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 wananty information for specific maintenance guidelines. Following them will keep the roof's warranty intact.

HE wTNTER MoNTHS snrNc 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 warmer 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 roll 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 Systems. 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 to protect skin from chemicals and sharp objects

. Knee Pads

Safety Glasses

Foxworth-Galbraith Pu lls Back in Arizona, Golorado

Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Co. is pulling out of the Tucson, Az., market, closing its local Arizona Sash & Door unit by the end of the month.

On Dec. 3, FoxGal shut down lumberyards in Payson and Lakeside, Az., and Pueblo, Co. The Pueblo store's inventory was transferred to other locations, as the chain considers whether to lease or sell the site, which it acquired in 1999 from Brookhart's Building Centers.

Weyerhaeuser Converting to Real Estate lnvestment Trust

Weyerhaeuser, Federal Way, Wa., announced it will convert to a real estate investment trust (REIT) in the near future, to increase profitability.

"This conversion will position us to be more competitive in our timberlands business," said president and c.e.o. Dan Fulton.

Although a date has not been set, chairman Chuck Williamson predicted "the most likely date would be 2010."

Factors under consideration include the state of the economic recovery, the distribution of earnings and profits required under tax laws for REIT election, and changes in tax policy, including shareholder tax rates.

Conversion to a REIT would result in a special dividend of undistributed profits, most of it in the form of stock. By the beginning of 2010, the company expects earnings and profits to total slightly less than $6 billion.

Murphy Adding Plywood Mill

Murphy Co., Eugene, Or., has agreed to acquire Panel Products' idled plywood mill in Rogue River, Or.-hours before it was supposed to be auctioned off.

The $3.6-million deal, made with a court-appointed receiver, requires approval by the judge. In the meantime, if another bidder makes a higher offer, Mulphy would receive a kill fee.

Murphy reportedly plans to restart the mill this month.

Panel Products, Milwaukie, Or., purchased the 164000-sq. ft. plant on 5l acres from Louisiana-Pacific at the end of 2003, then spent millions converting the veneer drying operation into a plywood plant. The high-quality equipment made the facility particularly attractive to competitors, after it fell into receivership in May.

Panel Products' other facility, a veneer plant in White City, Or., was sold in November to Bob Jonas and Daniel Lavenbarg for $522,500.

Weyerhaeuser Selling Oregon Millto Hamptbn

Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wa., has agreed to sell its Warrenton, Or., sawmill to Hampton Affiliates, Portland, Or.

The deal, expected to close later this month, includes both the facility and land.

Hampton plans to idle the mill for nine to l2 months for extensive machinery upgrades. The facility currently employs 94, after 46 were laid off indefinitely last March.

Southland Yard Battles Blaze

The outdoor supply yard of Artesia Building Supplies, Artesia, Ca., was consumed by fire Dec. 10.

Flammable materials such as wood and propane tanks were stored in the yard. Authorities suspect that trespassers may have started the fire. The owners ofthe 50-year-old business say people have jumped the fence at night in the past to steal building materials. No one was injured in the blaze, and the business will remain open.

Friedman's Home lmprove. ment is targeting an August 1,2011 opening for a proposed 80,000-sq. ft. store with drive-thru lumberyard and 20,000-sq. ft. garden center in Petaluma, Ca.

Orland Ace Hardw?tg, Ortand, Ca., opened Jan. 2 at 21,8000 sq.ft.nearly twice the size of the previous buihing destroyed by fire in Oct. 2008.

Owner Ben Pforsich said the larger size accommodates more merchandise and new departments, including lumber and building materials.

Healdsburg Lumber Co., Healdsburg, Ca., has acquired door/ window retailer The Window Warehouso, Corte Madera, Ca., from Steve Campodonico.

Campodonico will stay on to become sales mgr. for Healdsburg.

Home Depot broke ground on a 465,000-sq. ft. distribution center in Salem, 0r., for a spring 2011 opening.

The comoanv has discontinued Ralph Lauien paint and now stocks paint, cleaning products, and closet organization products from Martha Stewart Living.

The chain also presenteO Makita USA with the Marketing Innovation Award at its annual supplier partner meeting in Atlanta, Ga.

Lowe's opened a new home center Dec. 4 in central San Jose, Ca.; received planning commission approval to buld a 111,348-sq. ft. store on the site of a former Home Depot in Covina, Ca., and is seeking approval to build in Carlsbad and Santa Rosa. Ca.

By lames Olsen