How to properly install roof aerators. Roof aerator, what is it? Why does moisture condense under the roof?

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The main purpose of the aerator for roof ventilation is to remove moisture from the under-roof space, as well as to ventilate all layers of the roofing pie. Soft roofing is most sensitive to moisture. Its design is a multilayer structure, in which materials are laid in layers. The basis is reinforced concrete slab coating, it acts as a barrier between internal part indoors and outdoor environment. During operation, the roof covering may swell and peel due to the penetration of moist fumes from inside the building. To prevent such situations, aerators are installed on the roof as a preventive measure.

How does the aerator work?

The device is very simple. It consists of a piece of pipe, a tight-fitting skirt for attaching to the roof and a cap or cover. In constructive terms, there are many solutions. The principle of operation of the aerator is based on the difference in pressure inside and outside the building. That is, moist air is removed naturally through the aerator pipe, and fresh air comes in its place. The most favorable place to install a roof aerator for metal tiles is considered to be the space at the ridge.

Individual elements of the deflector are made of materials resistant to:

acid and alkaline influences;
ultraviolet radiation;
temperature changes, the material should tolerate equally well subzero temperatures and heat;
corrosion.

The most the best option Today, durable technical plastics and stainless steel are used.

Roof aerators on a flat soft roof are usually installed evenly over the entire surface of the roof. It is considered the norm to install one aerator for every 100 m2 of roof area. Whatever the roof covering and roof design, you should not do it yourself. The number of devices and their design are determined by professional calculations based on initial data. These are:

roofing area;
specifications roofs;
layer-by-layer composition of the roofing pie and its condition;
level of moisture concentration inside the building and under the roof.

For very specific premises, with high level humidity, all calculations regarding the number and installation locations of aerators on the roof are carried out at the design stage. We are talking about baths, saunas, swimming pools, laundries. Although every builder should consider installing this necessary fixture, it will help extend the life of the roof.

Features of installing the aerator

First let's decide on constructive solutions. Aerators can be point or continuous. The first ones are located over the entire surface of the roof; they provide ventilation to individual sections of the roof. The installation of second aerators on a soft roof is carried out along its entire length, so that it is possible to ventilate the entire roof.

Point devices are manufactured in two versions:

Pitched ones are installed on a continuous roof surface. Places for their location are chosen where it is necessary to increase air movement. Individual components of complex roofs require special attention: valleys, skylights, lanterns, combs. In these areas, it makes sense to install aerators for soft or other roofing on both sides of the obstacle.
The skating ones are mounted on the ridge. Mass of warm humid air, as a rule, rises up from the inside of the premises and goes outside through the ridge structures. At the same time, the eaves ventilation ducts supply portions of fresh air from the outside. In this way, the air mass is renewed. Ridge aerators for soft roofs help to enhance these processes, as well as remove bitumen fumes from the roofing material.

The installation of aerators can be carried out during the construction of a building, during the replacement of roofing, or as an independent procedure for an existing roof. You can install an aerator for a flat soft roof yourself, but it is still better to entrust this matter to specialists. The process itself looks like this:

First you need to determine the installation location of the deflectors and choose their design.
A window 10-20 mm wider than the diameter of the pipe is cut out of the roofing.
The entire thickness of the resulting hole must be generously coated. bitumen mastic.
The roof aerator pipe for a soft roof should be treated in the same way.
The pipe is inserted into the window, secured, and then the entire structure is assembled.

Fastening to the main covering is carried out using special roofing fasteners (screws, dowels). Particular attention should be paid to the interface between the aerator and the roof. To guarantee, it is better to lay an additional layer of waterproofing or roofing material under the aerator skirt.

Advantages of roofing with aerators

The aerator itself does not function as a fan and does not remove moisture. Its main task is to promote high-quality air exchange and maintain humidity levels within normal limits. As a result of the interaction of deflectors with eaves and ridge channels, the internal cavities of roofing structures dry out more quickly. Natural air circulation is enhanced.

Properly installed roof aerators serve as a good guarantee that moisture from the outside will not penetrate under the covering. However, it will help the flow of moist air from the premises and under-roof space to escape. This simple solution helps preserve the roof and significantly extend its service life.

