Frame roofs of all kinds are designed in such a way that water vapor and moisture accumulate inside the structure. Because of this, over time, the roof insulation collapses. A simple but very effective device – a roof aerator will help to remove this destructive moisture. You will learn about the benefits and advantages of installing the device, the main characteristics, features of the installation and many other things from this publication.
What is an aerator: general information about the device
The aerator for a soft roof is a special device that is mounted under the roofing material on the roof. The main task of the device is to remove excess moisture from the roofing space. Installing aerators prevents the destruction of roofing under the influence of precipitation and moisture, which is formed in the space under the roof.
Using the aerator, the roof is filled with fresh air. This allows you to remove from the ventilation cushion musty air, dust, condensate, moisture and gases, which are formed as a result of temperature changes, microcracks in the waterproofing layer. If you do not use a ventilation device, then over time the roof will squeeze, and the roof will begin to collapse from the inside.
Helpful advice! Experts recommend installing a deflector not only for structures with a ramp, but also to use aerators for flat roofing from tile or profile flooring.
Moisture in insulation may appear from the external environment. The reason for this most often become mechanical damage or deficiencies in the roofing. Moisture may also result from damage in the vapor barrier. Climate change, which does not depend on the desire of the person, also contribute to an increase in moisture and soaking the insulation.
In the case when the layer of thermal insulation in the roof collects an excessive amount of moisture, it will not be possible to solve the problem of water flowing through the roof covering without special drainage methods. Replacement of the damaged layer is possible only with the complete analysis and repair of the roof. This process is time consuming and financially costly. In addition, not every homeowner will be able to perform such expensive work.
You can solve the problem by draining. But these works are problematic to perform, since the location of the flow is difficult to determine. In addition, they will have to spend often. The best solution is to install ventilation aerators.
The lifetime of the roof depends on various factors:
- high-quality heat and waterproofing;
- proper use of roofing materials;
- timely preventive inspection and repair work.
During operation, the roof receives mechanical damage. Water seeps through it and collects in certain places under the roof covering. In the warmer months, the shelter is heated by sunlight, which means that the water is also heated. As a result, the fluid is trying to go outside. In the absence of such an outlet, water creates excessive pressure on the roof covering from the inside. This is the cause of bloating.
Under the action of sunlight, the roof surface can heat up to 90 ° C and higher. The composition of the roll coating for the roof includes bitumen-polymer substances, the physical characteristics of which change under the influence of temperature fluctuations. When heated, the coating forms a hermetic enclosed space in which steam is formed from water. That it has a high pressure on the coating, which can be up to 2-2.5 tons per square meter.
Trying to find a way out, water seeps through the screed, thereby destroying the heat-insulating layer and forming leaks on the ceiling. Finding a leak is very difficult. You can solve the problem by applying a plastic aerator. Installing the device allows you to remove the evaporation of water, without causing the most new damage to the coating.
Installation of aerators is carried out both when installing a new roof, and when repairing an existing coating. The devices reduce the pressure in the under-roof space and ensure the release of water vapor before they damage the roof. In addition, thanks to the installed aerators, condensation is prevented.
This allows you to extend the life of the roof, and also makes it possible to significantly save on the repair of the roof. In addition, moisture affects the insulation characteristics of the insulating material. Moistening at least a couple of percent increases the thermal conductivity of the insulation by 30-40%. As a result, the funds for heating will require much more. Also waterlogging insulation leads to the appearance of mold.
Installation of the aerator should be taken very seriously. The main thing to choose a quality and reliable ridge or flat device. Excellent proven product range of the company TechnoNIKOL – lightweight and durable metal roofing aerators.
Helpful advice! In order for the aerator to efficiently perform its functions, it must be periodically cleaned of dirt and stagnant water accumulated in the tubes of the device. To make this possible, a valve is provided in the construction, which makes it possible to easily remove the top layer of roofing material.
You can ventilate the roof naturally or use compulsory technology. Natural ventilation is the opening of certain parts of the roofing. Sunlight and fresh air must pass through these openings.
The forced method of ventilation and dehumidification of the roofing insulation consists in the installation of branch pipes (aerators) according to a specific scheme. The principle of operation of this device is simple: it is based on the creation of thrust in the device. In the pipe roofing aerator TechnoNIKOL formed areas of low pressure. This is possible due to the wind flow outside the device and due to the pressure difference in the environment and in the under-roof space. The main task of aerators is as follows:
- facilitate removal of rising steam before it causes damage to the roofing;
- reduce pressure on the roof covering, which causes bubbles on flat roofs with a soft coating;
- prevent condensation.
Usually the aerator is a pipe with a diameter of 63 to 110 mm. The structure is covered with an umbrella on top, which is designed to protect against precipitation. Most often for the manufacture of aerators used low-density polyethylene.
