Muhammad Mukarram Technical Services L.L.C

Category Blog

Koi Pond Construction – Your Three Choices

Building a koi pond can be an expensive and time-consuming process. It can be very expensive if you hire contractors to build an in-ground pond and install all the pumps and filters that are needed to keep the water clean. Whether you contract the job or build it yourself, if you want to get a good estimate about the cost of koi pond construction (before you buy any fish), there are several things you need to decide.

The first consideration is the size of the pond itself. Many koi owners insist that bigger is better. There may be some basis for this since koi, as a member of the carp family of fish, can grow to be very big fish and the size of the pond determines how many fish you can have in it. Bigger fish need bigger ponds. It is a simple as that.

After the size has been determined, you must decide how you want to build it. There are basically three pond construction methods to choose from. Each has some specific advantages and disadvantages.

1. In-ground concrete pools: Construction is more difficult, often requires professional installation and sometimes requires a permit from a local zoning board. The advantages are easy to see. Concrete ponds are built with rebar reinforcement and can last forever with minimal maintenance. It is easy to install bottom drains for the filter systems and since all the plumbing is underground, utilities can be located anywhere you want.

The biggest disadvantage is the expense and time involved in designing and installation. But if you are not planning on moving, this may be the best choice. Look at swimming pool designs and construction before you start sinking money into this hole. Dream big and add everything you might want before you start. It might be a good idea to get competitive bids from several contractors before making your choice.

2. Preformed fiberglass pool liners: Fiberglass is a good second choice for a long-lasting pond with long life and low maintenance. The cost of a preformed fiberglass pool can be considerably less than concrete construction and takes a lot less time to install. But the advantages are the same as concrete.

A big disadvantage is that some fiberglass pool liners are difficult to transport and still may require some professional help during the installation. Design and planning is important because you still have to dig a hole to put the liner in, install plumbing and backfill around it after it is installed.

3. The third option is to use a flexible liner. Liners are the easiest and fastest way to build a koi pond. This makes it easy for a do-it-yourselfer or the mechanically challenged to construct a pond on a budget. Liner ponds can be built above ground or partially underground and in any size you want. A mojor advantage is that they can be moved or removed if needed. Plumbing is simplified and if the filter system is carefully chosen, maintenance is fairly easy.

Above ground liner ponds can be constructed of almost anything, bricks, concrete blocks, stone or even wood. The choice of material is entirely up to the owner.

A major disadvantage of liners is that they have to be replaced and are subject to punctures and leaks. A good underlayment of styrofoam, geotextile or vermiculite will reduce the chances of a puncture from an outside source. Taking care when installing plants and fixtures inside the pool will also reduce the chances of a leak.

Most above ground ponds are limited to two feet above ground level. This seems to be the most convenient height for viewing your fish and for cleaning and maintaining the pond. If you want to increase the depth to three feet or more (recommended by most experts), this can easily be putting the pond partially in-ground.

Koi pond construction is a major undertaking for most people. If you already have a pond, then just stock it with koi and watch them grow. If you want to build a koi pond, go for it. Having a pool full of beautiful fish that you can enjoy for years will be the end result.

Source by Marshall Crum

Hazards of the Cockatoo Dander

Cockatoo dander is produced continuously and is a normal and healthy part of its growth and development. Dander, or flakes of dead skin, falls off as new skin grows in to replace the old. This process allows newer, more resilient skin to take the place of older skin that is less likely to be able to protect the bird from germs and the onset of disease.

In the wild dander goes airborne into the air and dissipates, or the bird flies miles away. In captivity neither of these things can happen. But when they are in an enclosed area—your home-dander has no place to go, and the bird cannot move away from it. So unless you actively remove dander from the air, the bird and its humans are forced to breathe air with high concentrations of dander.

For the bird, this is detrimental. Their air passages are so small that it doesn’t take much to clog them. Once clogged, they often become ill with disease and infections that are hard to cure. With people, there is generally an increased sensitivity which often produces symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, or congestion.

And for people who already have respiratory issues such as allergies and asthma, the protein in the dander can trigger flare ups that make it all but impossible to keep the bird.

