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Waterproof terraces, roofs and roofs
With the arrival of the rains, infiltration problems in houses and buildings increase which, if not solved properly, cause permanent damage to structures and their solutions are really expensive. The word "prevent" plays an important role here.
In general, infiltration is due to problems in the waterproofing layer cover, so you should choose the best product to protect roofs and terraces, both when acting on existing structures and in the case of new constructions.
Remember: Waterproofing sealant = Water-repellent material = That prevents leaks or humidity
Before we delve further into waterproof terraces or roofs, it is necessary to know the ways in which the water is presented with respect to the building, the possibilities and routes of penetration.
The attached schematic reflects the forms of rainwater seepage. A seepage is rainwater that penetrates the waterproofing (if it exists), and reaches the structure and runs through it until it finds an escape route.
"Transport" and the accumulation of moisture in building materials and elements are complex phenomena that have liquid water and water vapor components.
Today we have to learn a lot and how to waterproof a roof Step by Step…
What is the function of waterproofing roofs?
The main function of waterproofing a roof, deck or terrace, is to protect itself from meteorological factors. Are water-repellent products that are used in construction or works whose objective is to prevent and stop the passage of water.
For example, excessive sun, leaks, humidity, rain, proximity to the sea, areas of high outdoor humidity, physical or chemical reactions in industrial buildings, etc.
In any construction system, or, let's say, in any work that can be faced (exterior floors and pavements, foundations, walls, walls, facades, shelves, roofs, roofs, etc). To achieve a certain habitability objective, it is essential to consider waterproofing in a construction element.
Without a doubt, waterproofing on terraces, roofs, roofs, windowsill, balconies, etc. they are strictly necessary and essential. If they are carried out correctly, the future of the constructions depends. Those that are in use, that must be reformed and rehabilitated or those totally new.
The waterproofing can and should be vertical or horizontalIn this case, we will talk about those that refer to all types of covers:
- How waterproofing sloped roofs. With tiles, slates, plates, etc.
- How waterproofing flat roofs that are passable (Terraces with access)
- How waterproofing flat roofs are NOT passable
From a project perspective (New Construction) and to place ourselves in its phases, the different aspects and phases of development in a project are described below:
Remember that protecting terraces with carpentry enclosures (Aluminum, PVC, etc.), if applicable, is important, and for this we have an extensive article HERE. Or the article on what advantages awnings bring to the home.
What are the humidity problems in a roof?
We cannot protect with any water-repellent product, or treat a problem of leaks or humidity on a terrace, on a roof or on a deck, If we do not know why this humidity and dripping water originate.
If we We focus on the upper part of the building (Roof, roof and terrace). The main origin of humidity is:
| 1.- Moisture caused by filtration |
| 1.1.- Roof skirts |
| 1.2.- Eaves and cornices |
| 1.3.- Limahoyas, hidden gutters and drains |
| 1.4.- Encounters with walls and breastplates |
| 1.5.- Encounters of blind areas and skylights or skylights |
| 2.- Humidity caused by condensation |
| 2.1.- They will appear located on the underside of the roof support element, affecting the interior finishes and basically the thermal bridges. |
| 3.- Accidental humidity |
| 3.1.- Gutters |
| 3.2.- Downpipes |
| 3.3.- Drains |
From a more technical perspective, we provide the following scheme to clarify the possible causes of dampness and stains on roofs from a more detailed perspective:
Another aspect is to understand what the objective is and the benefits that this provides us protective membrane that we are going to use.
To do this, we need to relate it to the possible problems that may arise in the construction element. We leave an outline to understand the advantages of waterproofing a roof:
The previous scheme can be expanded from HERE (A new window opens).
Now that we are a little clearer about the problems that water can cause in a construction, we have to learn the possible solutions …
What types of roof waterproofing systems are there?
Before you begin to install a protective layer, you must first define the waterproofing system to be used since each one has its particularities depending on the project or building to be rehabilitated and the selection of the product to be used.
The main systems for waterproofing would be:
| Roof waterproofing systems | ||
| 1. Asphalt systems | 2. Polymeric systems | 3. Mineral base systems |
| Adhered | Adhered | Liquids |
| Mechanically fixed | Mechanically fixed | Mass |
| Liquid | Liquid | |
Remember, it is not always so easy to install it from a technical perspective. So we could also divide them into:
- Simple installation. It can be run and installed by anyone.
- Mid-level facility. A minimum of knowledge and training is already required.
- Special facilities. It requires professionals and specialized equipment.
But… What are the characteristics of rooftop sealants? Quiet! has continue reading …
What types of waterproofing for roofs and terraces are there?
As we will see now, due to the amount of materials and types according to the necessary situation, the market offers us many purchasing possibilities. But don't worry! We have prepared some schemes to find out everything and opt for the best option for waterproofing terraces.
