Cooler temperatures that occur in reflective residential roofs could lead to condensation challenges if humid interior air rises to connect with the roof assembly. The best time to look for drips and other warning signs is during winter. There is every chance that your forehead could develop water droplets if your roof, deck, or installation does the same thing. However, with the right design and moisture management principles put in place, you won’t need to bother yourself about condensation issues.
Moisture Problems in the Roof
Inappropriate installation of waterproofing systems could lead to moisture issues in the roof assembly. However, condensation should not be neglected, though some cases of moisture issues can be due to the structure’s locations. Furthermore, air leakage carries moisture that goes up to condensation at the roof assembly. You can get yourself acquainted with the conditions that could lead to condensation so you can help prevent condensation failure out of your property.
Things to Know About Moisture and Its Effects
Don’t be surprised; roofs are bound to encounter condensation failure at any time. Warm moisturized air could rise and get into contact with a cold roof assembly. Wintertime can be challenging in areas like the North, where more heating days are experienced. Water vapor can quickly turn into liquid water when humid air rises from the interior and touches the roof system’s underside. You can compare this to a cold drink left out on a summer day. This is the actual case with roofing systems.
How to Look for Warning Signs
To trace for warning signs of condensation, you have to keep an eye for drips. Drips are noticed easily at midday when the sun is hot, and the membrane’s temperature is on the rise too. Don’t be deceived, most times dripping is not from leakage. Thermographic imaging and roof cuts can also be used to detect moisture, aside from other professional alternatives. When a thin layer of ice breaks, cracking noise can be heard if you walk on the roof.
Moisture drips may be difficult to observe on wood planks and structural concrete. Notwithstanding, frozen moisture is detectable. They develop in the form of buckled, spongy, or warped insulation under the membrane.
Carefully observe reflective roofs constructed to reduce heat by using thermal emissivity and solar reflective to stay cool. The possibility of condensation can be increased if the cool roof temperatures get warm and get moisturized air from the inside to contact the roof assembly.
Any roofing material that redirects heats to its surrounding is classed as a cool roof. So far, its thermal emissivity and solar reflective values are in line with the climate.
Conclusion
The best solution to this issue depends on the intensity of condensation. It could be severe to the extent of replacing the system. Wet insulation can be affordably replaced. Though, if the structure can withstand extra weight, the roof can be reconstructed into an inverted membrane assembly. This can be carried out by adding polystyrene insulation fabric protection.
