Ice Damming – Is it Preventable?

Finally, winter has ushered in regular snow fall. Although snow building up, melting and subsequently freezing again may be tolerable on a ski slope, it is not favorable for any property roof. When the cycle of snow melting and freezing again on a roof continues, ice damming can occur. If not treated properly, ice damming can compromise the roof decking and furthermore, increase the chances of water intrusion inside the property.

So what is ice damming and how does it develop? Snow must first be present on a roof. Throughout the day, the temperature can rise just enough to thaw the snow on the roof tops. The melted snow then trickles down the roof, only to be frozen again as the temperature drops. The newly formed icicles and ice buildups on the eaves (the lower part of the roof that overhangs), valleys (the sections where the roof slopes join) and any problematic areas of the roof suddenly become the backbone for an ice dam. The thawing and freezing cycle continues for the next couple of days, adding to the ice barrier. In a short while, a robust ice dam is formed.

The complications that can arise due to ice damming can be extensive. During a warm spell, excessive water may pool at the ice dams. The water can actually seep behind and underneath the shingles or roof tiles, penetrating the roof deck. As more water leaks in over time, the plywood of the roof deck can deteriorate and become more susceptible to further roof leaks. Water may trickle down interior walls or pool on the floors as it seeps down between the framing. As water and moisture become present in the roof cavities, insulation and between the walls, damage is mounting unbeknownst to the property owner.

Some of the most common causes of ice damming could be attributed to: the weather fluctuations, the attic or undersides of the roof temperature being irregular, clogged or damaged gutters, inadequate downspouts and even complicated roof designs.

As there are different causes for ice damming, is it preventable? Well, unfortunately there is no one cure for ice damming, as it is ultimately impossible to control Mother Nature. Even if an individual can be successful at removing snow/ice buildup on a roof, the snow melt can still form ice dams at the next vulnerable spot. The key issue with ice damming is drainage and furthermore, the elimination of all the drainage inhibitors on your property. The following bullet points are suggestions that can be taken to spot the drainage inhibitors and moreover, how to reduce ice damming:

• Gutter & Downspout Maintenance. Making sure gutters and downspouts are adequate, clean and in good working condition is a minimal requirement for proper drainage. It is advisable to perform fall clean-up of all leaves and debris and to ensure that no blockage is present. If a low point or non-sloped sections can be seen in the gutters, a professional would want to be called to mend the improper draining issue. Gutters should be at a constant slight slope with an appropriate number of downspouts in order to maximize drainage.



• Manually Remove Snow Buildup. This method is cautiously recommended and if selected, should be handled by professionals. If easily reachable, a broom or a rake can be used to push snow off the edge of the roof. However, physical contact with the roof can sometimes result in damage to the shingles or roof tiles.
• Install Heating Features. Radiant heating sheets, cables or panels can be installed to the surface or underneath the roof. These heating features can be applied to the entire roof or to the problematic areas such as the eaves and/or valleys. Heating the roof with these methods works well as the more prone areas to ice damming can be focused on. Through the use of roof heating products, it is possible to diminish the strength and longevity of the shingles or roof tiles. Installing heat features can be expensive and must be placed at the time of the installation of the roof unless the heating device is designed to be put on top of the shingles. If the layout of the heat features is not installed correctly, ice damming may just get relocated to a different section of the roof. Therefore, consult a roofing expert for radiant roof heating recommendations/installation.
• Install an Ice and Water Shield. During the installation of a new roof, placing a continuous ice and water shield on the eaves and valleys of the roof may be adequate to protect the roof decking in the event that ice damming occurs. Water may trickle down underneath the shingles but will remain above the shield. Several counties/jurisdictions in Colorado have adopted the installation of a double layer of 30 lbs felt or an ice and water shield membrane along the eaves and valleys of the roof for new homes.
• Maintain Constant and Even Temperature in Attic. In order for the entire attic to remain at an even temperature, proper ventilation and an appropriate amount of insulation must be present. Ridge, gable and soffit vents should be adequately installed and free of any air blockage.
• Rooftop Fixture Precautions. Take precautionary steps in placing items on your roof such as satellite dishes, antennas, swamp coolers, solar panels, etc. These items can become a collector for drifting snow. Improper installation of rooftop fixtures can result in water intrusion issues.

Ice damming can be an expensive and a time consuming problem if undetected. If you think your property is susceptible to ice damming, precautionary methods for your roof should be on your to-do-list. If it is too late and ice damming and its effects have been detected, contact a certified firm to mitigate the damage.

