Is your roof rain proof?

10.10.22 02:25 AM By Noe
Raining

When it comes to your roof, how rain-proof is it? Is there any way to make sure that no water gets in or out of the house? In this article we will give you information and help you answer these questions.

What is roof waterproofing?

Roof waterproofing is the process of sealing a roof to prevent water from entering the building, in order to prolong the life of the roof. Waterproofing allows for the continuous use of the building in wet conditions such as heavy rainstorms, snow storms and more. It also prevents moisture from making its way into the structure and causing serious damage to your home or business.

Why do you need roof waterproofing?

The penetration of water into the roof can cause several problems, the most important are the following:

House structure damage

When it rains, leaks can occur in the roof. If rainwater enters your attic or a wall cavity inside your home, you may not notice the damage until much later. The most serious problems that can appear due to this are differential settlement of foundations and curvature in beams in the case that they are made of wood.

Water stains on walls and ceilings

It can cause damage to wood and other areas of the house, as well as influence the peeling of paint from walls and ceilings, and generate an environment with moisture odor.

Mold and moss

Due to leaks of water, mold or moss can grow in certain areas where humidity and temperature conditions are optimal for the growth of these. Breathing mold spores can lead to health damage, such as asthma and some allergic reactions.

What is Roofing Underlayment and why is it necessary?

Underlayment is a material placed under the roofing membrane to prevent water from reaching the interior of a building. It consists of self-adhesive, waterproof sheets or rolls that are usually installed on top of existing sheathing and insulation materials.
It is necessary to prevent the entry of water and humidity into your home, thus avoiding the problems mentioned above and extending the life of your roof.

Types of roofing underlayment

Below we briefly explain the most common types of underlayments:

1- Asphalt-Saturated felt underlayment

This type of underlayment is made by saturating paper or fiberglass mat with asphalt. The biggest advantage of this material is the cost, as it is cheaper than the other types we will see below, but it has other disadvantages such as weight and durability.

2- Rubberized asphalt underlayment roof

Rubberized asphalt is made up of rubber polymers and asphalt. To place it, the back membrane is removed, as it has glue to adhere to the roof structure.

3- Synthetic roof underlayment

Synthetic underlayment is an elastomeric sheet material, rigid, water resistant, waterproof and flame retardant, which is made of woven polyethylene or polypropylene. This type of underlayment is lighter and more durable than the previous ones.

What is a Secondary Water Barrier?

A secondary water barrier is a backup system installed directly on the plywood roof cover to prevent water intrusion into your home. The goal of the placement of it is to protect the interior of your home in case of very strong storms, where shingles and underlayment could be blown away with the wind.

Is your roof rain proof?

If you’re replacing your roof, make sure you’re quoted on all layers of the roof in your budget, and that one of them is the underlayment. Remember that you can consult the roofing company about the quality of the material and water resistant properties it has.
If you have a leaking roof during or after storms, moisture spots that are not due to internal plumbing, mold growth in some area of your home, or you can see light through the ceiling, your roof probably doesn’t have underlayment, or it’s broken. In this case you can call a professional to inspect the roof and inform you about the best solutions, so you can decide what to do. Remember that if you let a lot of time pass from the first appearances of these, it could become a more serious problem like the ones we have mentioned. 
Kind regards from the Moriarty Roofing Family.

Noe