Commercial Roofing in the Midwest

The Importance of the Climate Zone Map

2012-02-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

In order to provide the insulation material for your building, the BASF educates contractors to reference the the U.S. Department of Energy's climate zone map. The map breaks the United States up into two main areas: dry and moist, and further breaks it down into eight zones.

Each zone has specific requirements for how spray polyurethane foam should be applied. To spare you with all the technical jargon, SPF is applied differently from one zone to the next, depending upon climates.

"Both open-cell and closed-cell spray foam are air impermeable and can help to reduce energy losses and avoid condensation by increasing the airtightness of the enclosure if the enclosure is properly designed and the spray foam is properly installed. Open-cell foam is vapor permeable so care must be taken in colder climates to minimize the risk of vapor diffusion wetting of the exterior sheathing. Hybrid applications, known as “flashand- batt” or “flash-and-fill” or “combo systems” consist of spray foam against the exterior sheathing covered with a layer of fibrous insulation. Spraying foam directly against exterior foam insulation is also possible as a hybrid approach but care must be given during the foam application process." Spray Foam Guide, Building Science Corporation 2011.

As a performance-based mid-western spray polyurethane roofing and air barrier company we take understanding the reasons behind the different applications very seriously. We are committed to providing our clients with nothing less than an exception final product so continual staff education in SPF design and installation is a priority.

Why Choose Spray Foam?

2012-02-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

Our friends at the Spray Foam Coalition provided us with a 2-page document that lists the benefits of choosing spray polyurethane foam (SPF) for your insulation and air sealing barrier needs on walls, roofs and other surfaces. You can download the document from our website or keep reading for the summarized version.

Spray Foam is Energy Efficient
As much as 40% of a building's energy is lost due to air infiltration, gaps, holes and air leaks. Spray foam closes gaps that lets air escape and can reduce utility bills. It also helps your HVAC unit as it maintains an optimal climate in your building, keeping it from working as hard. In fact, a HVAC unit can be downsized by as much as 35% when a building is SPF insulated.

When SPF is applied to the roof of a building, it can provide cool roof performance when topped with a protective, reflective coating. "Cool roofs" are designed to maintain a lower temperature than traditional roofs.

Common air leaks found in most buildings.
Source: 2011 American Chemistry Council, Inc.

Buildings can be sealed with SPF.
Source: 2011 American Chemistry Council, Inc.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Can Improve Building Strength and Durability
A SPF roofing system is known to have effective lifespans that can exceed 30 years. A professionally applied SPF can create a strong bond to protect the roof and eliminate water seepage through weak spots. It increases a building's resistance to wind uplift, "gluing" the overall building together.

SPF insulation is highly resistant to floodwater damage. It also prevents moisture and condensation throughout the building, helping prevent mold and mildew. When closed-cell is applied in the cavities of walls it increases durability of the wall system because of its ability to conform and adhere to the surface.

Source: Spray Foam Coalition

Top 10 States for LEED-Certified Green Buildings

2012-02-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

Back in January, The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its 2011 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita, based on the U.S. 2010 Census information.

The District of Columbia leads the nation, with more than 31 square feet of LEED-certified space per person in 2011, with Colorado being the leading state, with 2.74 square feet per person in 2011.

Other top states include Illinois, Virginia and Washington, with 2.69, 2.42 and 2.18 square feet of LEED-certified space per person, respectively.

The top LEED states per capita, including the District of Columbia, are Colorado, Illinois, Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, California, New York and Minnesota.

LEED is the internationally recognized mark of green building excellence, with more than 44,000 commercial projects participating, comprising over 8 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 120 countries.

Most products used by Washington Roofing and Insulation are ENERGY STAR®, LEED, CRRC, Miami - Dade County approved and/or certified.

Source: Press Release Jan. 19, 2012 by the U.S. Green Building Council

Give Your HVAC Unit a Break

2012-01-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

How much money do you spend a year on your heating a cooling for your building? Commercial energy consumption has always been high but heating and cooling can be a bill you dread receiving. Much of the costs associated with these inflated numbers are due to air leaks in your building.

Many companies now are looking into air barrier systems for their building, which is also considered a "building envelope." The building's six sides are wrapped in layers comprised by a number of different materials which helps prevent air leakage and the diffusion of air caused by wind and other sources. It assists in keeping the warm air in during the colder months and the cool air in during the warmer months. It can also help with the prevention of mold and other pollutants that can be potentially harmful to people within the structure.

Application of the Walltite foam air barrier system at
the University of Missouri School, Columbia, Missouri.

Air barrier system envelope protects entire building.

The Department of Energy says that air leakage can increase energy costs by up to 40% in colder climates and 15% in cooling costs. A good air barrier system can reduce these costs. In fact, since mechanical engineers design the HVAC units in buildings around air leakage, many times they are able to use smaller units when a building has a good air barrier system in place.