The device requires virtually no maintenance. This is a completely autonomous device. Unless from time to time you need to check whether birds or random debris have gotten inside. The pipe should not become clogged.

Installation of a soft roof does not tolerate trifles. Sometimes, thinking to save money on such a seemingly optional detail as roof ventilation, the developer faces a lot of troubles. The roof begins to leak, the house smells of dampness, and icicles accumulate on the eaves. And, the apotheosis of everything, is the rapid destruction of expensive roofing material. Such troubles occur because moisture penetrates into the soft roof pie, seeping into the insulation, rafter structures and the bitumen coating itself. The problem can be solved by installing artificial ventilation ducts - aerators - on the roof. Air will circulate through them, drawing out excess moisture and drying the inner cake of the structure.

Thus, installing aerators on a soft roof is a process recommended by experts, and in some cases (over attic floor, for example) – mandatory, preventing its damage and ensuring a comfortable stay in the house.

It is clear that aerators provide ventilation and drying of the roofing pie from moisture. But where does it come from? After all, manufacturers initially position soft roofing as airtight. Moreover, the under-roof pie contains layers of hydro- and vapor barrier (vapor barrier - if there is insulation).

But this does not save you from the presence of moist vapors. They are an indispensable attribute of any living space, formed in the process of cooking, washing, bathing and even, ultimately, human breathing. According to research, every day in a house where a family of 4 lives, 2-4 liters of water vapor are generated, some of which accumulates in the under-roof space.

When warm steam comes into contact with a cold surface (during sudden changes in temperature outside and inside), it condenses. As a result, tiny droplets of water begin to saturate any structures and materials that they can “reach”. First of all, these are rafters, sheathing, and insulation.

Another way for moisture to penetrate is from the outside of the roof. Warm steam, accumulating in the attic, heats the roofing from the inside. In winter, the snow lying on the roof begins to melt. Ice crusts form, which, as the situation worsens, also melt. Water penetrates the joints of the covering, and the roof begins to leak.

In addition, the coating itself suffers, which in any case has microcracks. Moisture penetrates there and, when the temperature drops, tears the material. Cracks become visible, sometimes through. The coating becomes unusable.

On a soft roof, the effects of excess moisture manifest themselves quite quickly. You may notice:

The appearance of bubbles on the surface. A soft roof pie, as a rule, includes a waterproofing layer (on top) and a vapor barrier layer (bottom). In essence, it is a closed, hermetically sealed circuit. In summer, the roofing pie heats up to 80-100°C, as a result of which the moisture accumulated in the circuit forms steam and tries to evaporate. This situation entails the appearance of swelling and destruction of the roof.
Reduced efficiency of the heat insulator. Wetting the thermal insulation layer even by 2% leads to an increase in its thermal conductivity (and a decrease in insulating properties) by 40%! Accordingly, such a roof ceases to fulfill its functions in terms of heat retention, and heating costs increase.

All this leads to destruction of the structure of the roofing material and the occurrence of leaks.

Purpose of aerators

How to prevent moisture from settling on roofing surfaces? Or should we dry structures already saturated with moisture?

The laws of physics will come to our aid. Moisture can be removed by evaporation that occurs during movement (circulation) air flow. Since there is a significant difference between the internal (in the house) and external (outdoor) pressure indicators, for air circulation it is enough to ensure the process of communication between the two environments.

If the attic is cold, then effective ventilation can be ensured quite simply - through dormer windows, loose eaves overhangs, cracks in the ridge. For warm attics And this solution is not suitable for attics, since in the cold season unregulated ventilation will reduce the temperature in the room.

In such houses, it is most acceptable to use roof aerators - ventilation ducts connecting the under-roof and above-roof spaces. After installing the aerator, due to the pressure difference, a forced draft is created in its pipe, which pulls out wet vapors from under the roof.

Very important point: in order for the process of drawing air through the aerator to become possible, it is necessary to common system provide a supply of fresh cool air. Otherwise, air masses will not circulate. To do this, ventilation ducts are installed in the eaves, where Fresh air. Passing through the attic space, it heats up and rises up to the roof.

Thanks to the draft created in the aerator, it passes through its pipe and is thrown out into the street. With properly equipped ventilation, in just 1 hour the air flow passes through the roofing cake 2 times, drying and ventilating it.