In addition to dander, Cockatoos, who are powder down birds, also produce a white powder to help keep their wings soft. This powder is an additional pollutant that goes airborne with normal activity of all who move through the room.

And this powder and the dander are in addition to all the normal pollutants generally found in a home-dust, dust mites, dander from other pets, mold and mildew spores, as well as seasonal pollutants such as pollen.

Giving your bird clean air has to be a top priority if any of its other care is to matter. And the only way to insure that these particulates do not ruin your health or your bird’s is to continuously removing the particles with HEPA filtration.

High efficiency particle arresting (shortened to HEPA) by definition removes particulates as small as.3 microns which is exactly the type of filter that is needed to remove bird-related and household pollutants.

And to be designated as such it has to have demonstrated that it can remove 99,997 out of 10,000 airborne particulates that are.3 microns or greater, with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter.

Using this type of filtration is a proactive yet non-invasive intervention that can greatly reduce the hazards that Cockatoo dander and dust are able to have on you and your bird.

Source by Debbie Davis

Laptops Usage Problems

Modern day Laptops operate on very fast microprocessors that generate a lot of heat. This heat mainly escapes out of the bottom of the laptop but ventilation efficiency is reduced when the laptop is placed on a solid surface or on your lap and the ventilation holes get plugged. A hot laptop is less trustworthy and an overheated system is likely to fail.

Laptops work best at temperatures ranging from 95-104°F (35-40°!). When temperatures rise and reach between 104-122°F (40-50°!), there is twice the risk of a hard drive crash! Hard disk drives can overheat and crash, causing you to lose precious data!

Not only is a hot laptop unpleasant to use in your lap but also the heat from some laptops can be enough to cause superficial skin burns, right through your clothing! As reported in the Lancet medical journal a healthy 50-year old scientist, fully dressed in trousers and underpants, burned his genital area after placing his laptop on his lap for an hour. While using the laptop he did feel the temperature and a burning feeling on his lap and thighs. Two days later he had blisters that burst and developed into infected wounds.

Besides being uncomfortable to use, laptops can even reduce the fertility in case of males. Researchers have concluded that working with a laptop placed on the thighs raises the skin temperature significantly. This further exposes the groin area to higher temperatures. It is a known fact that long-term exposure to heat has a harmful effect on male fertility, as the testis are located externally. The sitting position required to balance a laptop can raise scrotum temperature by as much as 2.1 degrees Celsius. Heat from the laptop itself can raise the temperature by another 0.7 C, bringing the potential total increase to 2.8 C. European fertility studies, meanwhile, have shown that in general, an increase in scrotum temperature by 1 C can reduce sperm count by as much as 40 percent. A common practical solution to this problem is to place the laptop on a table or desk.

Thriving sales of laptops have also led to a surge in the number of computer users with back and muscle problems, experts have warned.

Not sitting in a chair with the computer at the right height is taking a toll and children as young as 12 are being diagnosed with nerve injuries caused by slouching over screens. Many others are at danger of damage to their spines, necks and shoulders because of poor posture when using laptops.

The problem is being magnified by falling prices and the ever-increasing availability of wireless technology, which makes portable computers more attractive. As such, Laptop sales are rising by leaps and bounds. Moreover, laptops not subject to the same health and safety regulations as desktop computers making them more prone to incorrect usage.

A common problem is perching a laptop on the legs so users stare down at the screen and put strain on their necks, spines and legs.

Back and neck pain is caused by using a laptop on the move, such as on a train. Resting wrists against the edge of a laptop cab easily induce hand and arm pain similar to repetitive strain injury. It stops the nerves and tendons moving as they normally would, and this can cause nerve injury.

Source by Zulekha Alam

Tips on How to Sell Your Home Quickly!

When selling your home, it is extremely important to show your home at its potential. Here are a few simple things you can do to increase the attractiveness of your home to potential buyers while still keeping within a budget. Some of these items are do-it yourself projects and some require the help of a professional. Either way these changes will help you get top dollar for your home and also have a great return on investment.

