind snow blowers can usually be used safely. However, if the roof is at or near capacity from the snow load, workers should be cautioned to spread out to avoid concentrating additional weight in one spot of the roof.

 

Get the Snow off

As we wait for the rain, we already know the ice will follow. That said, that could mean more problems for roofs already weighed down by snow. I already talked about some tips for protecting your home.

 I cant stress enough about clearing snow off rooftops. “Everything has a weight limit. You really don't know when something could happen. You've got to keep in mind that a lot of the older homes were built with two-by-fours.” All snow considered, it’s ice damming that is actually the bigger concern. It can lead to water leaking into your walls, ceilings and insulation. Removing the snow is part of preventitve maintenance on your home. “Four to five inches at a time, or three inches at a time is fine because then the sun comes out and helps melt it down, but more than three inches at a time doesn't do anyone any help at all,” As long as the snow on your roof isn’t deeper than the head of your shovel, you shouldn't have to climb up onto your roof. I recommend sticking to the edges and in doing so putting your own safety first.

After clearing that few feet of snow from the edges and knocking the icicles down, one nice sunny day should leave you with clear shingles around the edge of your roof and allow the snow to melt up top.

I do not recommend hacking at the ice build up in the gutters, again leaving that to the sun.

A couple of other tips: make sure you have a decent ladder and use a plastic shovel so you don't rip up your shingles.

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Today's Chore

Today I went back into the basement to strip wire's for copper. By the time I go back to work, my body will need to invest in a case of Icy Hot. As far as I can see, no one is working. So I know people have got to be hurting with money just as bad as we are. The storm hasn't started yet, but I am prepared to wake up to it tomorrow. I just hope this is the last freaking one. I am going to do my best to be more prepared next year. But it never fails when you save money something always happens and there it goes out the door.

A Change may be coming soon!

I have a job interview this Thurs. hopefully work will pick up. The last thing I want is to sit home for another week. Hopefully this snow will stop soon. The weather after this so called storm looks good. Well anyway yesterday's house emergency turned out to be nothing like the home owner claimed. It was really a waste of time. I can't express enough though how important it is to take care of your home's roof. I know that when people hear there's a problem with there roof, they panic and think thousands of dollars. But by waiting as this homeowner did to take care of a problem, only makes the problem worse. They called and thought the snow on their roof was causing a leak, when it was really leaking from a problem of not taking proper care of your roof. And then they still didn't want to take care of the problem. Estimates are free, but to come out and say it's a service call is not free. My time is my money, I had to in five minutes get my crew together, my one guy had to drop his child off at the sitters and get to the home. What could have been avoided, now is going to cost the homeowner. For my company estimates are free, this would include putting a ladder up to the roof and doing a walk around to inspect it for problems. The roof of your home is a valuable asset, just like your water heater, and furance. You can live in a home with out them. So why let your roof leak. Patching with tar does not always work. You can only repair so long, then in the long run the price becomes more expensive. On general it only takes one day to apply a new roof. Compared to constantly repairing it over and over again. As I said appling a roof patch is only temporary, internal materials used to construct any type of house are not made to withstand water. Those roof patch products range from cement to spray-on materials, but once again they will only last so long. The cement type products will require you to remove the damaged area components and generally smooth the surface. This creates a palette for application of the hardening materials. These are usually applied in stages with drying times needed in between applications.
They will offer a longer sealing life, but are nonetheless still temporary. They will also require tools for damage removal and to correctly place the cement. It is strongly suggested that you research general instructions so as not to make the problem worse.
There are also simple, low labor roof patch options for a quick fix. There are spray-on products that contain flexible and durable elements for use around flashing, pipes and vents. These products require no site preparations and will meet your immediate needs. You can use them in any weather, and they will seal under wet conditions.
There are also simple, low labor roof patch options for a quick fix. There are spray-on products that contain flexible and durable elements for use around flashing, pipes and vents. These products require no site preparations and will meet your immediate needs. You can use them in any weather, and they will seal under wet conditions.
They expand and contract with the climate and offer a great solution to an immediate need. In spite of the claims of the companies carrying these products, they are, again, temporary solutions. That being said, it is better to use these options than to let your roof leak through even one more rain event.
There are times when you will need a roof patch due to storm or other environmental damage. If you have a shingle, tile or wood shake roof, the process can be more involved than the above scenarios. This will require the correct removal around damaged area. If you are unfamiliar with the processes required, contact me to ensure the proper procedures are used.
Replacing the damaged materials will require skilled labor and the know-how to match the surrounding surfaces. This, unlike the options above, is the permanent solution to your roof damage.