Accordingly, by installing soft roof aerators in the required quantity, you don’t have to worry about the dryness of the coating and insulation. Therefore, it is more correct to begin their installation at the construction stage. But, if for some reason this did not happen, you can do it later. The main thing is not to wait for fatal roof defects to occur (swelling, destruction of the material). Fortunately for many developers, with the help of aerators it is possible not only to prevent the accumulation of moisture in the new roofing pie, but also to dry the old roof already saturated with moisture.

Types of aerators

For soft roofs, aerators are used that are made of impact-resistant plastics that can withstand temperature changes, corrosion, and exposure to UV rays. Depending on the design features, purpose and mode of action, There are 2 types of aerators: continuous ridge and point.

Ridge aerator refers to continuous ventilation systems, since it is installed along the entire length of the ridge to aerate the entire under-roof space. In appearance, the design is corner piece with openings protected by special barriers - from insects, dust, snow.

Point aerators are installed on separate sections (points) of the roof, usually on slopes, less often on ridges. Each such aerator is ventilation pipe, protected from above by a cap of various configurations. Usually general form the design resembles a “fungus” or “box”.

The point slope aerator has flat base(skirt), through which it is connected to the roof. The base of the point ridge aerator is angular, designed to mate with the roof in the area of its upper horizontal edge.

Differences in the designs of available types of aerators also imply a significant difference in their installation technologies.

Installation of a ridge aerator

The ridge aerator is the easiest to install; it does not require special calculation of the quantity, since it is usually installed along the entire length of the ridge. Installation of a ridge aerator is recommended on roofs with a slope of 12-45°. At the same time, it is mounted only on the ridge, ensuring air circulation in the attic space.

Usage standards:

It is necessary to have vents on the eaves to ensure air flow;
it is recommended to install the aerator along the entire length of the ridge, connecting its segments into one structure;
Ridge tiles are mounted on top of the ridge aerator, so the appearance of the roof does not suffer from the “alien” element.

Installation technology:

In a solid base circular saw cut a ventilation groove. There can be one (at the top of the ridge) or two (on both sides of the ridge). The total thickness of the ventilation gap should be 3-8 cm (depending on the recommendations of the manufacturer of the particular aerator). The slots are made so that they end 30 cm before the edge of the ridge, that is, the roof remains solid on both sides of the ridge.
Along the edges of the ridge (where the ventilation gap was not cut) ridge tiles are laid.
Mount the ridge aerator. Each of its segments is secured using elongated roofing nails or screws screwed through ready-made factory holes. In this case, the segments are connected to each other, like parts of a construction set.
Cover the aerator profile with ridge tiles. Its petals are mounted overlapping, according to the usual method, no different from the technology of laying it along the ribs. The only difference is the fastening elements. IN in this case the tiles are nailed to the aerator with extended roofing nails
The ends of the aerator, where they meet the roof, are sealed with silicone sealant.

Example of works in the photo:

The video will help you understand in more detail the intricacies of roof aeration on a soft roof:

Installation of point aerators

In addition to the ridge aerator, it is possible to use several point analogues. These aerators are used:

on roofs with a slope of less than 12°, as well as on flat roofs;
to increase ventilation efficiency, in addition to the roof aerator;
if installation of a ridge aerator is impossible, for example, if there is no ridge or if there are abutments of the roofing material to vertical surfaces and walls.

Usage standards:

installation of point aerators is carried out on slopes, at a distance of 0.5-0.8 m from the horizontal edge of the ridge;
it is necessary to ensure air flow on the overhangs;
one aerator provides effective ventilation of 5-100 m2 of roofing (depending on the diameter and shape of the structure); in accordance with these data, their number is calculated - from 2 pieces or more.

Installation technology:

IN continuous lathing cut out a hole that matches the size of the internal gap of the aerator channel. To do this, the base (skirt) of the aerator is placed on plywood (OSB) and the contours of the hole are drawn on the roof through the passage channel. Marking is done with a pencil or nail. Using a jigsaw, cut a hole along the line.
Place the aerator skirt over the hole and secure it with roofing nails or self-tapping screws (at least 6 pieces). Some manufacturers recommend using an adhesive fixation method in addition to fasteners. In this case, the back side of the skirt is coated with bitumen mastic, glued to the base, and only then secured with fasteners.
Glue the top of the skirt with bitumen glue to waterproof the junction.
The skirt is covered with shingles, cutting them at the junctions.
An aerator mesh is put on top of the skirt, screwing it with self-tapping screws. Then the cover (cap) is mounted, snapped into place and also screwed in with self-tapping screws.
The remaining point aerators are installed in the same way (in accordance with the calculation), which in the total mass will form a single ventilation system.

