Category: Roofing

Asbestos Lawsuits in Louisiana

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In towns and cities throughout the United States, asbestos lawsuits are increasingly prolific as individuals exposed to asbestos twenty and thirty years ago are today developing and dying from mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare and extremely lethal form of cancer, in which malignant cells are found in the protective sac covering most of the bodys internal organs. Mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos, takes up to three decades to strike its victims. Those with the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways.

Today, a growing number of mesothelioma lawsuits have succeeded in recovering hundreds of millions in compensation for the tens of thousands of mesothelioma victims. Compensation is paid by the companies that make these asbestos products, and enables victims to cover their medical expenses and to be compensated for their pain and suffering.

A current center of concern for asbestos victims is New Orleans. In the post-Katrina era, New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana is undergoing a boom in construction a business infamous for its use of asbestos products. Post-storm rehabilitations of homes, the related large-scale demolitions, and even just the ubiquitous roofing jobs currently underway are exposing thousands of people to asbestos. Despite these dangers, however, Congress is considering a Bill that would prevent someone who becomes ill with cancer as a result of post-Katrina asbestos exposure from getting financial relief.

The introduction of the Bill is being motivated by calls for tort reform among asbestos-related industries. Financially crippled by increasingly high rewards to asbestos victims, these industries want a cap on their liability. They cite a recent asbestos lawsuit in Louisiana, in which homeowners who purchased asbestos-contaminated fill dirt sued the contractor who sold them the soil, as well as the oil company where the dirt had been removed. Although none of the plaintiffs have yet become sick, a jury awarded them compensatory and punitive damages due to their fear of harm (rather than actual harm). The verdict was upheld by a Louisiana appeals court, which ruled that any exposure to a harmful substance, no matter how slight, justifies a lawsuit.

The new Bill, set for debate by Congress in February, would halt asbestos lawsuits. The Bill is seeking to protect companies with asbestos liability from further lawsuits by paying into a government administered trust fund, which would screen claimants through established medical criteria. Victims would be awarded compensation based on the severity of their illness. The Bill specifically states that the fund would not cover victims of environmental and neighborhood exposure, with the prime example being post-Katrina victims in New Orleans and across Louisiana. The Bill is widely opposed by the medical community, as well as by labor unions and citizens rights activists, particularly in the state of Louisiana.

How to Cool a School Cafeteria With Portable Air Conditioners

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Portable air conditioners are a practical alternative to central units; however, how a portable A/C cools a room is different than how central A/C cools a room. Cafeterias can pose several problems to portable air conditioner units including the size of the room, the number of windows in the room, and the number of children in the room. Here is a quick guide to explain how to cool a school’s cafeteria using portable air conditioning units.

Determine the number of units needed

Many portable air conditioners will detail the what size room it will effectively cool. As a general rule, the more powerful A/C units will keep larger rooms cool. However, it may not always be a good idea to buy one or two powerful A/C units and locating them in a cafeteria. If a lunchroom has a lot of windows, consider buying multiple weaker units to cool the room at different angles all at the same time. Because weaker units are cheaper than powerful units, this will save money for the school’s budget.

Determine the number of children in the room

Body heat can hinder an air conditioner’s performance. If there are a lot of children in the same room for a long time, body heat can collect and heat the room 10 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It may be necessary to purchase high powered units to compensate for the collection of body heat.

Start the units before the children arrive

Thirty minutes before the children arrive for lunch, turn on all the air conditioner units. This will give the room enough time to cool down without wasting a lot of electricity. If the kitchen is attached to the main cafeteria, start the A/C units 30 minutes before the cafeteria workers arrive. Kitchen ovens and stove tops can also add to the overall heat in a cafeteria.

Consider insulating

Insulation is what keeps cool air in and hot air out. Insulation can be expensive, but it can greatly reduce the amount electricity needed. A one-time insulation installation can reduce the operating costs in a school’s budget. Some companies offer discounts to school systems. Seek out a company that will work with a school’s budget and payment time frame for special services and operating costs.