So give your HVAC unit a break and look into air barrier systems for your next building design or renovation. It will help your pocketbook, as well.

Roof Management Plan: Testing Your Roof for Moisture

2012-01-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

We work with many building owners and maintenance managers who find they suddenly need to repair their building's roof and lack the funding to get it done properly. One of our clients has been working on finalizing the proposed roofing project for nearly two years. It is safe to say that a Roof Management plan for your building is important to have in place, and even though it may not guarantee funding will always be available it will provide you with solid, up-to-date evidence to provide to the proper decision makers.

In our last post we skimmed over what is considered a beginning to a good roofing management plan. In this post we will talk more about roofing inspections and how detecting moisture is determined.

There are three types of non-destructive methods for testing moisture problems which have advanced over the years to give pretty reliable results: Impedance/Capacitance, Infrared and Nuclear. However, once moisture has been determined by one of three ways is it important to undergo a core test to verify the conditions.

Impedance/Capacitance - can be done with a hand-held meter by setting it over the roof membrane. It will determine if a specific area in the roof is wet or dry through electronic signals. This testing cannot be completed over wet or ponded areas.

Infrared - Conducted with an infrared camera used after sunset to identify temperature differences on the roof. Areas that are dry will cool off quicker than areas that hold moisture.

Nuclear - A nuclear scanning meter can test in areas of ponding water and scan up to 7 inches in depth of the roof. In the article, "Technical Details: How to Properly Determine Moisture Content in Roof Systems" author John D'Annunzio says "Testing is conducted over the entire roof area by sectioning the roof into grids . . . and recording the readings at each of these locations."

Moisture Verification: Core Cut and Test - In this process you actually drill through the entire roof and extract a core sample. After the core area is properly repaired the sample is tested to provide data of all components found in your roof. Each roof system and repair method can be identified as well as the percentage of moisture detected. Results are them provided and a plan for repair or replacement can begin.

Sources:
Article in Roofing Contractor Magazine

A Roof Management Plan

2012-01-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

Do you have a roofing management plan? It is sometimes the case that when many organization think about implementing a roofing management plan, their roofs actually need to be replaced and they are looking for immediate funding.

Most building owners or facility managers agree that regular roof inspections are important to "reduce ownership costs, reduce leak frequency and severity, extend roof life, and reduce management inefficiencies."

In order to begin your roof management plan, first start with a historical record of your building's roof. You will need when it was installed, who installed it, what type of system, warranties, who the manufacturer was, leak and repair history.

Then you will need to actually need a roofing professional to perform a "condition assessment," both visual and non-destructive. If in-house employees are trained in roof inspections you can utilize them, as well. If you hire an outside contractor, make sure they familiar "with the design, installation, repair, and types of failure specific to the roof system being surveyed."

Your survey documentation should be complete with photos, checklists and condition report. This information will be of value for the roofing contractor you hire in the future when your roof needs repair or replaced.

We'll dive further into roof management plans on our next post.

Source: Roof Inspections: A Closer Look

Roofs Needing Repair Don't Worry About 2012 Trends

2012-01-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

The Dodge Report forecasting 2012 construction trends says that this year will be similar to 2011 as both residential and commercial markets sporadically jump around the grid. As commercial roofing contractors who have watched the industry ebb and flow for over 35 years we understand that trends are important to watch but do not necessarily indicate the success of a company. One thing will remain the same with us: when your building's roof needs fix, you need a trust-worthy, experienced roofing professional to fix it. Simple as that.

Roofing renovation does not have to be a ghastly project to complete. There does not have to be the big tear-off expense and noise disruption. There does not have to be the smell of tar and the headache of employees stepping around debris trying to get in the door.

Washington Roofing has several solutions for roofing repair or new construction roofing projects. One is with fluid applied, elastomeric coating systems. These systems are sustainable, seamless and are engineered for toughness and durability.

The other roofing system Washington Roofing offers is the Spray Polyurethane Foam system,which is sprayed on foam insulation giving your building seamless, lightweight insulation with a high "R" value. This system can be used on both new roofs and roof repairs, and is perfect for unusual-shaped buildings.

Personal meetings and professional consultation is one of the most important benefits we can offer you during your research and budgeting process. It is our job to make sure you understand your options and are satisfied with the end result.

Up On the Roof Top

2011-12-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

We have been "up on the roof top" now for over 35 years and have never been mistaken for Ol' St. Nick, albeit we would find it to be a complimentary identity mishap. The jolly man himself may have a bigger service area and a larger target audience but our mid-western clientele is pretty extensive with places in Texas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa and of course, Kansas.

