With the arrival of the rains, the problems of infiltration in houses and buildings that, if not resolved properly, cause permanent damage to structures and, their solutions are really expensive. The word "prevent" here it plays an important role.
In general, infiltration is due to problems in the waterproofing layer of the roof, so it is you must choose the best product to protect the decks and terraces , both when acting on structures existing as in the case of new constructions.
Before we delve further into waterproofing terraces or roofs, it is necessary to know the forms in which the water appears with respect to the building, the possibilities and ways of penetration.
The attached diagram reflects the forms of filtration of the rainwater . A seepage is rainwater that penetrates the waterproofing (if any), and reaches the structure and runs through it until he finds a way out. escape.
“Transportation” and the accumulation of moisture in the construction materials and elements are complex phenomena that have liquid water and water vapor components.
Today it is time to learn a lot and how to waterproof a roof terrace step by step…
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The main function of waterproofing a roof, deck or terrace, is to protect yourself from the factors weather . And water-repellent products that are used in construction or works whose objective is to prevent and stop the flow of water.
For example, excessive sun, leaks, humidity, rain, proximity to the sea, areas of high outdoor humidity, reactions physical or chemical 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, roofing, rooftops, etc.). To achieve a certain goal of habitability, it is essential to consider waterproofing in a constructive element.
Without a doubt, waterproofing on terraces, roofing, decking, balcony parapets, etc. are strictly necessary and essential. to make them correctly the future of constructions depends. Which are in use, that must be reformed and rehabilitated or those totally new.
Waterproofing can and should be vertical or horizontal , in this case, we will talk about those that refer to all types of roofs:
From a project perspective (New Construction) and for situate ourselves in its phases, then we describe the different aspects and phases of development in a project:
Remember that protecting the terraces with fences carpentry (Aluminum, PVC, etc.), if applicable, it is important, and For this we have an extensive article HERE. Or the article about what advantages awnings bring to the home.
We cannot protect with any water-repellent product, nor treat a
If we focus on the upper part of the building (roof, roof terrace and terrace) . The origin main of the humidities is:
| 1.- Moisture caused by filtration |
| 1.1.- Roof skirts |
| 1.2.- Eaves and cornices |
| 1.3.- Valleys, hidden gutters and drains |
| 1.4.- Encounters with walls and breastplates |
| 1.5.- Encounters of blind areas and skylights or skylights |
| 2.- Moisture caused by condensation |
| 2.1.- They will appear located on the underside of the support element of the roof, affecting the finishes interiors and basically in thermal bridges |
| 3.- Accidental humidity |
| 3.1.- Gutters |
| 3.2.- Downspouts |
| 3.3.- Drains |
From a more technical perspective, we provide the following scheme to clarify the possible causes of moisture and stains on roofs from a perspective more detailed:
Another aspect is to understand the objective and the benefits that this membrane brings us protector 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 a scheme to understand the advantages of waterproofing a roof :
The previous scheme can be expanded from HERE (Opens a new window).
Now that we have a little more clarity about the problems that can cause water in a construction, it's time to learn the possible solutions…
Before you begin to install a protective coating, it is first you must define the waterproofing system to use since each one has its particularities depending on the project or building to be rehabilitated and the selection of the product to use.
The main systems for waterproofing would be:
| Waterproofing systems for covers | ||
| 1. Asphalt systems | 2. Systems polymeric | 3. Base systems minerals |
| Adhered | Adhered | Liquids |
| Mechanically fixed | Mechanically fixed | En masse |
| Liquid | Liquid | |
You have to remember, that it is not always so easy to install it from a technical perspective. so we might as well split them into:
But... What are the characteristics of sealants for rooftops? Quiet! has continue reading…
As we will see now, due to the amount of materials and types according to the necessary situation, the market offers us many purchase possibilities. But calm down! We have prepared some schemes to find out everything and opt for the best option to waterproof terraces .
From an overview, we can classify them into:
They belong to a wide range of products from waterproofing for the construction sector and works . For example, roofing felt , queens of bituminous waterproofing .
They are manufactured with an asphalt mastic and various bases such as solvents, felt paper, water, felt paper. They may be preformed or liquid, applied cold or hot, in all kinds of surfaces.
The application of asphaltic waterproofing , They are with simple techniques, without the need for media sophisticated installation, and low costs, make up today the largest share of installed area, compared to other technologies. Sorting them into:
Polymeric waterproofing systems are products of natural, synthetic, inorganic or organic origin. Today they form important part of waterproofing solutions. HE divided into three large groups:
There are ready-made solutions (also known as membranes) and liquid coatings in the form of paint (forming what is known as “liquid membrane”), in addition to epoxy coatings.
Here the classification is extended over different types of membranes like; PVC membranes, thermoplastic TPO, CSPE (chlorosulfonated polyethylene), TPA (Tri-Polymer of Alloy), EPDM membranes, etc. A long list, with particularities for each material.
Mineral-based ones are varied and their uses depend on the constructive solution that is required on site or rehabilitation.
There are waterproofing – for example – made up of Portland cement mixed with silica sand and chemicals special, also others with bentonites that are clays of volcanic or cement origin, to which are added the systems crystallizers.
In the waterproofing of roofs, its use is limited to very specific situations. The crystallizers and the bentonites, cannot be used as terminations of cover.
As a matter of fact, we have an excellent article on covers landscaped with various utility manuals, just in case interested.
But... When can I use a ceramic coating? protection or other? or Which is the best roof cladding? Although we always have to Check the manufacturer's specifications and advice from the professional, we will clear doubts easily.
We have some excellent schematics that will help us a lot. utility to be able to recognize use of the covering protector , depending on circumstances and type of cover – roof of the building or house.
From a relationship perspective 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 your objectives, possible humidity problems or the types and When can we use them? We only need how install them…
There are some key points to consider when ordering a budget to waterproof a cover :
We could write three whole books here. Instead of that (obviously it is not viable in an article), we have decided provide the documentation and key elements to be able to acquire knowledge in detail.
The waterproofing product is used to prevent the passage of water to the underlying layers and should generally be placed after the thermal insulation (located after sloped screed and any vapor barrier) and before the top layer.
We start with a video on how to lay the roofing felt correctly, because it is useful for many users who need a "quick fix" and want to practice DIY.
Remember, that the defects of the waterproofing of the cover cause the typical water leaks.
They usually appear in the form of fissures or cracks in the layer – membrane, or in the joints between different materials, or in singular points where they are produced stress concentrations. They are produced by many causes which in a generic way are:
At the time, we wrote an article about tips for rehabilitate roofs and covers in homes where we already spoke of a series of very interesting manuals with detailed technicians on the construction process of topo type of decks and terraces. They are very very good and with information quality:
Another starting point that will be very useful is to go to a manufacturer specialized in waterproofing and insulation (roofs, ceilings, walls and floors). We have been watching, and we liked CHOVA.
On its website, it has a specialized section and, apart from find documentation, we will have the detail drawings technicians in Autocad and BIM. So cool! because we can serve for our projects.
And finally, the best manual that currently exists in the network on waterproofing roofs, terraces 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 sheet protective, advantages and disadvantages of all sealants, and technical laying drawings, including for elements singular.
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 upload)
Repairing a cover is not cheap and if we have had a few water leaks in the building that have affected the households. To the community of owners, it can come out quite expensive.
Preventive maintenance activities are necessary and They can be carried out by your own staff or by a company external. In the case of waterproofing large roofs, It is advisable to hire a company specialized in these work to save us trouble.
As a reminder and what we should do we leave the following scheme:
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