Condensation in roofing sheets has become one of the most complicated challenges that householders globally have to deal with. The problem can be
exacerbated by a number of issues. In particular, the continued introduction of insulation is one of the leading causes of condensation in roofs. During the course of the 1900s, a number of new roof construction methods had been introduced. One of the most notable examples of roof installation methods that had come on board is the impermeable roofing style.
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Impermeable roofing style
This style was primarily introduced for purposes of warding off draughts. It was particularly introduced during the 1930s. Later designs such as the use of selectively permeable membranes are also not immune to the effects of roof vent loft condensation problems. Although the use of the completely impermeable and the selectively porous roofing styles may cause roof condensation problems, it is actually very important and somewhat indispensable. This explains why most households are still stuck to the old roofing styles despite the threat of condensation that they pose. Major benefits that come with such roofing styles are indicated below:
- Membranes to provide weather proofing on a temporal basis prior to the installation of the main roof. Under normal circumstances, this kind of weather proofing design is capable of providing a shield against harsh weather for several months. It protects the roof from direct exposure to water and other elements which may have a detrimental effect on the state of the roof.
- After the roof has been installed, these membranes often work as secondary protective barriers of the roof. In such a case, they provide extra protection from the effects of rain water and snow. They are usually strong enough to prevent the snow and rain water from reaching the bottom of the roof.
- Inhabitants of a home are not only at risk of suffering from the effects of harsh weather patterns such as stormy, rainy or snowy weather. Rather, they are also susceptible to pest attacks. A number of stubborn pests such as termites and bugs may find their way to the region under the roof by means of the small gaps between roof ridges and tiles. In order to prevent such intruders from finding their way to the inside of the roof, you can do well to take advantage of the membranes. This is one of the major reasons why such membranes are still used by many householders today.
Despite the many benefits of using the old roofing styles which involve the incorporation of selectively porous and completely permeable membranes, they are the major causes of condensation in roofs. Although condensation in roofs may not seem like a serious problem, it actually is. It is the leading cause of the deterioration of trusses. This applies to both the timber and steel trusses. In the case of the timber trusses and purlins, they will rot and eventually lose their stability.
On the other hand, the steel trusses will corrode following exposure to moisture. Further, your ceiling will appear moist at all times. In other words, your ceiling will appear damp. The roofing felt that is commonly used a choice for roofing membranes is not permeable to water (it is completely permeable). Therefore, it has no capacity to allow moisture to leave the roof. On the other hand, the breathable roofing membrane which is often selectively permeable are unable to completely ward off the effects of dampness in ceilings. Therefore, you have to switch to better ways of preventing ceiling dampness.
Major causes of condensation in roofs
In order to prevent the effects of dampness in roofs, it is vital to identify the major causes of it. Thermal insulation is particularly one of the leading reasons why most houses have ceiling which are damp on a frequent basis. This has a damaging effect on the ceiling and often leads to huge repair and maintenance costs. Thick thermal insulation techniques often account for almost 70 % of the problems of condensation in roofs. Research has been able to show that lofts with very thick layers of thermal insulation materials are inevitably likely to exhibit condensation in roofs. This is particularly because the use of thick layers of thermal insulation in roofs leads to reduced temperatures in the roof space. In the end, the roof space becomes colder than before and eventually promotes condensation.
Another leading cause of condensation in roofs is the use of wood burner cookers. Such cookers often allow for the quick rise of moist air leaving behind the cold air. When this warm air reaches the spaces in the roofs, it gets in contact with cold air and condenses. This leads to the formation of damp spots on the surface of the roof.
These are the two major causes of the formation of damp spots on the surface of the ceiling. If you want to deal with the problem of condensation in roof space, you have to deal with these problems first. There is a general way to deal with such issues. The principle revolves around the prevention of moisture from going as far asunder roof tile insulation. You also have to make sure the roof space has enough ventilation coupled with interior circulation of air. This is the general overview of how to solve most of the issues related to condensation in roofs. An in-depth guideline on how to prevent the condensation of moisture in roofs is as described below.
How to prevent warm moisture from reaching the space in the roof
- Introduce improved extraction in both the bathroom and kitchen of your house. This can help to reduce the amount of moisture in your home by a significant extent.
- Make sure the loft hatch is sealed so that air cannot reach the roof space. You can seal the loft by using any reliable insulation materials
- Do not allow for gaps on the ceiling of your bathrooms. In some cases, the bathroom extraction fan may be distributing moisture throughout the room. When the moisture reaches the ceiling, it will leave behind damp spots. Try by all means to avoid such extraction showers from discharging moisture into the space of the roof
- Cold water tanks can prove to be a nuisance as they can produce vapor during the course of the operation. When the moisture reaches the roofing space, it will definitely cause condensation in the ceiling. The cold water tank must be covered at all times to prevent this
In general, the kitchen and bathrooms are the major culprits when it comes to producing moist air. Therefore, extraction equipment must be installed in such rooms to extract all the moist air and prevent it from causing condensation.
Roof tile ventilation advice
- Roofing spaces must have adequate pitched roof ventilation to prevent the buildup of moisture. The ventilation holes must all be free from any
image credit : www.redland.co.uk blockages so as to facilitate proper ventilation
- For roofs that come with soffits that have been enclosed, it is often a perfect idea to add vents in order to improve roof tile ventilation
- Simply adding more holes on the surface of the roof or the use of roof vent tiles can make a huge difference in as far as improving the loft ventilation is concerned. For example, you can introduce vents by replacing some of the roof tiles.