Famous folk wisdom says that every man should build a house, raise a son and plant a tree. If the last two points are a little easier to implement, then with the construction of the house things are more complicated. The main attribute of any building, whether it is a summer house, a barn or an administrative building, is the roof. She will protect the house from rains and from summer heat. But the variety of roofing materials makes owners think about what works best. And when all doubts are discarded and the material is selected, the main thing for the small: the correct design.
What is a ridge aerator?
A large role in the choice of roofing material is now played by value and quality. Most often, a soft roof or bitumen is used. It is resistant to temperature extremes, retains heat well and has a pleasant cost.
During its installation, a vapor barrier is used, which must retain the heat exiting from the inside of the house and protect it from rain, snow from outside if the outer layer is damaged. But, like any plastic material, it has the ability to accumulate condensate.
So that moisture accumulation does not lead to damage to the wood used during the construction of the roof, it is worth using a special plastic or metal device with many holes or an integrated mesh for removing hot air, which is called a ridge aerator.
Types of aerators
Depending on the roofing material and the type of roof, several types of aerators can be used:
- A single aerator is placed on the entire surface of the roof pointwise, this is especially true for isolated and inaccessible places. They are divided into skate and pitched.
- A continuous aerator has the appearance of a length of plastic or metal tape that is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the ramp.
- A turbine aerator appeared on the market not so long ago, it looks like a pipe with a built-in fan. Such a hood allows you to more effectively remove hot air out.
For roofs coated with metal-plastic, metal structures with a special coating are used that easily tolerate corrosion and temperature changes. Metal aerators are easily mounted in any part of the roof.
A ridge aerator for a soft roof is made of high-quality polyurethane, which tolerates heat well up to +90 C and cold up to -40 C. Such parts must be shockproof. Most often they are installed in the docking areas of the upper edges of the ramps.
Can I install the aerator with my own hands?
In order to understand whether you need a roof aerator or not, you should consult a specialist. After all, it is most convenient to mount these devices during roof installation. At this time, it is easier to take into account the characteristics of the material, the depth of the protective layer and possible additional insulation.
But if it so happened that the roof is already there, and additional work is still necessary, you can try to do it yourself.
The easiest option is to install a ridge aerator for a soft roof with your own hands. The layer of bituminous squares covering the ridge will have to be removed. Under it, install a tape ridge aerator made of plastic or metal. Such a corner with many holes and nets will raise the roofing material at the junction of the ramps. All hot air will freely rise and exit through the holes, preventing the formation of condensation.
Things are more complicated with point aerators. For installation, accurate calculations of the diameter of the recess under the aerator base are required. If you make it too large, you will have to use additional material for compaction.
First, draw a pencil around the size of the base of the point aerator. Using a jigsaw or other tool, make a hole, insert the skirt and fasten with nails, screws or adhesive. Bitumen glue is applied on top of the skirt and the tiles are laid so that there are no holes left.
But it is worth remembering that point aerators are installed on flat roofs or with a slope of no more than 12 degrees.
What will happen if you do not install an aerator?
A ridge aerator is a necessary part for a roof covered with soft tiles and not only. If you are still considering the feasibility of such an acquisition, then it is worth noting: it is worth it. Having saved a small amount now, in the future you will spend much more, replacing the entire roof.
Effects:
- Rotten beams and floors.
- High humidity in the living room.
- Reproduction of mold in the insulation and on the walls of the building.
- Bloating and cracks in the roofing material.
If you still do not know what a ridge aerator looks like for a soft roof, the photos are presented in this material.
But it is worth remembering that this device is installed in tandem with spotlights, which contribute to the flow of air. The ventilation system, consisting of spotlights and an aerator, will create an excellent microclimate in your home.