Leaking is not just a problem with old roofs. Skylights, chimneys, air conditioning systems, antennas, air intakes, and skylights are just some of the places where poor sealing often results in water. In this case, builders recommend using roofing nylon, a polymeric insulating material that, in addition to dense and durable coating, will provide speed and ease of coating. After drying, it forms a compact and flexible coating, which, like rubber boots, protects the building from unwanted wetting.
The following paragraphs illustrate the most common causes of roof leaks. Next, we will figure out how to repair the roof in the most effective way.
Unprofessional installation
A roof is only good if it is installed correctly. The main cause of water leakage on the roof is leaving gaps. Of course, once the roof is found to be leaking, more problems will arise later. Therefore, even at the construction stage, make sure that the roof is made correctly. In this way, you can avoid leaks, damage due to moisture or leaks in the structure in the future.
Incorrect edging installation
The edges are thin metal strips of sheet metal that are located on certain parts and corners of a tile roof. Their position is far from accidental. The function is to protect parts of your roof where water can easily cause a leak. Without piping, the roof is at increased risk of water intrusion and damage caused by moisture.
Choice of the cheapest materials
When building a roof, trying to save money can cost you a lot more later! Especially when you cut your material budget and choose the cheapest material.
It is important to understand that opting for a cheaper version of a material such as underlayment or sealant will certainly cost you much more in the long run due to the need for roof repairs.
Insufficient ventilation
The roof may show signs of leakage if it is not properly ventilated. By having balanced intake and exhaust vents in your attic, you keep your roof dry. In addition, installing ventilation in the attic will prevent the formation of ice blockages after a heavy snowfall.During the summer season, proper ventilation helps to avoid the accumulation of heat and moisture in the attic.
Even if you have the most perfect and high-quality roofing, the work must still be done carefully in accordance with the rules. If the work is not done properly, the roof will leak.
How to fix a hole in the roof?
If a few years after the construction of the roof, you find spots of moisture, this is the first evidence that the roof is leaking. You can use the following tools to troubleshoot the issue:
- alabaster;
- special sealant;
- sickle mesh and cement.
Choosing any of the presented options, first of all, it is necessary to clean the coating. The next step is to apply the product in dry weather, so that there is time to dry. This approach helps to solve the problem with the formation of small holes. However, in case of a large problem, permeable membranes (roofing nylon) must be used.
How are permeable membranes arranged?
Modern highly vapor permeable films or membranes remove water vapor to the outside much more efficiently and quickly. They can be laid directly on the thermal insulation, without a gap, which simplifies the construction of the roof. Currently, only membranes are recommended for the initial covering of attics.
How to choose roofing nylon?
Manufacturers of films with high vapor permeability are constantly improving them. They have a number of properties that improve the functionality of the roof. For example, there are membranes on the market that are resistant to tearing, others have an anti-reflective layer that makes styling easier (they do not blind).
When choosing a foil, there are several parameters to consider:
- Vapor permeability - the amount of water vapor that the membrane is able to pass through 1 m² of its surface per day. This parameter determines the classification of nylon (low or high vapor permeability), and hence the method of its attachment to the roof (with or without a ventilation gap). Highly vapor permeable are those films that pass more than 700 g of water vapor per day through 1 m² of surface.
- Water Vapor Diffusion Resistance Coefficient - This parameter indicates the resistance faced by water vapor passing through the film, compared to the resistance of an equivalent layer of air. For highly permeable membranes, the value is between 0.02 and 0.2 m. The lower the value, the more water vapor will pass through the membrane.
- surface weight. The density of most films on our market ranges from 90 g/m² to 300 g/m². The heavier the foil, the stronger. Optimal - in terms of the ratio of weight to strength and vapor permeability - is a membrane with a mass of 100-140 g / m².
- Water resistance - the original coating films are constantly exposed to water - both precipitation and condensation of water vapor on the lower layer. A good membrane will not leak if the water column is at least 1500 mm thick.
- UV resistance - this parameter determines how long the membrane can remain on the roof without being covered with roofing material. Manufacturers allow this time from 2 to 6 months. Exceeding this period may reduce the technical parameters of the film or even completely damage it.
- Tear strength - the tightness of the foil depends on this. It is described by two parameters that determine the resistance to breaking force and the resistance to breaking the nail.The stronger the foil, the easier it will be to attach it to the slope without damaging it.
All information about roofing nylon, necessary for comparison of parameters, can be found on the labels.
How to cover the roof with a membrane if the roof is leaking?
When a large leak occurs, it is necessary to open several roofing sheets, and sometimes the entire roof. Each case is individual.
- Start installing the membrane from the eaves, turning it perpendicular to the rafters (the side with the print should always be facing out).
- Lay the bottom edge of the foil on the gutter strip and stick it to the cornice strip with double-sided tape. As a result, rainwater and condensed moisture can flow freely over the foil and directly into the gutter.
- Fasten the slightly stretched edges to the rafters with staples. Then attach the counter-bars - thanks to them, a space of several centimeters will be created between the foil and the crate (as well as the roofing on them), allowing the roof to ventilate.
- Lay the next strips parallel to the previous ones, overlapping them by 15 cm. Most manufacturers mark the width of the overlap on the foil. If the roof slope is less than 20°, the value must be increased to 20 cm.
Attention! It is best to avoid joining the foil strips vertically. If this is not possible, fasten the vertical edges to the rafters with staples.
Roof cavities are especially prone to leaks, so they need to be covered with a double layer of nylon. The strips from each slope must overlap the adjacent slope by at least 25 cm. The foil around the chimneys must be properly cut and fixed.First, it is cut crosswise, folded over the chimney, and then cut out and glued with tape. To protect the chimney from dampness with water flowing from the roof, additional protection is made directly above it - a gutter made of a piece of foil that will direct water so that it flows through the chimney.
Skylights must be tightly connected with nylon. To do this, roll it onto the frame and secure with double-sided tape. The corners should be additionally sealed with electrical tape, and the excess cut off.
Windows usually come with o-rings to make them easier to install and ensure proper rainwater drainage - so there's no need to make film gutters around windows. They are only needed if the window manufacturer does not provide system firmware.
conclusions
Since the roof in a building is one of the most expensive elements produced during construction, it is worth paying attention to its professional installation and the use of reliable materials. This will avoid costly repairs in the future. However, it is worth checking your roof regularly for leaks. If it was formed small, you can use special tools, and if the scale of the problem is large, then it is necessary to open the roof and lay nylon.
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