Tag Archives: Roof Repair

Changes In Roofing Demand Over The Past 5 Years

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Many people postpone their plans for improving their homes until the following year because they have to shop for back to school items such as football and soccer cleats for their children. Consequently, they end up spending more money when they postpone their plans to install new roofs because roofing materials and especially asphalt shingles, which is the most popular, become more costly as time goes by.

Just a few months ago, suppliers gave notices to many people about a possible 5% price increase for asphalt underlayment that have ice/water and felt shield and asphalt shingles, which are the most commonly used commodities. In the last 5 years, such price increases have become common even though some people do not consider them important. In effect, the demand for new roofs has decreased significantly.

The price increases for roofing materials has led to a slight increase in the cost of labor and a significant increase in the cost of commercial and residential roof repair and replacing roofs over the past few years. Asphalt based roofing materials become more costly because of various factors. The increase in oil prices that people experienced a few years ago is largely responsible for the increased in the price of the aforementioned materials.

In spite of the drastic changes in oil prices, which have led to the leveling off  and significant drops , the prices of asphalt roofing materials continue to increase steadily because they are not easily available . Hence, many people consider their availability one of the greatest contributors to the steady increase in roofing prices and subsequent decline in roofing demands over the past few years.

The roofing industry uses less than 10% of all asphalt while people use the remaining 90% for pavement. Many people think that the prices of asphalt shingles and other bituminous products that are ideal for constructing residential houses would change as the home building, home improvement industries fail, and the economy faces numerous hardships. However, the consumption of asphalt has increased significantly thanks to the transportation projects.

Thanks to “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, , which shows that the dollars that the government collects in the form of taxes is working, the Department of Transportation has released billions of dollars for people to reinvest across the nation. Many people think that the local government is using a big percentage of this money for the paving of roadways and for resurfacing purposes.

As compared to the steady demand for asphalt, which is commonly used for pavement, the impact that the current decline in home improvement and home building has on the prices of asphalt is not that great especially because the federal government has increased transportation projects significantly. However, the creation of higher value products by making oil-refining facilities more efficient has also affected the asphalt prices.

The production of fuels by using oil is largely responsible for producing asphalt. The federal government made the efficient increase in the production of fuels by using oil mandatory by introducing measures a few years ago. In effect, it led to an increase in the demand for asphalt even though some people considered these mechanisms cokers for the manufacture of “Ultra Low Sulfur Fuels, which are very effective nowadays.

Some Maintenance That Extends Your RV Roof Lifespan

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Looking for maintenance that extends your RV roof lifespan? You’ve come to the right place. Taking these steps will help prevent leaks, water damage and overall deterioration that shorten the lifespan of the roofing material and ultimately the life of your RV.

Cleaning is the first step of your RV leaks repair. Manufacturers use different roofing materials. You can check your owner’s manual for the type of material that was used and see if there are any recommendations for cleansers.

In general, you should never use cleansers containing harsh abrasives, citrus acid or petroleum based solvents. A mild cleanser designed specifically for cleaning the vehicle (including the roof) is the best choice.

It is usually necessary to climb up on top of the vehicle to clean the RV roof but not all RV roofs were designed to be walked on. You can consult the owner’s manual again to find out whether or not your roofing system will hold your weight.

If you are not comfortable climbing up on the roof, many RV dealers offer this type of service. They take care of the cleaning and also offer treatments that will extend the life, reduce chalking and inhibit oxidation of the roofing material. RV roof repair can be done with liquid roof coatings which is a roof leaks repair product. Liquid EPDM Rubber is one of the products that also help in preventing the roof from external environment.

To do the cleaning yourself, you will first want to sweep away any debris such as leaves. Branches should be removed carefully, not dragged across the roof’s surface.

While you are sweeping away any loose debris, you will want to inspect the roof for any kind of damage. Scratches, gouges and other types of damage should be repaired as soon as possible. Inspect around any vents or openings to check for cracks or chips in the sealants. Inspection in very important before doing the RV roof repair and indentifying the RV roof leaks.

You can reseal seams and other areas with an appropriate sealant. Your RV dealer should have a product to recommend for this purpose. You should do the resealing before you wash and rinse the roof.

You can use a soft sponge-type mop along with a mild cleanser to remove dirt. You will need to keep your garden hose with you to rinse off the roof as you wash it. Avoid spraying water in vents and any other openings that may be up on the roof. The water could damage the interior of the vehicle.

You will also want to make sure that the sides are rinsed as you are cleaning. Cleansers draining down the sides of the vehicle can leave streaks that are difficult to remove.

Special RV roof repair coatings for RV roofs can also help to extend the roof’s lifespan. There are products you can purchase to do it yourself or you can contact your RV dealer to find out if they offer this service.

With proper care and maintenance, the lifespan of the RV roof should be equivalent to the life of the vehicle. You will enjoy your trips more if you’re confident in your roof’s condition.