Now that the rainy season is coming, it is again time to look at our houses and buildings with an eye to avoiding problems regarding roof leaks. As in many other instances, it is better to prepare and prevent problem situations from arising, rather than having to drain and patch an already leaking roof. An essential part of prevention is proper planning and design.
Simplicity is the key.
The simpler the roofing configuration, the less chances you have of leaks. A simpler plan also precludes less maintenance considerations. Roofing costs are lower too. A complicated roofing design may look good on paper, but not when you start spending a fortune on repairs and maintenance. At the onset, pose the challenge of a simple roof design to your architect and ask him to exercise his creativity elsewhere.
Consider good roofing material.
Manufacturers would know the ideal roofing material for your building type, as well as how best to install the material you prefer. Consider their recommendation, it is not only product knowledge they bring to the fore, but the strength of product warranty that you can fall back on later. They can likewise suggest the correct under-sheeting for your roof tiles or the proper slope required by other materials you may choose.
Water should flow or drain away from the building.
Remembering this basic guide when considering the structure, may help you avoid leaky situations. Avoid inside gutters. The faster the water drains from your roof the better. The less potential clogging areas there are, the easier it is to maintain.
Roof decks do not have to be potential leak sources, as long as they are monolithic, properly reinforced, and drain properly to external collector drains. Wall-angle or scoffer drains or wire basket strainer drains are better than the regular floor drains for decks. Leaves and litter may cause the latter to clog, increasing the chance of leaks. Provide adequate downspouts, enough to prevent clogging especially during strong rain. Take note that it is easier to service these spouts from the ground rather than from the roof.
For rooms below grade, prioritize ways to drain the water away faster, rather than methods to prevent water from seeping in. This is where perforated pipe drains and double cavity walls work better than waterproofing.
Provide cleaning and maintenance access.
Even before the need arises, ask your architect, sanitary engineer, or developer for the proper way to maintain your storm drains. They must have ready and practical solutions to its accessibility and cleaning.
Do not depend on waterproofing chemicals.
The roofing system should not leak even without a layer of waterproofing. The application of chemicals must only be a second line of defense. If you are dependent on it, expect higher regular maintenance costs.
Draining systems can be handled artistically.
Chains and collector vases may be used in place of downspouts. In Europe , a more sensible approach has been to construct downspouts that are much bigger than gutters. In Japan
It is time to rethink standard practices and turn to more practical approaches to roof design, particularly for our extreme weather conditions. We can research schemes that may be unused here but have worked elsewhere. This capacity to adapt and innovate, combined with practicality and artistic creativity, will help us achieve the perfect leak-resistant roof.
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