Rehabilitation of roofs and roofs at home plus their maintenance
Although we do not want and adopt good maintenance practices, the passing of the years affects the different aspects of the construction, and the elements that face the exterior, such as the facades and roofs, are the most punished.
In the long run, we will have to practice rehabilitation on a roof or cover, even if it is a specific point and a minimum performance, but we will have to get down to work.
Problems that can appear on rooftops and roofs of residential buildings They require a quick and effective solution with an added problem, they are complex as we can see in the following image …
By staying in poor condition, the only thing that is achieved is to accelerate the rate at which it deteriorates, the repair required to restore it to condition is increasingly expensive.
Types of roofs and how they are built
Determine the cover type what we are going to work on in the rehabilitation and how it is built is an essential point to treat the construction pathologies.
In this sense, we will rely on a documentation from the Valencian Building Institute (IVE) that houses 10 informative documents; 3 on sloping roofs and 7 on flat roofs. Each document is structured:
- Identification section of the element and components.
- Indications that must be followed when constructing each of the components of the roof or roof.
- Health and safety measures that must be taken into account during the installation of the element.
The classification and access to download all the following documents is from FIVE (We registered and the download in PDF is free):
- QB 01 - Flat roof, passable, conventional, fixed pavement.
- QB 02 - Flat, passable, inverted roof with fixed pavement.
- QB 03 - Flat roof, passable, ventilated, fixed pavement.
- QB 04 - Flat roof, passable, conventional, floating pavement.
- QB 05 - Flat roof, passable, inverted, floating pavement.
- QB 06 - Flat roof, not passable, conventional, gravel protection.
- QB 07 - Flat roof, not passable, inverted, gravel protection.
- QB 08 - Tile roof on sloping floor.
- QB 09 - Tile roof, ventilated on sloping floor.
- QB 10 - Tile roof, on horizontal slab.
If we want to see more information, from the article on the types of constructions and their technical solutions we will find more details but referred by periods and times. And in the case of a more complex roof from a landscaped perspective, we can consult the article on landscaped roofs where you will find several valuable manuals and technical documentation.
What defects usually appear in the roofs of the house?
The general causes of roof pathologies Actually it is a long topic but in the following diagram we can check the generic origins of the pathologies in%:
As can be seen in the previous diagram (The%), the main causes do not always respond precisely to a certain old age on the roof, for the most part they are previous causes, derived from the project and its construction. If we delve a little deeper into the information, we have a diagnosis of pathologies on roofs as a schematic:
The two previous diagrams are from the document Manual of Pathology in Building HERE of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. In addition, for its usefulness, we also recommend seeing the following two articles:
- 100 Construction details for the rehabilitation of roofs, facades and partitions
- Free Autocad blocks to download 2D and 3D (In case we need them for the project)
The The main problem affecting roofs is the presence of humidity. Water is the enemy of construction, since it can lead to spoiling everything in a very short time.
The weakness of roofs: dampness
The appearance of humidity inside the roof of the house can come from different anomalies that it is convenient to correctly identify in order to be able to effectively attack the root of the disease, being able to completely remove the failure.
But apart from the humidity, the simple passage of the years can also be a reason for the roof of the house to require a restoration. Structural wooden elements can lose resistance over the years due to lack of maintenance, the presence of insects that reduce their section, are some of the inconveniences that can arise in constructions that have already been in existence for years.
Moisture on roofs
First, to be clear about what we are talking about in a schematic way and to be able to see what they are like and where they appear, possible causes, considerations and how it can be prevented. We provide a very useful scheme:
At this point, we have to remember that we must act quickly on the types of humidity in the roofs tiles and flat tiles due to their negative consequences, and which must be treated consistently as they very well comment on the humedades24.com portal that as a summary of the problems of hygrometry, damping or steam are:
- Humidity due to condensation: If we speak from the perspective of attics or indoors, it will affect the interior finishes. The main problem is the absence of insulation or improper installation of the same, with ventilation playing a fundamental role. It is necessary to increase the internal temperature of the premises so that the dew temperature is not reached (with the placement of thermal insulation on the roof) or by lowering the pressure of the water vapor, which is simply ventilating the premises.
- Capillarity moisture at the meeting between the open terrace and the home or structure wall: In principle, this is due to a failure in the waterproofing installation, causing the water to leak by capillarity from the walls (Moisture rises) and leaks appear.
- Moisture due to accident or leakage: These are injuries normally caused by accident or due to their age, they are usually the breakage of the tiles.
When injuries are detected, they should never be repaired by bending the pavement. The existing pavement should be lifted and the repair of the problems started. Then we add, we will see the procedures and videos explaining processes and technical solutions.
Tile Roof Leak Problems
In tile roofs, moisture can appear inside, and in a more extreme case directly find leaks.
If it is a specific problem, it is most likely that a piece of tile has broken, with which the solution is easy: replacement of the broken piece and the matter finished.
Keep in mind that the problem does not necessarily have to be in the place where the drop falls, because it is likely that it will slide through some element of the cover until it comes off in that place.
How to change a broken tile
If it is a nailed slate piece, a claw drill is required to remove the shingle. The claw puller is slid under the part and tapped to remove the fixation nails. Next, all broken fragments are removed and a new slate is placed by sliding it under the top row.
