How to know when it’s time to replace your roof

At times, your roof will naturally reach the end of its lifespan without any major failure. The roof will look old and worn out, and you schedule regular maintenance to keep your roof going. However, if you delay replacing your roof, it can lead to serious problems down the line. With that, you need to watch out for the following warning signs to help you determine whether it’s the right time to replace your roof. 

You have an old roof

The first thing to consider when determining whether your roof requires replacement is its age. The average lifespan of a roof is 20 years, but this depends on the roofing material that you’ve used. Here’s a breakdown of the average lifespan for different roofing materials when installed properly:

  • Asphalt shingle roof – 15 to 40 years
  • Composite shingle roof – 15 to 20 years
  • Wood shingle roof – 30 to 40 years
  • Wood shake roof – 20 to 40 years
  • Standing-seam metal roof – 30 to 50 years
  • Clay tile roof – 50 to 100 years
  • Slate roof – 125 years

Please note that roof maintenance greatly determines how long your roof will last. Proper maintenance will ensure that your roof reaches its maximum life expectancy. 

Moisture and mold

When your attic is not well ventilated, and warm moist air rises, there’s a chance for the warm air to get confined in the attic. If this happens, it leads to condensation on the base of your roof, thus causing rusty nails and mold growth in the long run. 

However, if you don’t deal with this issue, it will make the plywood rot, and this will require a roof replacement. This can happen to both old and new roofs because of over-insulation, which can block some of the ventilation. When insulating your roof, make sure that you leave sufficient intake and exhaust spaces for proper ventilation. 

Please note that mold and mildew are serious health hazards. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that your roof has the right intake and ventilation. Failing to put these things into consideration will force you to replace your roof sooner than you expected. 

Peeling or curling shingles

Asphalt shingles have a set lifespan. Now, once they get close to their lifespan, they will start exhibiting common signs of wear and tear. So, if you see that the shingles on your roof look like they are peeling, it’s a sign that they’ve started to wear out. 

Also, if the shingles are curling at the corners, they’ve reached their lifespan. Failing to replace curling or peeling shingles can lead to a leaking roof, or allow water to be trapped as it drains from the roof. This can eventually lead to moisture getting trapped beneath the shingles, and it will cause rot and mod issues. 

Loose granules

Asphalt shingles have fine, sand-like granules on their surface, which help to direct water from your roof. Now, when these shingles begin to age, the granules will start loosening and eventually falling off the roof. So, if you start to see small granules that resemble pebbles collecting on your eaves or under the downspouts, that’s an indication that your roof is getting old. When your asphalt shingles start to lose their granules, they start losing their effectiveness, meaning they might not protect your home as expected. 

Signs of moss

Moss growth on your roofing shingles doesn’t mean that the shingles are worn out or old, especially if the growth is in one part of your roof. Typically, usually, you will need to clean the affected shingles to remove the moss. 

However, if the moss growth has spread throughout the entire roof, and you haven’t cleaned it for a while, there’s a chance that the shingles are damaged. With time, the moss will get under the shingles and start to lift them. This will make it harder for your roof to drain rainwater, thus leading to leaks. Taking care of moss growth properly and in time will ensure that your roof stays in a good condition. However, failing to take care of the moss will damage your roof, thus shortening its lifespan. 

Signs of storm damage

There is a chance that your roof isn’t that old, but it has sustained significant storm damage Randolph County. In this case, storm repair Randolph County will not be possible, and you will need to replace it. however, you can first consult a professional roofing contractor to evaluate your roof, and advise you on the best action to take. 

Sound Testing Party Walls in London

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Party Wall Sound Testing in London
We often get asked by our clients throughout London, how they can improve the sound insulation to pass the Party Wall sound insulation testing.  To try and simplify this we have written the following article explaining the main acoustic design considerations for undertaking and improving the acoustic characteristics of party walls to pass the Sound Insulation Testing in compliance with Approved Document E of Building Regulations.   

