A Guide To Roof Waterproofing
Several things are done to waterproof a roof. This is because just having a roof without any of these extras doesn’t ensure you a completely leak proof roof. And it is the roof’s job to keep water, snow, winds, etc out of the house. So here is a description of everything that’s done to a roof to make it waterproof.
A roof drainage system consists of a main drain and some secondary drains. Flashings and membranes like vinyl and EPDM are also used to waterproof a roof. Many paints and coatings are employed for the purpose, as are caulk, mortar and other sealants. Although drains needn’t be part of all roofs, some areas make roof drains necessary by law.
In flat roofs, the importance of having a roof drainage system, i.e., a system of secondary drains attached to a main drain, cannot be underestimated. This is because, being flat, water can pool on them easily. On the other hand, sloped roofs don’t necessarily need it as the incline gets rid of the water effectively.
Gutters can either just remove water from the roof and drain it to the ground or take it to a far away place to drain. The former may sometimes lead to your yard flooding but the latter ensures this doesn’t happen. Roof drains can also have siphons, which get rid of water more efficiently than gravity alone.
Vinyl waterproofing membranes are strong and heavy duty. They are largely puncture resistant and do a wonderful job of keeping water out. They are even used in green roofs where root punctures are common. In regular roofs, they are installed by heat welding just under the shingles of the roof so that water seeping from between the tiles does not get into the roof.
The intersections in the roof- between the outer walls of the house and the roof, roof valleys, skylights, chimneys, and the rakes and eaves of the roof can leak because they are joints. But this doesn’t happen because flashings are installed in these areas. Flashings may be made with aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, rubber or plastic.
Sealing all the overlaps and joints is the last process in complete waterproofing. Caulking, mortaring, and sealing with waterproof epoxy resin are common ways to do this. Cracked tiles, dog-ears in sheets, etc., can be fixed using sealants. Elastomeric vinyl paint and coatings made with other waterproof materials are also utilized.
Examining the roof for failing parts and accumulating water is very important and should be done often. Often overlooking tiny repairs on flashings or replacement of other waterproofing parts is what leads to problems with roofs. Good maintenance is therefore key for good roof life and performance.
Scott Rodgers is a great author who has been authoring on roofing for a long time now. His talent has given motivation to a host of workers, ranging from Norfolk Roofers Need one? click here!) to Albany Roofers (Need one? click here!).
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