When erecting a roof, it is important to protect all structures from moisture. Materials such as wood or mineral wool are hygroscopic. The first, when saturated, begins to rot and lose its strength characteristics. The second accumulating water increases the mass, presses heavily on the roofing cake and ceases to fulfill its functions. To protect against precipitation and moisture from the premises, vapor barrier and waterproofing are used, but as an additional measure, it is worthwhile to provide a ventilation gap between the sheets of bitumen shingles and heat-insulating material. In addition, air outlets are required, which are provided in the ridge and cornice. A ridge mounted aerator for a soft roof will allow for the movement of air masses.
The principle of operation of the aerator
Soft roof ventilation is a critical process. The skate is equipped with special aerators, and on the ledge the air passes through special holes that are created in two ways:
- the installation of special perforated spotlights that do not prevent the ventilation gap from constantly changing the air inside;
- installation of wooden boards with a run, which provides a passage for air masses.
It will be cheaper to install ordinary boards, but a more modern solution would be to complete the installation of tiles with perforated soffits.
The ridge element, which complements the ventilated gap for soft tiles, provides air passage and exit according to the principle of creating traction in the tubes. Installation is carried out in such a way that the system works due to the pressure difference in the space that limits the roofing cake and in the outside air. The ventilated gap and its components are necessary to remove moisture from the surface of the insulating material.
The passage of fresh air and the exit of humidified allows the following effects on the roofing cake:
- condensate removal;
- prevention of wet insulation, preservation of its characteristics;
- elimination of the harmful effects of moisture on wooden structures that hold the roofing cake, therefore, the reliability and durability of structures increases;
- the frequency of tile and rafter repairs is reduced.
In general, a ventilation aerator is a pipe that is installed in the ridge. Installation is most often carried out using sections of 63-110 mm. To protect the ventilation outlet from clogging and flooding by precipitation, a special umbrella must be installed on the tile ridge. The installation of the umbrella is carried out using special parts of soft bituminous tiles.
Types of aerators
The ventilation gap is equipped with various types of aerators.The number of products per roofing ridge is determined from the following conditions:
- the slope area, which determines how much air to exit;
- technical characteristics of a particular product, on which the volume of air depends on which products can provide normal passage.
In private construction, the number of elements can be assigned during the execution of work. For particularly complex objects, the calculation of aerators, which will ensure unhindered exit of air masses behind the roofing cake, is carried out at the design stage to avoid violations and troubles during operation.
The ridge aerator, which complements the ventilated gap between the surface of the tile and the insulation, can be of two types:
- continuous;
- point.
The first provides the passage and exit of air in the space under the entire roofing. The installation of point elements is carried out if necessary, ventilation of individual sections of the roofing. They, in turn, are divided into two groups:
- pitched;
- with installation on the skate.
Pitched aerators are designed to further enhance the air flow in the design of the roof cake. The exit of air masses needs to be made faster in the following cases:
- complex roof configurations, a large number of fractures and bends that impede the passage and exit of moisture from the space along the coating to the ridge;
- long slopes in which traction naturally decreases;
- in places where the ventilated gap is interrupted, this may be required depending on the roof structure;
- also impede the movement of air directed to the ridge, elements of natural lighting, such as lights, dormers and dormers.
Among other things, ridge aerators allow you to bring out the harmful fumes of the main roofing material - bitumen.
Installation technology
To mount the aerator on the ridge and to ensure unhindered passage of air masses through the roof and their exit outside, the actions are performed in the following order:
- a window cutout in a roofing cake at the location of the product to the surface of the insulation;
- the base of the pipe is treated with special mastic;
- for fastening the product to the roof screed, special devices called “skirts” will be required;
- A “skirt” is put on the elements and fixed to the roof using self-tapping screws; for a high-quality fixation, it will be necessary to use 6 fasteners evenly distributed around the circumference of the additional element for the aerator;
- the ventilation pipe must be protected from moisture penetration, for this it is necessary to lay waterproofing material.
It is important to remember that any places on the roof where the integrity of the coating is impaired are dangerous from the point of view of leaks. After completing all the installation of ventilation products, the integrity and tightness of the waterproofing in difficult places are mandatory.this will provide the roof with the most reliable protection.
Proper execution of all work on the roof will provide reliable protection for all house structures from negative environmental influences, especially such as rain, snow and cold.