In cost ascending order, here is what you can do to better present your home:

1) De-clutter, De-clutter, De-clutter – This is probably the most cost effective improvement you can choose to do. When it comes to showing your home, less is more. Remove religious items, family photos, gadgets and knickknacks. Keep in mind, you want the buyer to remember the home and not your collection of seashells.

2) Clean – I know you are busy, but grab the glass cleaner and the vacuum and get rid of those dust mites and smudgy windows.

3) Upgrade hardware – Are those handles on your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors still from the 70’s? Changing the hardware is a simple and cost effective way to give a new, modern look to an old cupboard door.

4) Upgrade light fixtures- Along the same lines as #3, change old, outdated light fixtures and electrical cover plates. These are cheap to replace yet make a huge difference in the appearance of a room. Don’t forget to make sure to replace burnt out light bulbs as well.

5) Paint – Freshen up the interior of your home with a new coat of paint. Use a neutral colour to make the space appear larger than it is and also to allow the buyer to envision their own furniture in the space. Neutral colours are the best way to go as it allows the buyer to remember the space and not the bright orange wall colour you chose in the 80’s.

6) Upgrade flooring – I know the old shag rug in the living room is a classic, but a potential buyer probably won’t agree. If it’s in your budget, replace it with simple, neutral broadloom or hardwood floors. If hardwood is way out of your budget, opt for laminate.

7) Kitchen Upgrades – We all know women make the final decision when buying a home. We also know that one of the first rooms a woman looks at is the kitchen. If it’s not in your budget to re-model the kitchen then consider replacing those old appliances with stainless steel. Stainless steel appliances are sleek and will give your home that modern touch.

8) Curb Appeal – OK, so the interior of the home is looking spiffy, we can’t forget about the exterior – after all the front yard is the first thing the buyer sees when they pull up to the home. Make a good impression and make the home more inviting. Grab that lawn mower and hedge trimmer and add a few flowers. In today’s market climate it is more important than ever to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. After all, you only get one chance at a first impression so why not make it a good one!

Source by Joy Paterson

Hire The Best Commercial Water Heater Repair Burbank

A consistent hot water supply is vital for business operation. However, when there is a breakdown of the hot water tanks, there can be an inconvenience and cost you high. Moreover, there can be catastrophes if not taken care of in the early stage. If your hot water tanks is more than 10 years old, then it’s time to replace it with the new one. When there is damage or a halt in the water supply, hiring commercial water heater repair Burbank Plumbing Boys, is the right decision you can take. Plumbing Boys offers prompt service with complete insight on the water heater repair service.

Timely Maintenance:

Like every other appliance, the water heater will require maintenance regularly for safe and efficient working. As the heater gets old, it will require maintenance. Hiring hot water heater repair Burbank service Plumbing Boys will help you determine the type of care needed based on different factors, including location, design, quality of installation, and water quality.

When you look forward to installing a water heater, you will come across different options. This include-

• Conventional: Using electricity or gas power to heat the water inside the tank, which is significant in the tank. You can find this in commercial establishments.

• Hybrid: Hybrid heater uses a tank and heat the pump. This is certainly the most efficient method that can reduce the water heating cost up to 60%.

• Tankless: Under this, water heats up instantly and can lower the water heating costs by 30%.

Some Signs You Will Need Repair Service:

There are situations when it may need attention for commercial treatment.

Brown Tinge to the Water: When the tank isn’t cleaned for long, the interior area starts getting rusting or corroded. If the corrosion continues, the water quality gets affected.

Leaking Tank: As the tanks get older, there is a high chance of leakage. This leakage can hardly be fixed. In most cases, the replacement is the only possible way.

Clogged Drain Valve: In some cases, sediments get collected at the bottom of the tank. This further blocks the drain valve causing issues.

How Do Plumbing Boys Help?

If you want to hire a tankless water heat repair Burbank service, Plumbing Boys will do the job effectively. Expert plumbers carry in-depth knowledge about replacement and treatment and they will ensure that the water heater has the proper venting and isn’t a fire hazard. Their commitment to the work is what makes them unique from other plumbers.

Source by Prakash Babu

What Makes the Best Water Treatment System – Distillation, Reverse Osmosis, Activated Carbon?