NuBilt is always ready 24/7 to respond to winter damage related mitigation (structural collapse, board-ups, shoring, etc.) and repair requests. Call 303.368.4688.

Colorado Winterizing – 10 Tips To Prepare Your Property For the Winter

Although the official start of winter has not commenced yet (not until December 21st), a great amount of snow has already fallen in Colorado this year. The early snowfall more than likely served as a wakeup call and a reminder to prepare your property for the oncoming colder temperatures, if you haven’t already done so.

As a restoration company, we consistently see the same property issues arise with the harsh weather conditions. Therefore, we decided to put together ten tips to help prevent or minimize potential property damages caused by the cold and harsh weather.

1. Landscape Cleanup. Be sure to cut or trim back any trees or shrubs touching the roof or exterior of the property to prevent possible damage.

2. Clean Gutters & Downspouts. Clogged gutters can cause ice damming which can result in roof damages and roof leaks. Inserting leaf guards on gutters would be recommended.

3. Blow Out Irrigation Lines. Trapped water in sprinkler lines can easily be a cause for broken lines later. It is critical that hoses are drained and disconnected from any water source. The whereabouts of the water mains should be well-known in case of the need for an emergency shut-off. If there are exposed water pipes, it would be wise to insulate the piping.

4. Inspect Locations with Possible Outside Air Drafts. Weather-stripping around doors should be checked and upgraded if need be. Window screens and insulation should also be inspected. Any cracks in the foundations or exterior walls should be repaired and sealed properly.

5. Keep Vents & Interior Doors Open. Proper circulation needs to be present throughout house to prevent freezes. Furthermore, if it has been a while since the air ducts have been cleaned, it may be a good time to do so. All vents should be cleaned so no blockage is present.

6. Service Furnace or Other Heating System. Replace filters as needed to maximize air flow. Make sure flammable material is away from the heating system.

7. Inspect & Clean the Fireplace & Chimney.Soot and creosote should be removed if present. Be sure to close the fireplace damper when not in use.

8. Recharge Fire Extinguishers. People often spend more time in the house during winter months. Cooking appliances and extra heating devices are used more which increases chances for fires.

9. Inspect Fire & Smoke Alarms. Alarms should be tested to make sure they are working properly.

10. Keep Thermostat Above 55°F. If your property is going to be vacant for any amount of time, it is still essential to maintain the heat in your property. Frozen pipes can be directly related to thermostats being shut off or turned down too low.

NuBilt is always ready 24/7 to respond to winter damage related mitigation (structural collapse, board-ups, shoring, etc.) and repair requests. Call 303.368.4688.

Are You Using Thermal Imaging, Yet? An Effective Tool for Saving Money and Time

The benefits from using thermography, or thermal imaging, have become widely known—stretching into many industries. Through a camera using thermography technology, the variations in temperature and the infrared radiation of a subject can be detected. Although you may not be able to identify any temperature disparity when analyzing an object with the naked human eye, thermal imaging cameras can distinguish any heat differences—even behind walls.

Because of the temperature detection abilities of thermal imaging cameras, security/military personnel and firefighters have found these cameras to be a necessity when confronted with blinding situations. For instance, firefighters are able to see through smoke when searching for people—as was the case recently in Sanbornton, New Hampshire. Power line technicians and electricians find thermal imaging cameras particularly important when looking for overheated wires and circuits.

Pertaining to the restoration and construction industry, thermal imaging has really become an invaluable tool. For instance, when a project manager is called to an emergency jobsite, he/she is quickly able to decipher ongoing water migrations and leaks—most of the time without even having to remove a wall or structure. When determining how much of a floor has been damaged by water, a thermal imaging camera can reveal the affected areas. With thermal imaging cameras, general contractors are able to save time in determining the source of the problems without demolition. Therefore, the less demolition involved in resolving issues results in more money savings for the client and less downtime for the recovery process.

Be sure to ask your preferred general contractors if they are using thermal imaging yet. If they are not, you may not be saving the most amount of money and time possible.

Source: Fluke Corporation

Also Check Out:
• Take the Fluke Challenge - A virtual demonstration of a thermal imaging camera in use
• Video: Thermal Imagers for Building Inspectors - Watch Chip Wade, from H&G, inspects a house with a thermal imaging camera

Economic Downturn – How Is It Affecting the Restoration Industry In the Residential Sector?