As a starting point, you need to consider the following five basic acoustic design considerations, they are:

Adding Mass – such as adding dense finishing boards such as ply, OSB, drywall or plasterboard.

Providing Isolation – such as constructing independent linings, or introducing acoustic brackets, acoustic hangers or resilient channels, which will help to decouple drywall from the rest of the building’s structure.

Adding Absorption – such as open cell woven types of material such as RW45 Acoustic Wool Cavity Insulation, which provides a soaking up or absorption of the acoustic energy entering it.

Providing Resilience – There are quite a few ‘acoustic membranes’ on the marketplace, most membranes are 3-6mm in thicknesses and is commonly installed within walls, ceilings and floors to mitigate airborne and impact sound.

Adding Stiffness – adding extra noggins between wall frames and/or floor joists can add stiffness to the overall construction of the party walls/floors. 

Reasons for party walls failing the sound testing  

The are many reasons why party walls may fail the pre-completion sound testing, the main reasons are as follows: 

Shared Structural Building Components – Floorboards, Floor Joists, Continuous Drywall Partitions, Continuous Concrete Floors, and Cement Block Walls.

Through Structural Steel – Structural steel beams are often a major cause of noise transmission as plasterboard is often fixed directly to the steel without sound breaks.

Plumbing Chases – Junctures between the Walls & Floor Slab Above or at the Exterior Wall Juncture (this should be filed with mortar etc. to add mass to these weakened areas.

Through Windows – if they have single glazing, with no double glazing or secondary glazing as a minimum and the windows are in close proximity either side of the party wall.

Fixtures & Outlets – Light Switches, Telephone Outlets, and Recessed Lighting Fixtures (if penetrations have been cut back to back with the opposite dwelling under test)

Structural Joints – Perimeter Joints at Wall & Floor, Through Wall & Ceiling Junctures (these should be filled with acoustic mastic.

Around the End of the Partition Through the Adjacent Wall (acoustic mastic should be used to seal this junction)

A simple way to improve noise through party walls in London

One quick and simple way to improve the acoustic performance of a dividing wall partition, is to install a 70mm met-sec partition in front of the existing wall – it is usually best to install this in the largest room. Leave approx. 25mm gap between the back of the met-sec and the wall. Then install 50mm acoustic wool (min 45kg/m3) to the inside of the met-sec frame, then add 1 x 15mm & 1 x 12.5mm layers of soundboard to the outside of the met-sec frame. Ensure all boards are fully lapped and the perimeter joints are filled with acoustic mastic.

How many airborne party wall sound tests do I need?

Essentially, for sound testing party walls, you only need to carry out airborne sound testing. If your development is 10 units or less, you are required to carry out 2 airborne wall sound tests – if there are different types of wall construction, you will need to undertake sound testing to each wall type. 

Preparing your development for sound testing in London

There are quite a few items to consider when preparing your London development for completion sound testing. Basically, if you action the following items, it should help you pass the sound testing at the first attempt:

Download our APT sound testing checklist and tick off the items one by one. 

The whole building envelope and internal walls and floors should be fully completed.

All external and internal doors and windows should be installed.

All external windows and doors should be installed and closing properly. 

All electrical fittings must be completely in-place, and fully functional. Poor electrical installation can lead to excess noise.

Standard 240-volt power should be in-place and available in every room. Our testing equipment can be damaged by the voltage fluctuations of on-site power generators, so it’s essential to have 240V mains supply on-site on the day of the test.

No carpets or laminated flooring should be fitted on the 1st floor levels or above. These materials can affect the movement of noise, and as a result could impact on whether a building passes the sound check test.

The skirting boards should not touch the floating floor, a flanking strip should be installed to prevent the noise flanking.

All gaps in the walls and floors should be sealed. Again, noise can leak out through any gaps, affecting the movement of sound and impacting on the space’s performance.

Access to all the rooms on all levels should be granted to our technicians, with all noise sources (radios, alarms, building work) ceasing for the duration of the test.