I am sure you have gone through hard time in choosing the right water treatment system. Some are just not even “apple to apple” kind of comparison due to its different nature and functions, some are totally different mythology, some just do not produce the similar outcome. In order to do that, the best comparison is to compare the end result which is the “Filtered Water” or the “Purified Water”. To understand which water treatment system provide the best water filtration, we will need to understand what a system does and does not perform. We are discussing only the water treatment after water has been supplied to by the water work department.

Distillation

This is not equivalent to boiling water where molecules of water did not leave the original container and stay with whatever other molecules originally there. In distillation, water is being heaten up to its boiling point continuously, the evaporate water molecules will be recaptured by cooling down the steam vapor and collect in another clean container. Both method remove bacteria effectively, but distillation remove traces of minerals like iron, calcium, etc (which obviously has higher boiling point) etc by evaporate into air first. However, contaminants having lower boiling point than water like benzene will not be able to screen out.

Advantage:- Effectively remove bacteria and heavy metals.

Disadvantage:- Also remove trace of natural minerals in water and almost everything else other than water.

Reverse Osmosis

We will need to understand what is Osmosis process, where molecules of water migrate naturally from a weaker saline solution to a stronger saline solution, gradually equalizing the saline composition of each solution which is divided by a semi-permeable membrane. Reverse Osmosis, the opposite of natural osmosis process of water in which the molecules of water are being pressurized to go through a semi-permeable membrane from stronger saline solution to weaker side ( any contaminants having molecule size bigger than water will not pass through).

Advantage:- Remove fluoride, chloride and other harmful particles.

Disadvantage:- Also remove trace of minerals like salt, lead, manganese, iron, and calcium. Can not remove chlorine and volatile organic chemicals which are relatively smaller in size. Having to remove alkaline mineral constituents of water, produces acidic water which will strip off calcium in bones and teeth in order to neutralize acidtiy in it.

Water Filter

By the name it means involvement of some filtration medium, physically intercept selected particles from passing through, or chemically transform selected molecule into other form, or even using the combination of both.

Ceramic filter

Ceramic water filters come as a cartridge that fits a normal bench top filter. Some ceramic filters incorporate nano-silver impregnated into a porous ceramic outer shell that can trap bacteria down to as low as .22 of a micron in particle size [1/100,000 of an inch].

Laboratories consider a filtering medium with an effective pore size of .01 micron to .45 micron to be bacteriologically sterile and .45 micron to 1.0 micron to be bacteriologically safe. Re growth of bacteria that becomes trapped either on the outside of the element or in the ceramic’s pores is controlled by the silver which, on contact with water, releases small quantities of positively charged metals ions.

However, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), chlorine and other undesirable odor and taste compounds, will remain in the treated water after ceramic filtering.

These ions are taken into the enzyme system of the bacteria’s cell and thereby neutralize it.

Advantage: Effectively remove bacteria

Disadvantage: Flow rate of ceramic water filters are slow. However, the flow rate of the ceramic filter can be improvised by brushing its outer surface under running water. As the top layer of ceramic and contaminants are brushed off and flushed away, a new layer becomes available.

Charcoal Filter

Charcoal water filter derived from coconut husk . This absorbs impurities as the water passes through. This form of filter comprises possibly 95% of those in use domestically. They are simple to install, relatively economical, and depending on micron level, will filter out the most deadly of contaminants, Cryptosporidium and Guardia.Some charcoal filters are enhanced by the use of activated nano-silver, which provides extra antibacterial protection, killing around 650 known types of organisms.

Advantage: Effectively remove most contaminants by absorbing impurities and economical. Minerals in solution can still permeate a charcoal filter. These minerals are essential to health.

Disadvantage: Need to be replaced at the interval of 9 – 12 months (but its cheap and safe). In area where sediment is a problem, the filter will get clogged easily. Installing a pre filter will prolong its life span.

Pre Filter

In area where sludge and large solid particles are a problem, pre filter is the solution. It is usually a membrane that block large sediments or particles from passing through and thus prolong the water treatment system.