Companies in the insurance-related restoration industry would like to think that this industry is recession proof. After all, water damage, fires and natural disasters will continue to happen regardless of the economy. As long as there are insurance companies who have been pre-paid to cover these property claims, there will always be business. Even in past economic hardship times, the restoration industry thrived and continued to grow.

Times are different now. Many homes have negative equity-especially in the states that wrote several sub-prime mortgages. Numerous people have lost their jobs or are at risk of losing their jobs. In regards to property damage claims, many homeowners are leveraged by so much debt that some are finding it more beneficial to cash out rather than to hire a restoration company. The intention behind cashing out is generally to do the repairs by themselves, hiring a handy man or a skilled tradesman-all for a cheaper price. Homeowners are pocketing the so-called savings and paying off some of their debts-which unfortunately, is sometimes just a short-term solution because of additional complications arising due to insufficient repairs.

When a homeowner does sign a contract with a restoration company to do repair work, most restoration companies would start the job by collecting the deductible. However, contractors are finding that many clients cannot afford their $1,000 deductibles. In fact, some insurance company adjusters are asking contractors to wait on collecting the deductibles in order to help the homeowner who has just suffered a property disaster. After the mitigation and reconstruction are started and completed, the restoration company will usually bill for their services. Hopefully, the homeowner has held on to a check written in their name and possibly their mortgage company from their insurance provider. If the contractor is lucky, the insurance company has acknowledged the contractor’s interest in the claim and listed them on the check as well; however, many collection issues are being discovered by restoration companies, such as:

• the money was held by the mortgage company because the homeowner was in default on their loan;
• the homeowner cashed the check and paid off some bills;
• the money was garnished by a debt collector who had won a judgment against the homeowner;
• the house is in foreclosure;
• the homeowner is holding on to the money and wants to negotiate a lower settlement amount with the contractor.

As it would be nice to use any incoming funds to pay off existing debts or to purchase additional products/services, the distinction between being awarded insurance money and winning the lottery needs to be acknowledged. The monetary amount agreed upon by the insurance company and the restoration company is the reasonable amount needed to complete the repair work. When a contractor is given only a portion of the insurance money or none at all, the imposed strain on the contractor is apparent.

So, how can these issues be confronted in order to protect everyone’s stake? Simply put, stronger collaborations between businesses should be implemented. Insurance companies and restoration companies share similar goals: to restore the client’s property to pre-loss condition in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. In trying to protect financial interests, restoration companies need to be more prudent in tracking money from the beginning. Being more prudent may mean running a credit check (with proper authorization from the homeowner) or researching if the property is in foreclosure. When the green light is given and the contract is signed by the homeowner, a signed “Direction of Payment” needs to be sent to the insurance company. Adjusters also play a crucial role in the collections process. If an adjuster sees that a restoration company has signed a contract with the homeowner, the adjuster can list the contractor’s name on the payment draft as this protects all who are involved and keeps everyone’s interest protected. When money can be given to where it is due, serving clients to the best extent possible will be easier for all. Small and big restoration companies and contractors will be able to continue providing their services and survive through the economic hard times.

Purdue to Launch Building Restoration and Reconstruction Specialization

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A new undergraduate specialization at Purdue University will help teach students how to manage situations that involve the restoration and reconstruction of buildings after disasters.

The specialization in the Department of Building Construction Management will be offered beginning in the 2009 spring semester. It will be led by Randy R. Rapp, an engineer with more than 30 years of construction experience, which included leading rebuilding efforts in Iraq and after hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.

Robert F. Cox, professor and head of the Department of Building Construction Management, said the disaster restoration and reconstruction specialization has been in the planning stages for more than a decade and was created in response to the need for filling future management positions in this area.

“In the past several years, we’ve seen many disasters in this country, such as Hurricane Katrina, that require individuals with a strong knowledge in the construction industry, the science and technology of disaster response and restoration, as well as the management of people, finances, and processes common to post-disaster situations,” Cox said. “Graduates of this specialization will have a broad knowledge in all of these areas and will be qualified to work as contractors, company owners, in insurance or in regulatory career positions.”

Cox said college-level courses in this area have never been offered at Purdue, and he believes the specialization will be the first undergraduate program of its kind in the country.

He said the courses will focus on teaching students how to become reactive managers of a construction project, which is opposite of the proactive management style considered in typical building projects. Courses in the program will cover such topics as building environmental issues, building safety, demolition and removal of damaged and destroyed buildings, and methods of building repair and renovation.

“Our hope in offering such a unique program is that we will be able to pursue collaborations with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security, grant opportunities, and develop an expert group of first responders on logistics and building forensics that industry officials and others in academia can use as a resource,” Cox said.