NO Pay no Play

Another day of not working. So I took the day stripping wires for copper. You have to do what you have to do. This snow is killing business. I just wish spring would come fast. There's work out there, but the snow is killing it. I can't even find snow removal work because I only own a snow blower and not a plow. I want to buy one, but my luck I will buy it and it won't snow. I want to get me a John Deere Plow if they make one.

A little bit of this & that

With all this snow I have been window shopping online. I haven't bought any new tools in awhile. But when this weather breaks and things get better, I need some coil roofing nail guns, don't care if its hitachi or dewalt, or, The Max, Hitachi, Senco, DeWalt, Spotnails, Porter-Cable, and Bostitch all drive nails. Some Makita's will even do.

Snow Snow no More Snow

Today's snow wasn't two bad. Hopefully the next storm will turn out to be the same. I know people who plow need it. But us contractors that Roof don't. Home Depot is out of shovels and out of salt. So that means someone is working. I don't know how people who have lost everything have done it. These past weeks have been so stressful. Last year's snow brought in alot of money so I know the snow can bring a profit. We removed alot of snow from flat roofs last year. It took digging overnight for many nights. At times it was even dangours. Getting the snow off a flat roof is very important. To much snow weight can cause the roof to clapse very quickly. Cleaning snow at home is also important. A great product is Morton Melters. The have alot of different products, the best one for me is the is the pet friendly one since I do own pets. Also a great way to melt ice off a roof is  calcium chloride will eventually melt through the snow and ice and create a channel for water to flow down into the gutters or off the roof. They also sell a product called roofmelt. You toss the tablets onto the roof and it starts to melt the snow and ice off. Great product.

Here we go again

Snow again, I haven't worked in three weeks. First it was the holidays, then it was snow. And now they are calling for more snow. Spring can't come fast enough. I had to go do a little work today. How I make it through this month, I will need a miracle.

Home Again

Home again, and the worst part they are the weather channel states there is more snow coming this weekend. My wife had bought me a new garmin gps for christmas, I was looking forward to using it for work. So since I am home I have watching Netflix. My wife love Netflix, so much we really don't need all those movie channels on tv.

Pneumatic nail guns

The top brand names for nail guns are Stanley, Bostitch, Porter Cable, DeWalt, Paslode, Hitachi, Makita, Senco, Bosch, Ryobi and Craftsman.The most common power nailers and are powered by air pressure from a small compressor. In order to fire a nail form the gun, a valve opens and air fills a cylinder. The cylinder has a piston which is driven downward very fast and it forces the nail into the material you are working on. Air from the compressor is released from the nail gun through an exhaust vent when the piston is fully extended. At this time the piston recoils and another nail is loaded into position. Pneumatic nail guns need constant compressed air to work properly and each nailer has certain air requirements. Nail guns operate between a range of pressure that is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). They also need a minimum volume (cubic feet per minute - cfm) of air for the best results. Manufacturers say that any restrictions in the air hose will decrease the air pressure and volume - therefore hoses that are too long, the wrong size, or have a lot of moisture will lower airflow and potential cause poor performance or premature wear. If you want your nailer to work correctly, then make sure you buy an air compressor that is equal to or greater than the requirements of your nail in terms of air pressure and air volume. There are cordless nail guns (power nailers) but instead of using compressed air from a compressor, they use flammable gas to drive nails. Gas is drained from a disposable canister and injected into a combustion chamber above the piston.

Hopefully tomorrow a fax will come over with a work order. I know things would be better if it wasn't for all the snow around Lakewood. When I went down last Thursday there we're still roads that we're not plowed. When you live pay check to pay check you sure can't keep sitting home. Hopefully tomorrow will bring work for the week, I will keep my fingers crossed.

Keeping it Safe

The thing that makes shingling and roofing so dangerous is that it is an activity done high above the ground. The opportunity for injury from falling off a roof due to a misstep, carelessness, or simply not taking time to prepare the proper structures would seem obvious. But it is a fact that people hurt themselves all the time from falls from their roof-top. There is also, of course, the possibility of injury due to strain from carrying heavy bundles of shingles.

There are various scaffolding systems that you can use, ladder jacks, pump jacks, ladder hooks (used for laying a ladder vertically on a roof and securing it to the other side) and more. You can even nail 2X4s into the sheathing to give you support and to give you a foothold. Follow all safety instructions on ladders and scaffolding hardware. Even the angle a ladder is positioned against an eave can mean the difference between life and death.
For a low pitched roof, scaffolding will not be necessary, but in this case you should still be aware of sliding hammers, or other tools that could fall on the head of a passerby below. For this reason, you should secure the area at the edges of the roof.
Hammers on thumbs, cutting yourself with the utility knife, or slicing yourself on the corner of a piece of metal flashing. All this can happen to even the most experienced roofer. Be sure to dress adequately, wear gloves, and have a first aid kit handy.
Another danger in shingling is heat stroke. Keep yourself well-hydrated. The temperatures on a roof can far exceed those on the ground. Don't be cavalier about the height and do not let children or pets run around on a roof. They do not understand the danger.
Ultimately, the best safety measure is the application of common sense. If something looks dangerous, it probably is.

