We take so many things for granted without a second thought.  We do stuff because, well, we have always just done it that way.  Have you ever sat down and wondered why some things are the way they are?  Here are some quick examples:

Why does Mule-Hide require backing nailing of Mod Bit cap sheets when the slope is more than 2:12?

Because if you don’t, the roofing system will slide down the slope.

Why does Mule-Hide require base attachment on fully adhered systems?

Base attachment provides an important second line of defense to keep the system in place if the adhesive bond becomes weakened or broken. (photo on left). Base attachment also helps prevent serious structural damage caused by unrestrained membrane (photo on right).

Why do Mule-Hide EPDM pipe boots have one rib but TPO pipe boots have two ribs?

 
EPDM Pipe Boots are for pipe diameters ranging from 1” (top rib) to 6” (bottom rib) and can be easily stretched to fit sizes in between.  TPO Pipe Boots are for pipe diameters from ¾” to 8”.  Because TPO is not flexible like EPDM unless heated, the second rib is included to allow it to fit slightly smaller diameter pipes by providing additional material that can be heated and stretched to fit properly.

Now for some “non-roofing” things I have always wondered:

Why do we drive on the right and the British drive on the left?

Thank you www.Worldstandards.eu:

“About a 35% of the world population drives on the left, and the countries that do are mostly old British colonies. This strange quirk perplexes the rest of the world, but there is a perfectly good reason. . . .”

“In the past, almost everybody travelled on the left side of the road because that was the most sensible option for feudal, violent societies. Since most people are right-handed, swordsmen preferred to keep to the left in order to have their right arm nearer to an opponent and their scabbard further from him. Moreover, it reduced the chance of the scabbard (worn on the left) hitting other people. . . . ”

“In the late 1700s, however, teamsters in France and the United States began hauling farm products in big wagons pulled by several pairs of horses. These wagons had no driver’s seat; instead the driver sat on the left rear horse, so he could keep his right arm free to lash the team. Since he was sitting on the left, he naturally wanted everybody to pass on the left so he could look down and make sure he kept clear of the oncoming wagon’s wheels. Therefore he kept to the right side of the road. . . . . ”

Why do ships use "port" and "starboard" instead of "left" and "right?"

Thank you https://oceanservice.noaa.gov:

“Since port and starbard never change, they are unambiguous references that are independent of a mariner's orientation, and, thus, mariners use these nautical terms instead of left and right to avoid confusion. When looking forward, toward the bow of a ship, port and starboard refer to the left and right sides, respectively.”

“In the early days of boating, before ships had rudders on their centerlines, boats were controlled using a steering oar. Most sailors were right handed, so the steering oar was placed over or through the right side of the stern. Sailors began calling the right side the steering side, which soon became 'starboard' by combining two Old English words: stéor (meaning 'steer') and bord (meaning 'the side of the boat'). ”

"As the size of boats grew, so did the steering oar, making it much easier to tie a boat up to a dock on the side opposite the oar. This side became known as larboard, or "the loading side." Over time, larboard -- too easily confused with starboard -- was replaced with port. After all, this was the side that faced the port, allowing supplies to be ported aboard by porters."

Finally,

Why do they put braille lettering on a drive up ATM?

I still don’t know.

 

 

 

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