Benton Rehab Tree Root Experiment and Damage Update

Day 5 in the Benton Rehab Roof Project uncovered some interesting hidden gems in the roof system.  In the photos below you can view the extensive tree Stump and Root Ball that started out as a sapling years ago and was left to its own accord.

Benton Rehab Tree Root Experiment-How Far Did the Roots Grow when left unattended?

Experiment to see how far a tree root will grow when left unattended for 10 plus years.  Benton Rehab Roof Project

The photo is of the tree's root ball that was growing in the built up roof system.  While this was not the only culprit as to the roofs demise in the past 10 years it has led to the steady degradation of the roof system.

Note: Part of the reason we left this tree and root system intact was so that we could trace the roots to ensure it was removed completely from the wall and roof system-eliminating a tree restarting from its roots.  Its also part of an:

Experiment to see how far a tree root will grow when left unattended for 10 plus years.

Note Added May 1st 2013- I found a tree root growing down into this section of wall yesterday.  I believe the tree root started this crack in the wall long ago and as the Invasive Tree Root grew it widened the crack in the wall.  When we replace this section of the wall.  We will find out more.  Stay Tuned for further updates.

This last photo was included to show the before tuckpointing the parapet wall. [And the saplings that are attempting to gain a foothold] Required step before installing the new roof system of: Bar Joists, Pan Decking, and Concrete Topping.

Photos added May 1, 2013

Additional Tree Root Photos and the Damage They Caused

We traced the Invasive Tree Root for another 10 Feet and found the tree root had followed the top course of Masonry alongside the Parapet Wall.

I did not actually measure the Tree Root and am going to venture to say the Invasive Tree Root had grown to a distance of 15-20 feet in length and followed the top course of brick alongside the Parapet Wall.

Additional Benton Rehab Stage 2 Project Green Blog Postings

• Scotts Contracting Green Team Celebrated Earth Day 2013 by Starting Stage2 Benton Rehab Project:Replacing Water Damaged Roof on the Benton Warehouse
• Benton Project Stage 2 Dismantling Roof Demolition

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Benton Roof Project Daily Report

On Day 4- The Crew and I have the first dumpster filled and ready for pick-up and 75% of the Roof has been removed as seen in the photo taken 1pm on Thursday.

In these photos you can see the I Beams that will be utilized to hold the Bar Joists and Pan Decking for the New Roof System.


Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Benton Project Stage 2 Dismantling Roof Demolition

Stage 2 Benton Rehab Warehouse Roof-Before Photo

With the Dumpster delivered and parked in the bay the crew has started removing the roof-despite the rain StLouis has been getting as of late.

We estimate the Roof we are removing was 50 years old and was originally a rock ballast roof system with an additional 4-5 layers of patching.

Tearing Off the Existing Roof-Stage 2 Benton Project

Tearing Off the Existing Roof-Stage 2 Benton Project

Parking the Dumpster in the Warehouse Bay we estimate will save 1 days worth of  Labor for the Crew and makes our lives much easier for the roof tear off!

Despite the Rain the Crew is making good progress with removing the existing roof with 1/4 to 1/3 of the old roof removed.

See additional photos of the project at Google Plus






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My Earth Day Celebration-Benton Rehab Project

Scotts Contracting Green Team Celebrated Earth Day 2013 by Starting Stage2 Benton Rehab Project:Replacing Water Damaged Roof on the Benton Warehouse!

See photos of the before work that must be completed before starting the renovation at Scotts Contracting Google Plus Photo Album

When a Good Roof goes bad from a simple water leak 20 years ago

After we get the existing roof removed we will be Welding Bar Joists and Pan Decking to the existing metal support beams before covering will a concrete topping and weatherproofing.

Stay Tuned for additional details and photos of the new roof we will be adding!  As well as all the stages of work to be done prior to adding the new roof structure.  To Include: Extensive Tuckpointing to the Building and Rebuilding the Garage and Man doors on the Main Street Access.
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Day 2-Dumpster Delivery & Rain Delay

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Pt1 Spray Foam Insulation StLouis Brick Building

 To help educate the people of StLouis against future problems in regard to: Air Quality, Durability, and Creature Comforts I put together: Part One-Basement, Crawl Space, Stone Foundation Insulation Series on: Cost Effective:Energy Conservation for StLouis Brick Buildings [ where, how and why with suggested solutions in regard to spray foam insulation.]

Recently I've had a couple of requests to "Spray Foam" Insulate a StLouis Brick Home with Spray Foam Insulation-I don't know who has been telling people its ok to do 'this or that' but I want to show all the readers the basic principles behind the Actual Building Science behind Spray Foam Insulation and the best practices for using this product.

Many times the shows on TV and supposed building professionals performing similar home improvement services [in some instances these shows are correct;many times they are not.]  So before you start spraying foam insulation on the walls of your building there are a few areas that need to be considered before starting on a project such as this-follow the suggested Building Science Principles for

#sprayfoaminsulation 

  #ClosedCellInsulation 

#MoistureControl  

  #brick 

#BuildingScience

  

#Masonry 

#StoneFoundation

  #RockFoundation  

See, Review and Comment on the Google Cloud Document: Spray Foam Insulation St Louis Brick Buildings

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Exploding the Myths Surrounding Renewable Energy

SustainableBusiness.com News

One of the main arguments fossil fuel interests use against solar and wind energy is fear - that we'll no longer have reliable energy if we depend too much on these intermittent sources and that energy will become very expensive.

Stick to the tried-and-true fossil fuels, they say, or your lights could go out.

A new study adds to the growing research that severely weakens that argument.

The Lights Will Stay On Even When the Wind Doesn't Blow And the Sun Doesn't Shine ... Exploding the Myths Surrounding Renewable Energy

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

The 1st Alternative Power System That Keeps You Safe In Your Home

The 1st Alternative Power System That Keeps You Safe In Your Home and will keep the electricity on!

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog