Top 5 Creepiest Things Found in the Attic and the Basement

You find attics and basements in horror movies and nightmares for a reason. There’s something about these two places that creates a dark, dank, and dangerous aura that lends itself to making one’s imagination go wild. While your basement or attic can be inviting with the correct preparation, you should always get a warning about the strangest things that lurk around every corner.

ATTIC FINDS: 1 (possible?) mummy

A ten-year-old boy in Germany found a mummy in his grandmother’s attic that could potentially involve a real-life body. Though there is some indication that his discovery is real, due to the sarcophagus, death mask, and canopic jar, a machine created the cloth-wrappings around the corpse. As a result, experts moved the body to a hospital in Hamburg, Germany for further testing.

 

ATTIC FINDS: 1 ex-boyfriend

Okay, so a South Carolinian mother of five heard strange noises in the ceiling. She asked her nephew to check the attic and what he found was the mother’s former boyfriend asleep next to a vent. The guy rigged her home, stayed there for two weeks, and spied on the family during that time. In fact, the even more disturbing fact is they broke up 12 years ago.

BASEMENT FINDS: 2 fetuses in a jar

The name of where these fetuses were found lends itself to this story. In Hannibal, MO, the people found two fetuses preserved in formaldehyde down in a basement rumored to be an illegal abortion clinic in the 1940’s era.

BASEMENT FINDS: 1 weird roommate

College is a mixture of fun, but weird times. The weirdest is when in September 2013, Ohio State University students found a basement locker that led to a secret room with textbooks and photographs on the wall. While “Jeremy” did leave peacefully after the students spoke to him, the students don’t exactly know if more people have the potential to come into their home. There’s no headcount of how many keys may exist to their house.

ATTIC FINDS: Hitler’s record collection

Hitler’s record collection is historically significant, yet a little disturbing to find, due to the background of the former owner. Alexandra Besymenskaja’s father happened to be a Russian captain during World War. He found them after their forces captured the Reich Chancellery in Berlin and left them in the attic.

After someone told Alexandra Besymenskaja to fetch a badminton racket down from the attic, she discovered these artifacts. The composers included names like Peter Tchaikovsky, Alexander Borodin, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Under Hitler’s ethics, these individuals would not survive his tactics.

The post Top 5 Creepiest Things Found in the Attic and the Basement appeared first on Beneficial Roofing | VOTED BEST Roofing Company, Call Us Today & See Why!.

source https://beneficialroofing.com/top-5-creepiest-things/

Learn Some of the Roofing lingo

Here are some terms to help you learn the roofing lingo…

Whether you’re building a new home and want a professional to install the roof or you already own a home and you’re needing a new roof installation due to damage or age, Beneficial Roofing has you covered. We install all kinds of roofs for residential and commercial buildings.

Ever wonder what’s going on when the “roofing guys” are on your roof? Read on for a brief version of what’s happening up there.

A discussion of roofing comes with its own vocabulary. Below are some of the most common terms and their definitions. (Definitions from: here, here, and here)

1. Deck: The surface installed over the supporting framing members to which the roofing is applied.
2. Eaves: The horizontal, lowest edge of a sloped roof that extends beyond the exterior wall.
3. Rakes– The vertical edges of gable-style roof planes.
4. Flashing- Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to prevent seepage of water into a building around any intersection or projection in a roof such as vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers, and valleys.
5. Step flashing: Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane. Individual pieces extend on the roof plane and up the vertical surface and are overlapped and stepped up the roof as shingles are applied.
6. Drip Edge: A non-corrosive metal lip that keeps shingles up off the deck at roof edges and extends shingles out over eaves and rakes
7. Underlayment: A layer of asphalt-saturated felt (sometimes referred to as tar paper) which is laid down on a bare deck before shingles are installed to provide additional protection for the deck.
8. Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes to provide water runoff.
9. Ice dam: Condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and refreezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks.
10. Ice-and-water shield: Thin, self-adhering rubberized asphalt membrane applied before underlayment, but over the drip edge at the eaves to help mitigate potential leaks from ice dams
11. Ridge: The uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
12. Sheathing: Exterior-grade boards used as a roof deck material.

 

Upon the rooftop…

So, now that we know a little bit of the roofer’s lingo, let’s see just what they do up on your roof.

