I live in upstate NY and was wondering if anyone would recommend regular or studded snow tires for my express?
I have a flat roof with about 1/4 inch downpitch to the inch. In the visible front, there is the Mansurd or near vertical shingled roof. The house is a near copy of a French Mansurd. My house is about 40 years old. When I purchased the house, the flat roof had what they call SIS roll asphalt, 18 inch overlap. That was a huge problem even when replaced and new. Leaks formed from nowwhere, not large leaks, just leaks from snow or when we had a really severe downpour. About 5 years ago I installed a Firestone rubber roof, its .060 thick huge rubber sheet, no seams. Kind of an 'unbrella' over the whole thing onto nailed down plywood. Not a single bit of leaks ever. And a 30 year warranty at that. And cheaper than tarpaper SIS. I live north of Chicago, lots of snow lots of sleet, lots of rain. You can have a flat roof anywhere you wish in the country so long as enough 2x12 joist support it. Contrary to common belief, snow does not accumulate more on a flat roof, there is wind up there and snow is chased away. For info, Take a look at the Schultz homes they offer many French style homes with flat roofs with slight pitch.
Kidde Smoke Detector False Alarm
Go with RH's thorough answer. But find out whether PEX is approved in your area, as it (still) isn't in others. After a half-century, your system may already have been patched up by numerous guys. All remaining steel will eventually have to be replaced, as it not only gets permanently restricted on the inside, it gets thinner, so be careful. (I've seen some where every type of material used has been spliced in at one time or another, a mixed system that annoys inspectors.)