Cox said he credits the strong support of industry partners with the creation of the specialty. Ten companies or individuals will each donate $150,000 to the specialization over a 10-year period: Advantage Marketing Inc., Claude Blackburn, Disaster Kleenup International Inc., Dri-Eaz Products Inc., Evans Garnent, Independent Mitigation and Cleaning/Conservation, Servicemaster Clean, Boumatic/Therma-Stor, Unsmoke and Bridgepoint Systems.

Bob Bonwell, president of Advantage Marketing Inc., an Indianapolis-based distributor and supply service for the restoration industry, helped lead the industry’s effort in establishing this specialization at Purdue.

“The need for qualified managers and employees in the restoration industry is unbelievable, and partnering with Purdue is a first step in addressing the great demand,” he said. “Our hope is that aligning ourselves with a university will help bring more attention to the industry, which is often forgotten. But our people are usually the first people called after disasters, some as small as an overflowed bathtub or as big as a hurricane.

“The restoration industry can benefit from not only graduates of the program but also by having those in academia study our industry and perhaps come up with better solutions to problems and issues we face every day.”

Cox said a major strength of the program is the expertise of its faculty, especially the specialty’s leader.

Since 2005, Rapp has worked extensively in disaster restoration and reconstruction in response to hurricanes Katrina and Wilma and was a deputy program general manager in Iraq and Kuwait who helped direct $730 million in infrastructure support to Basra, Iraq, to restore oil production capability.

He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla, and a doctorate in management from Webster University in St. Louis.

“Since this is a new specialization, there is no textbook and no model of how to structure the courses,” Rapp said. “We will be working hard during the coming months drawing upon the knowledge and resources of those in the industry to develop three courses that will meet the needs of both students and companies.”

Rapp said the goal is to have about 25 students in the specialization, which some students will be able to begin by working with him on independent studies work in the 2008-09 academic year. The first graduates of the program are expected in 2010.

Those interested in Purdue’s disaster restoration and reconstruction specialization program can contact Rapp at (765) 494-8420 rrapp@purdue.edu.

Purdue’s Department of Building Construction Management, established in 1966, offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees and is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. In addition to disaster restoration and reconstruction, the department offers undergraduate specializations in residential construction management, electrical construction management, mechanical construction management, demolition construction management and health care construction management.

Source: Purdue University

The information was reprinted with permission from Inside Indiana Business. Article also available here.

Windsor Tornado Relief Work

Although it seems like a rare occurance, tornados do happen in Colorado–like it did in Windsor, 2008. With over 596 homes damaged, there was a desperate need for supplies to be shipped in for proper board-up to minimize futher damages.¹

NuBilt was quick to volunteer their time and donate lumber and supplies on that heartening Memorial Day. Over the weekend, NuBilt used a flatbed truck go deliver plywood, 2X4′s, nails, hammers, tarps, water, food and other essentials to the community.

Imago Trade Shows and BNP Media Team to Launch Industry’s First Disaster Reconstruction Trade Show

The National Disaster Reconstruction Expo is set to launch June 2009 in New Orleans

ATLANTA, GA, May 29, 2008 – Imago Trade Shows, a division of Atlanta-based Imago Productions, Inc., and BNP Media have joined forces to launch a new trade show serving the Disaster Reconstruction Industry. The National Disaster Reconstruction Expo (NDR Expo) is scheduled to launch June 17-18, 2009 at the Earnest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The NDR Expo was developed to unite the numerous vertical markets associated with disaster reconstruction preparation, response, recovery and rebuilding.

The NDR Expo will be the first industry event to provide a forum for disaster professionals to work together before disaster strikes. It is the goal of the NDR Expo to present opportunities for disaster professionals to learn more about each other, how they affect one another, can rely on each other and develop news ways of working together to ensure loss of life and property resulting from the inevitable next catastrophic event are minimized. The exposition invites all those involved in the industry from manufacturers and service providers to distributors to present their products and services to the diverse buyer audience.

“We surveyed the industry and were astounded by the results”, said Jimmy Mouton, president of Imago Trade Shows. “Over 83% of those surveyed indicated a consolidated event was needed. In addition, we learned what industry segments these professionals would like to see in one setting. Our goal is to create opportunities for those who work diligently to ensure our communities recover from catastrophic events a forum that can bring greater cohesiveness to such response and recovery efforts.”

