WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF WATER INGRESS THROUGH THE ROOF ?
Poor maintenance, aging roofs, heavy rain, frost and thraw cycles are among the major causes of roof deterioration. To overcome these problems, which, in the long, can weaken structures, it is necessary to select a waterproofing system that provide a reliable, long-lasting solution. Water ingress through the roof is one of the major causes of building deterioration. The silent and constant action of water inside the roofs, that often propagates to the vertical walls, underlines the importance of correct design of roof waterproofing – the first real barrier against the elements.
The fundamental causes of these problems include rain and the consequent water stagnation, the sun’s ultraviolet rays during the summer, wind uplift, frost and thaw cycles, air pollution – especially in large cities, sea salt aggression in coastal areas, and so on. The consequent damage to roofs can be very high, especially in cases where they have been exposed to various extremes of weather, perhaps without ever having been subjected to a careful maintenance regime.
The solution is to use specialist applicators along with technologically advanced and high-performance waterproofing products that will not let you down. Truly innovative solutions, that make it possible to successfully protect buildings without necessarily having to remove the old and deteriorated layers of existing roofing. These modern solutions can therefore save time and resources whilst also being kinder to the environment.
A thorough roof survey is the first step in determining the critical areas of susceptibility in order to select specific solutions to preserve and protect each part of the roof. This survey needs to take into account important aspects such as the geographic location of the building, which will tend to dictate the likely temperature changes and possible weather conditions that the building will face throughout the year. When it comes to flat roofs, it is also particularly important to carefully evaluate the intended use of the roof: e.g. whether a frequent foot traffic is expected or tables and chairs will be placed on the roofs; as well as the presence of installations such as solar panels, air conditioning units, chimney pots etc – critical areas where the waterproofing protection must be just right. Liquid waterproofing systems are particularly well suited to protecting areas such as this where there are likely to be many complex details.
Since the aim is to prevent the roof from any further ingress of water, the surface must be made perfectly even before applying the waterproofing, both in case of bituminous or liquid waterproofing membranes. Prior to applying the waterproofing membrane, it must be ensured that the substrate is clean with no crumbly parts detached (in such case structural repair work may be necessary) and that they are free from foreign substances or substances that could compromise the adhesion of the waterproofing system.
In flooring applications where the objective is to remedy the presence of potholes and surface inperfections in order to prepare the surface for the subsequent laying of waterproof product, it is recommended that special mortars are used which are designed for application onto damp or wet surfaces and at extreme temperatures (e.g. from 0 to +45 °C). Some specific products can be applied in thicknesses varying from 2 to 20 millimetres even in a single coat, and offer short drying times allow to for rapid application.
In recent years, the waterproofing market has benefitted from the introduction of enhanced formulations and the growth of “waterproofing systems” created by innovative manufacturers. These systems include a range of specially selected products which, when used together, offer exceptional overall performance in terms of reliability and durability.
In order to prevent any problems arising from further water ingress through the roof in the future, the new waterproofing system must allow the roof to breath, while ensuring the necessary resistance to wind uplift, thus avoiding the formation of mould that, in long term, could compromise the waterproofing performance and damage the surface, potentially leading to consequential problems within the building itself.
Proper waterproofing, especially in areas with high humidity, must also provide reliable protection once the finished surfacing, such as tiling, has been laid. In these cases, transparent and low-viscosity liquid waterproofing products are available that protect the substrate without altering the appearance of the tiling and these solutions are also more resistant to freeze-thaw cycles. All in all, protection that is not visible, but which allows the flooring to remain in excellent condition.
As is well known, the waterproofing of a roof is, for many designers, part of the entire insulation and protection system of the building. Indeed, a correctly designed roof can help contribute greatly towards any energy efficiency targets. Nowadays, environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important to building owners. When selecting an appropriate liquid waterproofing system, water-based solutions exist that can make a positive contribution to environmental sustainability. These products do not contain any solvents and are therefore not harmful both to wither man or the environment. Furthermore, they do not require primers for their use, as they are supplied ready-to-use and they also guarantee excellent durability and long-lasting performance.
Winkler Chimica srl
E- Mail: info@winklerchimica.com
