Leaks in your roof are a major headache to repair. The good news is that some leaks are foreseeable; especially as the roof ages. By recognizing zones that are susceptible to developing problems, steps can be taken that will avert roof problems cost efficiently.
Look Near Penetrations for Roof Leaks
Flashings and sealants at penetrations through the roof membrane are common trouble spots. Normally in single-ply roofing structures, penetration flashings are identical material as the roof membrane and are attached to the field membrane. Examine the laps, seams and sealants at these places frequently.
Factory-assembled boots can help field installation problems at penetrations. It is vital that technicians correctly seal the boot to the field membrane, where difficulties usually happen.
Roof drains that infiltrate a roof membrane can be especially troublesome since rain that drops onto the roof ultimately pours over the drain’s seal. Drains ought to be big enough to handle heavy rainfalls, and they should have a screen that stops debris from flowing down the pipe.
Workers should clean the drain frequently to avoid blockage of the screen and install sunken drain sumps. A positive grade in the roof also can stop ponding around drains.
The greatest way to avoid leaks at roof penetrations is to avoid penetrations altogether. For example, ducts, conduits and other piping that run horizontally across the roof frequently are positioned on solid supports that are fixed to and pierce the roof membrane at consistent intervals. To avoid these penetrations, managers can identify products with flexible heights and soft feet that rest on the membrane. If a horizontal element must be attached to the roof, build a curb and secure the element supports to the curb.
Roof Leaks On The Border
Leaks happen close to roof edges because of the changeover from flexible membrane flashings to inflexible sheet-metal flashings. Technicians should guarantee that sheet-metal laps shed water, and they should inspect the sealants at these locations regularly.
Pre-manufactured sheet-metal roof accessories can solve many roof-perimeter problems. Managers can specify custom-made accessories for copings at parapet walls and relets at masonry or interior rising walls. These mechanisms normally snap together, and technicians can disassemble and re-install them during roof-membrane replacements.
Water difficulties also occur near expansion joints at roof perimeters. To address areas where building expansions and contractions are likely to occur, managers might want to consider identifying pre-manufactured roof accessories. But managers need to make sure accessories they specify are compatible with the roof membrane.
Condensation and Roof Leaks
Occasionally, a roof might seem to leak in January when the temperature dips below freezing, but the roof might not be leaking. What happens is condensation is produced when the warm, moist air inside the building contacts cold surfaces or when cold air leaks through the building’s exterior.
This problem might result from a absent or insufficient air barrier or vapor sealant on ceilings or walls, or from not enough insulation or ventilation. Cold areas above the insulation in joist cavities or attic spaces must be vented. If natural ventilation is tough or too costly, technicians can install a fan that transfers humid air out of the cold space.