Advantage: Filter all the large particles and sediments, the water will appear clean and clear from human eyes. Prolong the life span of main water treatment system, and it’s more economical to install one. It is comparatively much cheaper than the main unit and most of it is cleanable (which make it more lasting).

Disadvantage: Always need to be cleaned when the flow of water is slow, only remove large particles, not chlorine, bacteria and other contaminants. Will need to be replaced regularly.

So what make the best water treatment system?

In conclusion, there is no one filter that can be called as the best water treatment system. Every filter will have the goods and bads, lets put the cost factor aside as I had mentioned in my other articles; cost come later after you compare the effectiveness of water treatment system.

Has this ever come across your mind; if one filter can not be the best water treatment system, why not have a combination of all?

Multi-Stage Water Filtration System!

The best water treatment system is to make use of all the advantages of the filters or filtration system, to compensate the shortfall of others. A multi-stage water filtration system will remove the sediments, large particles, contaminants, bacteria, toxins, chlorine and odors, but leaving the trace of minerals, which is vital to our body fluids.

I can not stress enough the importance when come to choosing the right water purification system, effectiveness in removing all the unwanted contaminants as the main purpose of having a water filtration system, but leaving the good minerals in the water as the nature intended it to be.

When come to cost factor, the main concern will be that you are paying for the reliability (research & development) of the system, instead of contributing to unnecessary advertising and promotion for the branding exercise. Another cost factor to consider is the replacement cartridges pricing and availability of it. No point having a cheap main system, but the replacement cost of ct ridges that will burn a hole in your pocket. Some water filter replacement parts are easily available, some are not and might have even ceased production.

I wish you and your family in best of health, especially the young ones who need healthy water to grow and excel in life.

Source by Alvyn Khoo

Advantages of Wearing a Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Leather motorcycle jackets are popular outfit among bikers. Top fashion designers advise stylish people to wear dark jeans and black leather motorcycle jacket. This enhances their look while they are driving on road. The reason behind its popularity is not just style, there are several advantages associated in wearing such jackets.

Benefits of wearing leather motorcycle jackets

1. Leather is a thick material and hence these jackets can sustain shocks when a biker falls off from his motorcycle during accidents. Since the material is flexible it will also help you to move freely and have a better control of your two-wheeler.

2. When you are riding your two-wheeler on a road you must wear something that has sufficient ventilation. This will make you feel comfortable while you drive. These jackets are specially designed with superior ventilation system so that there is sufficient air flow inside the outfit.

3. If you are riding on a highway, you need to wear something that will make you visible from a long distance. These leather motorcycle jackets come in striking colors that can make a driver noticeable from far away. Some of these jackets are designed with special bands which shine when light falls on it.

4. When you ride a motorcycle, the outfit you wear is constantly exposed to sunlight. Hence, your outfit should be made with a material that cannot be damaged by sunlight or rain. Leather jackets have the feature of staying unaffected in all weather conditions. Hence, you can readily put it without the fear of losing its classy texture.

The leather for making these outfits comes from different sources like cow, elk, bull, deer etc. The raw skin of these animals needs to be treated with sealant to give a smooth texture. Many companies selling these outfits at cheap price don’t perform this chemical processing. Hence, always select a good store when you want to buy a leather motorcycle jacket.

When you buy leather jacket from a reputed store you can see a wide range of styles in it. Some people want to make their jacket look unique. They have the option of making designs like name and symbols at the back. A good store uses advanced techniques to make such prints so that the printed design stays on the jacket for a long time even after daily use.

Source by Orson Dixon

Sleeping Right Next to an Air Conditioner

Some people find that they cannot get to sleep at night during the summer unless their room is ice cold. Which is somewhat funny since some of these same people insist on being nice and warm during the winter. Anyways, it is important to make sure that you are not over doing it when it comes to sleeping with an air conditioner on at night. Fresh air is always best but if you cannot sleep with your window open for safety concerns or fears than go ahead and stick with the air conditioner. Just make sure that the room does not get too cold though.

You would be surprised how many people will end up with a cold in the middle of a hot summer because they slept in a room that got below forty degrees. In order to make sure that the room does not get too cold, you might want to look into a temperature controlled air conditioner.