This is what it looks like:

More visual information about the stages of installing a point aerator can be obtained by watching the training video:

Thus, installing aerators is not a difficult job, even self-taught craftsmen can do it. However, the benefits from it are enormous!

Thanks to aerators, water vapor is drawn out from the roofing pie, condensation is prevented from settling, mold, mildew and mustiness appear. All this has a positive effect on the service life wooden structures(rafters, sheathing, sheathing), the work of thermal insulation, the microclimate of the living space.

Product Description:

Aerator roofing TechnoNIKOL 160x460 mm, black, made from a block copolymer of ethylene and propylene, which ensures high reliability and resistance to impacts external environment on the roof. Ensures reliable operation for 25 years.

Roofing aerator TechnoNIKOL ECO 160x450 mm, dark brown in color, has a smaller wall thickness and is made from a mixture of polymers that ensure resistance to operational loads for 15 years.

Roofing aerator TechnoNIKOL ECO 75x340 mm, black, made from a mixture of polymers and used only for roof repairs.

The plastic of the aerators has additional UV protection, which allows them to be used in all climatic zones Russia.

Application area:

Roofing aerators TechnoNIKOL 160x460 mm and TechnoNIKOL ECO 160x450 mm allow you to effectively remove excess moisture from the roofing pie. Installing aerators prevents the formation of swelling under roofing material, which significantly increases the service life of the roofing covering. Installation of aerators when installing or repairing a combined roof additionally increases the effectiveness of mineral wool thermal insulation by reducing its humidity.

In systems with mechanical fastening of the roofing carpet to the base, it is recommended to install one aerator per 150 m 2 of roof. The most optimal is to place aerators in the roof ridges at a distance of 6-8 meters and at the highest points along the valley (line of funnels).

In roofs laid on cement-sand screeds using Uniflex EPV Vent and Technoelast EKV Vent materials, at least 1 aerator per 100m2 is installed. Aerators are installed evenly over the roof surface. The optimal arrangement is considered when the majority of aerators are installed in watershed areas and the distance between aerators does not exceed 12 m, and the distance to the vapor barrier structure (parapet, expansion joint, walls) does not exceed 6m.

The design of the aerators implies the additional possibility of insulation with expanded clay gravel. This prevents freezing of the roof where the aerator is installed and the formation of excess condensate on its walls.

Roofing aerator TechnoNIKOL ECO 75x340 mm can only be used for roof repairs. The aerodynamic shape and reduced flow area allow it to work only after the roof has sufficiently warmed up. It is installed 1 per 100 m2, regardless of the method of roof installation and only prevents the formation of swellings under the roof. Its design does not imply additional insulation with expanded clay gravel.

Roof aerators are prohibited from being installed in combined roofs above refrigerators and ice arenas.

Manufacturing jobs:

Installation of aerators and requirements for their installation are described in the instructions for use given on the packaging. Can be used in all climatic regions according to SP 131.13330.

Storage:

In a warehouse protected from exposure to precipitation.

Transportation:

Transportation is carried out by all types of transport in covered vehicles in accordance with the Rules for the carriage of goods in force for this type of transport.

Packaging Details:

Roofing aerator TechnoNIKOL 160x460 mm - code EKN 34591, roofing aerator TechnoNIKOL ECO 160x450 mm - code EKN 39091, roofing aerator TechnoNIKOL ECO 75x340 mm - code EKN 5489.

An aerator is a device that ensures free movement of air in the under-roof space. Constant air exchange allows water vapor in the internal air to be removed and prevents it from settling in materials and accumulating.

This helps keep structures intact and eliminates the possibility of mold, mildew, rot and destruction. rafter system or other structures. In addition, aerators preserve the functionality of the roofing itself, protect it from corrosion, (for soft roofs), and deformation.