Portable A/C units can be great benefits to a school, but it is important to take several considerations to mind. With a little preparation and creative thought, portable air conditioning can effectively cool a cafeteria and reduce the operating costs caused by central units.

Is LifeVantage a Scam

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Founded in 2003, LifeVantage Corporation is a publicly traded (ticker LFVN) MLM business specializing in scientific anti-aging products using its clinically studied Protandim supplement.

LifeVantage has a very interesting history

The company’s stock skyrocketed earlier on 2005 after they made public the clinical studies and television specials by ABC, the Today Show and PBS concerning their Protandim product in 2005, The corporation’s stock went through the roof. This early publicity sent their stock up to more than twenty dollars per share but it could not sustain it with no sales to support the hype. During this time Protantim was just obtainable by means of retail channels and it did not do well on the shelves of nutritional stores.

On May, 2009, after more than 6 months of planning and research they ventured into MLM for distribution|After more than 6 months of developing and preparation, in May of 2009. Not surprising to those who know the power of Multi-Level Marketing, LifeVantage sales have dramatically improved and with that their stock price has more than tripled from its lowest point of less than $0.10 in Nov. 2008. Still a bit too early to say, but it looks like network marketing is proving to be a good strategy.

As with all assessment, let’s start off with the easiest area to spot a scam THE PRODUCT!

Protandim Review – I cannot speak for the product since I’ve not yet tested it speak for the product. What I do know is I am more willing to try it than any other nutritional product I have seen recently due to the extensive clinical studies and peer reviewed studies that was used on it. More than twenty universities have started a number of self funded medical studies on the product in relationship to its relation on anti-aging and disease. Quite a few have been completed and are posted on www.pubmed.gov under Protandim to see.

In contrast to the majority of nutritional merchandise, Protandim is not an antioxidant by supplementation but rather a merchandise that activates the body’s production of its own natural enzymes which the body makes use of to tear down free radicals. Clinical studies appear to prove that it is many times more efficient than taking external antioxidants for this purpose. The LifeVantage corporate website () lists access to all the studies, information and news video releases on their product that explains how it acts and what it does.

What I like most regarding Protandim is the distinctive marketing approach it has

In constrast to many MLM companies which almost always use the old “try it out (for 30, 60 or 90 days) and see how you feel” script, LifeVantage distributors are able toconfidently exclaim that Protandim is clinically proven to lessen oxidative stress by slowing down the rate of cell aging to that of a 20 year old.

This alone is not enough to build a business on, but it’s a huge introduction for distributors. More often than not the hardest part in shaping a nutritional networking business is getting individuals to check out the product and LifeVantage holds the aces in this area.

I was pleasantly surprised at the price of the product. In an industry where product autoships are almost always above one hundred dollars per month, a one month autoship supply of Protandim for a retail “preferred customer” is only $39! This pricing is way less than the industry norm, thus making it doable to gain loyal retail consumers.

Besides the Protandim product, LifeVantage also has a skin care product called TrueScience which is a skin cream designed with the anti-aging properties of Protandim. What’s striking about the overall product line is its simplicity; just two fundamental products, with one core selling point, and a cost that is truly not expensive.

Ultimately it is going to take a lot more than research and advertising for a product to make it. Protandim will have to make a noticeable impression on the overall health of people taking it, whether it be additional energy, improved sleep, not getting sick as often, etc. There’s not a lot of individuals who will use their splurge on a product monthly based on research alone. If you are reading this article and have actually tried Protandim, please feel free give us comment on the product.

LifeVantage MLM compensation plan

I’m not going to go to the matter of how lucrative the MLM compensation plan is. There is quite a lot of money available in every MLM compensation plan as long as it’s legit. If you hear somebody going on about how their MLM comp plan pays the highest in the business, huge chance something is not right.

