If you suffer from a leak in the ceilings, moisture in the walls, or even drops of water seeping into your home when entering the winter, it is better for you to waterproof the roof of your home so that you do not suffer in the future from the effects of leakage. Waterproofing is not limited to insulating surfaces only, but it can also insulate water tanks, or swimming pools. In this article, we will discuss all your questions about waterproofing, its types and methods of insulation.
As we talked about the best methods and types of thermal insulation before and its importance, and we also talked about the problems caused by water leakage, today we will talk about the methods and types of waterproofing for roofs and its benefits.
For a long time, residents of the last floors often think about choosing the best waterproofing for roofs to protect them from moisture and water damage.
Two of the most commonly used methods for insulating surfaces from water were previously two methods
Positive waterproofing:
It is one of the most common methods used. This type of insulation is done by making small waterways or pipes into which water is leaking. Often this water is used for positive things such as watering a home garden or watering young planting seedlings.
This method is environmentally friendly, but it is a primitive method that is not suitable when there are damages in buildings as a result of water and moisture leakage, so it is necessary to resort to the most effective insulation methods.
Passive waterproofing:
It is by painting the other side of the water leakage site with insulating materials, but it is a method of little use and is only used when there are reasons that prevent the implementation of the positive isolation method.
There are natural and chemical materials used in waterproofing surfaces, including:
The natural materials are:
1- Tar or mazut or what is known as (bituminous):
Its use is relatively old and simple, and it is a derivative of petroleum and is poured on the roofs, so the water is isolated in a very large way and the building is protected.
2- Metal panels:
There are many types of them such as lead plates, iron, aluminum, stainless steel and other types of metals. This method of waterproofing is characterized by its low cost, but it has a major drawback, which is rust. These metals rust and corrode when exposed to water for long periods.
Of course, every problem has a solution, and the solution to that problem is to paint the panels with a rust-resistant substance that insulates the surface of the panels from water, air and moisture.
3- Insulation using asphalt:
This material is formed and used in the form of three asphalt plates and rolls of asphalt or unmodified solid asphalt. Asphalt has advantages and disadvantages, including that it is the cheapest insulation material and has a great capacity for water and thermal insulation, but one of its disadvantages is that it does not last long and cracks and water leaks through. To find out how asphalt is made, all the information in this article is how asphalt is made and what are its different uses
4- Wooden panels:
It is also used in cold countries and is placed diagonally, but the wood is not resistant to fire, and this is a major disadvantage for its use.
The chemicals are:
1- Insulation with foam or (polyurethane):
It is sprayed on surfaces, and its advantages are that it isolates the smallest hard-to-reach places compared to other types of waterproofing. In this type, it is 100% waterproof and it is recommended to paint an acrylic layer over it to protect it from ultraviolet rays.
This type of waterproofing and thermal insulation lasts for nearly twenty years.
2- Insulation with liquid bitumen:
It is a manufactured chemical and one of its great advantages is that it deals with all types of surfaces, whether they are flat, zigzag or have defects. This material is poured and all the spaces to be isolated are filled, and it is also possible that it is resistant to insects and fungi.
3- Polyethylene insulation:
It is an easy-to-use type that comes in the form of black tarpaulin and is no more than 46 cm thick. Polyethylene insulation is characterized as light, does not form a burden on the surfaces, and is flexible. It is suitable for old buildings with roofs that do not bear large loads, and have zigzags, problems or unevenness.
4- Brick insulation:
It is a material made of burnt clay or pottery, which you often see in those European-style houses with red roofs. This material is placed on the roofs diagonally to slide from them water or snow in cold weather countries.
What distinguishes this type of waterproofing is that it is not affected by moisture and water, and its color can be changed by paints to give an aesthetic view.
** You can choose any type of thermal insulation for surfaces that suits the shape and design of your home and also in proportion to the budget set for this matter. But if you want to avoid the problems of thermal and water leakage together and get as much comfort as possible, you can use our article 5 proven ways to make sound thermal insulation for your roof if you are looking for two types of insulation.