There are window units that allow you to punch in the exact temperature that you want and then the unit will shut off when it gets to that temperature instead of continuing to make the room colder. As the room heats up some, the air conditioner will kick back on in order to get the temperature back to your desired setting.

These window air conditioner units usually cost a little bit more but not by much. If you want to make sure that you have a comfortable night of sleep without freezing to death, these are the air units to go for.

Source by Myloer Jamery

Domestic Electrical Installation

Domestic electrical installation is the assembly of associated electrical equipment supplied from a common point of origin to fulfill a specific purpose and having certain coordinated characteristics. Power cables must be correctly fitted with plugs and sockets. The cable should be as short as possible and should be unreeled before use. Power consumption is normally given in Watts or Kilowatts (1 Kilo watt = 1000 watts). If the total demand exceeds 3.3 Kilowatts (3300 watts) or 13 amps, then you will need a brand new circuit all the way from your main fuse board (consumer unit) in 6.00mm or 10.00mm cable to an area close to the cooker.

The domestic electrical installations are safe and regularly checked by a qualified electrician working to the current IEE regulations (BS7671). In no circumstances should an untrained person attempt any electrical work. Electrical books have helped thousands of students to gain their domestic electrical installation qualifications. The fifth edition has been updated in line with the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations so that students can be sure to work to the latest regulations. Therefore it is essential that all domestic electrical installations are inspected, tested and properly maintained in order that they may operate safely.

Discover the requirements for earthing domestic electrical installation. Examine the different types of final circuit, as well as their applications. It is suitable for people who are already working in this occupational area but not previously qualified and for trade qualified people who need to develop knowledge of domestic electrical installation. You will undertake practical projects to develop electrical craft skills within the classroom and/or fully equipped workshop.The course will give a relevant qualification for the domestic electrical installation contracting industry.

A dimmer switch is a power limiting device. They are used to lower the amount of power that a light bulb can draw. The hollow body has an accommodation chamber for electrical devices. The front part is plate-shaped and engages in the opening in the rear part, whereby the front part can be fixed in the desired mounting position in the opening in the rear part.

The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers and self employed persons to take reasonable practical steps to ensure no danger results from the use of any electrical appliances. This requires the introduction of a systematic and regular programmed schedule of maintenance, inspection and testing. .

To maintain safety training while reducing budgets contractors must get smart when choosing training opportunities. Many companies and organizations have designed resources to reduce the overall cost of safety training, while still maintaining quality.

Source by Ovidiu Diaconu

Roofing Works and Services

Roof covering installation and assembly

Roof structure is often called “roofing pie” and not without reason – indeed, any rooftop consists of several elements, which, sort of stratifying on each other, create strong safeguard for housing. Each of coating construction’s layers performs its own designated role, whether that be moisture-proofing, noise insulation, or defense against heat loss. During roof’s installation it is important to pay particular attention to the sequence of coats in order to ensure effectiveness of their functions. Basic elements are:

– damp-proof membrane and vapor sealing pellicle;

– warmth-keeping lagging;

– protection against wind;

– roof-boarding material;

– ventilation arrangement;

– other components.

Roof installation implies creation of such a “pie”, which at the final stage is covered with cladding or thatching, and, if necessary, is painted. Material selection to obtain the desired hermeticity and durability is carried out with due regard to climate characteristics, building’s designation and architectural peculiarities, roof’s structure (flat or pitched). In addition, it is important to consider degree of loadings imposed by snow, winding and other atmospheric phenomena.

Assembly of flat-deck and inclined roofs, other roofing activities require different approaches, equipment and appropriate knowledge of installers. Let’s take a detailed look at different roofs’ specificities, and focus on such important operational aspects as repairing, maintenance and mounting of rainwater systems.

Features of flat roofs installation

Flat roofs with a slope less than 2.5 degrees are arranged by means of fusion-bonded reel-fed materials or polymeric membranes. These stuffs are designed specifically for terraced-roof option, customized in light of its profile, that gives them maximum protection against weathering, ultraviolet exposure, etc. Assembling rolled materials is accomplished by welding sheets of roll composition roofing using hot air. Various mastics allow achieving waterproof membrane’s perfect impermeability.