Technically speaking LifeVantage uses a unilevel pay plan paying down 9 dynamically compressed levels with the potential for a matching bonus on the 1st 4 levels and a coded bonus for LifeVantage pack qualifiers that allows for bonuses to be earned through unlimited depth. If none of this makes sense to you don’t worry about it.

The most important part about the MLM compensation plan is legal, because it only pays commissions on product sales. LifeVantage has taken an added step to promote the movement of product that I truly like and which does a lot to ensure legitimacy. Like all company, distributors must stay qualified to earn commissions, here in LifeVantage this means 200 PV per month in personal volume. The nice thing is that the volume generated from personal “preferred customers” reduces personal volume requirements for distributors. This means that as a distributor, I can reduce my monthly personal volume requirement down to the minimum of 30 PV if I have enough personal customers consuming product.

Behavior rewarded will be duplicated so when you see a company reward the enrollment of loyal retail “preferred customers” (individuals buying the product, but not does not involve themselves in the business opportunity), you will most likely have a higher customer to distributor ratio. This ratio is one of the most crucial things the attorney general and FTC look at when determining if a company is a pyramid scheme or not.

Company and Leadership of LifeVantage

There are a few notable points of interest about the LifeVantage beyond the short history I have mentioned. The company is a member of the Direct Selling Association () and the BBB (). They were implicated in and settled a lawsuit with Zrii. In this lawsuit, they were alleged to have conspired with ex- Zrii management/distributors to breach contracts and switch to companies. It was settled for 400,000 even if the lawsuit asked for damages of 250 million. This type of lawsuit is normal in the network marketing business and in my opinion nothing to be worried about.

As for the leadership behind the company, formerly with Metabolife, David Brown, is the CEO and Dr. Joe McCord, the driving force behind Protandim, is the Director of Science. It is noteworthy that Dr. McCord was the co-discoverer of antioxidant enzymes and their relationship to free radicals in 1968 at Duke University. It is also good to know that LifeVantage has skilled in-house legal counsel with Eric Marchant, who has counseled multi-national hundred million dollar network marketings in the past.

A quick look at the industry and competition

It is common knowledge that nutrition is the backbone of MLM industry and there is no doubt that the health and wellness industry is growing and will on the rise and will still increase. On the flipside I think at present you have an overload of companies coming into the industry and it is easy to get confused and be lost inside the rubble unless you have something exceptional I think LifeVantage has just that. With a low product price point and the type of studies and publicity behind Protandim, I think they are suited to thrive in the networking business.

In conclusion…

LifeVantage sells a legitimate product at a price point that real customers can afford and together with a compensation plan that for me solid more sturdy than your standard Multi-Level Marketing. While there is a lot of research and publicity behind this company you still want to be sure your belief is 100% behind it before delving into it. In multilevel marketing, belief in a product is still top priority and you cannot trade whatever amount of research for that. If you’re not willing to give it a year, then better if you don’t give it any other day at all. LifeVantage will work if you work it.

Small Bathroom Design Ideas

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Like most homeowners you probably wish you had a larger more luxurious bathroom in your home. If adding any more square footage is out of the question there are some design ideas that can make your small bathroom at least look and feel bigger and seem less cramped.

Bathroom remodeling ideas need not be limited to big, luxurious bathrooms that have more generous space and therefore are more able to move around their bathroom fixtures and remodeling plumbing and electrical outlets. Most homes will have small bathrooms and a small bathroom can have a cozy and intimate feel. However too often bathrooms are not looked at as a space where one can spend quality time. As a result many bathrooms are usually just designed to be comfortable and efficient enough.

Regardless of the style you choose to decorate your small bath, it nevertheless will remain a small bath. You can by using by using the right colors and lighting design, create a posh and cozy bathroom retreat.

Theories concerning space enlargement will apply to a bathroom as well as to any other room in your home. For example you might want to consider replacing a large vanity with a more stylish p pedestal sink.