1. Preparation
   1. The old shingles and flashings will be removed.
   2. The decking will be swept as clean as possible. Loose sheathing will be reattached, and sheathing will be inspected for damage prior to new shingles being placed.
2. Barrier placement
   1. Drip edge installed at the eaves
   2. Ice-and-water membrane applied over the drip edge at the eaves
   3. Metal flashing and ice-and-water membrane applied in the valleys as well as any protrusions (plumbing stacks and attic vents, for example) from the roof
   4. Ice-and-water membrane applied to the rakes
   5. Felt underlayment is applied to the whole roof, each strip overlapping the previous layer by several inches
   6. The drip edge applied to the rakes, OVER the ice-and-water membrane and underlayment
3. Shingle placement and finishing
   1. Starter shingles placed along the eaves extending past the fascia, drip edge, ice-and-water barrier, and underlayment
   2. Shingles applied in overlapping rows from eaves to ridge
   3. Metal step flashing applied with shingles at joints where the roof meets a wall or chimney.
   4. Roofers finish roof using specially-made pieces for capping the ridge.
   5. Roofers make a final pass across the entire roof, ensuring every nail is sealed with a professional strength sealant.

Congratulations! Your New Roof Rocks!

Thankfully, you won’t need a new roof very often. But, when age or weather damage keeps your roof from doing its job and threatens further damage to your home and belongings, we’re here to help. Beneficial Roofing offers a free consultation and award-winning professional roofing and customer service. With special pricing and financing available, we help you work with your homeowner’s insurance to make sure you get what you need at the price you can afford. Give us a call today! We’ve got you covered.

 

 

 

 

The post Learn Some of the Roofing lingo appeared first on Beneficial Roofing | VOTED BEST Roofing Company, Call Us Today & See Why!.

source https://beneficialroofing.com/learn-some-of-the-roofing-lingo/

Animals: 5 Steps to Keep Them from Living in Your Roof

Efficient Procedure for Controlling Critters from living in your roof

Everyone including animals deserves a good place to stay during the winter season. Even small animals such as rodents, bats, birds, and squirrels search for shelter during unfavorable weather conditions. Your upper roof could be the shelter they want to use.

However, these small creatures could end up bringing the unbelievable quantity of damage on the insulators, trim, wirings and ductwork. To make the matter worse, they can as well spread dangerous infections to your family. The following steps are efficient ways to eliminate and to prevent these critters away from your premises.

Step 1. Trim the Trees to Keep Animals Away

To prevent these small animals into the house, trim the trees closest to your house. The tree branches that head to your roof will make a pathway for these small living creature.

Step 2. Keep food unreachable

Food sources such as garbage bind and pet’s dishes can attract animals nearby. Therefore, you should try and keep them all inaccessible by covering or blocking the food.

Step 3. Set a trap

To prevent the rodents or whichever small animals that are causing damages and also spreading diseases, set up traps particularly at the place where they often were seen.

Step 4. Renovate the gaps in your roof

Find those small holes and do several patchworks because even the tiniest openings can invite those little creatures to develop nest inside.

Step 5. Schedule roofing inspections regularly

For certainty, to make sure for good condition of the vent pipes, chimneys, eaves, and soffits have Beneficial Roofing’s contractors come for checkups. They will seal spaces to keep those small animals away and to avoid pest infestation as well. Don’t allow your premises to become ground zero for nests during the winter. Go through these simple procedures to make you home no-go zone for these creatures, or you can call the experts from the Beneficial Roofing Company for complete surety.

Beneficial Roofing analysis is conducted by certified and experienced roof specialists. These services include roof surveying and roofing checkups on their condition. Additionally, the structure of your roof and weather resistance can be examined in detail. Through all those processes, they prepare a customized report about the current roof condition and its durability.

In short, they want to provide you with the complete information that you might need for caring for your roofing, hoping that you never have the similar problem again. Also, a roof survey offered for free. Beneficial Roofing has highly trained specialists that will survey your roof.

The post Animals: 5 Steps to Keep Them from Living in Your Roof appeared first on Beneficial Roofing | VOTED BEST Roofing Company, Call Us Today & See Why!.

source https://beneficialroofing.com/animals-in-roof/

Roof Leak: A Costly Mistake

There’s one area of a home that even the savviest of homeowners can easily overlook or ignore! The roof! With kitchens to remodel, bedrooms to paint and landscaping to maintain, we put roof repairs on the back burner. We commit to other improvement projects perceived to be more appealing and less expensive. Often, homeowners aren’t even aware that there’s a problem with their roof; and even when they do know, it’s not uncommon for these issues to be dismissed as minor problems that can wait. However, there are many dangers to a roof leak, both financially and structurally.