Assembly of membranous rooftops is executed by attaching the fabric to roofing’s screed; membrane sheets are fastened between each other by hot-air welding method. Extruded heat retainers, mineral wool rigid insulants and expanded plastics are applied for flat-deck roofs’ winterization. Installation technologies and insulation’s choice is determined by roofing type and loads intensity on it.

Pitch roof installation notes

Pitched roofs with a slope of above 8-12 degrees are covered with different roofing materials, among which the most common are clay roofing shingles, metal tile, profiled sheeting, flexible bituminous shingle and cement-sand tiles. In most cases choice of suitable option id driven by customer’s personal preferences and size of budget allotted for housetop arrangement.

Corrugated sheets and metal shingles are installed by laying on lathing and fastening with special self-drilling screws. Folded covering assembly involves the use of specialized equipment, by which galvanized steel sheets are bonded in seams (single or double). Flexible bitumen tiles are laid on roof’s substructure, which is preliminary necessary to be carefully prepared – cleaned and dried. Mounting versatile bitumen plates is executed overlapping or on self-adhesive tile layer (in certain cases – asphalt coating compound), or by means of nails. Species of slate are laid on prepared lathwork; shingles are attached using stating nails with rubber gasket and anticorrosion cap. Holes for nails in sheets of slate are drilled in advance. Thermal insulation of inclined roofs, implying the presence of loft (or mansard), is produced using fiberglass or mineral-based materials having density from 35 to 125 kg / cubic meter. Depending on whether attic or mansard will be arranged, heaters are attached along the slope or on ceiling slab respectively. Qualitative carrying out of works on roofing weatherization can substantially reduce electricity consumption for heating and improve reliability of the entire roof structure.

Roof repair

Despite the fact that installing carried out by professionals ensures housetop’s trustability and its primary function – protection against atmospheric precipitation, nevertheless sooner or later a necessity of repair arises. Roof repair, regardless of its type, is divided into current and capital. Current repairing includes eliminating small defects in coating (cracks, bumps, depressurization of joints), and if necessary, elements’ partial replacement. Major overhaul implies replacing roofing material, comprising dismantling of old covering, restoration of roof structure, installation of thermal insulation, installation of new coverage and painting (if necessary).

Timely conduction of current repairs allows to maintain the roof in excellent condition with minimal resources and efforts. Permanent maintenance performed by professionals is important to detect and correct defects.

Roofing maintenance

In order to extend roofing’s service life and eliminate the need for major repairs, attendance is conducted, implying thorough inspection and elimination of existing defects. Different types of covering require individual approach and high professionalism. Examination should be done at least twice a year for timely detection of potential problems. Roofing service may also include roofing cleaning spillway chutes and pipes, sealing elements of roofing system, cleaning debris, snow and ice from the roof, painting elements that have lost their original appearance and many other things.

Drainage systems arrangement

Organization of gutters is necessary action in building any rooftop. For pitched roofs exterior drainage system is used, consisting of pipes and gutters fabricated of metal or PVC. Properly organized water disposal shields facade and basement from premature destruction upon exposure to moisture and, in addition, allows giving the house more finished attractive look.

Choice of material and shape of the drainage elements is dictated by customer’s financial resources and personal aesthetic preferences. In most cases, installing PVC gutters is less expensive, but because of their properties to change under influence of temperature, plastic pipes and gutters can lead to leakages. Modern rainwater systems’ manufacturers for this purpose develop special sealants delivered with PVC gutters, which can significantly prolong their lifespan.

Copper cunettes are considered to be the most durable, but other metallic watercourses also have an excellent performance and can serve for decades. “General Builder” also offers solutions for flat roofs, where internal runoff systems, including spillway funnels, pipes and connectors, are organized. Professionals’ participation is necessary for optimal calculation of load, imposed on drainage system. Works should be carried out with clear correspondence to requirements specified in regulatory documents, taking into account structure’s slope, dimensions, and many other factors.

Source by Anzelm Tannerman