“We are proud to partner with Imago on creating this unique event,” said Evan Kessler, publisher of Restoration & Remediation magazine, a BNP Media publication. “We look forward to bringing these different groups together and providing the opportunity for them to learn from and support each other.”

From Financial Loss Mitigation and Business Continuity to Disaster Restoration & Remediation and Community Rebuilding & Construction, the Disaster Reconstruction Industry encompasses over fifty (50) industry segments represented by over seventy five (75) associations and organizations. The majority of these vertical markets work together to rebuild communities that have suffered catastrophic losses and are served by the same manufacturers, distributors and service providers.

ABOUT IMAGO PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Imago Productions, Inc. is the parent company of Imago Trade Shows and Imago Management Services. Established in May 2008, Imago Trade Shows focuses on the launch, growth and management of trade show properties within markets affecting communities and the interests of communal citizens. Imago Management Services offers contract sales, sales management and event management services to organizations needing such support for their trade shows and events. Imago Productions, Inc. is a Georgia-based, sub-chapter C Corporation.

ABOUT BNP MEDIA
BNP Media serves industry professionals by delivering useful, timely and accurate information through magazines, websites, conferences and events. BNP writes, produces and publishes more than 40 business-to-business publications, each one staffed with knowledgeable experts and industry veterans. The diverse industries we serve include manufacturing, security systems, architecture and construction, food and packaging, HVACR, industrial machinery and plumbing. We have advertisers and readers around the world, and can translate our publications into any language, depending on our clients’ needs. Founded in 1926, BNP Media is a fourth-generation, family-run business headquartered in Troy, Michigan with 10 regional offices around the country.

Green Building the Next Step for Remodeling Industry

Consumers want their remodeling projects green and remodelers are answering the call, according to recent research by NAHB Remodelers released at the National Green Building Conference in St. Louis last month.

“The only way to bring green into 120 million existing households is through remodeling,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Mike Nagel, CGR, CAPS, a remodeler from Chicago. “Americans spent over $230 billion last year in home remodeling, with energy-efficient and sustainable products representing an increasing share of the market.”

More than one quarter of remodelers surveyed by NAHB saw growing demand for green remodeling late last year, compared to just 6% reporting declining demand. The majority of remodelers already incorporated energy efficiency into their work. Nearly all (85%) have said they used low-energy windows, 68% used insulated exterior doors, 65% upgraded insulation and 56% installed high-efficiency HVAC systems.

The survey also showed that many remodelers use environmentally friendly products. For example, more than 75% of those surveyed said they were contributing to minimizing harvesting from old-growth forests by using alternatives to dimensional lumber, like engineered wood. Additionally, 65% said they already incorporate recycled or recyclable materials into their projects.

For the first time, the National Green Building Conference held remodeling educational courses for contractors. One of those instructors, Michael Strong, CGR, CAPS, GMB, a member of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee, discussed the emerging trends within the industry.

“Energy efficiency continues to lead the way, but for items beyond appliances, the installation matters as much as the product,” Strong said. “Simply putting in that low-E window doesn’t solve the problem. Home owners need to look at the whole room and eventually use a whole-house approach to maximize efficiency.”

NAHB Remodelers offer a “Top Eight” list for home owners:

Install maximum insulation in the area to be remodeled.

• Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that just meet the energy code.
• Seal all exterior penetrations in the area being remodeled.
• Purchase only Energy Star®-rated appliances.
• Install only low-flow water fixtures.
• Upgrade to an Energy Star®-rated water heater, or better yet a tankless water heater.
• Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford.

In another presentation at the conference, Carl Seville, of Seville Consulting, noted that incorporating green had given a boost to his business. “There are still few green remodelers out there,” he said, which has provided an opportunity to differentiate himself from the competition.

To get started, he suggested “taking small steps, picking a few things and doing them better. Don’t get overwhelmed; don’t try to do everything at once and do the best you can.”

Home performance and how the house as a system controls heat, air and moisture is the “critical piece” of green remodeling, Seville said, and he recommended taking a four- to five-day HERS rating training class.

“Green building is the next step in the remodeling industry,” he said, and the first challenge is “creating the demand. Nobody asks for it,” he said, but remodelers can create the demand by emphasizing such advantages as comfort, healthier air and lower energy bills.

“Once you learn about this stuff, you look back and you’re ashamed with what you used to do,” Seville said.

For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

For more information on NAHB resources on remodeling, e-mail Jim Lapides at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8451.

The information was reprinted with permission from National Association of Home Builders and its online weekly publication, Nation’s Building News. Article also available here