It is essential that you action all the above items, if we are to achieve accurate sound test readings and to achieve compliance with Building Regulations Part E. if you require more information, please click on our article here.

APT Sound Testing can advise on acoustic party wall design to help you pass the sound testing to your London development, whether it be a new build or conversion project. 

We are also a UKAS accredited sound testing, so you can be sure of a friendly and professional service providing a ‘one stop’ solution for all your acoustic requirements.If you would like more information in regards to sound testing service and/or acoustic design services in London, please contact us for more information please visit our website at www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk.

A Brief Guide to Mid-Century Modern Style: Check Out Leather Sofa

When it comes to modern design, you should know that mid-century modern style and design is the best options you can find on the market.

Similarly, as with any other option, you can find that this style comes with numerous benefits and disadvantages. The best way to learn more about this particular style is by clicking here for additional info. 

You can find numerous timeless designs.

Most people are asking what is about pieces of furniture with fifty years old perspective. In most cases, people tend to give it away after fifteen years or so. Today, you can find a strong market to get anything you prefer.

Reasons Why Mid-Century Modern Furniture is Popular

  • Pure Forms and Simple Lines – You should know the mid-century interiors are about ease of living and organic design, mainly because they reflect structure. You will get both pure forms and simple lines, making them appealing and iconic for most people. They are not fussy and boring, so you can get a minimalistic approach without unnecessary additions.
  • Accents and Art – The mid-century days were filled with talented, innovative, and rich artists. Their work created a new artistic perspective in the world, which is something that still has a general appeal among people from across the globe. You can easily create a mid-century accent and art, which will help you make your rooms stand the test of time.
  • Perfect Kitchens – You should know that this style comes with kitchens representing the future most simplistically and interestingly possible. You can combine bright colors, shiny appliances, and space-age surfaces that feature innovative and streamline perspectives. The best thing about them is simplicity, especially regarding no-fuss materials, plain countertop edges, and slab cabinet doors. You will get an option that will move from simple forms and provide you with a vintage feel and advanced appeal. 
  • Perfect Lifestyle – This design is an appealing solution to almost everyone. Today, you can find a wide array of architects trying to design and create impressive homes that are both function and comfort. Besides, you will find numerous suburban developers that brought this style to the masses, which means that you can find multiple tract homes that feature the same principles as the past options. As you can see, the mid-century style is highly unique and features innovative accents and furniture.
  • Perfect for Outdoor – If you wish to achieve an ideal balance of function and style to provide you outdoor perspective, you should choose this style. It will give you crafted, affordable, and comfortable pieces that can withstand weather elements. You can find mid century leather sofa to provide you a new approach for outdoor enjoyment. 
  • Natural Options with Amazing Colors – Earthy and warm colors are another reason most people use this option. In most cases, natural woods are dominant in mid-century modern style, which means that they are central for a palette. Therefore, you will get rich and quiet colors that will offer you both presence and strength.
  • Lighting as Statement – You can quickly implement specific lighting options from mid-century modern style to create drama within any room you add. Most of them come with sculptural forms that will provide you with an artistic approach with the general function of keeping you away from the dark. Lighting fixtures are striking to a point where you can implement unique design motifs based on your preferences.
  • Timeless – Mid-century modern style will not go away permanently because it is one of the best, most functional, and comfortable statements you can make within your household. Therefore, we can easily say that it is timeless, especially if you wish to get potential pieces. Numerous designers have created and combined contemporary elements to create something completely different but still the same as always. Keep in mind that simplicity is the most appealing perspective of mid-century modern interior design. Since our lives are busy and filled with stress, we need homes with a straightforward attitude to ensure we do not go crazy in overstuffed homes. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5EhRXElDs to learn more about this design. If you wish to create a perfect and fresh statement, you must choose a favorite style and go with it along the way. Finally, you will add a chic and singular design that will blend with quirky, graphic, and arresting patterns and accents.