Sequencing Your Energy Efficient Home Improvements.

So many restaurants and so little time. The same can be said for all the energy efficient products available for your home and choosing them in order of benefit and accounting for budget is very important.

Several months back I told the story of a home we redecked with radiant barrier deck, added insulation, ventilation and repaired his torn a/c ducts.  During the product selection process I noticed the customer had nice windows installed. When I commented on them he went into a cursing rage about the lying contractor and worthless windows he had paid for. I knew his energy loss was a serious problem. His a/c ran all day and in the winter his heat ran all the time. When the deficiencies were corrected, on the first night it went down to 35 degrees. He called to tell me his heater cycled only one time that night rather than run continuously. I informed him that his windows were now working. His correct order of repair would have been to fix his duct work rather that climatize his attic, then ventilate because Texas gets so hot, insulate to contain his energy, radiant barrier decking to keep the radiant heat out that penetrated his insulation and then the windows.

When you have a 165 degree oven on top your home you either lower the attic temperature or you start cooking in the attic. This particular home had three amplifying issues to a hotter home. First it was a lower slope keeping the roof close to the ceiling and allowing the radiant heat to stay radiant, rather than converting to convected heat over distance. Secondly it was a hip design so more roof was close to the ceiling than on a gable design where on the gable ends the roof is far from the ceiling. Lastly the deck was one inch plank and there was heavy framing lumber. This added more material to absorb the daily heat and then radiate heat longer into the night.

There are other products not covered here like roofs with a high Solar Reflective Index, a measure of how much light bounces off the roof and is not absorbed and how fast the roof material throws off the heat it has absorbed, will be discussed in the next blog and how they different systems effect each other.

Jon Alan Wright

Jon Wright Roofing, Siding, and Windows

1915 Peters Rd., Suite 310

Irving, TX 75061

972.251.1818 Office

214.718.3748 Cell

972.554.8090 Fax

jonwright@jonwrightroofing.com

www.jonwrightroofing.com

   

Insurance Companies versus The International Residential Code and City Building Officials

Most homeowners have "code upgrade" in their policy. You can find out by looking in the  "Building and Personal Property Coverage Form" or something like that. I am not an insurance adjuster but I've seen as many or more claims as anyone over the decades. This is the rub: building codes change and homes don't magically upgrade.

Now a disaster hits and your home is several years old. The codes have changed, you have to rebuild, but you have to rebuild better. Period. Code is law. If you have code upgrade then you should be okay, right? No, if you have State Farm. They want to know if the codes are enforced and they know most cities will answer that. It's like asking which laws I can break. no, it is exactly like that.

We've had several customers where we discovered the codes were not met, verified they had code upgrade and State Farm either said that if what I said was true they'd pay it or go ahead and we'll let you know. To finish the job we had to replace the decking on the homes. State Farm has copies of the code, has verified that it is code but won't pay because they say it might not be enforced.  If we hadn't replaced the decking the homeowner might have have had the entire roof and deck red tagged. Or years later when the home was being sold the inspector might have failed it causing a whole roof and deck system to be replace. The minimum would have been the roof started to leak and State Farm would not have paid for the damage because it was defective workmanship and not a sudden catastrophic loss. Great for State Farm because they could collect premiums on a roof they wouldn't pay for.

I've head that since a huge hailstorm hit Amarillo, which has some stricter building codes, especially for a roof, that State Farm Insurance is sending a liaison to reason with the building department. Good luck with those good ole boys. They may talk slow but they ain't stupid.

To place the word "enforced" of the word "code" is an attempt at deception. Here's some awesome reasoning from a wise modern philosopher in  "The Semantic Deception of Dialectical Theses"

"Before we begin examining specific damages, let us develop an appreciation for what is being sought out, as defined by the title of this article. What is, “the semantic deception of dialectical theses?” Everyone knows that a “deception” is a “lie,” so this is as good place a place as any to start our discussions. It isn't always the case that there is a “liar” telling us a “lie” when we are being deceived. A lie is a falsehood, but it is stated. An omission of information could be just as damaging and is still a deception, although not a lie. However, to deceive, to “create a deception” does involve work. Somebody or some thing has to “do something” to deliberately cause you to be deceived. So, stated or not, any deceptiveness we are about to discuss, by the rules of existence and definition, must be intentional. We will be well served by remembering this. You cannot be deceived by erroneous information that occurred “by accident,” this is simply you deceiving yourself with erroneous information. For it to be deception, there must someone doing the deceiving.......

