Germany Introduces Incentive Program for Carports

While we earlier talked about the comeback of carports on aesthetic and environmental levels, this portable structure has another advantage – solar power. Over the past few years, solar carports have gained in popularity: Companies and schools are adding them to parking lots in order to generate electricity for buildings, and at home, solar carports are being used to charge hybrid or electric vehicles and to supply electricity. In either instance, the energy generated from the solar panels displaces the electricity normally coming from the grid, and over time, a business, organization, or home lowers its electric bill.

Solar carports have taken off in the United States and Great Britain and appear to be catching on in Germany. In an effort to make green power more pervasive, the country started an incentive program for solar panel installations on existing structures, including carports. Because carports are often designed with peak or flat roofs, adding solar panels is as simple as installing them onto the surface. Once the panels on the roof of a carport are installed and operating, they generate an incentive of 28.74 cents (Euro) or $0.41 USD. Over a few years, the incentives end up saving an individual the cost of the carport.

In the U.S., solar carports for powering buildings or vehicles are becoming more pervasive. For an individual, solar carports are now portable, but on a larger level, the panels are being added to factories, school districts, and general parking lots. While, in all of these instances, the solar power generated from the carports’ panels displace the amount from a grid, the electricity is not enough to fully keep a building running. But, over time, the electricity ends up lowering a business’ or organization’s electric bill and can fully charge an electric or hybrid vehicle.

Newly-Found Appreciation for Carports?

Last year, we reported on a story about carports making a comeback. Garages, as we mentioned, were being turned into storage or living spaces, and carports, as a result, became necessary for sheltering a vehicle. But now, according to the Herald-Tribune in Sarasota, Fla., carports are, again, coming back into favor but for entirely different reasons.

As reported in the Herald-Tribune, carports are being seen on historic and “elegant” homes, properties that ordinarily wouldn’t have them, and while these portable structures are often seen as throwbacks to the 1950s and ‘60s, they’re environmentally friendly, don’t take up as much space, and can be constructed in the backs of houses.

Aesthetically, garages take up a large portion of a home’s appearance and give a property greater mass. Environmentally, additionally, a garage can be a place for chemical gases, such as volatile organic compounds, to accumulate, and the brick-and-mortar structures are rarely equipped with ventilation.

So, how are carports making a comeback? Design-wise, properties are being constructed with them. But, unlike the dated four-post look of the ‘50s and ’60s, modern constructed carports have peaked or sloped roofs and, depending upon the needs of a homeowner, may come equipped with chargers for hybrid vehicles.

Constructing a brick-and-mortar carport is expensive, and portable structures have the same benefits. A portable carport can be placed just about anywhere within zoning regulations or building codes, including in the back of a house, and holds up to heavy snow loads, rain, and winds. Depending upon your needs, as well, carports come in valance and enclosed varieties. If you see the structure solely for protecting your car, consider a valance carport; if, on the other hand, the shelter is needed for storing items, consider an enclosed model. Additionally, depending upon the strength you need and the amount of usage for the shelter, carports are available with powder-coated or galvanized steel frames.

Don’t Attract Mosquitoes With Your Tarps

When we often talk about tarps and water, we think about covering a vehicle: protecting a boat, car, or RV from water damage or preventing mildew, mold, or dry rot from forming. Water is a significant threat to investments kept outdoors. Water accumulation on the surface of a car, boat, or RV can cause mold, mildew, or dry rot to form and can fade surface paint over time. Polyethylene tarps, as a result, are treated to be waterproof, mildew resistant, and rot proof, in addition to being UV resistant. But while a tarp itself won’t collect mold or mildew and keeps water away from your vehicle, it poses a potential hazard in summer: attracting mosquitoes.

You may ask yourself, “Why would my tarp, made out of polyethylene, attract mosquitoes?” The material of the tarp itself won’t attract them, but water buildup on the surface will. According to an article in the Wayland, Mass. Patch, mosquitoes develop in water holding containers – or in any place where a pool of water can accumulate. Mosquitoes, as well, may lay eggs on damp, loose-fitting tarps. Because West Nile Virus is still a concern, mosquitoes are more than an annoyance and, instead, may pass on an illness.

What are your options for preventing mosquitoes? While the Patch piece advises you to cover, remove, or treat all containers holding water, tarps – and portable garages – are often a necessity for protecting a vehicle. As a precaution, and a habit to get into every day, remove all water that accumulates on the surface of a tarp and keep the material dry. For portable garages, while the tarp is attached to a steel frame, also clean off any water accumulation on the shelter, or go with a design, such as a round carport, that allows precipitation to simply roll off the surface.

Going Car Camping? Still Remember to Bring a Tarp or Two

Camping is a popular activity in the summer months. Not all ways of camping as the same, however. On this blog, we’ve primarily talking about it in reference to backpacking, being in the woods with a team and setting up camp in a wooded area. In these instances, tarps are necessary for keeping the gear and tent dry and are also helpful for constructing a makeshift tent. When many decide to take a trip to the woods, car camping is more common: You drive to the campsite and use a specified area often with a fire pit. But, even though this form of camping seems less extreme, tarps should still be brought along.