Some home owners tend to consider aerators as some kind of fashionable element of the roof, arguing that they are installed on new roofs, but they were never installed in old houses. However, this point of view is wrong. It's not the age of the house, but the condition of the attic or under-roof space.

Important! For unheated premises installation of aerators is not necessary, since they themselves are well ventilated and do not have a high content of water vapor in the air. New houses with residential attics (attics) have a different atmospheric composition and need well-organized air exchange.

Operating principle and functions

An aerator is a regular section of pipeline protected from water, dust or wind. By itself, it does not perform any functions, serving only as protection for the ventilation hole in the roof. However, the air flow that arises as a result of its existence performs a lot of tasks:

provides natural ventilation of the cavity or the entire attic space
removes moisture and water vapor, helping to dry materials
ensures the absence of moisture in the insulation layer, significantly reducing its weight and restoring performance

Diagram of the aerator design for an existing roof: 1 – expanded clay; 2 – reinforced concrete floor; 3 – lightweight concrete– deviation; 4 – vapor barrier; 5 – insulation; 6 – screed; 7 – waterproofing; 8 – backfill made of washed gravel; 9 - paving slabs; 10 – protective cap; 11 – aerator body.

The roof covering is the boundary between different temperature zones. On a hot summer day, its surface can be heated to 90°, which causes wet materials to actively evaporate it, resulting in increased vapor pressure. This causes bubbles to appear on the roof surface, deforming the covering sheet and forming small cracks in it. Repeated repetition of the cycle leads to the destruction of the roof and the appearance of leaks.

Installation of aerators allows the resulting steam to be freely removed from the under-roof space and ensures the durability of the roof.

Where does moisture come from?

Moisture can appear both from the outside, penetrating through microscopic cracks or holes in the roofing sheet, and from the inside. The air in residential premises has a high content of water vapor, which is absorbed into, impregnates them and evaporates outside. If , then it is deprived of constant communication with the external atmosphere. Moisture cannot be removed, so it accumulates in all materials where it can settle.

The most dangerous thing is getting the insulation or under-roofing carpet that is laid for (shingles) wet. Wet thermal insulation (usually mineral wool) almost completely loses its working qualities, and the under-roof carpet rots and releases moisture into the wood of the rafter system, forming accumulations under the roofing sheet.

The need to dry the roof covering

Since the roof is impermeable to moisture, steam accumulates in adjacent materials - a layer of insulation, under-roofing carpet or other materials - and begins to gradually destroy them. Damp spots form, mold or mildew appears, and organic matter begins to rot. The situation is complicated by direct sunlight, which heats the canvas from the outside and increases the effect of steam on all adjacent surfaces and materials.

The steam pressure can reach 2-2.5 t/m2, which is an unbearable load for the materials. If you do not organize the release of steam and drying of materials, the process will intensify within a short time and provoke rotting and subsidence of the rafter system. In the most difficult cases, the roof may collapse.

Types of roof ventilation devices

Aerators perform a single task - they decorate and protect from external influences. vent.

At the same time, there are different designs roofing devices that are intended for installation on flat or pitched roofs, are made taking into account the height of the snow cover or the installation location on the roofing sheet.

Installation of aerators can be done both during laying of the coating and on the finished roofing sheet, which increases the maintainability of the entire system. Let's look at the most common and popular types of aerators:

Point aerators

Point aerators are structures that form ventilation holes on the roofing sheet.

The name “point” speaks for itself - they are separate points of entry of air flow into the under-roof space. On large slopes there can be quite a lot of them, it depends on the type of coating and other influencing factors.

There are several types of point aerators:

pocket type, are a raised section of the roof, formed by an outer casing with a protective cover and grille
valve type, which is a ventilation pipe installed vertically on the roofing to rise above the snow layer in winter

The choice of device type is determined by climatic conditions and type of roof. In addition, the angle of inclination of the slopes is taken into account.

Ridge aerators

The ridge aerator is a solid ventilation duct, passing along the upper section of the roof in the longitudinal direction. It is created from individual fragments of 0.5-1.2 m each, from which a channel of the required length is assembled.

Ridge aerators are highly durable - they can last 40-60 years. From the outside, the structure is practically invisible, as it is covered with roofing material. The entry and exit of air flows occurs from the end sides of the channel, located along the gable sections of the roof. The entire side surface of the channel is open and connected to the under-roof space, which ensures abundant and effective ventilation.

