I ve a problem with a flat roofed house and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the planned solution.
Flat roof condensation issues.
It is typically caused by excess moisture inadequate ventilation shoddy workmanship or some combination of these factors.
This is the general overview of how to solve most of the issues related to condensation in roofs.
There are two forms of flat roof construction which can reduce the risk of condensation forming.
Problems with roof damage from condensation tend to pop up during the colder winter months.
Flat and low slope roof designs to avoid moisture condensation problems flat roofs call up a whole new breed of building moisture problems how to avoid moisture traps under flat roofs avoid mold rot caused by moisture trapped under un vented flat roofs questions answers about the cause cure prevention of moisture problems in flat roofs and similarly hard to ventilate structures.
Although moisture problems in the roof assembly can be due to waterproofing deficiencies don t neglect the effect of condensation.
Moisture can be increased by the occupants if they are for example running a laundry or doing some other activity that produces more than average moisture in the air.
This is especially so if it occurs within the roof s structure itself as this can lead to decay in the roof timbers which is very difficult to spot.
How to prevent warm moisture from reaching the space in the roof.
Condensation is never good news for a flat roof.
Essentially condensation occurs at night when the temperature inside a building is warmer than outside.
The cold deck solution.
An in depth guideline on how to prevent the condensation of moisture in roofs is as described below.
However doing so increases the risk of condensation forming on the elements not surrounded by insulation such as cold roof decks.
Flat roofs are known as being problematic with many suffering leaks.
But with proper design and maintenance principles you don t have to sweat roof condensation issues.
As it cools it can t hold as much moisture.
This problem may become more common as existing buildings are altered to become eco friendly.
Warm wet air rises and meets the cold roof and cools.
Roof condensation is a thorny but fairly common problem.
Introduce improved extraction in both the bathroom and kitchen of your house.
That excess moisture ends up as drops of condensation on the roof.
It can also reduce thermal insulation performance which can be a particular problem during winter.
The problem is that the roof is cold and the heat from the house hits the ceilings which are solid concrete in the upstairs rooms causing condensation and is starting to turn the ceilings black.
However in my own experience the problems with leaking flat roofs are usually as a result of either poor workmanship installing the roof membrane poor maintenance by the building owner or as a result of age.
Picture a cloud of moisture floating overhead between the rafters.
Left unchecked or unnoticed this condensation can cause serious structural problems.