The slate is nailed with exposed galvanized nails. It is important to protect the heads with putty to avoid leaks. To better understand how to replace a tile we leave the following video:
When the presence of leaks and dampness is generalized throughout the roof, then it is necessary to think of something more serious and therefore more expensive rehabilitation.
Appearance of leaks throughout the roof
In an old roof, it is very likely that the appearance of leaks and dampness on the entire surface is due to the absence of a waterproofing. In this case the solution is to lift the entire roof, place a waterproofing membrane and re-tile.
It is important to define which are the most suitable materials to rehabilitate the roof and in these cases the evidence of a professional is, in our opinion, essential, although we leave a video of how to place an asphalt fabric for the most daring:
If the roof is not so old, and it is known for a fact that it has a correct waterproofing, and even then leaks appear, it is very likely that the roof slope is insufficient.
This is a serious problem, since the only possible solution is to redo the roof of the house. The entire roof must be dismantled, including its structure, and made again with a steeper slope.
Fix humidity problems on flat roofs
In general, we can find the following weak points that we must review:
If there is moisture throughout the flat roof, it is best to completely rehabilitate the roof by making a correct waterproofing.
In these cases, it is best to place a PVC or EPDM sheet (it is a type of rubber sheet) covering the entire surface of the roof or place waterproofing asphalt fabric. like the video above. An example of installing an EPDM sheet:
When the appearance of water on a flat roof is punctual, the aforementioned materials are not the most advisable. Applying patches of these materials means that there are many joints, and the possibilities of water seeping through them are increased, so the problem is not only solved but can be aggravated.
For specific repairs on flat roofs, it is best to use the materials with which you work in situ, such as bituminous, waterproofing sheets and paints.
Everything that does roof rehabilitation must be done by specialized personnel, because it is a very important part of the building that must be ensured that it provides good results for a long time.
Roof and roof maintenance
A perfect maintenance of the exteriors of the houses guarantees good insulation, absence of humidity and leaks.
Leaks that form through roofs and roofs often run a course until they show up as a stain on the wall. Often, leaks occur between deteriorated profiles or in a gap left by a loose tile, if it is sunny, the leak can be located as a point of light.
If any are seen, a nail must be driven into the roof of the house from the bottom up through the roof to mark the point to be sealed. A string is tied to the nail to guide the water into a bucket until the leak is repaired.
Prevent possible effects of condensation
Air circulation under the tiles avoids temperature contrast between the roof surface and the underside. The solution is to achieve proper ventilation and insulation of the home during its construction.
The different types of vents can be installed (by professionals, since the work is important) in various parts of the building: grid strips, which provide a lot of air; the exits on the ridge, very discreet; the classic pinnacles, difficult to build but highly decorative, and loft exits, suitable for very wide flat roofs.
Unobstructed gutters
Installing a grate in the gutter is a great idea so that leaves and large debris don't creep in and clog it. You have to buy the grid to measure or cut it with the help of a pliers. Slide inside trim under first row of shingles or plates and fold grate to fit edges.
Adding a wire filter, also known as a cage filter, eliminates the possibility of clogging downspouts.
Cracked chimneys
A cracked chimney flue should be repaired immediately as it can be dangerous. The cracks usually appear in the joint of stones or bricks and for their repair it is enough to empty these joints and inject a more or less fluid mortar. If the cracks affect interior surfaces, it is better to leave the work in the hands of a professional.
Sandwich panels, insulate and decorate
A good insulation system for a roof is sandwich panels. It is a product made up of three layers; the heat-insulating material is placed in the center of each piece and, as for the other two faces, one is finished in varnished wood (which will be the roof of the house), and the upper layer of the panel is the one that supports the tile or the type of coating that is desired.
Between the tile and the sandwich panel it is advisable to put an insulation sheet and take care of the finishes and joints so that water leaks do not occur.
When a part of the waterproofing sheet of a terrace deteriorates or cracks, it can be easily patched following a few tips.
Patch a flat deck
The waterproofing of flat roofs with a membrane or elastomer sheets is usually the usual procedure for insulating terraces. When the renovation is carried out, it is not advisable to throw away the excess coating, because if any area of the floor cracks over time, it can be easily patched.
To do this, the adhesive is applied around the leak. A round patch is cut from a remainder of elastomer sheet, and the patch is placed, pressing to fit. Press down with a roller and wait 30 minutes until the adhesive solvent has dried; then, with a silicone gun, seal the edges of the patch and flatten the sealing bead with a spatula so that the water runs off and does not stagnate.
Choosing safe stairs
Climbing on a roof implies a certain danger and more so if the building is tall, so it is important to respect some safety regulations. There is no work when the deck is wet or icy, and non-slip footwear should be worn. It is also important to look for the fixing point of the ladder, which will have a spacer to support it on the wall, not on the gutter.
How much does it cost to rehabilitate a roof?
First we must comment that the professionals are, among other things, to provide us with an adequate and tailored budget for the rehabilitation of our roof or roof of the house. But if we want to have a general idea we can always consult a construction database.
We can check the prices from the IVE database in HERE (The price bases are updated every year and are from 2007 - 2022). By the way, if you want to consult other prices to compare, from the article on price generators for construction there is more information.
Remember that summer is an ideal time to carry out DIY work outside. A good maintenance of the roofs and covers guarantees the isolation and therefore, the absence of those annoying stains of humidity and leaks that visit us in the winter season.
If more information is required, you can consult the article on how to find free PDF books on architecture in an easy way.
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