During the hottest months of the year, rainfall can be pretty scarce, especially in dry parts of the country. Investing in your own rain catcher system can save you money and reduce pressure on the local watersheds. Even if you already xeriscape or have drought resistant landscaping, providing irrigation to these plants is essential during the summer. Some of these water-saving devices are as simple as placing a rain barrel under the downspouts or hanging a decorative chain from the house. Either way, the idea is to collect as much free water during the spring, so you’ll have enough when your landscaping needs it the most.

Rainwater Harvester

It’s like having garden or landscaping water on-demand. This rain catcher system uses specialized rain gutters that collect water and send it directly to a storage tank in your basement. When you want to use the water, a pump inside the tank delivers it to a special spigot that hooks up to any garden hose. These systems usually come with a leaf and debris filter and hold anywhere from 100-200 gallons of water.

Rain Barrels

Modern polyethylene barrels have replaced the old wooden rain barrels. These streamlined rain catchers can hold up to 100 gallons of water and come with a screen top to maximize rain catching ability. They also have an attachment for the garden hose and an internal overflow device. Simply place the barrel underneath your home’s downspout and let Mother Nature do the rest. The water remains usable for months, but never leave it out during the winter – frozen water can damage the barrel.

Underground Tank

This is the big daddy rain harvester. These tanks can hold enough stored drinking water (574 gal. on average) for months of use. The storage tanks are buried in your lawn and a system of specialized roof gutters are set up to channel rainwater into these huge tanks. If you do a lot of watering over the summer season, these large tanks can cut your bill in half.

Rain Chain

This is an elegant way to direct the rainwater from your roof into a collection barrel. Not to mention, add a touch of class to your home’s appearance. Made of bronze, copper or stainless steel, the chain is linked by a series of small cups and funnel-like basins. Rainwater flows over this elegant metal string and into a storage tank for later use. If you don’t harvest rainwater, the chains help by controlling erosion and directing runoff away from the homes foundation.

Gutters/Downspouts

Install gutters and downspouts. This will help protect the home’s foundation and prevent soil erosion. Gutters also reduce the risk of wood rot, offer protection to wood decks, and protect your home from siding mold & fungus.

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And last week I had the pleasure of experiencing my first good desert rainfall (I got my first earthquake on my first night in town!). Other than making me a bit homesick, it was striking and beautiful. But it also resulted in water dripping directly onto my bed in the middle of the night thanks to some rather ridiculous design.

Our small winter getaway has an exposed beam ceiling with tongue-and-groove pine on top of that. These beams then cantilever out of the exterior walls about one foot, completely uncovered by any eave or overhang. Many years in the hot desert sun have caused quite a bit of cracking and splitting in the beam ends as all moisture has been sucked out of them. This actually allows rainwater to travel through these cracks where they meet the exterior, into the walls and, as it turns out, behind the paint that covers the beams and down onto our bed through a knot in the wood.

At first I couldn’t very well believe it. It is so sunny here that I hadn’t yet given the funky design much thought. The solution? Well, the outdoors portion of the beams had already been coated with a tar-based paint to seal them. There is flashing along the roof edge but this was cut around the beams (there is no attic or air space above the beams and T&G pine), resulting in an obvious weak spot in the design.

For lack of a better solution, we waited for the rain to subside and the sun to dry out the area and then applied some more tar we had laying around. It did rain again the next night and our solution appears to have worked – no more dripping – but for how long? There is also the problem of rainwater running over the flashing and directly down the exterior walls and onto the windows. Upon examination we can see several possible future leaks and cracks in the stucco facade where water runs down.

For now a catastrophe has been abated and it may last for a long time. This is after all the desert and this house is not new, but at least one-third of all rainfall will come in the next two months…that could be a lot of drips.

The moral of the story: never underestimate the usefulness of eaves and soffits during your remodel.

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In some ways your house needs holes in the attic, but when it comes to the pitter-patter of four-legged feet above your head, it’s a different story. Holes in the attic can be caused by a number of things, from wear and tear on the roof over time to the sharp and pesky teeth of greater Rodentia. The first key to plugging holes in the attic is knowing where they are.