Roof Leaks: Small Problem Turns Into Costly Roof Repairs

If you’ve ever uttered the words “it’s just a small leak”, you may be in for a rude awakening in the near future. Certain roofing problems may seem insignificant; for example, a few damaged shingles here and there or a seemingly inconsequential roof leak. Unfortunately, if you choose to disregard these matters, they can easily evolve into more elaborate, costly damages. You may even need a complete roofing replacement. The best way to avoid this budget-breaking situation is to keep up a schedule of routine preventative maintenance — or at the very least, promptly attend to those modest repairs before they spiral out of control!

Damaged Roofing Significantly Decreases Your Home’s Value

Looking to put your home on the market? Roofing problems may be the least of your concerns, but you can bet they are high on the priority list of potential buyers! A damaged roof is one of the easiest ways to send buyers running in the opposite direction. It’s like having a huge sign posted in front of your home stating, “Don’t stop here — keep on driving!” And if you do find an interested buyer, odds are you’re going to have to pay for a replacement before they will make a deal. You might as well save some money and take care of minor roof repairs as soon as they surface. It’s to prevent them from becoming worse and jeopardizing your ability to sell when the time comes.

A Persistent Roof Leak Leads to Further Structural Damage

If you ever hear a co-worker or family member talk about removing mold you know it’s not a fun experience! And if you ignore a roof leak, you are putting your home at risk of facing the same fate. In addition to mold, leaks can cause serious structural deterioration including damage to your rafters, wall framing, and fascia boards. Simply put, if enough water collects over time, the wood begins to diminish, posing a serious safety risk to those occupying the home.

Conclusion

To prevent roof leaks it is important to know some causes. Poor roof construction happens often due to the bad economy and contractors cutting corners. Sometimes contractors have to build in bad weather to meet deadlines and moisture gets trapped in a roofing system, which can contribute to early roof failure. Normal aging happens due to the beating roofs get from the weather. Settling happens with every building. This will cause enough stress eventually to cause a leak. Mechanical damage is also a strong contributor.

The post Roof Leak: A Costly Mistake appeared first on Beneficial Roofing | VOTED BEST Roofing Company, Call Us Today & See Why!.

source https://beneficialroofing.com/dangers-roof-leak/

Metal Roofing: 6 Reasons Why You Should Choose It

6 Reasons for Choosing a Metal Roof

Metal roofing has become a popular choice over the past decade. Why are metal roofs so popular? Why should you consider choosing metal if you are building a new home or replacing an old roof? Let’s take a look at the benefits you can gain from having a metal roof.

1. Metal Roofing Lasts Longer Than Fifty Years

One of the main benefits of choosing a metal roof is its longevity. While most other roofing materials wear out within 15 to 20 years depending on where you live, metal roofs last 50 years or longer, even in the worst weather conditions. This means that once you install a metal roof, you may never have to replace your roof again in your lifetime. They require little to no repair and maintenance, making them ideal for anyone who values durability.

2. Highly Resistant to Weather

Metal is highly resistant to all types of weather conditions. Unlike asphalt and some other materials, the metal will never allow for water penetration, regardless of aging. Water simply runs off. In addition, those living in snowy areas like finds that snow easily slides off their roofs, keeping it from building up. You can add that to the fact that metal roofs resist heat, and withstands high winds without damage. This makes a metal roof ideal for home or business owners in intense climates.

3. Energy Efficient

Most metal roofs are now treated with a special, sun-reflecting paint. It makes these roofs incredibly energy efficient even in hot climates. And because most roofing companies guarantee that their roof paint lasts 25 years, you won’t need to repaint your roof in order to keep it energy efficient.

4. Environmentally Friendly

While most people don’t think of a metal roof as being environmentally friendly, you should think about the 11 million tons of shingles that end up in landfills every year. You can easily see how having a long-lasting metal roof is extremely healthy for the environment. It reduces waste every single year.

5. Increases the Value of Your Home

Another reason for choosing a metal for your roof is it increases the value of your home if you sell it. Because of the longevity and ease of maintenance, prospective home buyers know they won’t have to worry about replacing the roof right after purchasing the home. They, likely, won’t ever have to worry about replacing it. They know they’ll save money, during the time that they own the home, which makes purchasing your home a good deal.

