OCR Text |
Show 5 Cuffing Corners On Roofs Expensive Way to Cut Costs A roof is the symbol of protection, security and comfort. It must be good looking, and yet stand up under relentless attacks by the weather. Home building experts agree that the roof is no place to skimp in building or remodeling costs. If a home is worth preserving, it is worth a roof made' of tested and proven materials, but even the finest of material will not give satisfactory service unless it is properly applied. The best guarantee of a good roof is a good workman who strictly follows the manufacturer's instruction sheets. The wise home builder or owner familiarizes himself him-self with the various kinds and grades of roofing materials before making a selection, and studies the manufacturer's instructions so he will know something about the correct way to apply the material. Two common causes of premature prema-ture roof failures are applying the shingles over a poorly constructed con-structed roof deck and skimpy use of nails. Asphalt roofing manufacturers, manufac-turers, for example, generally specify the use of six nails in asphalt as-phalt strip shingles. If only four nails are used, as is too frequently the practice, high winds are apt to damage the roof, and leaks may develop in a few years, even though the singles themselves are in good condition. When remodeling, it often is advisable to lay the new roof over the old. This reduces the cost of application, eliminates mess and dirt, and adds insulating value. While protecting the house from the onslaughts of the weather, a roof also should protect the dwelling dwell-ing from fire. Until recently, flammable flam-mable roofs ranked third among the principal causes of residential fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In the last five years, however, enforcement enforce-ment of building codes prohibiting use of flammable roofing, together with the increasing use of fire- resistant roofing, particularly asphalt as-phalt shingles, has cut the number of fires originating in flammable roofing more than 50 percent. Rain water and melting snow on roofs must be carried to sewers or "dry wells" to keep the water from seeping through foundations into basements. But unless gutters and downspouts are kept clean, water may back up and work its way up under the shingles to the roof deck beneath. Once inside the roof, water cracks plaster, stains wall paper, and blisters paint. While gutters and downspouts must be attached to the building, they should be held away from it to prevent water from staining the walls. |