Finding the Hole

Unfortunately, the most common way holes in the attic are discovered is only after animals are nesting up there or water comes dripping down into the main floors. Regular inspection of the attic and the roof is good prevention. Also keep tree branches and other access points trimmed back from the roof. There’s no need to make it easy for the invaders.

After the fact, you’ll need to go up there and look for their entry point. Vent screens are a popular place, and an easy fix. Damaged or missing soffit boards are another. Basically, these spots are likely not too difficult to find and are usually the result of materials that are rotting or in disrepair. That’s not to say that squirrels and their cousins won’t chew their way in if they can.

Potential Problems

The problems are self-evident, especially if you’re already hearing the squirrels dance at night. Animals are an obvious problem. They keep you awake, they’ll start a family up there, and they leave quite a mess.

Another problem is the leaky roof, which can lead to a leaky ceiling, which can lead to a major renovation. Again, keeping a good eye on your roof is a good idea. Look for hanging shingles, raised shingles, and sags or weak spots in the roof. To add insult to injury, weak spots caused by water damage are also the best places for animals to chew their way into your attic.

Fixing a Hole

If you have an animal problem in the attic, you’ll want to get rid of them first. You don’t want to seal up a hole before the animal has left. That can lead to horrible smells and a big bill for clean-up. I recommend using a live trap to capture the beast – most likely a squirrel, although opossums and raccoons are not unheard of. For larger animals I would recommend a professional.

Once the animal is gone, it’s time to find and fix the hole. If you’re lucky it is just a damaged vent screen in the roof or at the eaves. You can buy a new screen at any home improvement store. If you find damaged subsiding or other materials that the animal has chewed through, then you have a bit more work to do. If the area is small, you can probably patch the hole with some plywood. Now, if you find some serious water damage, then I recommend a professional assessment of the problem.

If water or an animal has done some damage to the drywall on the attic floor/ceiling, check out CalFinder’s instructions on drywall repair.

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In an informative article about trends in recycled roofing, Heidi J. Ellsworth writes, “Energy Star®, recycling, green roofs — all buzzwords in an industry that is making a transition to the world of sustainable building products. The roofing industry is on the environmental fast track. From shingle wraps that read ‘please recycle’ to asphalt roofing recycling centers to a commitment with the new Energy Star program, roofing manufacturers and contractors are offering several different forms of earth friendly products and services.”

As you explore roofing materials with your roofing contractor, having some information about the trend in recycled roofing materials can be useful. Here are 7 companies that offer recycled roofing products:

1. Re-New Wood, Inc. This company manufactures the eco-shake shingle, designed to resemble and replace wood shake shingles.
2. Green Building Supply. A variety of options are available at this environmentally friendly home center, including EcoStar Majestic Slate Tile, designed to look and feel like natural slate.
3. Phoenix Organics. This Garden & Farm/Eco Building Center recommends the Authentic Roof, a completely recyclable product made from recycled material.
4. Authentic Roof. Speaking of Authentic Roof, this product makes our list at # 4.
5. Titan Roof Systems. This company makes environmentally friendly roofing products made from composites.
6. Vermont Recycled Slate & Roofing, Inc. This company manufactures various slate facsimiles.
7. Vintage Roof Tile. Check out these recyclers of clay roof tiles.

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Wooden shingles are typically made from cedar trees. Very few new homes even consider using wooden shakes, but many homeowners with historical homes want to use them to maintain originality. Wood shakes tend to be high in maintenance, being prone to deterioration, insect infiltration, rot, and mildew. Additionally, over time, the sun dries them and causes them to be very flammable.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) regulates the use of wooden building products ensuring that our forests are preserved and protected. The original wooden shakes were made from cedar trees which aren’t considered a renewable resource. There are newer products made that will have the FSC certification, and should be easier to maintain. A wonderful new product, called The Eco-Shake, is made from 100% recycled materials and imitates the appearance of wood while having none of its negative qualities. It comes with a 50- year warranty, a Class A fire-rating, and none of the monotonous maintenance requirements of typical shingles.

Initially, alternative materials to cedar shakes will be more expensive; but when you consider the longer life-span, lower insurance premiums, and positive effect on the environment, there really is no comparison. Not to mention the additional cost of hiring a roofing contractor to constantly be replacing and repairing shingles after a harsh storm.