The device itself does not remove moisture. The fixture is a channel that perfectly performs the air exchange. Fresh air, in turn, performs the dehumidification of the internal space of frame roofs and maintains the optimum value of air humidity. This means that all the functions of the aerator are reduced to providing optimal conditions for natural ventilation without external intervention.
The feature of the device is that it is effective in any weather at any time of the year. Even cloudy weather does not become an obstacle to the free movement of air, which is located in the inner space of the roof cover. The aerator is a guarantee that the moist air from the external environment does not get under the roof, at the same time it provides the output of the accumulated moist air.
Helpful advice! An obstacle to the free circulation of air can be an attic window or a lantern mounted on the roof. Therefore, in such places on both sides of the interference, it is reasonable to install an aerator. The roof at the same time will be perfectly ventilated.
Roof aerators come in various sizes and models. They are used to ventilate the space under the roof, remove condensate and remove water vapor. Installation can be carried out during construction, and already on the finished roof. This device is necessary to timely prevent rotting in the roofing sheet and eliminate the likelihood of roof leaks.
Installation of aerators for the roof, covered with metal-plastic tiles, is carried out in the upper part as close as possible to the ridge. The case of the device is made on the basis of the material that is most resistant to the influence of substances with a high content of acid, to ultraviolet exposure, corrosion, temperature extremes. Best of all, stainless steel and high-strength plastic are suitable for this purpose.
Installation of aerators TechnoNIKOL for soft roofs is performed evenly over the entire surface at the highest points. Such devices are able to withstand temperatures from – 50 to + 90 ° C. They are suitable for roofs and coatings of any type.
In determining the number of necessary aerators, the technical characteristics of the devices and the roof area are taken into account. Also this value is affected by the condition of the roofing and the concentration of moisture indoors. Roofing aerators are of two types:
- point – provide ventilation of individual sections of the roof;
- continuous – are mounted along the entire length of the roof and are intended for general ventilation of the roof of the roof.
Dot aerators are available in two versions:
- Pitched devices – designed for installation on an inclined roof plane. Most often, this variant of point patterns is established in those places where the accumulation of water vapor is most intense.
- Ridge pipes are mounted on the ridge of the roof. This option contributes to the removal of moisture throughout the roof structure. Such aerators are based on convection, using the property of warm steam to rise up.
To improve the ventilation efficiency, it is necessary to install and place pitched aerators correctly. It is recommended that the distance from the instrument to the ridge be small, namely, about 15 cm. In the event that the insulation is not performed under the ridge, then moisture will concentrate in the upper part. Installing the fixture will eliminate this problem.
The advantage of a ridge aerator for a soft roof is the ability of the device not only to perform the ventilation function, but also to remove harmful fumes from roofing materials. In addition, the ridge models are almost completely hidden under the roof, which means it is difficult to spot them outside.
Helpful advice! Point pitched aerators are better to be installed on slopes of considerable length, on roof planes that have a complex structure, on ridges.
The technique of installation of aerators is as follows:
- In the place where the installation of the device is planned, a hole is cut through in the screed. It is important to ensure that it runs right up to the point where the insulation is located.
- If in this place the insulation is wet, then it must be immediately replaced with a dry material with a thermal conductivity that meets the required characteristics.
- For reliable fastening of the aerator on the bottom base of the fixture pipe, you need to apply a layer of special mastic.
- The devices are fastened to the coupler with self-tapping screws, which must be evenly distributed around the device’s pipe circumference. They need about 6 pcs.
- An additional layer of waterproofing material will help to more carefully protect the base of the ventilation pipe.
The need to install aerators is determined depending on the shape of the roof, its dimensions, as well as the air humidity in the room itself and the general condition of the roof. For example, if the roof is flat, simple configuration with standard parameters, then for every 100 square meters. m experts advise to install one aerator. It is also important to ensure that the distance between the structures does not exceed 12 m.
Helpful advice! For objects with high humidity (baths, saunas, laundries, swimming pools) it is better to entrust the exact calculation of the placement of points for the installation of aerators to engineers of design organizations.
Modern manufacturers provide a wide selection of different roof aerators. The price for the simplest models starts from 260 rubles, and the cost for the most expensive device comes up to 3,000 rubles. Consider a few examples of devices that have different parameters and differ in cost, to make it easier to navigate in a variety of models.
It is possible to install the device at any stage of roof construction, even on an already finished roof. The cost of aerators depends on the specific model and is in the range of 260-3000 rubles. This device does not require special care. It is enough to clean it once a year. The rest of the device is considered fully autonomous.
Competently planned roof necessarily has aerators. Errors made when mounting the device will lead to even greater problems with the roof. Therefore, if you are unsure of your abilities, then it is better to entrust this process to professionals who have mastered all the subtleties of this work.