You should cut back on anything that sticks out too much in the bathroom. See if you have any wall shelves, hanging racks, or decorative accessories on the walls that make your bathroom look smaller. Doing this should help make the bathroom feel larger.

You can create the illusion of height in your bathroom through the use of more vertical lines. For instance having bathroom tiles that go all the way to the ceiling or vertical stripes in a wallpaper pattern can also help make a small bathroom seem larger. Lining the edge of your ceiling with a border or a cornice, or even a painted tile around the top of the walls can help to create more visual depth. You can also find that by installing polished tiles and putting up mirrors can result in the area reflecting itself and helping to create the feel of additional square footage for your bathroom.

Letting your walls remain a neutral color like white or grey helps to create an impression of more space. Plus, if you draw the eye upwards, the room will look taller; so add a border around the ceiling to create more vertical depth. Also, installing polished tiles and hanging mirrors lets the area reflect itself, thereby creating the feel of additional square footage.

Lighting is a necessary component in creating an illusion of more space. One way to do this is to combine the mirrors with the lighting fixtures and the color. It is important to make sure that the lighting is spaced out correctly. You should have a strip of light bulbs installed above your main mirror.

Yet another good idea for those with small bathrooms is to replace the bathtub with an upscale shower design. This could be a glass cubicle with mirrors inside or an angled shower enclosure, what is usually called a quadrant corner shower unit.

Withstanding the Natural Elements with Style

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When putting on a roof you want one that will hold up to the elements. Many areas get a great deal of wind throughout the year. Others are environments where fires can happen. Rain and snow are other culprits. Moreover, sun can really do a number on any roof you might have. You need a roof that will stand up to that tough environment. Yet, you also want a roof that will enhance the look of your home. Many would love to have a slate roof. However, natural slate is expensive and heavy. To keep these two elements working well together, use polymer roofing shingles that look just like natural slate shingles.

You can have slate that looks quite natural or slate with a unique color. Many who have interest in polymer roofing shingles are replacing an existing natural slate roof. They love the look of the slate, but do not want the material, installation, and maintenance costs associated with natural slate on their new roof. You will find a rainbow of color options available with these tiles. The most popular shades are natural grays with some warm brown tones thrown in. Many choose to mix up the colors for a more natural random color palette.

You can get slate in single widths or multiple widths. Single width tiles will give you a uniform look that many love on modern homes. For those that want a more traditional look, the multiple width slate option is popular. The different widths help to keep the random pattern found in so many old slate roofs. When you mix random widths with slight variations in color, you will have a roof that closely mimics the look of a roof on a hundred year old home. Moreover, all of this comes with the ease of maintenance and repair of modern polymer roofing shingles.

You can obtain polymer roofing shingles that resemble natural slate that works well on any roof in any weather. One of the biggest problems with natural slate is its brittle nature. If something hits a tile, it is very likely to break. That means you need to do regular repairs if you live in a high wind area. With the polymer shingles, you do not need to worry. The impact resistance is only one of their many weather resistant features. This polymer is resistant to wind and ice as well. It is not a good place for fungus, algae, or insects either.

Invisible Roofing Insulation Shows Visible Results on Energy Bills!

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Due to the country-wide economic circumstances that are being felt by nearly every household, people have become very careful in their spending habits especially in the area of home renovations. Everyone is attempting to find ways to save money including in home improvements.

A good way to save money is to make sure the house is energy-efficient. One way to be sure of this is to improve heating and cooling loss through the attic/roofing area. It is important that a homeowner be informed about the need to properly insulate the housetop of a building before making any choices. Following is some information about roofing insulation and how to make the best selection in this area.