If you have your heart set on a wooden shake roofing design, try shopping for products that have the FSC’s seal of approval. Not only will you end up with a better product, but you can do your part to preserve our natural resources. Request free estimates from roofing contractors today.

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If you’re ready to replace your roof altogether, there are numerous eco-friendly alternatives available, including metal, clay, slate, and recycled materials. Talk to your roofing contractor about your choices. Remember, CalFinder-certified roofing professionals are located across the country and are available for no charge estimates. Here are some of them:

Acker and Guerrero Roofing
Based in Oakland, California, Acker and Guerrero has served the Bay Area since 1990, growing to become one of Northern California’s leading roofing companies.

Crown Roofing
Crown Roofing’s goal is to provide prompt service, top quality workmanship, and superior products at an affordable price. The company is based in Fort Myers, Florida.

Eastman Roofing
With more than a quarter century of industry experience, Eastman Roofing understands the relationship of the roof to the entire building. The company promises quality, consistency, and peace of mind to South Bay homeowners.

Roofmax
Roofmax in Concord, California aims to provide the best possible experience for customers with high quality products and superior workmanship.

Western Roofing
Western Roofing serves the Greater Bay Area and offers the best for less. The company is dedicated to helping homeowners complete their roofing projects in a timely, cost effective way, upgrading homes in appeal and value.

Renovating or replacing a damaged roof is critical to the well-being of your home, and your pocketbook! Make sure your experience matches your expectations in quality and appearance.

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Gutters are essential to the longevity of your home, not just because to venture outside in a rain shower without gutters means sprinting through a waterfall of run-off from roof eaves, but also because gutters keep your house dry and protect siding, windows, doors and your foundation from water damage.

Those sunny days between spring rain showers are a great time to get up on a ladder or your roof and inspect your gutters. Gutters can accumulate a lot of debris, mostly leaves and twigs, over a winter which will inevitably cause clogs and overflow. This is especially bad for your roof because standing water in a gutter can get up under your roofing and begin to rot your fascia and subroofing. Given any avenue, water will find its way into your home.

Gutter maintenance consists mainly of keeping gutters and downspouts clean and clear. If you find a section of gutter that has been clogged for an extended period of time, check for sags or separation from the fascia board. Congested gutters get quite heavy and the aluminum from, which most gutters are made, cannot handle very much weight. A maintenance schedule depends mainly on where you live. On average, once a month is a fine frequency for gutter inspection, but if you live with frequent and heavy rainfall and you have a high number of trees in the vicinity of your home, then a more diligent regimen will be necessary.

If you discover separation when you clean out your gutters, some repairs may be in order. Oftentimes this is simply failure of your gutter supports (straps, spikes, brackets) and you will need to inspect the specific support and replace what pieces are necessary. Gutter spikes tend to work their way out of the fascia over time and may simply need to be re-driven into the fascia, provided there is no water damage to the wood.

Joints such as downspouts and seams are common trouble areas for gutters. This is where leaks usually start through failure in the caulking or hardware. If you find a bad downspout joint, simply take it off, inspect the hardware and material for damage (replacing whatever is necessary), remove with a wire brush any existing caulking. Now simply put it back together, reapplying caulking to the outside of the male and inside of the female ends.

In some circumstances, a section or sections of gutter may have been damaged beyond repair by falling debris or rust. It is usually not too difficult to replace small sections on your own. You will need to cut out the bad section with a hacksaw (it is a good idea to place a 4×4 wood block inside the good section to protect its shape as you cut). Then cut a replacement section out of new material that is around two inches longer than the bad section. Apply some silicone caulking inside the old, remaining gutter sections where overlap will occur. Then place the new gutter inside the original and install rivets to securely fasten the two pieces together.

It may happen that, upon inspection, you find your gutters in utter disrepair with far too many sags, dents, leaks and damage for you to deal with. An entirely new gutter system will be the best solution.

NOTE: If you are planning to have a new roof put on your house this is the best time to have a new gutter system installed when it can be fully integrated into the roof system.

There are several options when seeking out new gutters. Most gutters are made from aluminum but there are also copper and sheet metal gutters. Copper is attractive but easily the most expensive and sheet metal is cheaper but more prone to rust, requiring more attention and maintenance.

