Archive for December 2011
Installing Roof Leak Barriers – Ice Dams and Valleys
In Ice Dam protection, install Leak Barriers 24″ inside of the warm wall anywhere the roof is subjected to ice dams or freeze-thaw cycles. When installing leak barriers in snow areas using wrapping fascia method (under drip edge method). Remove the gutter so the membrane can be wrapped down the fascia, cut into 10′-20′ lengths so to be easier to handle, install full width of membrane, turn down fascia 2″ minimum, roll back top half of membrane to remove release film, remove release film to install to the deck, seal the membrane using a roller, for safety reasons back nail every 18″ along selvage film, roll back the bottom half to remove the release film, remove release film to install to the deck and fascia, seal membrane again with a roller, extend laps 6″ minimum at any seams, again, hand roll these laps to seal.
Do not leave membrane exposed it is not designed to be exposed for long periods of time to the elements. Re-install the gutter; do not forget to re-attach all leader pipes. Install non-corroding metal drip edge, aluminum or galvanized steel. Nail drip edge every 8″-10″.
For full roof deck coverage, extreme ice and wind protection, full roof deck coverage is allowed, installing a leak barrier over an entire roofing deck is allowed on GAF-Elk Roofing Systems and GAF-Elk enhanced warranties. Because leak barriers are vapor retarders, ventilation precautions must be taken, they may result in moisture related problems with the roof deck and the structure in the attic.
For problems with installing valley metals: Valleys carry extreme amounts of water, they are a natural center for leaks and leak barriers will seal off these leaks. Valley metals move, buckle, and crack, the metals expand and contract all of even the best metals are subject to this movement. Metals corrode even the strongest metals are known to corrode.
Installing closed valleys with shingles and Leak Barriers results in awesome looking waterproof valleys. The benefits of closed valleys with Leak Barriers are to seal the roof deck, and to seal the roof nails to the roof securely. This results in more waterproof confidence and less labor, it is easier and quicker to install and results in a more waterproof roof. Not to mention a better, more finished look and feel to the roof itself. Finishing a valley with shingles leaves a roof with a cleaner look, when using metal; the metal will rust and discolor the roofing over time.
When installing leak barriers in valleys, cut Weather Watch or StormGuard roof deck protection into manageable working lengths, 6′-10′, place over the valley center line starting from the bottom up, extend past the eave of the roof area to entirely cover the eave and the valley. Remove split-back release film form one side and firmly press into place, making sure to press from the center line out to eliminate bubbles that may occur. If you need to reposition, do so now. Now, remove the split back film from the second side, again, firmly press into place removing all air bubbles. Extend this past the valley peak to fully seal and cover the leak prone transition area. Lap joints, if needed, if more than one length is needed to cover the valley. The use of valley metal is required by some building codes and when completing a valley in the open cut method.
Software – Play Music
So you want to be a song writer. You’ve got all these tunes in your head and can write just about anything as long as there’s a tape recorder around to capture it. But then your publisher says he wants a lead sheet, or worse, a full blown score of your masterpiece. What do you do?
Play Music to the rescue.
If there’s a simpler piece of software to use nobody is talking about it. Play Music, by Notation Technologies, makes creating sheet music a breeze. If you have just a basic knowledge of music notation, then this software will do the rest so that your score has the professional look of store bought sheet music.
Play Music handles all the things that you will need in order to create a musical score. It can print every type of note there is from 32nd notes to whole notes. You can put together music in any time signature such as 3/4. 4/4 and even odd time signatures.
But Play Music goes way beyond the basics to all the subtleties of music. You can designate places to retard and accelerate the tempo. You can designate areas to play softer and louder. You can tie notes together. You can set up scores for multiple instruments including piano, violin, brass, just about anything, even voice.
Yes, the music software comes equipped with the ability to print lyrics, each of which can be placed under the corresponding note where they need to be sung, just like in the song books we all love to sing to during the holidays.
But, if all that isn’t enough, Play Music goes even farther.
Suppose you have a song that you’ve recorded on a MIDI recording device and you want to transfer that music to sheet music. No problem. Just copy your MIDI file to a disk, take it over to your computer and copy the disk file into the Play Music software. The software will then read the MIDI file and translate it into the corresponding sheet music, exactly as you played it. So if the music looks a little off, that’s because your timing is off. Yes, this software is that exact. And, if you have the ability to hook up your MIDI device to your computer then you can do a straight transfer directly to the Play Music software.
Play Music can also read standard MIDI files that you download off the Internet. This way you can play some of your favorite songs without having to buy the sheet music for it, just as long as the MIDI download itself is done legally. And if you have sheet music that you want to store as a MIDI file, Play Music can do the reverse process as well.
Considering the small price tag that comes with this software, it is probably one of the best bargains you’re going to find on the Internet. It isn’t as powerful as something like Passport, which costs five times as much, but for most people, Play Music will be all they’ll ever need to print sheet music that is good enough for any occasion.
Internet – Online Predators Statistics – Dangers For Kids
The internet is a great tool for our children to use for research when completing homework assignments. It is also a great tool to use to follow personal interests, keep up with the news, or to socialize with friends.
Unfortunately the internet also poses many dangers to our teenagers and kids.
One of the major dangers is the presence of the internet predator.
Online predator statistics:
*There is estimated to be over 5,000,000 predators that surf the internet
*These predators are online around the clock looking for targets
*Sexual predators use forums, chat rooms, and instant messaging to locate and communicate with children.
*There is a fifty percent chance that if your child is in a chat room designated for under aged children, the stranger he or she is talking to is a sexual predator logged in under a false identity.
*Sexual predators especially enjoy the use of private messaging, private chat rooms, and the webcam to make advances towards their victims.
*Surveys show that one in five of our kids will receive sexual advances while online but that less than 25 per cent of them will inform a parent or adult.
*Approximately 5 percent of our kids were aggressively approached by a sexual predator. This means they asked to meet the child offline, called them on the phone, or sent them money or gifts in the mail.
*89 percent of all sexual advances towards our children take place in internet chat rooms and through instant messaging.
*75 percent of our kids are willing to share personal information with a stranger on the internet, exactly what the sexual predator is looking for.
*77 percent of the targets of online predators were 14 or older. 22 percent were between the ages of 10 and 13.
*30 percent of those that are victimized by sexual predators are boys.
*Sexual predators are usually between the ages of 18 and 55. They are predominately males. Many have no prior criminal record.
*64 percent of the teens surveyed admitted they did things online that they would not want their parents to know about.
*Approximately 19 percent of our teens say they have considered meeting someone offline that they have only known online.
*Approximately 9 percent of our teens state that they have actually met offline a stranger they previously only knew and met online.
The internet predator has three favorite tools they love to use to target their victims:
*Online chat rooms that offer private messages or private rooms that they can isolate your child and become aggressive without being observed by others.
*Internet messaging, again, because they can get your child one-on-one and try and take advantage of them.
*The webcam is one of the favorite tools of the predator to find out what your child looks like, to try and gain personal information about them, and to manipulate them into doing things on camera to compromise their safety.