For soft roof

It requires aerators more than any other type. It fits tightly onto the carpet, which increases possible contact with wet surface and creates an increased risk of destruction of materials.

The design of aerators differs little from all other types - both point and ridge devices are used. Difference in type support platform- it is flat, often installed under shingles soft tiles to increase the waterproofing effect. If the roof slope is small, high valve structures are used. For steeper slopes, pocket-type installations are suitable.

For metal tiles

Aerators for metal tiles are included in the component (or additional) elements. wavy, therefore, for a sealed installation it is necessary to have a landing pad that exactly follows the relief of this material.

Manufacturers complete all types of metal tiles with both point and ridge elements, which make it possible to organize high-quality and sufficient ventilation of the under-roof space. A special rubber gasket is usually installed between the platform and the canvas, with an additional layer of sealant to ensure complete isolation from moisture.

For corrugated sheets

Like metal tiles, it has a textured surface, which makes it difficult for the sole of the aerator to fit tightly to the canvas. Therefore, ventilation is most often performed by creating an air gap on the eaves line with the possibility of free movement of air to the ridge aerator.

The necessary gaps are provided both by the relief of the material itself and by the counter-lattice supporting the covering sheet. Typically, point elements are used only on individual sections of the roof of a complex configuration that do not have a connection with the general under-roof space.

Calculation

The easiest way to calculate ridge aerators is because you only need to measure the length of the ridge and count the number of segments. Calculation of point aerators is made based on the following conditions:

minimum quantity - one element per 100 m 2
the distance between adjacent aerators should not exceed 12 m

Based on these requirements, the number of ventilation holes is calculated. Additionally, the configuration of the roof, the number and direction relative to each other of the slopes and other elements are taken into account. Sometimes the calculation turns out to be too complicated, then online calculators come to the rescue, allowing you to get the answer in a matter of seconds.

Installation

Installation of aerators is carried out by cutting into the roofing sheet and creating a passage right up to the insulation. The size of the window must correspond to the diameter of the pipe with some tolerance. After installing the pipe, the base is installed, which consists of sealing and fixing it to the roof surface.

Ridge aerators are installed during the process, since they require some change in the composition of the rafter system. The individual segments are laid end to end and connected, after which they are covered with a soft roof. The metal tiles have a special additional element that performs the function of an aerator, the installation of which is much simpler.

Operating the aerators is not difficult and involves only periodic cleaning of dust and small debris that penetrates with wind currents or as part of melt water. Otherwise, aerators do not require any special care and perform their tasks independently.

The roof should always be dry. But we're not talking about her now. outside, but about the multiple internal layers of the roofing pie. At the same time, it must be dry regardless of the materials used for finishing, be it slate, or a soft bitumen coating. Condensation and moisture accumulated in the under-roof space can quickly render the entire roof unusable and significantly reduce its service life. To avoid excess moisture inside the pie, you will have to install aerators for the soft roof. Let's look at what they are and how they are installed.

To understand why it should always be dry under any roof, you first need to figure out where water can come from there and condensation can form. After all, when building a roof, craftsmen always try to make it as airtight as possible, laying various waterproofing and vapor barrier materials, which in theory should provide reliable protection.

The whole point is that Various processes related to human life take place in a residential building. People breathe, cook, take a shower or bath. And during all these processes, the air in the house is saturated with steam - in other words, it becomes humid. Warm air rises and gets under the roof if there is no way for it to escape through the ventilation hole. At the top, microscopic droplets of water settle on various materials– this is how condensation forms. At the same time, air saturated with water vapor easily penetrates even the most inaccessible places through microcracks.

On a note! During the day, a person exhales about 1 liter of liquid into the air in the form of vapor. Adding to this amount all the water that gets into the air during cooking, washing floors or taking a bath, you can get a huge figure - up to 15 liters of water enters the air in the house during the day.

The accumulation of condensation under the roof poses a certain danger to all materials that make up the roofing pie. Wooden elements begin to become saturated with water, which causes rotting processes to occur. This environment is also favorable for the development of fungus and harmful microorganisms that are dangerous to the health of people living in the house.