 

..... The goal in our understanding of the semantic deception is twofold: First, we must know that abstract considerations are matters of opinion and that definitions, when reduced properly, should not end up contradictory. Now, let's remember that “a deception” requires a “deceiver.” So if we have a semantic deception, we have a message that is intentionally false, wrong and dangerous, in it's meaning." 

 

In other words, I think they are not paying their bills and living up to their contract. 

Jon Alan Wright

Jon Wright Roofing, Siding, and Windows

1915 Peters Rd., Suite 310

Irving, TX 75061

972.251.1818 Office

214.718.3748 Cell

972.554.8090 Fax

jonwright@jonwrightroofing.com

www.jonwrightroofing.com

   

What To Expect From A Home Inspection

When you buy a home or have an insurance claim there are inspections that are designed to protect all the investors: the buyer, the insured and the mortgage company. Even the city tries to protect the occupants and the neighbors by making sure whatever is repaired is brought up to current codes.

If you leave your old gas lamp alone, and the codes have changed, you are grandfathered in and have to do nothing. If your neighbor's kid drives over your gas lamp and the codes have changed, you better not fix it or the municipal Brown Shirts will come and rough you up, or worse, shut you down, fine you and humiliate you in front of a block party.

If you have code upgrade on your insurance policy and your decking does not meet the IRC for your town, then they'll pay to replace it when hail damages your roof. Ha ha ha...what a laugh if you have State Farm. They're pretty good most of the time but when they decide to ignore the rules they rank up there with the best, or worse if you prefer.

Let's consider the home sale transaction: you get a  Realtor and she finds you your dream home, or at least a great deal. Most can't afford their dream home because they buy a number 6 at McDonald's and don't take a sack lunch. There's also Starbucks, Goody Goody and the lottery. But the Realtor is a professional and knows where to look, who to call and even shows up a night and on weekends. That's why they have nice homes.

The Realtor pulls out the book of vendors acquired over the years and calls a home inspector, a roofer, plumber and anyone else the home inspector has put into motion by questioning the workmanship, age and code compliance of a  particular home widget.
Now the inspector writes "check with a professional licensed roofer...there might be damage." his butt is covered now and he can't be sued (successfully because someone will take the case). If he doesn't write that and something on the roof is bad then he can be liable up to triple indemnity. So he pulls out the caveat card and washes his hands like Pilot.

There is no such thing as a roofer's license for Texas. Municipal licenses for roofers are a one line test: signature on a check that clears. Now you are ordained. Praise the lord. But everyone knows Jesus was not a roofer. He was the son of a Jewish carpenter and fisher of men. So get those symbols off you card right now before I call the Anti Defamation League. Those superheroes can take anyone down.

And no one even knows the new IRC code for ventilation: the 150 Rule if you don't have a vapor barrier between the sheetrock and the ceiling joists. you have to move the insulation out of the way to see that you don't have the mythical vapor barrier. So no homes should ever pass. Not here in Texas, except some of ours. Try to get State Farm to pay for that. Don't even ask Allstate.

If your roof is replaced the mortgage company will want to know that it has been done. The larger the claim the more layers of paperwork they will require also. WW9's, release of liens, signed contracts, the money in their account making interest while they release it in partial payments until you jump through burning hoops and do the Watusi backwards on one foot.

Then comes their inspector. He might even get out of his car. Didn't bring a ladder. Does not smile. Usually it is a wave and a kiss.

Then the city, who extorted one or two percent, on top of the one line test registration (an annual shake down) just because they can. And if you try to get around it they will double fee you. This guy is a law enforcement officer. He has a badge, can fine you, make you rebuild your home, get rid of your pets and have you incarcerated.

Does he see if your felt is over the drip edge on eaves and under on rakes? does he check to see if a venturi has been created in the attic based on the 150 or 300 Rules as the codes they enforce state must be done? How about a wide chimney without a cricket? A low slope roof having two ply felt? (These roofs are only done on weekends anyway.) Four nails, six on a 12/12? Gas flue pipes not cut off and not possessing a double wall kit with a type B cap, collar and base? Soffit vents unobstructed? Even a hole on the other side of the soffit vent?