Reducing Heating/Cooling Costs

This barrier that is installed in an attic actually is a silent way of contributing to comfort inside any building. It helps maximize the amount of heating and cooling that must be provided to maintain an appropriate interior temperature; it will reduce a significant amount of the overall electricity and/or gas bill. How beneficial is it to save up to 13 percent on winter power costs and save even more on the summer power costs! It is a proven fact that the proper installation of energy efficient insulation under a roof has an amazing immediate effect on energy bills.

When renovating or remodeling, many homeowners focus their entire budget on visible items such as carpets, fixtures, etc. As important as aesthetics are, some of that budget should be diverted to unseen items that again can increase the energy-efficiency of the entire building; effective roof insulation is one of those items. Of course, this will not have visible results and add to the “wow factor” of the house. Since it does increase the comfort level, energy efficiency, and reduction of outside noise, it should make it a more-than-adequate reason to be a significant priority of the entire budget.

Purchasing the Best Type of Insulation

Purchasing only the best type of roofing insulation will result in greater energy efficiency. The material selected is usually laid between the support rafters underneath the plywood sheathing. There are two common types from which to select: traditional fiberglass and foam. Foam seems to be gaining popularity in the market today.

The foam board version is stapled to the sheathing. Right on top of the foam board, the roofing materials are laid and installed. When installing the fiberglass type, workers should wear masks, hand gloves and long-sleeved shirts for safety precautions. This prevents small glass fibers from getting inhaled into the lungs or getting onto the skin, causing allergic reactions or other health problems.

Foam can also be blown-in or sprayed into the same attic area and is a great option when space to install rolled sheet versions is minimal.

Fiberglass insulation comes in the form of rolls or batts. In addition to the fiberglass versions, there are also: mineral/rock and wool; fibers from plastic; and fibers from natural sources such as wool and cotton versions available in rolls.

The lack of roofing insulation or poor installation of the selected material can cause a house to be drafty and cold or alternatively very warm. The workload of the heating system or furnace is increased in order to maintain the desired room temperature during winter; it is similar circumstances with the air conditioning unit during summer months. With the proper installation under a roof of this protective material, the desired room temperature can be maintained at much less of an energy cost. Updating this important feature of a roof could be the best money-saving feature added to a building, even though it will be an invisible improvement to almost everyone but the homeowner.

How to find the Best Roofing Contractor in Oxford

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How to find the best roofing contractor in Oxford (or anywhere)

My Top Tips for hiring a roofing contractor

Before you start do some research on the internet about the roofing materials which are available. There are many types of roofing materials available clay or concrete tiles, slate, roofing shingles, and roofing felts for flat roofs, and and the choice of material will affect the overall budget. For example clay tiles are generally more expensive than conrete tiles. You may also be affected by the type of roofing materials in neighbouring properties. With this knowledge you won’t be going cold into discussions with a contractor about materials to be used.

Start asking friends, neighbours and work colleagues about who they would recommend as a contractor. They may have direct experience of roofing contractors or they may know someone who has such expereince. if they do know about a contractor ask whether the contractor completed the job as expected, and whether they would hire them again. Ask whther they were couryeous and polite. Local Builders’ supply shops, DIY shops and estate agents amy also have some knowledge of possible contractors you can hire. Try not just going to Yellow Pages and picking a contractor at random. In asking for referrals make sure that the job done is comparable with the job you have planned

Contact the contractor. What was your first impression of the contractor? Was the contractor pleasant and courteous? Did the contractor return your call promptly? Did the contractor set up an appointment with you within a reasonable time (usually within 24 hours)? Ask relevant questions such what employer’s liability and insurance they have, how long have they been in business, do they have a particular specialty, how many employees? If time is a priority for you, ask how soon a project could be started.

