Make Your Roof Work For You

Let's just say that the weather can be your enemy these days. With all the rain we get, it only makes sense to have your roof work extra hard for you if you can. Have you heard about the rain barrel rebate? They can help to ensure your roof stays intact and leakage issues are avoided. Rain barrels work by funneling the water dripping off of your roof into a specially designed barrel that holds the water for you to use for things like watering your plants or lawn, among other things:

In San Diego County, there’s still time to buy water-conserving rain barrels without getting soaked.

A $75 rebate offered by the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is available for a variety of qualifying rain barrels. It drops to $35 on Jan.1. Rebate rules are at www.socalwatersmart.com.

The Water Authority and the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation have a special deal on rain barrels that sell for $90 each before the rebate, discounted from $149. The barrels are made of heavy duty recycled plastic, hold 50 gallons, have a lid with a screen at the top, and a spigot at the bottom. They can be ordered online and picked up at the Solana Center in Encinitas.

Water officials say the barrels help conserve potable water, save money on bills, and reduce storm runoff that carries pollutants into streams, lagoons and the ocean.

About 31,000 rebates have been issued for rain barrels and cisterns in the region since the incentive program began three years ago, said Joni German, a water resources specialist at the County Water Authority.

Rain seems to whet people’s interest in the program, by reminding them that harvested water can be put to good use.

“Now is the time,” German said Wednesday. “These are our rainy months. Even if you don’t have gutters, you can still use rain barrels.”

Just walk around the house and see where the rainwater is flowing off the roof, she said. That’s the place for a barrel. Some people use a decorative rain chain, usually made of copper or stainless steel, to help direct runoff from their roof into a barrel.

Most people place the barrels beneath the downspouts from their gutters, and install an elbow in the downspout to direct the water into the container. It’s good idea to place the barrel on concrete blocks or bricks to elevate it enough that the water can flow through a gravity-fed hose from the bottom to the garden. Overflow from the top of the full container should run onto a lawn or garden and not a hard surface.

Via: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/sd-no-rain-barrel-20161228-story.html

You'll want to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape so that this lovely rain you're collecting doesn't leak through and into your house. If you've got damaged shingles or missing shingles for that matter you're going to lose a lot of that water to the inside of your house. It's best to get your roof repaired before putting too much stock into a rain barrel so that you can make sure you get all the water where you want it. Check out our services: http://sandiego.preciseroofing.net/roof-repair/, and then consider calling. The value of your home is tied strongly to the quality of your roof, so keeping it in the best shape possible keeps not only your home strong, but the amount of money it's worth.

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Preventing Fungi From Growing In Your Walls

What are the consequences of a leaky roof? Maybe you need to put some buckets on the floor to catch the drips, right? We see that all the time in cartoons and other comedy shows. But a bucket isn't going to save you from all the issues a leaky roof will cause. And while it isn't as bad as fire, moisture comes the threat of mold. No one wants those less-than-fun fungi growing in their walls. Here are some words of wisdom:

You can procrastinate about some cleaning tasks, but when it comes to mold, it’s better to take care of it sooner rather than later. Mold can cause health problems and destroy whatever it grows on. The spores of mold fungi commonly float through the air, and when they adhere to damp surfaces and start to grow, they can gradually consume the surface. The key is to get the cleanup done before that happens.

Mold produces allergens that can cause reactions in some people, including hay fever-type symptoms. Even mold treated by a chemical or biocide can still cause allergic reactions, so in addition to killing mold, it also needs be removed, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Here’s a look at cleanup tips and how to prevent mold from forming.

Where Mold Is Most Common

A leaky roof or plumbing, flood damage, or indoor humidity that’s too high and without proper ventilation can all lead to mold problems. Unmitigated flood and water damage can lead to mold growth in as little as 24 hours, according to Gold Coast Flood Restorations in San Diego.

Anyplace that remains damp and unventilated is a potential mold-forming zone. “Anywhere water travels” in a structure is vulnerable to mold, says Austin Reid, co-owner of Mold Masters in Southern California.

That includes areas where major plumbing arteries are located, crawl spaces with drains, walls plumbed from bathroom to bathroom and between floors. Incorrectly sealed tubs and faulty construction can cause water to seep in crevices and create big problems over time, Reid says.

Regions where the weather tends to be damp or humid can be mold hot spots — but arid areas are not immune. Buildings that are tightly sealed may lack adequate ventilation, which can lead to moisture buildup, says the EPA.

Mildew is another fungi-produced coating that can form on damp surfaces. Mildew usually grows in a flat pattern and appears powdery and white or gray. Mold is darker in color, usually black or green, and penetrates the surface of what it’s growing on. You may follow the same cleaning steps below to remove mold and mildew.

Via: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/12/15/expert-advice-to-prevent-remove-household-mold/

Put the buckets away and step away from the umbrella. It's bad luck to open one of those inside anyway. If you've got a leaky roof you need to get serious about calling for roof repair: http://sandiego.preciseroofing.net/roof-repair/. Only by repairing the leak can you stop the moisture from coming in! After that's been taken care of it's time to clean up and maybe have an expert take a look if the leak was going on for a long time. Don't find yourself becoming a fungi-farmer by chance.

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