Not one. Nothing. Some cities do have an attic inspection to make the roofer doesn't kill anyone else by leaving another gas flue disjambled (a very technical construction term not in wide use today) beneath the roof line.

Nope. none of the above by anybody. Did your roofing contractor even check out the roof?

This is a cold and lonely world and you better check for yourself.

Mr. K. is at fault for this rant because he couldn't believe none of the inspectors cared or tried to earn their money. And he bought a better roof for protection.

Jon Alan Wright

Jon Wright Roofing, Siding, and Windows

1915 Peters Rd., Suite 310

Irving, TX 75061

972.251.1818 Office

214.718.3748 Cell

972.554.8090 Fax

jonwright@jonwrightroofing.com

www.jonwrightroofing.com

   

Roofing and Building Codes

 Over the years the building codes related to roofing have changed and so has the structural requirements for the deck and structure. Yet there is more to it than change. There is procedure.

Worldwide different processes are used. Many countries use central planning, allowing local jurisdictions to modify codes as they see fit due to different conditions like population density, heat , humidity, rainfall and flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes or soil conditions. The United States allows local jurisdictions to accept the model code of choice with addenda as each sees fit. In the past there was a conglomeration of the Universal Building Code, The Southern Building code, the International Standard Building Code, Building Officials Code Administrators International  and, a long time ago The Law of Moses that required a parapet to keep blood-guilt off the owners head because some drunk roofer fell off and got killed. Today the laws we bow to here is the International Code Council (ICC), which sprang from the big three Legacy Codes. I think OSHA came about from Moses crossing the Red Sea. Not to help the Hebrews ( Macho Jewish Beer) but the drowned Egyptian 5th Army. Later they made it past the Red Sea and into Sinai but again were caught circa 1974.

 The ICC is divided into the International Residential Code, International Fire Code, The International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code and ICC Performance Code.

Now, let's make no bones about it: when a code is adopted by a local jurisdiction, it is LAW! Code Enforcement Officials are law enforcement officers with the power to arrest and fine people and condemn properties or part of properties. A Red Card is not to be messed with. There is also a special clause at the end of the code we refer to as "The Gawd Clause." This is where the building inspector can make up any code on the spot as he sees fit.

If your home does not pass code during a sale, the inspector might call it out. You don't have to fix it if it were built that way under a different set of codes but if you change something like a roof, a gas lamp, a sprinkler system or a window, and the codes have changed, then you have to meet new codes. Items not changed and not sold are grandfathered in under the old code but grandpa gets up, then he needs to change his shoes to steel toed boots. If you don't follow the code there is no appeal. It is summary execution. Building officials, OSHA, EPA and other regulatory administrations have carte blanche to keep blood guilt from destroying your salvation.

There is no jury. There is no appeal. There is only pain and grief. So whenever you do some remodeling you need to know the codes or hire someone who does. If you have an insurance claim  you need to update the repairs to meet current code (law). If you have code upgrade in your insurance policy, you need to get it right the first time because the insurance won't pay to redo it. And if they won't pay the first time, it is time to rain holy hell upon them for asking to to be a criminal as State Farm has asked me to do by proving that current building codes are "enforced."

Don't get me wrong here because 95% of the time they are outstanding but they must not know who I am if they ask me to break the law. No saint am I but my ethics are intact and I'm incensed. My moral are okay too but that is a matter of judgement. Ethics can be know through pure logic and are not up to debate when scrutinized by enlightened men. Morals change with time, as do building codes. But a nation of laws must stand by it's laws unless they are tested to be incorrect by a jury of peers. That is another discussion that has been lifted from the courtroom and legal precedent by modern courts: the instruction of the judge to deem a law just or not.

No empowered governmental power, like building departments, concern themselves with right or wrong. It is the letter of the law you must follow, despite what State Farm thinks.

Jon Alan Wright

Jon Wright Roofing, Siding, and Windows

1915 Peters Rd., Suite 310

Irving, TX 75061

972.251.1818 Office

214.718.3748 Cell

972.554.8090 Fax

jonwright@jonwrightroofing.com

www.jonwrightroofing.com