We have met some fantastic people along the way, and they are all pretty satisfied with their polyurethane spray foam roof systems or their air barrier systems for their commercial buildings. This last year has been quite a ride. We became Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) accredited to install Air Barrier systems and, along with many others, are currently working with the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity House at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

But aside from all of that, we want to wish everyone happy holidays and the best for the 2012 new year. We are looking forward to being "up on the roof top" for many more years to come.

Types of Roof Systems

2011-12-08T11:28:00.001-08:00

There are five generic classifications of low slope membranes or systems, with most having three principle components: Weatherproofing Layers, Reinforcement and Surfacing.

Built-Up Roof (BUR) Membranes
Commonly referred as "tar and gravel" roofs, BUR roofs are composed of alternating layers of bitumen and reinforcing fabrics to create a finished membrane. The number of plies in a cross section is the number of plies on a roof, i.e. a four ply room membrane construction is four plies.

Metal Panel Roof Systems
There is only one category of metal roof systems used in low-slop applications: structural metal panel. These can be used because of their hydrostatic (water barrier) characteristics and are designed to resist the passage of water at laps and other joints with sealant or anti capillary methods.

Polymer-Modified Bitumen Sheet Membranes
Polymer-modified bitumen or modified bitument (MB) are composed of reinforcing fabrics that serve as carriers for the hot polymer-modified bitumen as it is manufactured into a rool material. They are composed of multiple layers, much like BUR membranes, and are typically installed as a two-ply system and almost always are fully adhered.

Single-Ply Membranes
These are factory-manufactured sheet membranes generally categorized as either thermopolastic or thermoset. Thermoplastic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic olefin (TPO) can be repeatedly softened when heated and hardened when cooled. Thermoset materials, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) solidify, or "set," irreversibly after heating. Single ply membranes are referred to by their chemical acronyms, like TPO or EPDM.

Spray Polyurethane Foam-Based (SPF) Roof Systems

After photo of a hospital roof with the
Spray Polyurethane Foam System.

SPF-based roof systems are constructed by mixing and spraying a two-component liquid that forms the base of an adhered roof system. It can installed in various thicknesses to provide slope to drain or meet a specified thermal resistance (R-value). A protective surfacing is then applied to the foam to provide protection from the elements. The first component is rigid, closed cell, spray polyurethane foam insulation. The second component is the protective surfacing and is typically a spray applied elastomeric coating. This provides weatherproofing, protect the foam from UV exposure, provide protection from mechanical damage and assist with the fire-resistant characteristic of the roof system.

From the National Roofing Contractors Association website

Energy Wise Giving

2011-12-01T08:22:00.001-08:00

It happened. The year 2011 rolled into December. If you braved through the Black Friday weekend and Cyber madness then you may have already finished your Christmas shopping. For those of us who didn't, and who still have items on the "list" for Santa, we may want to take a moment to adjust our thinking which may help save our planet.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) 18th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Patterns Study report, this year's holiday spending will increase with over one-third of purchases spent on electronics. It is good for the economy to see the increase in spending, and electronics have always been high on the list.

The propensity in human nature is to take the easy road, and let's admit it, cell phones, laptops, wireless printers, copiers, GPS units, garage openers and toys which interact with our children seem to make our lives easier. Bottom line, electronics are used to improve your efficiency in everyday living.

However, old and broken electronics end up in landfills and landfill usage is a monumental environmental concern. Perhaps if all of us over the next month would stop a moment before purchasing a new electronic device and ask ourselves a couple of questions, we may help decrease our own carbon footprint:

Can this be recycled and where? If it is a brand new and improved gadget or prototype, can we wait until the bugs have been worked out? (Do we hear a 'Bah Humbug?)

According to the cleanair.org waste facts website, "304 million electronics were disposed of from US Households in 2005 and two-thirds of them still worked." The website also mentioned that if we all recycled cell phones for one year, we would save enough energy to power 18,500 homes for a year.

There are many places in Kansas City that assist with recycling and some communities even have "drives" which are set up throughout the year. On recyclespot.org you can find a list of service providers near you.

Source: Green Building Elements website : Cleanair.org

Our Thanks to You

2011-11-23T06:48:00.001-08:00

Our family is important here at Washington Roofing and Insulation (WRI). Balancing work life with home life a challenge in every office, but we have been blessed with people whose awareness and practice of this balance continues to drive the company forward.

We are also thankful for those who have trusted WRI for consultation and repair on their commercial building roofing and air barrier projects. These people are the reason for our success and our ability to maintain a healthy balance within the company.

So we want to show our appreciation this Thanksgiving by posting a "Thank You" to all of you who have become a part of our family as an employee, client, partner or collegue. We truly appreciate you and wish you all the best this holiday season.

Sincerely,
Chuck Carpenter
Owner, Washington Roofing and Insulation
a division of Washington Companies, Inc.

