The roof aerator is a device whose purpose is to ventilate the roof space, as well as the removal of moisture and water vapor. Outwardly, this is a pipe with a diameter of 6.3-11.1 centimeters, covered with an umbrella on top to protect it from falling into the atmosphere. It is used on flat and pitched roofs. It allows you to maintain the performance of a quality roof made.
In
civil and industrial construction , soft roofs are very popular. Structurally, it is a multilayer structure. Often it is called a "roofing cake." The structure of this design includes a
reinforced concrete slab, vapor barrier,
heat-insulating material, screed-ramp and waterproofing carpet. The service life of such a roof directly depends on how well the hydro and thermal insulation is made. And the most common defect of such structures is the accumulation of moisture in the insulation and screed. Therefore, a roofing aerator for a soft roof is vital.
The drainage of the insulating layers is carried out due to the arrangement of ventilation systems. And to perform such tasks, a roof aerator is used. His work is based on using the difference between external and internal pressure. Also, its functioning is possible due to the creation of traction in the pipe due to the low pressure that is created due to external wind flows.
The roof aerator performs the following functions:
- the withdrawal of water vapor rising from the interior;
- decrease in pressure that appears in the roofing system ;
- an obstacle to the formation of condensate on the waterproofing.
The absence of a roof aerator or other ventilation system can be detrimental.
1. Swelling. This type of defect is most often found on flat roofs. In the summer, the soft roof is very hot. As a result of such exposure, bitumen-polymer materials acquire plasticity. The moisture under the roof becomes vaporous, resulting in increased excess internal pressure. These two factors lead to the fact that the plastic material expands under pressure and bubbles appear. The roof aerator in this case will be very useful.
2. The increase in thermal conductivity. It has long been known that moisture significantly reduces the performance of thermal insulation materials. And this leads to an increase in heating costs. In addition, it contributes to the development of mold.
3. Destruction of the screed and waterproofing carpet. In the role of a leveling screed, sand-cement mortars are most often used. They belong to the type of capillary-porous materials. Those. the pores in these materials are interconnected and also filled with air. Pores can be filled with water as a result of moisture entering them. This can be avoided by using roof aerators. At low temperatures, water crystallizes and passes into another state of aggregation - ice. At the same time, it increases in volume, which leads to the appearance of microcracks and the destruction of the screed.
Installation of roof aerators is as follows:
- In the roofing carpet and screed, a window is cut to a layer of insulation in the place where the ventilation pipe will be mounted.
- Thermal insulation material should be checked. If it is wet, then it should be replaced.
- The lower base of the pipe should be covered with a special mastic intended for attaching the roof aerator to the roof. To attach to the screed, self-tapping screws are used. They should be evenly distributed over the aerator skirt.
- On the basis of the pipe, a layer of additional waterproofing should be made.