Fire Resistant Roofs Make The 4th of July More Enjoyable
The 4th of July is always a jubilant time when people get outside to enjoy the warm weather… and hot fireworks! Each year, the skies light up with spectacular displays of designer explosives that bear exotic names like farfalles, peonies, horsetails and crossettes. Scurrying frantically across streets and sidewalks are all sorts of startling little incendiaries – spinners, whistlers, fliers, snappers, and poppers, rarely deployed with courtesy and caution. The same goes for over-the-counter pyrotechnics launched low overhead, like bottle rockets and roman candles, which are almost always still aglow when they touch down.
If there’s a trade war going on between the U.S. and China, you wouldn’t know it when Independence Day rolls around. Fireworks are an American tradition and one of the truly great benefits of our relations with China, where we get 94% of our July 4th ammunition! In fact, with almost every patriotic holiday we celebrate in the U.S.A. comes the sound and fury of fireworks. The unfortunate consequence of our collective pyromania is structural fires, often started by falling embers that settle on rooftops! In the spirit of a safe Independence Day, we’ve rounded up 5 tips to prevent House Fires on the 4th of July.
Roofing Fire - The unwanted Independence Day Tradition!
About 1 out of every 10 fires caused by fireworks affect homes and other structures, but these “house fires” result in 74% of all injuries and deaths from fireworks. To protect property and lives, homeowners can take a number of precautions before the sparks start flying.
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Launch Fireworks Far Away from Homes and Buildings
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Sweep Your Roof of All “Tinder”
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Pay Attention to the Weather
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Trim Overhanging Limbs and Vegetation
Another Good Reason for a Pre-4th of July Roof Inspection
It’s true that asphalt shingles (the most common roofing material) are generally fire-resistant, but if a roof has any cracked, broken, or missing shingles, the material underneath them (felt paper underlayment and wood decking) is combustible. To further protect against the potential danger of fireworks, homeowners should be advised to have repairs done to their roof before the 4th of July. If you want to diminish the worries of roof-related fires all year long, any Class-A fire-rated roofing material is the way to go. Concrete or clay roof tiles, fiberglass asphalt composition shingles, and metal roofs are among these Class-A fire-rated roof coverings.
If anyone with a less than a good, fire-resistant roof has an appetite for a new roof this summer, a professional roofing contractor can show them exactly what a Class A fire-rated product will look like on a picture of their very own home. Check out the iRoofing Visualizer tool!
Survey a roof with a drone. Measure, estimate, proposed, present, and order materials with the #1 DIY App for Roofing Pros!
Use Roofing Technology to Get Homes Ready for the Shower of Sparks that Mark Independence Day!
Before the 4th of July, when property owners should have their roof scrutinized to ensure there is no debris or roof damage which fireworks can light ablaze, roofing pros can use iRoofing with their drone to capture and import roof images. These real-time images are a great way to inform homeowners of critical roof and gutter cleaning or roof repair needs.
Roofing Fires - Q & As
Most roofing is fire resistant but some materials are better than others. Class-A Fire Rated roofing materials offer the highest degree of protection.
Roof fires are common in a dry year-round climate like that of California. In 2018, the Camp Fire burned more than 18,800 structures in California. While forest fires and brush fires are a constant threat, careless use of fireworks can set homes and buildings aflame, as well.
Tile roofing, including barreled clay tile or Spanish tile; slate; cement tiles, and metal roofing offer great protection, but modern asphalt tiles, shake and composite tiles have been developed to offer Class-A protection, too.
Yes! Metal roofing is one of the most non-combustible roofing materials and is designated with a Class A fire rating.
Almost any type of roofing can be relatively safe from fire starts if they’re maintained properly and kept clean of debris that can dry out and fuel the tiniest spark. Before the 4th of July or ahead of known fire seasons or actual encroachments of brush fires and forest fires, roofs should be inspected and cleaned.