Roofing Terminology

2011-11-18T12:00:00.001-08:00

A-component (A-side)
One component of a two-component polymer system; for polyurethane foam and coatings, the isocyanate component.

Apron Flashing
A term used for a flashing located at the juncture of the top of a sloped roof and a vertical wall, chimney or steeper-sloped roof.

Bitumen
(1) A class of amorphous, black or dark-colored, (solid, semi-solid or viscous) cementitious substances, natural or manufactured, composed principally of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, soluble in carbon disulfide, and found in asphalts, tars, pitches and asphaltites; (2) a generic term used to denote any material composed principally of bitumen, typically asphalt or coal tar.

Cool Roof
A roof system that uses products made of highly reflective and emissive materials for its top surface. Cool roof surfaces can remain at markedly lower temperatures when exposed to solar heat in service than surfaces of roofs constructed with traditional non-reflective roofing products.

Damp-proofing
Treatment of a surface or structure to resist the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure.

Elastomeric coating
A coating that is capable of being stretched at least twice its original length (100 percent elongation) and recovering to its original dimensions.

Emissivity
(1) Infrared emissivity is a measure of the ability of a surface to shed some of its absorbed heat (in the form of infrared radiation) away from the surface; emissivity is expressed as a percentage or a decimal factor; (2) the ratio of radiant energy emitted from a surface under measurement to that emitted from a black body (the perfect emitter and absorber) at the same temperature.

Foam stop
The roof edge treatment upon which spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is terminated.

Parapet wall
The part of a perimeter wall that extends above a roof.

Single-ply roofing
A roof system in which the principal roof covering is a single-layer flexible thermoset or thermoplastic membrane.

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF)
A foamed plastic material, formed by mixing and spraying two components, methylene diphenyl diisocynate (MDI) ("A-component") and resin containing a polyol ("B-component") to form a rigid, fully adhered, water-resistant and insulating membrane.

Thermal resistance (or R-Value)
The quantity determined by the temperature difference at steady state between two defined surfaces of a material or construction that induces a unit heat flow rate through a unit area. In English (inch•pound) units, it is expressed as F•ft²•h/Btu.

Source: National Roofing Contractor Association

Flame Seal-TB

2011-11-10T09:57:00.001-08:00

After taking an intensive training class, Washington Roofing and Insulation is proud to announce our recent certification as a qualified Flame Seal-TB applicator.

Flame Seal-TB is a waterbased, intumescent coating product that has been certified multiple times as both a Thermal and Ignition Barrier when used over a Spray Polyurethane Foam system. With very low toxicity and low VOCs, the coating qualifies for the LEED IEQ4 Credit for Low Emitting Material - Paints and Coatings.

The certification process for a LEVEL ONE applicator includes passing a detailed test and establishing a Quality Assurance and Control process within their organization.

Spray Foam in a "Cave"

2011-11-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Spray Polyurethane Foam's (SPF) various architectural attributes can make life interesting here at Washington Roofing and Insulation (WRI). Last year, WRI started working with The Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, Kansas, which broke ground in July of 2010. Over the winter, WRI insulated the building with SPF.

WRI recently teamed up with Split Rock Studios, a company in Minneapolis that works to create cultural and natural history exhibits, to help build a Cave Exhibit at the Center.

WRI used SPF as the base for the exhibit's interior. After the foam was sprayed, Split Rock Productions mastered carving "rocks" into the walls and ceiling, painted them and then hung artificial vines to provide a complete cave-like experience.

The entrance to the cave exhibit.

Cave exhibit before start of SPF.

During the SPF process.

Both companies worked side-by-side to create
a unique cave-like experience.

Close up shot of the paint and vines.

"It was a very interesting project." said Moriah Carpenter, Estimator and Project Manager for WRI. "I'm excited to see the final results in the Spring."

The Flint Hills Discovery Center is expected to open it's doors in April, 2012.

Photos courtesy of Split Rock Studios.

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Spray Foam Coalition Launches new Spray Foam Benefits Website

2011-11-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

A press release issued last week by the American Chemistry Council announced that the Spray Foam Coalition (SFC), a new self-funded group within the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council, has launched a new public website, www.whysprayfoam.org to communicate the benefits of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation and roofing.

Washington Roofing & Insulation finished product
at Pawnee Heights School District in Burdett, Kansas.

The website offers information for homeowners, builders and architects about the benefits of spray foam, the different types of spray foam products and their applications in a home or building. This new information hub can help educate those who have little-to-no familiarity with spray foam about the basics of the products, or help an experienced builder or architect access the resources to help make decisions about incorporating spray foam into a new construction or retrofit project.

Although Washington Roofing & Insulation focuses more toward commercial roofing, this new website is a good resource for people who want general information about SPF.

