Repair or replace?

slope alternative. The lifespan is shorter, but the price point is significantly lower.

2. Is the roof subject to a significant amount of foot traffic?

Most roofs are not expected to have heavy foot traffic. If the roof will have a lot of traffic, there are two options: installing a thicker membrane or placing a deck over the roof. A thicker membrane better resists punctures, the most common cause of roof leaks. Commercial-grade EPDM and TPO membranes are available in thicknesses of 45 or 60 mil for the best resistance to punctures.

A better option is to install a deck over the roof. The roofing material itself will protect against freezing, thawing and the sun, while the deck will protect the roofing material.

3. Has the homeowner established a maintenance routine?

Proper maintenance is critical to getting the longest life from the roof. Always reference the manufacturer's recommendations and warranty information for specific maintenance guidelines. Following them will keep the roof's warranty intact.

tTtne wINTER MoNTHS entNc cold

I temperatures. freezelthaw cycles. and wind. These conditions can damage more than our morale. They can do quite a number on roofs, too. As we begin to look forward to spring, it's not too early to start preparing for those spring roof repairs.

Even though steep-slope roofs are most common in residential architecture, many homes have flat sections over porches, dormers, carports or garages. There are distinct differences in how to address low-slope (flat) roof issues and extend the life and performance of a homeowner's investment.

Help contractors and homeowners care for their flat roofs by asking three basic questions:

1. Should the roof be repaired or replaced?

A primary factor is the age of the roof. The lifespan of a low-slope roof varies significantly based on the components of the roof assembly. A wellinstalled roof should perform as stated by the manufacturer, so refer to the warranty for the best indication of how long it should last. Most warranties are good for l0 years, but some products offer no warranty, while some new commercial-grade products come with a lifetime warranty.

Along with the age of the roof, con- sider the recurrence of the problem and ask if other solutions have been tried. The key to a successful repair is using similar materials to those already on the roof. Using a product that is drastically different from the existing material won't provide a permanent fix, as the solvents and chemical makeup of the products will work against each other. A mineral surface roll or torch down roof should be repaired with asphalt-based products. Roofs with single-ply membranes such as TPO or EPDM require thermoplastic or rubber products, respectively, for repairs.

If the homeowner has attempted to repair the roof several times, in the appropriate way, and still has a problem, it may be necessary to reroof. The common options are:

. EPDM is a rubber-based singleply membrane roofing material. It's available in a commercial grade and is easy to install.

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) is a single-ply product ideal for warrner climates, as the white surface reflects the sun to reduce energy costs.

. Asphalt-based torch down roofing can create a weather-tight roof surface. Safety precautions are critical, as installation involves open flame.

. A mineral surface rol/ is a low-

Every year, the homeowner should visually inspect the roof for black or discolored streaks, which indicate mold, algae or fungus. Spots should be cleaned with a household cleaner to stop them from spreading and to prevent roof damage.

Inspect all membrane seams, paying particular attention to flashings around curbs and penetrations. Finally, trim overhanging limbs to prevent branches from sweeping against the roof, gutter, soffit and/or flashing. This will minimize leaf debris and increase the roof's ability to withstand severe weather.

- Dan Thomas, business development manager for GenTite Residential Roofing Systens. Reach him via www.gentite.com.

Add-On Sales to Roof Inspectors

Safety Barrier or harness to prevent falling

Safety Boots to deter slipping and prevent foot injury from dropped items

Gloves tp protect skin from chemicals ,and sharp objects

Knee Pads

SafetV Glasses

Darrin Bennett has been named president of Lansing Lumber Co., Holt, Mi. Rodger Enos is now v.p.: Louis ttNedtt Legg, chairman, and John Monk, treasurer.

Wayne Lancaster, ex-North Pacific, is now with the Daphne, Al., office of Atlas Trading International. He remains exclusive rep for Thomasville Lumber.

Chris Counts, ex-Cedar Creek Wholesale, has rejoined Capital as an account mgr. in Dallas, Tx.

Michael Morris has joined the sales team at Fingerle Lumber Co., Ann Arbor, Mi.

M. Chad Crow has been promoted to chief financial officer for Builders FirstSource. Dallas. Tx.

Tom Czlapinski, ex-TimberTech, is now handling outside sales in Texas for California Redwood Co., Arcata, Ca. Chad Griffith, exLumber Products. is covering Oklahoma.

Mike Sopher, formerly with Tampa International, has opened a Largo, Fl., office for Greenleaf Trading, specializing in studs, random dimension, and forward pricing.

Jerry Lathan, ex-Viance, has joined the outside sales force at Tank Fab Inc., Rocky Point, N.C. Lorraine Meyer is the new administrative assistant.

Eric Watson has been named branch mgr. of ABC Supply, Knoxville, Tn. His brother, Adam Watson, was appointed mgr. in nearby Talbott, Tn.