Metal elements (for example, fasteners) inside the roofing pie due to higher level humidity begin to corrode and gradually collapse. If water in the under-roof space, accumulated during the summer, freezes in winter, it can easily damage some structural parts (even concrete floors), since, expanding, it will put pressure on the materials. Due to severe damage, the roof may even have to be completely dismantled and rebuilt.

Also, exposure to moisture is detrimental to insulating materials. If they get wet, their thermal conductivity will increase significantly. This means that such a roof will no longer be able to retain heat well. In some cases, the insulation will need to be completely changed, because it will no longer be possible to fully dry it.

Moisture can reach the structural elements of the roof and the outside. During heavy rains or melting snow, water can still find a hole and get under the roof or into the roofing pie, even if its outer surface is well sealed. This option of additional “humidification” should not be excluded.

On a note! From the point of view of vulnerability, any soft roof suffers the most from excess moisture under the roof.

Prices for various types and manufacturers of flexible tiles

Flexible tiles

Soft roof and water

As for the soft roof, moisture actively accumulates under it in the insulating layer. At a minimum, this could cause the roof to bubble, especially if we're talking about about a soft bitumen covering laid on a flat concrete roof. In this case, bubbles may occur here's why: in summer the roof can easily heat up to 90 degrees or more. Included soft materials bitumen is always present, which is a thermoplastic substance - it reacts sharply to changes temperature regime(may become brittle in cold weather or soft and flexible in hot weather). When the material is heated above 50 degrees, the plasticity increases, and the quality of adhesion of the coating to the base depends, for the most part, not on adhesion at all, but on the viscosity of the components included in the material or the mastic to which the coating was glued.

Defect of ordinary roofing - formation of swellings of the roofing carpet

Between the vapor barrier and waterproofing in the roof pie there is a closed, sealed space. As the temperature rises, the pressure in this area increases to 2-2.5 t/m2. The waterproofing lifts up, lifting the roof covering, and thus bulges form.

To get rid of all the above problems, It is necessary to install an aerator during roof installation. It will ensure the removal of air to the outside, and with it moisture. The device will allow you to dry the heat and waterproofing layers and prevent the accumulation of condensation.

What is an aerator and how does it work?

A roof aerator is a design that serves to remove moisture from under the roof, including that which has formed in the roofing pie itself, and not just in the house. This element can be installed on the most different roofs, having all kinds of slope angles and covered different materials. An aerator on a soft roof will prevent premature destruction of the entire roof structure due to exposure to moisture.

Inside the installed aerator, draft is created due to the formation of an area low pressure due to external wind flows and pressure differences in the space under the roof and the street. The main functions of this design are as follows:

removal of water vapor from the house to the outside;
reducing the pressure between layers inside the roof (reducing the risk of bubbles on flat roofs);
reducing the risk of condensation forming on waterproofing materials.

Externally, the aerator is a pipe with a cross-section of 63-110 mm, with an umbrella on top that protects the structure from rain and snow getting inside. It can also be presented in the form of a ridge strip with bars on the sides. The first aerator is installed on the roof slope, and the second variation is installed along the roof ridge.

On a note! The aerator can be installed during construction or on a finished roof.

Types of aerators

Aerators may differ from each other in materials of manufacture and design features. Most often used plastic products, however, there are also metal ones (made of steel) on sale, which are usually mounted on metal tile roofs. In fact, all aerators are resistant to sunlight, rust, temperature changes.

Table. Types of aerators depending on design features.

Type	Description
	This type of aerator looks like a small or low pipe flat design with grate. This is the most commonly used option. This design operates in a separate area and is usually installed where there are problems with natural ventilation(on long slopes, complex roofs, in the area of attic windows, valleys, etc.). Such aerators come in pitched and ridge types. In the first case, they are installed on the slopes, in the second - along the ridge. For soft tiles, a ridge version is usually purchased - it can provide ventilation of about 20 square meters. roofs. Pitched aerators are usually mounted at a small distance from the ridge - about 15 cm.
	Such aerators are located along the entire length of the roof and provide maximum ventilation of the entire roofing pie, as well as the attic. The continuous form includes ridge species, as well as ventilation strips. The latter are mounted with inserts into the waterproofing layer. At the same time, they do not let water through at all.
	This is a kind of ventilation option. It can be a hood or a pipe with electrically driven. The model is selected depending on the angle of inclination of the slope.