Meet the contractor and discuss the options. First of all clarify whether you need a complete new roof or whether a repair job is adequate. if it’s a whole new roof discuss the options on roofing materials to be used. Ask the contractor the following questions:

– What warranty will they give? Will they provide a warranty on both parts and labour? How long will the warranty last. For a new roof you would expect a warranty of at least 10 years
– Do they specialise in residential or commercial roofing work?
– How long will the job take? A roof can be replaced in a week or in even less time if they have a large and well organised workforce
– How long have they been in business? Normally you would want one with at least 5 years experience
– What type of roofing styles and colours will they offer? This is where your initial research about roofing materials will come in handy.
– How much will the roofing job cost? Get a written estimate. In talking to diiferent contractors make sure that each estimate is based on the same information so that you are comparing like with like
– What steps will they take to ensure the minimum of disruption while the job is done and to ensure that everything is cleaned up before they leave?
– What steps will they take to ensure the safety of their employees while on your property and the safety of anyone in the vicinity of your property?
– What liability and employer insurance do they have? Get it in writing.
– Do they offer financing schemes or payment through credit card? Will they give discounts for cash payment? How much do they want upfront and how much as each milestone is reached?
– What references will they give for recent and comparable work?

Get this information and a written estimate from at least three contractors. Make sure that the estimates contain the same quality materials; some times the lowest bid is not using the same quality materials.

Do not automatically pick the cheapest estimate. Also if one estimate is significantly higher than the others the chances are that the contractor may not want your business because he is up to his eyes already in work.

Check the references which each contractor has given you. Ask the key questions of the referees. Were the jobs completed to their satisfaction and would they use the same contractor again?

Once you have made your decision, sign a written contract with the contractor. Ensure that the contract specifies the work to be done, total cost, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date and a written warranty. Make sure the contract includes the roofing materials and the brands and colours to be used and any additional work such as replacing guttering. Make sure the contract specifies that the contractor is responsible for cleanup when the job is done and the removal of all waste materials.

Modern Industries with Quality output

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Lethbridge is one of the cities of South Albert province located in Canada. It is a small city consisting of a population of 86,659. Many commercial and residential areas are coming up in the city. Hence for the development of the city like Lethbridge, there are industries manufacturing and supplying domestic hardware products to cater to the needs of the common people. Most of the companies provides services like plumbing, welding, HVAC, heating, roofing and metal fabrication for residential and commercial purpose.

Canada is a high altitude country and hence the weather here is mostly cold. Therefore, people need to keep high end appliance at home, commercial place and at work places to keep the indoor temperature friendly. To come up with a solution to this problem the service providers have brought many products like heaters and boilers. They also cater service to leakages of the roof and rooftops. Hence Lethbridge roofing services is done in various houses and residential premises with premium quality. The service providers provide all types of roofing services like built up roofing, sbs bent up roofing, hot rubberized roofing, single ply EPDM and single ply PVC membrane Lethbridge roofing to the city. They are also into the repairs of the existing rooms and services for new installation. Other roofing services also include waterproofing, commercial air type and vapor barrier roofing.

Other than this, they also provide Lethbridge Heating services where the conventional types of heaters are not used in residences, schools or commercial areas. The conventional types of heaters consumed a lot of space, electricity and maintenance. They are now replaced by Lethbridge Heating services with new heaters like the branded and eco friendly Lennox gas furnaces that are easy to use and also have low maintenance cost. They have distinct features like quiet operation, quality construction, and space saving feature with flexible installation, good performance and low energy bills. They also provide water heaters for hot water bathing and for household work 24 hours a day, even in a cold climate.

Lethbridge HVAC is also known as Heating Ventilating & Air Condition system. This service is latest in technology. Lethbridge HVAC is being used in offices and in school classroom to provide good ventilation to staff at work place and to students in classroom. Lethbridge Metal Fabrication uses technology required in industries for heavy workload. Metal Fabrication is needed to mould the metal and give it a proper desired shape. It is done with the help of plasma heating. They are then cut into proper slices and are finally fabricated. Fabrication is done to products like refrigerator cabinet, shelves and coolers. Kitchen cabinets too are covered in fabrication. Lethbridge Roofing is also done to big structures like hospital roofs.