Paul McGrath, McGrath Lumber, Greenfield. N.H.. will handle U.S. sales for Nova Scotia-based Lignibel Ltd.'s recently restarted sawmill.

Todd Woods has been promoted to senior v.p., deputy general counsel, and assistant secretary for Lowe's Cos.. Mooresville. N.C.

Brian Miller has been named the president of ProVia Door and Heartland Siding, Sugarcreek, Ok., succeeding Bill Mullet, who remains c.e.o.

Juan Figuereo has been appointed finance chief at Newell Rubbermaid, Atlanta, Ga., replacing J. Patrick Robinson, who has retired.

David F. Brown, Masco, Taylor, Mi., has joined as chief procurement officer and v.p.-supply chain.

Scott Bausch has been named director of product marketing for Legrand/ Pass & Seymour, Syracuse, N.Y.

Joey Viselli has been named v.p.-marketing for Knauf Insulation North America, Shelbyville, In.

Glenn Sharpe has joined Lumber Liquidators, Toano, Va., as senior v.p.-supply chain. He replaces Rick Boucher, who is leaving the company to pursue other interests.

Peter Durette is now chief strategy officer and v.p. at MeadWestvaco Corp.. Richmond. Va.

Jason Bailey, White City Lumber, New Lisbon, Wi ., recently completed National Hardwood Lumber Association's l4-week lumber inspection program, along with Jerrod Free, J.T. Shannon Lumber Co., Horn Lake, Ms.; D. Wince Lynn, Lynn Lumber Co., Tellico Plains, Tn.; Matthew Gray, Bibb Hardwood, Birmingham, Al.; Coy Parker, Parker Wood Products, Huntsville, Ar.; Jason Letts, Missouri Walnut, Neosho, Mo.; Christopher Largent, Ralph Largent Sawmill, Erin, Tn.; Don Kuehl, Billsby Lumber Co., Harrison, Mi.; David Pfister, Oaks Unlimited, Waynesville, N.C., and Dimitri Kulp, Boscobel, Wi.

Kenneth F. Yarosh, Dow Corning Corp., was elected vice chairman of the board of directors of ASTM International for 20lO-2O12. Robert D. Thomas, president of National Concrete Masonry Association, was elected a board member.

Dan Lewis, Odenton Ace Hardware, Odenton, Md., was recognized as Business of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce.

J.R. Hobbs, v.p., Delaware Lumber & Millwork of Salisbury, Md., won the 2009 B. Harold Smick Jr. Young Leader Award from the Eastern Building Material Dealers Association.

Donald Magruder, general mgr., RoMac Lumber & Supply, Leesburg, Fl., was named Associate of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Lake Sumter.

Rich Returns is the new investment mgr. at Mungus-Fungus Forest Products, Climax, Nv., according to co-owners Hugh Mungus and Freddy Fungus.

Pearlie and Nathan Carey have acquired Bradley's Feed Store, Anahuac, Tx., and reopened it as a fullservice hardware store, Anahuac Farm Supply & Hardware.

Green Depot held a grand opening Dec. 9 for its new location in Albany, N.Y.

Menards is closing its Eden Prairie, Mn., store Feb. 26, to build a larger, two-story facility in its place by early spring 2011.

Lowe's opened new stores Dec.4 in Potsdam, N.Y.; Nov. 27 in Deltona, Fl.; Nov. 20 in Voohees, N.J., and Oct. 30 in Moberly, Mo.; Sanford, Me., and Greenport, N.Y.

The chain also expects new store openings early this year in Salem, Va.; in 2nd quarter 2010 in College Station, Tx., and in 4th quarter 2010 in S. Staten lsland, N.Y.

Lowe's backed out of plans to build a store in Holyoke, Ma., but secured a $125,000 tax break to build a $25-million home center in Salem. Ma.

Home Depot willfund a pilot project that will pay pilvate landowners in the Southeast to conserve and manage their forested land.

The home center chain has discontinued Ralph Lauren paint and now stocks paint, cleaning products, and closet orqanization Droducts from Martha Stewart Livinq.

Depot also present;d Makita USA with the Marketing lnnovation Award at its annual supplier partner meeting in Atlanta, Ga.

ProBuild was SCORE (Structural Component Operations Reaching for Excellence) certified at the Elite level at 39 of its truss plants, including three in Florida, three in Texas, two in Georgia, two in lowa, and one each in Indianapolis, In.; Dry Ridge, Ky.; Grand Rapids, Mi.; Wadena, Mn.; Valley Center, Mo.; Berlin, N.J.; Kingston, N.Y.; Albermarle, N.C.; Delaware, 0h.; Morrisville, Pa.; Mitchell, S.D.; West Point, Va., and De Pere, Wi.

Anniversaries: Ace Hardware, geneva, ll., 85th Teague Lumber Co., Fort Worth, Tx.,bsth York County Lumber Corp., York, Pa., 50th