Monolithic Domes in the Midwest

2011-10-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

The Midwest has seen it's share of bad weather this last year, with several tornadoes ripping through communities destroying homes and buildings. It has been said that nothing can protect us from this type of severe weather. However, many construction experts argue that monolithic domes could be the answer.

Washington Roofing & Insulation
re-coated this Salt Dome in Iowa with the
Spray Polyurethane Foam roof system.

Monolithic domes are buildings that meet FEMA's standards for near-absolute protection from severe weather. Construction of monolithic domes is a very specialized arena consisting of steel reinforced concrete and closed-cell SPF Insulation.

Oklahoma, according to SprayFoam Insulation & Roofing magazine, has the most monolith domes than any other state, and a lot has to do with the fact that Oklahoma is known as "tornado alley." In fact, many school districts in the state are constructing monolithic domes to provide an emergency shelter for their students. Dome schools can also be found in Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Minnesota, Florida and Idaho, according to the article.

Source: SprayFoam Insulation & Roofing magazine
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How to Hire a Commercial Roofing Contractor

2011-10-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

Replacing the roof on your building was approved in the budget and now it is time to start looking for a good roofing contractor. As you begin the steps it takes to qualify roofing professionals, take in mind some of the points listed below:

Length of Time in Business. Companies who have been in business longer usually have broader experience than start-ups.
Insured, Licensed and Bonded. Proof of insurance and establishing that the contractor is licensed in your state is important.
Member of Organizations. Is the contractor affiliated or a member of any industry organizations? Many times these contractors are kept up-to-date on the latest roofing developments and industry news.
Experience, Knowledge and Trust. People don't hire companies . . . People hire people. Make sure you are comfortable with the roofing contractor and understand your options.
Application Expertise. Is the contractor accredited or certified in the roofing system of choice? Some systems required these certifications in order to be applied properly and last.
Referrals and Completed Projects. Good contractors will have people you can contact to gain more insight. Ask for completed projects, as well. This will give you an idea of what the contractor does.
Committed to Safety. Establish that the roofing contractor is taking all the required steps for safety.
Written Estimates. Estimates in writing will assure that you understand what is being proposed and both parties have appropriate expectations. It is mutually beneficial and keeps the guesswork out of the project.

Website: Washington Roofing & Insulation

The WALLTITE® Air Barrier

2011-10-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

WALLTITE® is a premium spray-applied polyurethane foam insulating air barrier system manufactured by BASF. WALLTITE® is seamless and self-adhering, eliminating uncontrolled air leakage by providing monolithic coverage with superior insulation R/U-value.

The graphic below shows how the closed-cell, WALLTITE® Air Barrier is positioned to substantially reduce both air leakage and moisture permeance through the building envelope.

Source: BASF

WALLTITE® is approved by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) and acts as an air barrier as part of the total building envelope. Washington Roofing and Insulation is a Q1 applicator with BASF and an ABAA accredited ABAA.

Source: www.spf.basf.com

The Benefits of Cool Roofs

2011-09-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

The term "cool roof" refers to how much it reflects and emits the sun's heat back to the sky instead of transferring it to the building. According to the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), "Coolness" is measured by solar reflectance and thermal emittance. The higher the value, the "cooler" the roof.

A cool roof is either white or is another "cool" color which use darker-colored pigments that are highly reflective in the near infrared portion of the solar spectrum. It is like wearing a light shirt versus a dark shirt out in the sunshine: the light shirt keeps you cooler.

Benefits of a Cool Roof are numerous and include:

Energy savings and global warming mitigation
Reduction in urban heat island effect and smog
Improved occupant comfort
Comply with codes and green building programs

Washington Roofing & Insulation provides free on site consultation to help you determine which cool roof product is right for you.

Source: Cool Roof Rating Council

Health Risks Associated with Toxic Mold

2011-09-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

Mold is considered a 4-letter word in the building industry. Especially now, with the summer floods and seasonal hurricanes, the moist environment is a perfect breeding ground for this organism.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in warm, damp and humid conditions with an ample food source; spreading and reproducing by making spores. There are hundreds of thousands of living species of fungi in the environment, both outdoors and in, and are considered part of the natural ecosystem -- some which are beneficial to mankind.

Mold can be found everywhere, but the inhalation of spores from some mold may cause allergies or other health related problems. Some molds are even considered toxic and can be very harmful to people when exposed, especially over a long period of time.

Black Mold, also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum, is a greenish-black fungi which likes to grow in straw, hay, web leaves, drywall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation and other types of high-cellulose materials. There are many different species of black mold, however, all black molds are not necessarily Stachybotrys. There are non-toxic black molds, as well.

Testing for the toxic black mold can only be accurately performed by an accredited laboratory, which can be expensive. The CDC's website suggests that if you are seeing or smelling mold, or having allergies associated with mold, then no matter what type of mold is present it needs to be removed.