The first Process of Shingling

Before you acquire materials you must calculate the surface area of your roof. You cannot simply measure the length and width of your house and multiply them together. You must take into account the pitch of your roof as well as any added gables or dormers. This means that you should draw a map of your roof, then climbing up there and take measurements of the various surfaces. Make use of your high-school math and recall that Length X Width = Area. For triangular areas it is Length X Height X 1/2 = Area. Add up all your surface areas and you should come up with a close approximation of square footage.

Asphalt shingles come in bundles. Normally 3 or 4 bundles make up a square. A square of shingles is the number of shingles covers 100 square feet of roofing area. A bundle of shingles weighs about 70 pounds. There are about 27 strips to the bundle. For transporting these items to a roof, p use conveyor belts or fork lifts. A layer of felt paper is put down before the shingles are hammered home. Felt paper comes in rolls and generally has painted lines that you can use as a guide for keeping shingles straight as they are laid. Rolls come in various lengths. Roofing nails are fairly short and have a fair sized head. This makes them ideal for holding down the soft asphalt shingles. Your nails should be long enough to penetrate through any layers of shingles as well as the plywood sheathing. (1 1/4 inch nails should be sufficient for a new roof. Use 1 1/2 if going over a layer of old shingles.) A large quantity will be necessary. Each shingle will take a minimum of six nails to secure it to the roof. Drip-edge is used help protect the trim boards, facia boards and gable-ends. This is usually made of light aluminum sheet metal, easily cut by tin snips. It also helps prevent moisture coming back up underneath the shingles at the edge of the roof. Flashing is basically a role of sheet metal. Flashing may be cut with tin snips. It is placed around vertical surfaces such as chimneys and dormers as well as in valleys in order to form an impermeable barrier at these vulnerable points. There is specially designed pipe-flashing with a rubber gasket that helps seal vent pipes that protrude through the roof. It is okay to roof over a single layer of shingles. Shingling over more than one layer can cause problems with the roof's waterproof integrity. It also adversely affects the weight load supported by the structure. Doing a shingling job on an older home, it is highly likely that you will need to tear off old shingles.
Shingles are taken off in the reverse order of which they were put on. Which means that you begin at the top, pulling off the ridge shingles first.  When all the shingles are removed a quick survey of the roof is taken to make sure that you actually got all the old nails.  Roofs vary in pitch depending on style and the amount of snowfall in a region. Steeper roofs will typically be more difficult to work on because they require so much more scaffolding. However, they tend to wear better.  .

Tools of Trade

Tools for Shingling

In shingling, you can spend a lot of money for power tools using air pressure or electricity that will drive nails for you, and even lift your bundles up to the roof. These tools are very useful for the professional who does roof after roof. However, you probably have every tool you need to do a roofing job already tucked away in your tool box. For tearing off old shingles a square-edged garden shovel and a pry-bar will do. If you want to splurge, you can get a tool that looks an awful lot like a square-edged garden shovel with a jagged edge. This tool is variously called a roofer's spade, a roof ripper, a shingle remover, and anything else man's ingenuity can devise. Truthfully, the jagged edge does allow it to snag roofing nails a bit more easily.
Of course, you will need a hammer for driving roofing nails. You don't need a special hammer for roofing, but manufacturers make a heavier headed hammer with a longer flatter claw that you might find useful.
A utility knife is an absolute must for cutting shingles and trimming felt paper. Most come with a retractable blade. Be sure to have a good store of extra blades. Cutting shingles will quickly wear off the sharp edge.
Tin snips for cutting flashing, drip edge and anything else made from sheet metal tend to be more effective than using a hack saw or jig saw. You will variously need a tar brush and putty knife and like as not the ubiquitous screwdriver for occasional odd jobs such as opening tar containers or removing cable wires. At least one extension ladder will be essential for transporting yourself, your tools, and your materials to the roof. For higher pitched roofs, you may also want various appurtenances for scaffolding. These are items you likely do NOT have hanging about your garage. You can rent or buy ladder jacks, which connect to ladders and support 2X10s that you can walk, stand, or sit upon. Ladder hooks can be used to secure a ladder to a roof. A roof-top scaffold made with a pair of roof brackets can also come in handy. And Tarps to protect the landscaping.

Roofing Equipment

Some of my favorite places to get roofing and other construction supplies are Auxiliary service in Trenton NJ,802 Silvia Street Ewing, NJ 08628-3239 - (609) 530-0077. Others are Lowes, Hope Depot, and Amazon online.

Tools