From an overview, we can classify them into:
1.- Asphalt waterproofing
They belong to a wide range of products from waterproofing for the construction and works sector. For example, asphalt fabrics, the queens of the bituminous waterproofing.
They are manufactured with an asphalt mastic and various bases such as solvents, felt paper, water, felt paper. They can be preformed or liquid, applied cold or hot, on all types of surfaces.
The application of asphalt waterproofingThey are with simple techniques, without the need for sophisticated means of installation, and low costs, today make up the largest share of installed surface, compared to other technologies. Classifying them in:
2.- Polymeric waterproofers
Polymeric waterproofing systems are products of natural, synthetic, inorganic or organic origin. Today they are an important part of waterproofing solutions. They are divided into three large groups:
There are preformed solutions (also known as membranes) and liquid coatings in the form of paint (forming what is known as a "liquid membrane"), in addition to epoxy coatings.
Here the classification extends over different types of membranes such as; PVC membranes, thermoplastic TPO, CSPE (chlorosulfonated polyethylene), TPA (Tri-Polymer Alloy), EPDM membranes, etc. A long list, with particularities for each material.
3.- Mineral-based waterproofing
Those based on minerals are varied and their uses depend on the constructive solution that is required in work or rehabilitation.
- Cementitious
- Betonic
- Crystallizers
There are waterproofing agents - for example - made up of Portland cements mixed with silica sand and special chemicals, also others with bentonites that are clays of volcanic origin, or cementitious, to which the crystallizing systems are added.
In roof waterproofing, its use is limited to very specific situations. Crystallizers and bentonites cannot be used as roofing finishes.
As information, we have an excellent article on green roofs with several useful manuals, in case you are interested.
What type of sealant - protection to apply, according to type of roof - roof
But… When can I use a protective coating or another? or What is the best roof coating? Although we always have to verify the manufacturer's specifications and professional advice, we will easily clear doubts.
We have some excellent diagrams that will be very useful to us to be able to recognize use of the protective coating, according to circumstances and type of roof - roof of the building or home.
From a perspective of the relationship between the system, type of product and difficulty in installing on the roof, we would have:
Okay! We have already come a long way. From what are its objectives, the possible humidity problems or the types and when we can use them. We only need, how to install them …
How to waterproof roofs, terraces or roofs?
Here we could write three whole books. Instead of that (obviously it is not viable in an article), we have decided to provide the documentation and key elements to be able to acquire the knowledge in detail.
The waterproofing product is used to prevent the passage of water to the underlying layers and generally must be installed after the thermal insulation (which is after the sloped screed and any vapor barrier) and before the top layer.
We started with a video on how to lay asphalt fabric correctly, as it is useful for many users who need a "quick fix" and want to do some DIY work.
Remember, that the defects of the waterproofing of the roof cause the typical water leaks.
They usually appear in the form of fissures or cracks in the membrane-layer, or in the joints between different materials, or in singular points where stress concentrations occur. They are produced by many causes that are generically:
- The mechanics (settlements, breaks, cracks).
- Thermals (expansions, slides, thrusts).
- Atmospheric (rain, hail, snow, wind).
- Frost in combination with infiltrated humidity (causing volume increase and damage).
- UV radiation (degradation effect by UV radiation).
- Chemicals (attack of organisms, effect of chemical products).
- The aging of materials (including cyclical load fatigue).
- Corrosion of metal roofs.
- Traffic on roofs or unsuitable areas.
- Inappropriate interventions, for example, incompatible remodeling and modifications.
- Incompatible or inappropriate maintenance work.
At the time, we wrote an article on tips to rehabilitate roofs and roofs in homes where we already talked about a series of very interesting manuals with technical details on the process of construction of top types of roofs and terraces. They are very very good and with quality information:
Another starting point, which will be very useful for us, is to go to a manufacturer specialized in waterproofing and insulation (Roofs, ceilings, walls and floors). We have been looking, and we liked CHOVA.
On its website, it has a specialized section and, apart from finding documentation, we will have the drawings of technical details in Autocad and in BIM. So cool! Because it can be used for our projects.
And finally, the best manual that currently exists on the net about waterproofing roofs, roofs and terraces. And it's not a joke! It is a compendium of technical recommendations with a quality that has surprised us.
There are 81 pages with details of all kinds; from recommendations and advice, uses for each type of protective sheet, advantages and disadvantages of all sealants, and technical installation drawings, even for singular elements.
The manual is from the Chilean Chamber of Construction (CDT - Technological Development Corporation) and can be accessed from HERE in PDF (Given the size of the document, it takes a while to load)
Maintenance and prevention
Repairing a roof is not cheap and if we have had some water leaks in the building that have affected the homes. For the community of owners, it can be quite expensive.
Preventive maintenance activities are necessary and can be carried out by own personnel or by an external company. In the case of waterproofing large roofs, it is advisable to hire a company specialized in these tasks to save ourselves trouble.
As a reminder and what we should do, we leave the following scheme:
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