Roofers in Las Vegas

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Roofers dont just build or install roofs. They create roofing systems that work the best with the architecture project. A proper roofing system works together as a unit to ensure your buildings overall effectiveness in both shelter and safety. A roofers job is not only to put a roofing system in place, but to repair and maintain it. They will also be able to provide simple solutions for problems you may consider to be bigger than they actually are.

Leaks, Repairs and Replacements

Its inevitable that at some point in time your roof is going to leak. This is caused by damage from weather or just normal wear and tear. Sometimes animals are the cause. But for the most part, a leak in a roof is not uncommon, and you will never find a roof thats completely “leak-proof”. While you may go some years without your roof leaking, eventually its going to happen.

When it does, keep in mind that most of these problems do not require you to re-roof your house. Most leaks are small things, and only require something simple like sealing a crack. A roofer will come in and tell you exactly what the problem is, how they can fix it, how long it will take and how much itll cost.

If, in fact, your roofing system does need to be replaced, it can be for several reasons. An irreversibly repairable roofing system may be the result of neglect, improper material choice, or having a roof installed that is not proper for the building type. If this does happen, you will be told straight away.

The Importance of Annual Inspections

Most of these problems can be prevented by having an inspection done on your roof twice a year. A roofer will come by and make sure that everything is still working on your roofing system the way its supposed to. He can identify minor problems that may be easily repaired right there on the spot, and other problems that may become major ones later on. By listening and following his advice, youll find that things like leaks and repairs will be few and far between, which will save you money in the long run.

Should You Do the Work yourself?

Roofing work should never be done by yourself, unless you are a trained professional. Roofers know the local construction laws and are trained to get their work done with those in mind. You may very well violate something trying to repair your roof yourself and be fined. Or, you can damage the roofing system itself. Or, worse yet, you can get hurt. You should never climb up onto a roof and try to repair or fix anything. Though youve got your finances in mind, investing in proper roof repair is no different than investing in proper care for your car. If you want your home to continue functioning at its peak, then paying a professional to come in and do something no matter how minor is well worth the money spent in the long run.

About Slate Roofing Systems

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There are many different types of roof and shingle systems. One of them is slate roofing. Known for its distinctive look and tough durability, slate roofs are seen in many different types of architecture, including residential roofing. These roofs are physically heavier than those made with asphalt shingles. Roofing contractors have found a growing popularity in slate roof systems, which have become more affordable and stylish in recent years.

Colors The color of the materials depends on where the rock is mined. Because it is naturally occurring, the geographical origin plays a major role in color. The system is made of tiles in one color or a mixture of colors. Core, or basic, colors that homeowners might choose from when selecting a roof might include gray, black or red. Accent colors used often include purple, green, or a different shade of gray. Some are solid in appearance, while others are blends and have natural streaks or a marbling effect. The type of light and angle that strikes the slates surface slightly alters the colors appearance throughout the day. When ordering materials for a roof, they should be taken from the same product batch to ensure similarity in color and texture that blends well.

Material Slate is a type of rock found in nature. It comes from quarries worldwide. While the location of the material does not affect its quality, it can affect its color and texture. Synthetic slate is produced, but is not as durable or genuine as the naturally occurring rock. IT is installed in a tile-like fashion, with no cracks or crevices in between the pieces.

Durability One of the main factors in its popularity is the materials durability. It is not affected by harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow, sleet or heat. It may fade slightly over time due to regular exposure of ultraviolet rays. This is expected and is what gives this type of roofing system part of its distinctive look. When a roofing contractor installs the system, each slate is tightly locked into place with special hangers and battens. A layer of protection beneath the slate prevents moisture and leaks, so the attic and other parts of the home stay dry.

Attachment Unlike asphalt shingles, the slate roof is not nailed into the structure. It is hung. Sturdy braces are used to support the roofs structure. With more modern innovation comes the ability to use support structures that are equally or more durable, but weigh less.