The 10 most common health risks associated with toxic mold are:
1. pulmonary hemorrhage or pulmonary hemosiderosis (primarily in infants)
2. nose bleeds
3. immune system suppression (resulting in increasing numbers of infections)
4. hair loss
5. dermatitis
6. chronic fatigue
7. psychological depression
8. diarrhea
9. sore throats
10. headaches and other flu-like symptoms

Most smaller areas of mold can be cleaned up with a bleach solution. However, if the area is more than 10 square feet, the CDC website suggests consulting the the EPA's "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings."

Sources: CDC Website, http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm | EPA Website, http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html | The Mold Blog website, http://moldblogger.com/10-health-risks-of-toxic-mold/

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The Thermal Barrier and Ignition Barrier Story

2011-09-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

One issue that has confused many people is the code requirement for thermal and ignition barriers and how it relates to spray foam insulation when installed in an attic or crawl space.

Thermal Barrier - A thermal barrier, as far as building code is concerned, is any product that has been ASTM tested and is considered to have a "15-minute thermal barrier" or an "index of 15." An example of a thermal barrier is 1/2" sheet rock, 1/4" plywood or particleboard, and some fire proof coating.

Ignition Barrier - a product that prevents the ignition of the product which it is applied to from a spark, or from direct heat, but does not protect from direct flame over a period of time. Ignition barriers are usually spray on or brush on coatings.

The Fire Suit and the Leather Jacket
This analogy might help understand the difference. Lets say a firefighter is wearing his fireproof suit, his suit is our thermal barrier. We are standing next to him wearing a leather jacket. This leather jacket is our ignition barrier. The firefighter can walk though a fire without burning, but we can't. That leather jacket would burn quickly. But if we were standing outside the fire and a spark come in contact with the leather jacket, it's doubtful we would burn. The jacket would give us a small amount of protection, but nothing close to the amount of protection that the fireproof suit would give us.

In conclusion, a thermal barrier is a high-level of protection, and an ignition barrier is a low-level of protection.

When does code tell me I need to us a thermal barrier?
Simply put, everywhere foam is applied to the interior of the building, a thermal barrier must separate the foam from the interior of the building. For example, when foam is applied on the exterior walls your sheet rock on the walls is your thermal barrier. When foam is applied to the roof deck, sheet rock installed at your ceiling is your thermal barrier. If your ceiling is not sheet rock, or does not have a 15-minute fire rating, you must apply a thermal barrier directly to the foam.

When does code tell me I need to use an ignition barrier?
Code says that anywhere foam is applied in an attic or crawl space, it must also be protected from the attic space from an ignition barrier in addition to the thermal barrier that is at the ceiling. The way the code sees it is that once the foam is separated from the interior of the building with a thermal barrier, the foam does not need the same level of protection from the attic space. However, it does require some protection. That is when the ignition barrier, or low-level protection, is used.

Website

Is Your Community StormReady?

2011-09-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

StormReady is a program started by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tulsa, Oklahoma 12 years ago to help arm communities "with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property-before and during the event, " according to the StormReady website.

As of September 6, 2011 Oklahoma is leading the Midwest with 86 StormReady designations, while Missouri comes in 2nd with 63; Kansas 32; Iowa 30 and Nebraska with 24. Our big southern neighbor, Texas, comes in big at 115.

What does that means to residents? It shows that these areas are prepared to help prevent weather-related deaths and injuries through planning, education and early warning systems.

To become a StormReady designation (a county, city, commercial site, university or supporter site) the area must show they follow six guidelines: Communication, NWS Information Reception, Hydrometerological Monitoring, Local Warning Dissemination, Community Preparedness and Administrative.

Cities, counties, commercial sites, and universities can become StormReady, Tsunami Ready or both. To learn more about this program and to see if your community or University is StormReady, go to the StormReady website.

New LEED Pilot Credits

2011-09-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the U.S. Green Building Council added nine additional Pilot Credits to their LEED Pilot Credit Library. These include:

Pilot Credit 44: EQ - Ergonomics Strategy
Pilot Credit 45: SS - Site Assessment
Pilot Credit 46: EA - HVAC Commissioning
Pilot Credit 47: EQ - Acoustic Comfort
Pilot Credit 48: IP - Discovery - Analysis to Support Integrative Process
Pilot Credit 49 : IP - Implementing Synergies
Pilot Credit 52: MR - Environmentally Preferable Non-Structural Products and Materials - Prescriptive Attributes
Pilot Credit 53: MR - Responsible Sourcing of Raw Material and
Pilot Credit 54: MR - Avoidance of Chemicals of Concern in Building Materials.

LEED is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in March 2000 for buildings that are "designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance."

From homes to commercial buildings, LEED credits can be obtained by following specific guidelines for new construction or renovation, schools, retail, core & shell, commercial interiors, operations & maintenance and neighborhood development.

