Greetings, Mr. Teetteebuilt-
If you can spare the time away from the- "Gee, I wish I looked Like Johnny Depp" forum's moderator duties, perhaps you might answer this simple question- "Have you ever done any hot work?" It is important to the audience in that; without firsthand experience, you are in no position to dispense judgement on other's comments, flippant or factual. Having roofed side by side with Mr. Doofus Emeritus, I can assure those who know what a hot roofer is, and is he is. AS far as statisics are concerned, so what? Each roof is an individual case unto itself. For credibility reference, consider this: I recently attended a discourse on the effects of wind uplift relative to roofing AS affected by last year's hurricane roster that ganged up on the Southeastern U.S.. Note: This same symposium will be presented at the upcoming WSRCA Convention in Lost Wages, Nevada. Anyways, these gentlemen's multiple site surveys of damaged-to-non-damaged by wind roof systems revealed a common thread of symptomatic failure causes. The most prevalent being: the lack of proper attatchment for perimeter edge flashings. The phenomena of differential atmospheric pressures generated by wind AS it encounters a building's edge is translated into effects on a roofing system's ability to withstand, or surrender to extreme winds. By and large, a common thread was found to be a lack of fastener securement for edging, whether it was gravel stop, shingle nosing, or wall coping. The use of a continuous cleat helps, but even a simple nailed on gravel stop can survive if pre-hand crimped by the hot crew detail guy, and nailed at say a 3" staggered pattern. If'n the edge can catch the wind, it shall. Coupled with a vortex of roiling displaced airstream generating a negative pressure just behind the windward edge, a tremendous amount of force to peel is exerted. Now here's a factoid for ya' to ponder. Smooth surfaced flat roof systems; single ply, modified bitumen, or built up, seemed to fare worse than their traditional counterparts, built up tar and gravel roofing. It is another phenomena thusly by analogy: If one was to take, say a suction device mounted to the end of a stick, kinda like a plumber's helper thingie, and after Mr. Teeteepilt has a-licked the rim, smack it down onto a smooth surfaced roof, then pull upwards, low effort to overcome upward resistance will be immediately noticed. Conversely, if'n one was to attempt the same experiment onto a gravel surfaced built up roof, it might eventually become evident that one cannot gain a decent suckage on the roof because the rock won't letcha'. Same is the thwarting of surface ballast to Mr. Wind's prying attempts. However, if there's an opening edgewise to welcome in the wind, virtually no roofing system can withstand the invisible strength of moving air, field fasteners, substrate bonding, or weighty ballast all become missile and kites once the virginity of the barrier is breached.
By and large, the best roof system is the one that is installed AS per specifications by those who are qualified to do so, and have the 'Roofing Honor Code' of pride in workmanship, overseen by the trusty eye of the Doomsday 'What If-' supervisor.
AS far AS your palatial double wide's withstanding of 157 m.p.h., I'd have to say that you sure were lucky, seeing AS how none of the last hurricane's wind speed sustained gustage topped 140 m.p.h.. You and the entourage of cousins must lead a charmed life.
AS ever,
Your ol' pal,
Wally J. Corpse
