Most roof structures are formed of materials (metal or wood) that serve as support for the tiles (clay, stone, plastic). Some common mistakes in putting together those roof structures can cause problems such as leaking, infiltrations, broken tiles and even more serious structural problems.
We have listed some of the main potential roofing issues, their causes and how they could be avoided, so that they do not come on your way.
Gutter on the roof. Ouch!
The most common cause:
The roof was made with less inclination than the one indicated by the manufacturer and the rain water passes between the tiles.
It can also be:
That the roof has broken roof tiles or poorly fitted roof tiles that are generating not sufficient descent of the roof. Or that the gutter is small and does not allow enough flow of water at the time of rain.
How it could you be avoided:
You could have avoided those gutter issues on the roof if you had shown interest during the roofing work, have shown up on site and checked that the roof structure was done well, made with proper slope and the gutter was well dimensioned.
Going to the construction site and knowing what to look like changes everything.
Read also: How to properly plan a renovation project? and avoid troubles – in this article. And, How to plan on a limited budget? – in this article.
Roof if warped and looks like it will fall down
The most common cause:
If the roof is warped it is the sign that the roof structure is not bearing the weight. It can be too old or poorly sized woodwork to withstand the weight of the tiles.
It could also be:
The roof may have been designed for ceramic tiles, but stone tiles were used, which are heavier, without reinforcing the structure to withstand the extra weight.
How it could be avoided:
Checking with the engineer or carpenter to see if the calculation of the structure was really right to withstand the weight of the tiles. And you should also have chosen the tile before the structure was calculated, to make sure that it would withstand the tiles you chose.
To have a well done roof, pay attention to
Adequate inclination of the roof:
See the minimum inclination recommended by the roof tile manufacturer, ask the professional to measure the inclination, check and follow the installation.
Loading of the tiles:
Wood or metal structure must withstand the weight of the tiles so that there is no damage to the structure. There are lighter tiles (PVC, fiber cement) and heavier tiles (clay, concrete). So, make sure you know which tile to use to well calculate the roof support structure.
Accurate timbering:
When we build walls they need to be straight, nobody wants a crooked wall. The timber or roof structure also needs to be straight for the roof to work well. For this, it is necessary to invest in good materials and to be careful in the installation of the timber.
Read also: How to decrease the impact of construction on the environment? – in this article. And, How to avoid wasting time on a renovation project? – in this article.
How to make sure that the roof is firm?
Observe often the roof structure that supports the tiles. In most houses this roof structure is made of wood (or metal).
See if wood bars are flat or if they seem to start making curves. Even if you are sure that the woodwork was well done and well sized to support the weight, it is better to review every five years to identify if there is a problem starting to take place. If you identify the problem early, it will be easier to fix.
The wind exerts two forces on the roofs, one down and the other up.
The force that pushes the roof down usually causes damage to large tiles, such as metal tiles, and can bend them. On the other hand, the strength of the wind upwards pulls out light clay, plastic, cement, etc. tiles, so it is necessary to ensure that all roof elements are well fixed.
The roof is warped. What to do?
If the roof has warped, call an engineer or carpenter as a matter of urgency to see if it is possible to redo the woodwork, place reinforcement on the structure or if it will be necessary to redo and build another one. If you do not do this work fast enough, the roof may fall.
When the roof warps, this means that the structure is probably not bearing the weight of the tiles. The risk is high.
Read also: Planning a renovation project? Key project planning rules to help you cope – in this article. And, How to avoid wasting time on a renovation project? – in this article.