On a note! The aerator market is now quite extensive and makes it possible to choose this structural element of such a shape that it can look organically on a roof of a certain type or style.

Prices for different types of ridge aerators

Ridge aerator

How to install?

The installation of aerators can be done both during the installation of the roof and after the work is completed. In general, this structural element is not difficult to install if you know how to do it. The instructions will help you understand the installation steps ( installation of a point aerator in a finished roof).

Step 1. On a surface bitumen shingles a template cut to the size of the section of the lower part of the aerator is fixed using self-tapping screws. You can circle it with a marker or further actions produce directly along its contour.

Step 2. A hole is cut in the roof using a jigsaw according to the shape of the template. During cutting, it is important not to damage the waterproofing and insulating layers.

Step 3. If the template was screwed, then after cutting a hole in the roof it is unscrewed and removed.

Step 4. The cut out pieces of roofing and sheathing are removed.

Step 5. Using a vacuum cleaner, particles of debris and sawdust are removed from the roof surface and from the resulting hole.

Step 6. Rubber-based glue is applied around the perimeter of the aerator base.

Step 7 The aerator is turned over and glued around the perimeter of the hole cut in the roof.

Step 8 The base of the aerator is additionally fixed to the roof surface with self-tapping screws. For ease of work, the top cover of the aerator can be removed.

Step 9 After the aerator has been securely fixed to the roof surface, the top cover is returned to its place and screwed.

Prices for popular models of screwdrivers

Screwdrivers

Attention! If several aerators are installed on the roof, then it is important to ensure that the gap between them does not exceed 12 m. In general, per 100 m2 flat roof 1 aerator is used. On a roof that has ridges and valleys, aerators are mounted near the ridge.

Video - Installation of an aerator on a soft roof

Installation of a ridge tape aerator

Let's also look at an example of how it happens installation of a ridge aerator.

Step 1. The roof base is prepared for the installation of a ridge aerator. An opening 5 cm wide is made along the ridge, 2.5 cm on each side. On each side of the skate, 20 cm is measured along it. This minimum distance which should not be cut.

Another photo of the process - 20 cm is measured

Opening width - 2.5 cm on each side

Step 2. For roofs with central beams, a 9 cm wide slot is made, 4.5 cm on each side of the ridge.

Step 3. The ridge is ready for ventilation installation when the remaining tiles and beams, as well as all debris, have been removed from the surface.

Step 4. The ridge aerator is quite flexible and is sold in reels. It is rolled out along the entire length of the skate from edge to edge, including places without slots.

Step 5. The edge of the ventilation tape is fixed with nails, two from each slope.

Step 6. The fixed tape is well stretched and fixed at the other edge of the ridge. If the roof is long, then you can fix the tape in stages.

Step 7 Excess aerator tape is cut off.

Step 8 End caps are installed. Mastic is applied to them on both sides. They should cover both edges of the moisture-proof membrane between the end cap and the bottom vent.

Step 9 The tape and edge cap are nailed to the base of the roof as shown in the image. At least two nails must go through the tape and the cap.

Step 10 A layer of mastic is applied between roofing covering and ventilation tape.

Step 11 The part of the tape that has not yet been fixed is nailed to the wooden base of the roof. Nails must penetrate to a depth of at least 1.5 cm.

Step 12 To cover such ventilated ridges, you will need pieces of bitumen shingles; 3 tile elements are stacked together on top of each other.

Attention! If work is carried out in the cool season, the tiles must be preheated.

Step 13 The roof tiles are laid on the ridge starting from the windiest side. The first three-layer element is nailed to the roof through the aerator. An indent of 2.5 cm is made from the edge of the tile - a nail is driven into this point.

Step 14 The second three-layer tile element in a row is laid so as to cover the nails on the previous element.

Step 15 The entire ridge is designed in the same way.

Video - Installation of a ridge aerator

Roof aerator installed on the roof will provide the house and the roof itself with good ventilation. It will not allow condensation to accumulate and will not allow water to destroy structural elements roofs. Installing the aerator is not difficult; anyone who has carefully studied the instructions given above can handle the task.

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