2016 might have been called the year of solar power. Not just did solar panels become less expensive and Elon Musk, founder of Tesla motors announced the purchase of one of the country?s largest solar providers, SolarCity, but we saw many things become solar powered that we never knew were possible. Things like a train, a roadway, an island, and an entire city.

According to Thierry Lepercq, French energy company Engie SA?s head of research, technology, and innovation, that only the beginning. As he told Bloomberg, ?The promise of quasi-infinite and free energy is here.?

And the reason, Lepercq says, is that the price of solar power will probably fall below $10 per megawatt-hour (roughly 1ó/kWh) in the world?s sunniest places. At the same time, conventional coal-based sources could even be more expensive in the future.

In a recent report, the World Economic Forum (WEF) seconded Lepercq, showing how solar power is now less expensive than fossil fuels. And, if solar power keeps trending at the rate it has been, declining at a compounded 20% annual rate, it will soon reach grid parity, making it a worldwide option.

And as solar power has expanded, so has its innovation. We now have large scale solar energy infrastructure in many countries, a solar desalination plant, supercomputers that run on solar power, and a farm that uses solar energy and seawater to grow crops.

Yes the solar power revolution has arrived.

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The purpose of any roof system is to keep water out of and divert it away from the building. Seems like a simple enough task but it is far from easy. If there?s one thing I?ve learned over the past 40-years, it is that roofs leak. And they leak for numerous reasons and for the most part, the least of all are the materials. I have found the occasional arrow and bullet hole in the membrane but the following are the six most common causes of roof leaks.

Improper Drainage

If you don?t get the water off the roof there?s a good chance that it is going to find its way into your building. It has to go somewhere and you can?t depend on evaporation to solve the problem. Proper drainage is prerequisite for roof design.

Penetrations

The more penetrations you have on a rooftop the greater likelihood that water is going to find its way through. Designers need to eliminate all unnecessary penetrations and for those that remain, there needs to be some common sense applied to their shape and positioning. Conduit placed so close together they cannot be individually flashed, angle iron and other red iron penetrations that require the use of a pitch pan to seal them are leaks just waiting to happen.

Rooftop Units

HVAC equipment can be the frustrating source of water entry. The condensate pans can often plug up or rust out allowing for leaks in the building when it?s not even raining. And, these units are often accompanied by pitch pans to seal the power and cooling lines.

Walls and Facades

It is not uncommon for cracks in the exterior walls or exposed masonry above the roof line to permit water into the building. It is not easy to diagnose and sometimes even harder to convince the building owner that there is nothing wrong with his or her roof.

Rooftop Traffic

Maintenance personnel and service technicians for the variety of HVAC and other penetrations that may find their way on the rooftop are notorious offenders. Unintended damage is a common cause of leaks. aTool boxes, HVAC panels, carts and window washing equipment are just a few of the sources to cuts and punctures in membrane roof systems.

Human Error

Workmanship ranks high on the list of unintended leaks. Improper installation of the materials, poor sealing or faulty seaming seem to create the most common sources of leaks. It takes a craftsman to install today?s materials I haven?t seem a system that is entirely ?roofer proof?.

Apart from the selection of high quality materials, the roof contractor will be the principal factor that determines whether or not your roof system performs leak free. The idea that the lowest price wins can often come back and haunt an owner. Even the best are not perfect but ensuring that the contractor installing the roof system is truly skilled, licensed and authorized by the materials manufacturer should be paramount in your decision making process. Spending a little more for exceptional materials and workmanship can reap huge benefits many, many years down the road.

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Replacing or even just repairing a roof is an expensive undertaking. Hiring a building contractor to do this job takes quite a bit of money not to mention the inconvenience it causes to the occupants. The better choice is to simply maximize the roof?s service life and save money by avoiding costly expenses which is possible with just simple cleaning.

Deterioration Causes

The first step in avoiding repair or replacement expense is to learn the various causes of deterioration to a roof. It is the part of the home most exposed to the outdoor elements and can therefore encounter many things that could potentially be damaging.

• Algae ? Algae is something that could hasten deterioration and damage. The spores are carried by the wind and land on the housetop. If the area is moist and shaded by overhead structures or tree branches, it would be an ideal place on which algae could thrive. This could create an ugly appearance and eventually damage the surface of the material.

• Dirt and Debris? Dust and leaves often accumulate on the housetop. While not easily noticed, they gradually gather together. Once the debris starts to pile up, it could finally reach a point where it could readily trap moisture. Decaying matter such as leaves could also release substances that may trigger corrosion or speed up deterioration.

• UV Rays ? Roofs protects a living space from the direct heat of the sun; they are also susceptible to the damaging effect of UV rays. Without proper maintenance, the protective layer will eventually wear out and make the rest of the material susceptible to damage.

• Harsh Weather ? Nothing is more destructive than bad weather; strong wind, hail, heavy rain and snow will eventually take a toll on the material. A roof may only initially acquire small amounts of damage; repeated exposure can magnify the problem and will eventually lead to extensive damage.

Cleaning Tips

Regular cleaning and maintenance will certainly save a roof from a more immediate need for repair or replacement. While it is exposed to the elements twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, regular cleaning and maintenance will help slow down the damaging effects of weather. To extend the serviceable life of this structure and prevent costly expenditures, dirt or debris should be removed to provide protection from all the elements that could speed up the deterioration process.

If at all possible, cleaning should be done every season, as various weather conditions have different effects. For example, during the fall leaves fall and if left on the housetop, could cause damage. During winter, heavy snow can cause damming on flat and low slope roofs and could result in leakage if left untouched. During the summer, UV light is stronger; a protective coating could be applied to prevent damage from exposure to UV rays.

As part of a regular maintenance routine, the top of the house should be cleaned regularly by brushing off any debris. Any algae or other growing matter should also be removed before serious damage occurs. Getting rid of algae can be done by brushing it off or by applying a cleaning chemical. Roofing materials, such as metal panels coated with paint should be repainted once the original coating starts to flake or break off. This will prevent corrosion from occurring on the material and protect it from direct exposure to UV rays and other damaging elements.

After bad weather such as strong winds or hail, it is advisable to take check for any hail or wind effects. A small amount of damage may not be evident at first but can eventually develop into much larger problems if not repaired. Re-install any loose flashing or broken shingles as soon as possible. In addition, apply sealant on any gaps and holes created by bad weather.

These simple measures should help protect and extend the life of a roof. The benefits may not be evident at first; however, in the long run thousands of dollars of extensive repairs can be avoided. Remember that it is always important to keep safety as a top priority. If the housetop is too steep or too high to climb, then leave the job to a professional! Clean that roof and enjoy future savings!

Are you looking for a roofer Houston? Schulte Roofing of Navasota services the greater Houston area and can help Houston customers with all of their roofing problems!