Roof Roof Waterproofing Films

Modern building technologies offer a wide range of roof repairs for private buildings. They differ in quality, material, installation method and, of course, price. When repairing a roof, it is important to have the correct waterproofing. One of the most popular and affordable methods is roofing waterproofing with a film.

It is necessary to protect insulating materials and wooden parts of the roof from moisture, precipitation, condensation. An important role is played by the protection against drafts and wind of the living quarters.

A large amount of precipitation without waterproofing can freely penetrate onto building structures made of wood, which will lead to their rapid decay. Also, moisture has a detrimental effect on the insulation, which significantly reduces its thermal insulation.

When heating pipes of hot water supply systems pass through the attic, the release of condensate significantly increases, and, therefore, the need for roof waterproofing.

So from correctly selected roofing materials, their laying and installation depends on the service life of the entire roof.

Film waterproofing is necessarily used for pitched roofs with coatings that do not form a continuous cover.

Such materials include:

• slate;
• metal roof;
• all types of tiles;

Since these roofing materials have a discontinuous structure, in stormy weather conditions, strong winds or heavy rain, there is the possibility of rainfall penetrating under the roof. Therefore, waterproofing with a film has an important protective function.

Advantages and disadvantages

Roofing membrane waterproofing has a number of advantages over other waterproofing materials.

The main ones are:

1. Strong, tensile and tear resistant.
2. Has an anti-condensation layer.
3. Waterproof.
4. Capable of increasing heat transfer.
5. Possible for use in saunas and baths.
6. Wide temperature range for use.
7. Quite low cost.

Professional builders do not distinguish obvious or significant shortcomings in film waterproofing and recommend it as the most affordable and convenient for non-professional use in the roof of private buildings.

Varieties and properties

The most popular materials for roof waterproofing are film-type materials.

The following types of films are distinguished:

1. Diffusion membranes.
2. Polypropylene films.
3. Roofing polyethylene.

Membrane films, called "breathable" for their special membrane microstructure, which protect against external moisture penetration and remove steam that creates condensation. The advantages of this type are that the film is laid directly on the heat-insulating material, without a ventilation gap.

Exist foil vapor barrier with waterproofing, which is very common on the roof of saunas, baths, which allows you to maintain and protect the insulation from increased vaporization, as well as for additional thermal insulation inside premises.

Allocate:

1. Perforated films.
2. Non-perforated.

Reinforced polypropylene films differ from previous types of films by the greatest strength. Also highly resistant to UV radiation. They are produced both with an anti-condensation layer and without it.

The anti-condensation layer, consisting of cellulose and viscose fiber, can absorb a huge amount of released moisture without emitting a single drop of condensation. After eliminating large vapor evaporation, the layer dries quickly, retaining all its properties.

There is also a conditional classification of films for waterproofing and vapor barrier films. It is conditional, because professional builders often use and interchange them with each other.

Vapor barrier films

Evaporation, water vapor, as is known from the laws of physics, always rushes upward, where it collects under the roof. There is also a heater, which must always be dry.

Therefore, when waterproofing, it is imperative to put a special vapor barrier film between the thermal insulation layer and the ceiling.

Such a film has a high level of vapor permeability, which directly depends on the density of the material and tensile strength. The continuity of the film provides additional protection against leakage and collapse in the event of a collapse of the roof structure.

At installation of vapor barrier film it is necessary to take into account the high permeability of water vapor. Therefore, an important point is careful sealing of the butt joints when the film comes into contact with walls, pipes and other building structures.

Most commonly, professional construction workers use double-sided butyl rubber tape.

Required materials and tools

After completing the basic preparatory roofing work, you can proceed to waterproofing. But for this you need a ready-made installation of the rafter system, eaves and frontal boards have been installed, and hooks for the downpipe have already been installed.

Having decided on the material for waterproofing the roof, you should prepare all the tools necessary for the work.

For this you will need:

1. Wide double-sided rubber tape.
2. To attach the insulation to the rafters, you need a powerful construction stapler.
3. Nails with a large head for strong fastening, preferably galvanized or stainless steel.
4. Hammer.

How to do it yourself?

Installation of roof waterproofing can be done independently. To do this, first, lay horizontally on top of the layer of insulation and cut the pieces of film necessary along the length. Considering the overlap, which depends on the slope of the roof, most often it is 15 cm. Fix the canvas to the rafters with a construction stapler.

A prerequisite is gluing the overlap with mounting tape. On top of this layer of film, lay wooden slats that are attached to nails. To increase their service life, it is recommended to treat with an antiseptic. Particular attention should be paid to fastening the joints of the film.

Then a control strip of 4-5 cm is laid. It creates a space between the waterproofing film and the roofing material. This space is necessary for free air circulation.

The final stage is the installation of the roofing lattice, on which the roofing material is then applied and fixed.

The cost of film materials

The modern market offers a fairly wide selection of waterproofing materials, the cost of which depends on the quality, type and characteristics.

For example, for ease of installation, there are films with a sticky layer around the edges, however, and they are already more expensive than usual. Membrane films are the most expensive of this category.

Of course, the price also depends on the manufacturer. Domestic, as a rule, are cheaper than foreign ones.

It should also be borne in mind that the film material is produced in rolls of various widths and densities, on which not only the place and scope of application depends, but also the price.

The cheapest, most affordable, convenient and high quality is a polyethylene film material. Most often it is used for private housing construction and they carry out installation work on their own. The combination of ease of installation and accessibility makes it the most common.

Tips & Tricks

Modern roofing has a multicomponent complex structure. It provides not only protection of the house from precipitation, but also ensures the safety of the temperature regime.

Professionals recommend:

1. Roofing membrane waterproofing is necessary for roofs covered with slate, metal roofing.
2. Choose waterproofing films with an anti-condensation layer.
3. A high-quality film should be: strong, moisture-proof, elastic, resistant to high and low temperatures.