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Johnd
USA
110 Posts |
 Posted - 04/19/2004 : 12:51:22
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sapiens nihil affirmat quod non probat
Translation
A wise man states as true, nothing he cannot prove! |
John Durham
sui cuique fingunt fortunam |
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Wes
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2004 : 15:58:05
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| I was out at a loss today with wind damage to the roof and noticed in my opinion that the roof did not have enough attic ventilation. When I got back on the ground I pointed out to the insured a neighbors house that had a ventilated ridge cap and I suggested to her that she should consider upgrading to something like that when she has her roof replaced because lack of ventilaton in my opinion was the worst thing you could do to a new roof. When we got inside the house the insured presented me with a estimate for a new roof from a contractor and of course I looked right at the bottom line and felt that it appeared his price was very competitive and reasonable. As I read through the line items I noticed that the roofer included in his estimate adding ventilated raised ridge cap. I thought this was a very good way for this roofer to handle this situation and was impressed by his estimate. The roofer is obviously a qualified expert on roofs and ventilation and associated warranties and he is simply saying without any hesitation or concern or bickering that if you want him to install a new roof it is going to have the correct ventilation no ifs no buts case closed. Of course I had to inform the insured that my estimate would not contain the price for this new ventilation upgrade. I feel just from this one estimate that this roofer knows what he is doing and knows what needs to be done and changed to install a quality roof that will last many years. Of course now saying that I will drive by this house in six months and all the shingles will be installed upside down or something. :-) |
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DEMIGOD
99 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2004 : 18:21:35
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Wes,
Did you happen to notice if his estimate address soffit ventilation? For ridge vent to be effctive there must also be enough soffit ventilation. This is overlooked by many many roofers and makes the cost the home owner pays for ridge vent a total waste. Also it is required that any static vents be removed and the holes decked, to also include stopping airflow from gable vents if the home has any. So if this particular roofer included ridgevent in his estimate and his price is very close to what you'd pay with out including the cost of ridgevent it makes me wonder if these additional issues are addressed or even known about by the roofer.
Now that you know these things if you didn't already know you now have to call your homeowner back and ask them a couple of question to make sure all the correct issues are address.
If you'd like to verify my statements here's a link to the Airvent company. www.airvent.com
Thx.
PS: Just kidding about calling back your homeowner, but really you should now. :P |
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KileAnderson
USA
875 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2004 : 19:09:39
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Wes, on the storm I am currently working I am seeing ridge vent included in every estimate that I see. Roofers are doing a good job of selling ridge vents. I always explain to the insured that I can only pay for the vents they currently have, if any. I have never had anyone balk when I explain that they must pay for this upgrade out of their own pocket. Especially when I explain to them that it is superior to the ventilation or lack thereof they currently have and will make their shingles last longer.
I think Demigod is also doing a good job by having his customers sign waivers when they turn down the upgrades that he very wisely recommends. It sounds to me like he knows how to put a roof on right and prefers to do it the right way to avoid problems in the future. We all know that once a roofer touches a roof, every problem that comes up for the next 10 years will be blamed on him no matter what caused it. CYA is the first rule of business no matter what your line of work. |
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DEMIGOD
99 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2004 : 20:17:56
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Kile,
What really concerns me is that the suppliers push ridge vent becuase it's an upsell to the home owner. But like I stated before the other issues must be considered for it to be effective. Every day I see ridge vent on a home but not enough soffit ventilation so the ridge vent is worthless. Even roofers don't know the correct proceedures for installing ridge vent. They just sell it for 5 or 6 dollars per lineal foot and it's a nice profit center. But in reality it cost's about 7 to 8 dollars per lineal foot because you have to deck in the static vent holes, and in most cases install additional soffit vents, which having a roofer do is not a wise idea so you have to find some one who can do minor carpentry work for that. And then some one must go into the attic and close of any gable ventilation also. Anyways I'm rambling lol.
I guess if you as an adjuster recommend that a home owner upgrade to ridge vent let them know that these other things are also to be considered so it's done right. They will know what questions to ask the roofer. |
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KileAnderson
USA
875 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2004 : 21:08:35
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| Good point. I'll keep it in mind. All things being equal though if a 60' long gable has 6 turtle vents 3' from the ridge equally spaced across the roof, isn't a ridge vent still better than those 6 little vents? |
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DEMIGOD
99 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2004 : 21:52:11
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Absolutely ridge vent is far bettre as it creats a draw and acually SUCKS the air out through the ridge line. Also if I remember from my handy dandy ridge vent class, when you cut back the decking on the ridge line you actually have more open attic space as opposed to the opening for the static vents. For every 12 lineal inchs of ridge vent you get 18 square inches of net free area per lineal foot of ridge line. The net free area at the eves should match or exceed the net free area on the ridge line. It gets pretty complictad but in short it's far better.
And not all ridge vents are equal, you must use one that has a baffle which creates negative air pressure at the ridge line, this creats a vacuume effect drawing the attic air out. <---most imporatant feature.
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DEMIGOD
99 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2004 : 15:13:53
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| Oh sorry Kile, Yes the ridge vent is better. |
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Deflection
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