6. Cost

One of the main concerns people have is the cost. While metal costs more initially than standard roofing materials, you need to look at the big picture. Most other roofs need repairs every few years. These repairs are time-consuming and expensive. However, metal roofing will seldom need repairs, so that initial cost may be the only money you will ever put into your roof.

In addition, if you plan on living in your home for 30 or 40 years, you can expect that you will have to replace that roof at least twice during your ownership. Plus, the cost of repairing it between replacements, which will end up costing more in the long run. It costs more than having a metal roof installed in the first place. So, it really is a matter of paying now or paying more later.

The post Metal Roofing: 6 Reasons Why You Should Choose It appeared first on Beneficial Roofing | VOTED BEST Roofing Company, Call Us Today & See Why!.

source https://beneficialroofing.com/metal-roofing/

3 Ways To Make Your Home More Handicap Accessible

The 2000 Census told us that nearly 50 million Americans have some type of disability. Of this number, 6.8 million have a condition that makes bathing, dressing, and getting around their homes especially difficult. These staggering numbers are the reason so many are looking to hire contractors to make their homes easier to live in. Even if your home is not currently lived in by someone challenged by a disability, you might want to consider the following upgrades to best suit future residents if you are looking to one day sell your home.

An Accessible Ramp

Federal guidelines assist us in making the proper adjustments for a handicap accessible home. The doorway entry for a handicap accessible ramp should be no more than one-half inch in height and it should be rounded for ease of a wheelchair to get over. You might also consider the way your yard is landscaped to be more handicap accessible. Providing paths with adequate space for a wheel chair and edging the paths will make sure to keep their wheelchairs on path and your plant life off the path.

Adequate Hall Spacing

A optimally livable space for a handicapped person is having doors and hallways meet the recommendations for disability friendly homes. A 32-inch wide opening for all hallways and doors is the recommendation. Again, entries should be no taller than one-half inch and thresholds should be round for a wheelchair to get over, but also for walkers to not trip over. The recommended width for hallways is 36 inches.

Bathrooms and Kitchens

Showers are the most disability friendly ways to bathe. Including a seat will be best for anyone who lives with a handicap. Setting the hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended to avoid scalding hot water from hurting anyone. Thoughtfully selecting fixtures is also a must. Think level-operated, touch or push types, and electronically or remote controlled options.

There are a number of reasons to make your home more handicap accessible; for resale purposes, to consider your own age and how you’d live in your home if you were never going to move, or even for house guests who have a different physical level of ability than you. How does your home rate on the scale of accessibility today?

 

The post 3 Ways To Make Your Home More Handicap Accessible appeared first on Beneficial Roofing | VOTED BEST Roofing Company, Call Us Today & See Why!.

source http://beneficialroofing.com/blog/2018/05/01/3-ways-make-home-handicap-accessible/

Attic Ventilation Basics

If you’re a homeowner with an unfinished attic, you might not have considered that its proper ventilation is essential for your home’s optimal energy efficiency and to prevent some common conflicts.

Consequences By Season

Depending on your climate, seasonal temperature changes can cause serious damage your your home without proper ventilation. During hot summers, the temperature outside reaches 70-100 degrees or higher depending on where you live, and more importantly, your attic can reach as high as 120-150 degrees. If the attic is not properly ventilated, that trapped heat can penetrate your ceilings and keep the whole house warm in the wrong season, summer. This problem will cost you because you will run your air conditioner more to cool the house. The cost won’t end there because this additional use will shorten the life of your air conditioner unit or system.

In the winter, air they you’ve paid to heat can escape to the attic and not have sufficient ventilation and the consequence of this is the cold air outside meeting the warmth of your attic and causing condensation. This moisture is the ideal environment for mold growth and will ruin your attic’s insulation and corrode wiring and building material. If the heat inside the home causes ice or snow to melt on top of the roof and then refreeze, it can lead to the building of a dam that causes water backup and more damage to your roof.

What To Do

There are two types of ventilation that allow enough circulation and release of excess heat or moisture and they are soffit vents and ridge, box, or power vents. Soffit vents are installed low on the underside of the roof overhang. Ride, box, or power vents are placed high in the attic, near the roof’s peak and allows excess air to escape where it will cause the least amount of damage. Current recommendations are to have one square foot of ventilation per 150 square feet of attic ceiling, or per 300 square feet if there is a ceiling vapor retarded installed.

Call your local, trusted HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) or roofing expert to evaluate the home’s current condition in this regard, and make recommendations with their estimate.

source http://beneficialroofing.com/blog/2018/04/01/attic-ventilation-basics/