Gutters come in two main profiles: the simple “U” shape and “K” shaped which has an S-shaped front and is vaguely reminiscent of the letter “K.” Gutters are typically 4, 5, or 6 inches in diameter. Larger diameters are better because they are more resistant to clogging. Gutters also come in different thicknesses (.032, .027, .025) and the thicker the better.

Seamless gutters are by far the most popular gutter system today. The aluminum is simply fed through a seamless gutter machine and comes out the other side shaped like a gutter! These are popular because your contractor can form the gutters right there on the job to the proper size and length, and with no seams in the field.

Find a certified roofing contractor in your area through CalFinder’s free referral service.

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We’ve all heard the one about the guy who doesn’t think of having his roof fixed when it’s sunny outside, only to realize that it leaks when it’s rainy, or snowing and cold. Winter months and rainy seasons can be hard on your roof, which provides protection against the elements. It’s always a good idea to fix your roof during those clearer, warmer months.

Have your roofing contractor check any active leaks, the field membrane, penetration and field flashings, roof related sheet metal and drainage system. The most common sources of leaks are the flashing around the chimney and vents, worn out shingles, and condensation from bad attic ventilation. It’s also a good idea to check ductwork, door seals, open joints in walls, skylights and penetrations through walls.

Signs that your roofing needs repair include ceiling spots; blistered, buckled, curled or missing shingles; cracked flashing, granules in the gutter, peeling paint or wallpaper, and excessive energy bills.

If you have problems with your roof, you should seriously consider utilizing the services of a professional roofing contractor. Many people don’t hire the best contractors, resulting in bad roofing being one of the top complaints to the Better Business Bureau.

There are a number of other issues that could impact the condition of your roof or the costs you would incur for heating during the winter. First, you don’t know what kind of winter to expect. It could be a bad one, or a not so bad one. Energy prices fluctuate, but usually go up in the winter months. You might want to replace your furnace with one that is rated high for energy efficiency to minimize energy prices for the long haul.

Don’t forget to weatherstrip drafty windows, or use plastic covers that “shrink” to your windows with a hairdryer. Naturally, you should also have broken or cracked windows replaced and make sure that the rubber seals around windows are intact.

If you make sure to check all these items before the rainy, winter season sets in, you will safe yourself many problems and money because it’s usually more expensive to hire a contractor in the winter months when outdoor work is more difficult.

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The following will help you identify the potential for roof failure. Check your roof for these characteristics regularly, and don’t wait to take action!

• Buckling
• Flashing
• Bare Spots
• Curling
• Broken Shingles
• Clawing

Buckling

Buckling is a visible distortion or waviness in the horizontal lines of shingles, and usually runs in a straight line up the roof slope. Shingle tabs become exposed to wind and can be torn off. Very often, the problem is warping in the roof deck caused by poor attic ventilation. The use of thinner-than-recommended plywood and other non-plywood materials adds to the problem.

Flashing

Many problems occur at the flashings around vents, soil stacks, chimneys and vertical wall joints. Is the flashing cracked? Is the caulking around the flashing dried out? Are the shingles that lie over the flashing in good shape?

Bare Spots

The protective granular surface of shingles wears off as the asphalt, into which the granules are embedded, begins to harden over time. Bare spots are often accompanied by fine fissures on the shingles’ surface and by the accumulation of granules in the gutters.

Curling

The upward curling of shingle tabs makes them highly susceptible to wind and ice damage. This is a problem on older roofs where moisture build-up in the attic affects the underside of the shingle.

Broken Shingles

Damage can be caused by extreme wind conditions and snow removal. Since shingles are supposed to shed water, broken, torn or missing tabs become obvious entry points for water, especially on low slope roofs where run-off is slower and at the peaks of the roof where shingles are the most vulnerable to high winds.

Clawing

This is the curling under of the shingle tab’s bottom edge and is part of the normal aging process of shingles. The bulge created is susceptible to substantial damage by wind action, hail and ice.

For more information about roofing visit the following links

• Pictures of Composite Shingle Roofs
• Tile Roof Pictures
• Vancouver Roofing Company – Penfolds Roofing is the trusted leader in roofing since 1937 for people that love their homes.

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