The Columbian provides some tips for car camping:
• Make sure you have a place for your tent; book in advance, if possible.
• Because campers aren’t limited to packs, bring all the supplies needed in a car.
• Bring a tarp along to place under the tent. Most pop-up tents are made out of water-resistant fabrics, but moisture may still seep in through the bottom – especially if it rains. To anticipate for wind, bring along spikes or rocks to secure the tarp.
• Most campsites have rules, such as quiet hours.
• Campsites, unlike camping in the woods, often provide flush toilets, showers, and water pumps.

What The Columbian piece fails to mention is a strategy in case of rain. Although you can simply pack up your gear and go home if heavy rain hits, toughing it out through a light storm is another option. If you decide to do this, bring along another tarp to cover the tent. Because the tarp needs to be attached by rope to trees, make sure your campsite is near trees, and also bring some rope along. As you set up the tarp, angle it toward the ground and try to cover both the tent and the fire pit with it.

Taking Care of Pop-Up Canopies in Summer

Summer is less than a month away, and warmer weather calls for more shade. A pop-up canopy is one of the most efficient products for having shade. Rather than relying on trees, an umbrella, or an awning, set up one of these lightweight structures anywhere on your property, at the beach, or at any outdoor event and anchor them in place. Pop-up canopies typically have a one-piece design that folds out; larger party tents are in pieces but don’t take long to be put together. If you own a pop-up canopy or plan to purchase one, how do you keep your shelter in good condition for this summer and more to come?

A pop-up canopy is made out of a powder-coated steel frame and a polyester top treated to be waterproof and UV resistant. The shelter, however, should not permanently be kept outdoors. Powder-coated steel will eventually rust, and the lifespan of your canopy will be cut short. Nevertheless, the uses for this simple shelter are many. Set one up in your backyard as shelter for yourself or others, or fold it up and take it to a neighbor’s for a party. A carrying bag accompanies most pop-up canopies, and the folded canopy just needs to be placed in the bag and can be taken to any location.

Once you are finished using the canopy, make sure to fold it back up, place it in the bag, and take it inside or back home. Leaving pop-up canopies behind, however, has become a problem on beaches, especially as these shelters are relatively inexpensive. Nevertheless, canopies left behind become litter, especially if they end up in the ocean. If you plan to take a pop-up canopy to the beach or any other location, never leave it behind and, as soon as you are about to go, fold it up, place it in the carrying bag, and take it with you.

Be Careful with Carports and Portable Buildings During a Storm

During the past month or so, we have seen a few news stories about tornadoes or other severe storms that resulted in damaged houses or carports. A home that’s been damaged can be temporarily repaired with tarps, but what about a carport? In the case of a recent storm in Oklahoma, a company that produces portable buildings, such as cabins and carports, was hit by a storm and a significant amount of their products were destroyed – about $50,000 to $60,000 worth. Although the company’s plant was not noticeably damaged, the shelters themselves were scattered, twisted, or even demolished by the storm.

If these shelters were on display, there’s a great likelihood that they were not anchored into the ground. Aside from showing what can happen to a portable shelter in a storm, this news story sends a clear message to carport owners: make sure your shelter is properly anchored during the storm. Although these durable metal structures can handle various conditions, not anchoring them makes them more vulnerable in any weather condition: hurricanes, tornadoes, or snow.

If you want to make sure your shelter ends up in better shape after the storm, what are the options for anchoring it? The most reliable is concrete. The metal poles are set in concrete in the ground; once the concrete hardens, the rest of the shelter can be put together.

While concrete is ideal for those planning to keep a carport outdoors all year long, what about when you only use the shelter seasonally? Anchor kits are an option, allowing you to ground your shelter for part of the year and to take it down when not in use.

Even when anchored, shelters can still be damaged by a storm. If this happens, assess the damage done to your carport during the storm and find the right replacement parts or canopy.

Tarps and Gravel Trucks: Protect Your Load but Still Check Your Vehicle

Has your car ever been hit by a flying piece of gravel or any other small object? If so, you’re aware that these small, sharp particles can result in superficial damage to your vehicle. To reduce instances like this, many states require truck drivers to tarp their loads. For dump trucks, tarps are manually or mechanically pulled over the bed of the truck to fully protect the load. On flatbed trucks, loads are fully tarped and then attached to truck beds. Nevertheless, while using tarps to keep gravel, rocks, asphalt, or trash inside a truck bed reduces litter and damage, trucks still may not be fully secure.

A letter to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Texas illustrates one of these instances. The writer was behind a gravel truck and, although the truck’s bed was tarped, gravel still kept coming out of the bottom and damaged the writer’s vehicle.

What should either party do in this instance? Short of telling the writer, “Don’t drive behind a gravel truck,” truck drivers need to be aware of their load, including both the truck and the tarp.

