Protecting a Wood Roof from Fires

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All the fires out West reminded me of a article I read somewhere. A guy lived in deep woods. His house had both cedar for the roof and siding. To try to protect the house from fire, he ran a waterline up besides the front door with a shut-off valve, then on into the attic, out under the roof eave at the high point and then along the ridge. He tapped in for several rainbird sprinklers. A drain valve allowed it to be drained during freezing weather.

His logic was if there was a fire nearby, as long as he had electric, he could keep the roof wet and possibly extinguish flying embers. He also found two other uses. Before he would start his woodstove he would wet the roof. Also, on hot days, wetting the roof helped to keep the attic, and thus the house, cooler.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 07, 2000

Answers

The problem is that unless you are using a generator for power to pump water, you have no electicity if there is a fire nearby. The trunk lines are shut off for the safety of firefighters and many other sensible reasons. There is much wisdom to having gravity flow water storage.

My grandmother was always perplexed by cedar shingle houses in the woods. "Why would anyone live out her and nail kindling all over their house?"

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), September 07, 2000.


Laura, your grandmother is very wise and funny too! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), September 07, 2000.

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