Complying with LEED standards is completely voluntary, but has been proven to benefit owners with cost-effective solutions that result from green building. To read case studies, profiles, research and resources on green building, visit the U.S. Green Building Council website.

10 Things Made of Polyurethane

2011-08-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

We don't normally spend our days wondering about what things are made up of. We like to leave that to the scientists, engineers and young children who can marvel at floating balloons. However, sometimes it is good in the understanding of a substance to know other areas that it can be used.

When we ran across this post on a blog from The Polyurethane Group, we thought it gave some great (and surprising) examples of the uses of Polyurethane.

10 Things Where Polyurethane is the Key Component:

Bowling Balls
Surfing Boards
Roller Coasters
Soccer Balls (or European footballs)
Insulation
Bandages
Denim
Polyurethane Coastal Protection
Polyurethane Fridges in Swaziland, Africa
Green Roofs

Read the entire post, "10 polyurethane applications you would not have thought of" here.

NOAA Forecasters Predict More Activity this Hurricane Season

2011-08-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

On August 4, 2011 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an updated forecast for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season that predicts more storms and hurricanes than was originally thought to occur. Peak hurricane months are between August and October in the Atlantic region and even FEMA has warned residents to get prepared.

You don't have to live in the Atlantic, however, to respect the enormous force of Mother Nature. Midwestern storms can have hurricane-strong gusts and create havoc on trees and building structures. This makes it important to choose the right product and performance-based roofing contractor when considering applications for roof repairs or new roofs.

Many Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing manufactures have products that carries the Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance as protecting the roof in winds up to 150 miles per hour, or a level 5 hurricane, when properly applied over concrete, steel or a smooth surface BUR wood deck. The system creates a monolithic seal over the roof, making it impossible to detach in high winds. When applied by a an accredited roofing professional, Polyurethane Spray Foam Roofing can meet the needs of building owners in the Midwest.

Source: NOAA - http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110804_update_atlantichurricaneoutlook.html

Comparing Insulation Products

2011-08-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Out of the dozen positive features compared between spray foam insulation, fiberglass batts, fiberglass loose-fill, wet-sprayed cellulose, blown-in (dry) cellulose and mineral wool, only the spray foam insulation had the most. They include:

High to Highest R-Value per inch
No wind washing effect
Certified air barrier
Expands to fill hard-to-reach spaces
Contains no HCFCs or CFCs
Does not contain formaldehyde
Won't shrink or settle over time when properly installed
Will not absorb significant levels of water
FEMA approved flood-resistant insulation materials
Will not distort framing when properly installed
Efficiently reduces sound transmission through walls

The only feature that Spray Foam Insulation does not have that two of the others provide is the ability to inject it into existing wall cavities without major demolition. Spray Foam Insulation is normally done during the initial building process, while adding on to an existing structure or remodeling.

Source: sprayfoam.com, "Insulation Comparison Chart"

Urban Heat Islands

2011-08-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed while driving out of the city into a rural area that the temperature seems to suddenly drop? This is the result of what is called the Urban Heat Island effect, which is a heat bubble that builds up around cities due to buildings, pavement, lack of vegetation and other permeable surfaces.

Scientists have been measuring Heat Islands for years and, as cities grow, so do the Urban Heat Islands. As Heat Islands grow so does energy consumption (more electricity to cool things down) which increases emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from power plants. The increased heat also causes the quality of water to become impaired as hot rooftops and pavement shed their water into the drainage system and out into streams, ponds and other bodies of water, causing rapid fluctuations of temperatures which is stressful to the aquatic ecosystem.

There is a also general discomfort for humans with higher air pollutants and higher temperatures.

The EPA sites four main ways that helps counteract Urban Heat Islands:

Increasing tree and vegetative cover
Creating "green" roofs (rooftop gardens or "eco-roofs")
Installing cool roofs
Using cool pavements

High performance fluid-applied roofing systems designed and applied by a certified professional roofing contractor are proven to reflect up to 85% of the sun's rays, reducing the temperature by nearly 60 degrees than that of traditional black roofs. Washington Roofing & Insulation uses only the highest quality of material that is ENERGY STAR, LEED, CRRC, Miami-Dade County approved and / or certified.

Source: EPA Website: What is an Urban Heat Island

It's Not Just About Roofs, Anymore

2011-08-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

As building and architecture focuses more on energy efficiency and renewable resources, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation will become more prevalent for the entire building structure.

As opposed to traditional fiberglass insulation, SPF fills every crack and crevice to eliminate airflow in and out of the building, saving on utility bills and extending the life of your HVAC. It also helps keep insects, spiders, dust, pollen and mold down, giving you cleaner, healthier air to breathe.

