How to Waterproof a Pitched Roof?

How to Waterproof a Pitched Roof? A pitched roof is a roof structure that usually reaches a point at the top and slopes downwards on either side, creating a roof at either end. It is generally made of wood, stone, or steel, and pitched roof waterproofing is essential. These days, waterproofing is carried out as part of the building process, and if you have an ancient house, it would be done when replacing the roof of the house to keep it weatherproof and dry.

Reasons for Pitched Roof Waterproofing

Waterproofing protects your house; the whole place is protected, not just the roof space. Once damp gets into the roof space, it permeates the house, and mold appears on the walls and woodwork.

When this happens, it is almost impossible to get rid of and can affect the health of everyone in the home. When waterproofing is carried out correctly, it creates a building envelope, a controlled environment that keeps the house dry. So, the roof is critical in protecting the home; even a pitched roof must be waterproofed.

How to Waterproof a Pitched Roof

A good option is to use a high-quality flexible PVC single-ply membrane PVC ( Poly Vinyl Chloride) used in residential and commercial buildings to waterproof your roof. Some better brands are 1.5mm thick and available with or without fleece backing. This type of material is long-lasting and UV stable.

Another waterproofing system manufactured in Germany is Wolfin, a single-ply high polymer sheet membrane in two different versions.

Bonded or Lose-Laid. This product combines PVC and Polyester and is also UV stable. It is a single-layer membrane containing premade corners and welding solvents. Many waterproofing specialists choose this solution, as it is manufactured to high standards.

Benefits of Waterproofing

Waterproofing is used in construction to prevent water damage to your home. Where it was once a matter of choice, in most places, it is now written into the building codes, so it has become mandatory in a residential buildings. Although expensive, it protects you and your family from damp problems and reduces the risk of future remedial work caused by dampness.

Process of Pitched Roof Waterproofing

When waterproofing an old pitched roof, you will need to clean it first, as a lot of pollution and grime have built up over the years.

There are various ways of doing this, including a high-pressure cleaner, and then it should be given time to dry. There are several steps in waterproofing your roof, and they are.

• Cleaning
• Priming
• Applying the membrane
• The inspection

After applying the membrane, the flashing must be secured with a flashing-grade sealant. Any chimney areas need to be sealed, as this is a place where water can easily penetrate. Older tiled roofs can start to leak when a tile cracks or lifts, so sooner or later, a new roof will be required.

How to Tell if Your Roof Needs Replacing

Waterproofing is essential with your old pitched roof; sooner or later, some signs will indicate that replacement is required.

• Missing bits of tiles or shingles
• Curled shingles at the edge
• Cracks in shingles
• Serious algae growth
• Age of roof 50 plus?

Soft slate and tiles typically last about 50 years before you need to consider a replacement. One of the main reasons is that the older houses were never waterproofed or insulated, and you lose a lot of heat/ cool air through the roof space, depending on whether it is summer or wet season.

This makes it expensive to keep the cooling at ambient temperatures due to the cold air loss through the roof space. Because a certain amount of moisture enters the attic space in old houses, sooner or later, mold is going to become a problem; during heavy periods of rain, the damp gets into the roof space, and mold spores from because mold spreads quickly.

It will find its way into the house. After 50 years of no insulation, it will be time to replace the roof, and it should last a lot longer once waterproofed. With many old houses, once the waterproofing is complete, a fan is placed in the space to keep the air circulating and banish any musty smells.

Pitched Roof Waterproofing Home Maintenance

Waterproofing a pitched roof in Singapore is essential, as sooner or later, the heavy rains will penetrate the exterior structure. Fortunately, with good guttering and run-offs, a pitched roof can easily carry a lot of water away.

Maintenance of your roof can be carried out regularly by a roofing expert who can photograph the top with a drone, and then you will be able to see any areas of concern without climbing up there yourself. Most sites now use drones to locate problem areas, especially in high-rise condominiums, to check the roof and cooling towers.

How to Waterproof a Pitched Roof? – Conclusion

A pitched roof is an attractive architectural choice in a home. However, it does need maintenance. Pitched roof waterproofing is necessary, especially in the tropics, where the rain pours down. With the correct membrane in your roof, you will have many comfortable years in your home, and more importantly, there won’t be any mold, as mold can only increase in damp conditions.