For the tarp, make sure it is applied properly, fully over the bed or around the load. A too-loose or too-tight tarp can become damaged during transport. Hooks rubbing against the tarp also create holes in the material. The tarp, as well, needs to be in good condition. Do not attach a tarp that has holes in it; while vinyl, polyethylene, and mesh tarps are used to cover loads, the material needs to keep the gravel inside the truck and, in many cases, to protect it from weather.

At the same time, a truck that’s in poor condition, one that has enough room to let gravel, asphalt, trash, or rocks escape, should not be on the road. As you can see from this letter, a truck that does not fully contain its materials becomes a hazard to motorists.

Tornado Results in Growing Need for Tarps in South

As you’re well aware by this point, parts of the South were hit by a tornado a few weeks ago. While getting out of the area or having some kind of evacuation plan is necessary, addressing damaged property is almost always part of the aftermath. Both tornadoes and hurricanes can create roof damage, and as a result, areas of the South, such as Tennessee, are seeing many roofs covered with blue tarps. Roofs aren’t the only places for tarps, however. Tarps have been applied to damaged siding and cars – any place where water could enter.

Because of this need, towns are low on cleanup supplies, including tarps, and need basic items like food and clothing. Making a donation to a relief organization or volunteering is recommended.

If this sounds like your situation, a few points need to be taken into consideration when using tarps to cover a damaged roof or siding:

• Realize that tarps are only temporary. Ideally, the polyethylene material should only be kept on for 90 days; before that point, seek out a contractor to assess the damage and fix your home.
• Apply the tarp correctly. Throwing a tarp over a crack on your roof won’t protect the inside of your home; instead, the tarp will just blow off. The tarp needs to be attached directly to the surface of the roof, and usually boards and nails, as well as the right tools, are needed for this. Before the storm hits, make sure you have this basic cleanup supplies.
• Never stand directly on your roof to apply a tarp. You may end up causing more damage to the structure or, worse, could fall off and become hurt.
• Make sure you have enough tarps. A tornado or hurricane can damage your roof in multiple areas, and all spots need to be temporarily repaired. For preparation, have a few tarps available before the storm hits.

Converted Garages and Carports in Costa Mesa, Calif.

After a while, garages start to have limitations in terms of storage space. A recent trend, converted garages are becoming living spaces, and carports are added for storage. Converting your garage into a living area is not so easy, however, and not complying with building codes makes converted garages illegal.

Illegal converted garages have become an issue in Costa Mesa, Calif., according an article in The Orange County Register. As the result of a recent fire inside an illegally-converted garage, the city may make all garages illegal.

As the Register piece explains, garages can pose fire risks to apartment buildings, and if the space is converted into a living area, not enough exits are present. At the same time, carports cannot be turned into garages. At the same time, however, carports are not illegal in the city – assuming they are not converted into garages – while garages in apartment buildings may be.

Seen as a trend last summer, converted garages give a home an additional living area. A carport or portable shed, then, is added to protect any investments that ordinarily would have been kept in the brick-and-mortar structure. Converting your garage into a living area, however, is not as simple as moving the cars out and putting in furniture. Rather, the space needs to be compliant with local building codes. Before you decide to convert your garage into a living area, research your local building codes and obtain a permit.

As far as carports are concerned, a valance or enclosed structure is sufficient enough for sheltering one or more vehicles. Similarly, however, a permit may also be needed to install a carport or portable shelter. Before you begin looking at carports, look up any ordinances in your area and then search for code- and zoning-compliant shelters.

When Athletic Tarps are Necessary

“Capricious” aptly describes the weather seen this past year in the Northeast. Up until late March, states from Pennsylvania up through New England saw snow – and lots of it – and then have experienced regular rain. Although these odd weather patterns inconvenience many, they have significantly affected the high school athletic teams in Tamaqua, Penn.

A town located in the northeastern part of the state, Tamaqua has experienced weather patterns like any other area in the Northeast, but the snow, thawing ground, and regular rain have resulted in canceled games and practices and relocation. The athletic fields at Tamaqua High School, because of the weather, are unusable and could potentially injure players. Synthetic fields used for soccer and tennis, however, have not been as affected.

These conditions at Tamaqua High School are cause for athletic tarps. Although the article from The Standard Speaker is accompanied by a picture of a baseball field with two tarps, only the catcher’s and pitcher’s mounds are covered with polyethylene. The rest of the field is open to the weather.

Used by teams from professional to college level, baseball and other athletic tarps are designed to keep fields in playable conditions. When rain or similar weather hits an athletic field, the tarps are immediately rolled out over the entire area and secured. In fact, some baseball field tarps are weighted down on the edges with chains. This way, no additional materials need to be put in place to hold the tarp down.

Baseball fields are not the only locations for athletic tarps. Football fields are additionally subject to rain, and in both professional and student instances, large square tarps are rolled out over the field at the first sign of inclement weather.

What can baseball tarps do? Once held in place, the polyethylene keeps the ground dry during a storm or prevents it from freezing over in winter. This way, the field is ready for practice or a game the following day.