Metal studs on the interior of a building.
Photo by: Washington Roofing & Insulation

Metal studs after spraying BASF Spraytite as Insulation.
Photo by: Washington Roofing & Insulation

Washington Roofing & Insulation uses SPRAYTITE closed cell SPF with uses ZONE3 zero-ozone-depleting blowing-agent technology and emits no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It can be used in the following areas of insulation applications:

Above Rafters
Between Rafters
Cavity and Cavity Walls
Ceilings
Exteriors
Floors
Interiors
Perimeters
Roofs

Closed-Cell Polyurethane Foam Versus Open-Cell Polyurethane Foam

2011-07-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

What is the difference between an open-cell foam versus a closed-cell foam? The open-cell foam has tiny cells that are not completely closed (thus the name "open" cell). This allows air to fill up the open spaces inside the material, making the foam weaker and softer to the touch.

Closed-cell foam, on the other hand, is made up of cells completely closed and packed together. They are filled with a gas that forces the foam to rise and expand which makes it a greater insulator.

Closed-cell foam has a greater R value, is stronger and it has a better resistance to the leakage of air and water vapor. The higher the density the foam, the heavier, or stronger it becomes.

Washington Roofing & Insulation uses BASF Closed Cell Spray Foam that provides an R-value of 6.7 per inch and has a density of 2.0 pounds per cubic foot. For more information, visit our website or contact us at 800.383.3062

Benefits of Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing

2011-07-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Spray polyurethane foam roofing can be applied over many different types of commercial roofs like granulated modified roofs, built-up gravel roofs and metal roofs.

The benefits of spray polyurethane foam roofing applied by a quality, Q1 applicator with BASF Foam Enterprise credentials compared to conventional roofing methods are:

1. No sightly tear off. Less land fill usage.
2. Energy efficient, provides a seamless monolithic insulation barrier. Saves you money on utility bills.
3. High wind up-lift rating.
4. 100% seamless and self flashing.
5. Quick and efficient to install, giving you less time to worry about construction on more time to concentrate on your job.

This is a photo of a built-up gravel roof in need of repair.

Photo taken after Washington Roofing & Insulation
Applied the Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof System.

Spray polyurethane foam roofing systems are warranted from 5,10 to 15 years depending upon the needs and budgets of the customer. The warranties are also renewable after the existing warranty has expired.

Properly maintained, a spray polyurethane foam roofing system may be the last roof you need to put on.

Fluid Applied Air Barrier Systems

2011-07-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

The primary purpose of an air barrier system is to stop the air from leaking into and out of the building enclosure. Occupants of the building are more comfortable, are provided draft free space and are protected from pollutants entering the building.

When conditioned air leaks out of a building and unconditioned air leaks into a building we must then use additional energy to then condition this air. Air leakage can result in an increased use in energy costs of up to 30-40% in heating climates and 10-15% in cooling costs. (Source Investigation of the Impact of Commercial Building Envelope Air Tightness on HVAC Energy Use).

Equipment works more efficiently, like HVAC units, and sizing mechanical systems are easier because building owners don't have to compensate for drafts.

Moisture laden air is also barred from entering the building which assists in reducing the corrosion of metals and mold growth.

Washington Roofing & Insulation prepares
a Missouri high school addition with BASF Walltite

Air barriers, especially when used to separate two different environments within a building, can protect one occupant from another occupant's pollutants (such as second hand cigarette smoke), odors (such as cooking odors) and noise (sound delivered by air transport).

Contractors applying air barrier systems should be members of the Air Barrier Association of America which provides ABAA certification and continuing education. For more information, visit the ABAA website or visit us online.

What is Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing?

2011-06-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Spray polyurethane foam, commonly referred to as SPF is a spray-applied insulating foam plastic that is installed as a liquid and then expands many times its original size. Spray polyurethane foam can be adjusted and have many different physical properties depending on the use desired.

For example, the same basic raw materials that can make insulation foam semi-rigid and soft to the touch also creates high density roofing foam that is resistant to foot traffic and water. Specialized equipment is used to apply the spray polyurethane foam and proper technical training is important in order to get the best results.

For roofing, spray polyurethane foam insulates and eliminates thermal bridging through fasteners or gaps in decking while providing a long-lasting roofing system that has a life that can be extended by re-coating or recovering in an average of > 10 – 15 years. As a result spray polyurethane foam is used in a wide variety of applications including, but is not limited to:

Roofing
Air barriers
Commercial and residential insulation in walls, ceilings, attics and basements
Industrial insulation for pipes and tanks, cold storage facilities, freezers, walk-in coolers, and climate controlled buildings such as produce storage and clean rooms
Flotation for boats, ships, barges, floating docks, etc.
Higher density spray polyurethane foam has been used to increase the structural strength of wings in airplanes.

For more information on Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing in Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas, please visit http://www.washingtoncompaniesinc.com/what-is-spray-polyurethane-foam.html.