How metal roofing prevent condensation

Condensation protection worries many people before installing metal roofing

Have you noticed any of the following in your building; your bathroom vent is dripping, leaks getting worse as the temperature in the building drops, water stains on your ceiling and after re-shingling your roof, you discover a leak in the roof shortly? Then, you probably have a roof condensation problem to deal with. Metal roofing condensation is otherwise known as metal roof sweating results from excess humidity condensing beneath the roof. Condensation is perhaps the major problem of overtime with metal roofing. Ironically, metal roofing condensation results largely from an improved standard of living, draught-proofing, and double glazing. These building improvements have their benefits of better heat retention but they can sometimes result in buildings suffering from trapped moisture and air ventilation.

What damage can condensation cause?

In the absence of proper ventilation, condensation can result in unhealthy living conditions with peeling decorations, black mold growth, unpleasant musty damp smells occurring within the property, and damage of fabrics. In severe cases, condensation can cause permanent damage to timber and plaster.

How condensation can form under a metal roof

Two things that should be noted in the condensation process which are counterintuitive are: Warm air is lighter than cold air and warm air holds more moisture than cold air. Condensation takes place at night when the temperature inside a building is warmer than the temperature outside the building. The warm-wet air rises to the roof and cools. As it cools, the roof cannot hold much moisture so the excess moisture form drops of condensation.

Condensation protection methods

Ventilation installation

The key to allowing condensation to evaporate is to create space for airflow out of the roof. Creating ventilation holes in the gable walls and around the roof at the eaves level allows moisture-rich air to escape out of the roof. These air vents in the roof elevations are effective ways to minimize metal roof condensation.

Quality roof drainage system

A good roof drainage system is also another brilliant option to tackle the problem of metal roof condensation. This may cost a little extra, but it will be worth it in the long run. It collects and discharges the flows that would have built up to form drips effectively. It may sometimes disfigure the roof if it is not constructed by professionals.

Roof pitch

Generally, the deeper the corrugations of a metal roof and the lower the pitch, the worse the problem of metal roof condensation. If the pitch of a building is low, 6 degrees or less, condensation is unable to run down the slope of the roof but accumulates until a drip is formed which drops on your stored properties below. Corrugation in the roof causes condensation to build flows downwards from the steep edge of the corrugation to the bottom. Therefore, if the roof pitch is shallow, the flow forms a drip.  A steep pitch allows air to flow up to the ridge and escape from the roof thereby, dispersing the humidity. Moisture-rich air drains down the eaves and out of the roof when the roof pitch is steep.

Prevent condensation before it occurs

Keep moisture from getting in

This factor focuses primarily on the site preparation for the building. A smart architect or builder will help you to situate your building in a good location and also provide the best features to prevent moisture from gaining entrance into the building.

Allow wet air to flow out through natural ventilation

Natural ventilation utilizes temperature and local wind differences between the exterior and the interior of the building. This is based on the effectiveness of the design of the builders and architects. A well-designed ventilation system takes into account all the sources of moisture in the roof; both climatic conditions throughout the year, local wind, air control, exchange, and flexibility. It requires a proper calculation of the ridge and eave venting.

Insulating the roof

There are times when weather conditions and moisture can overwhelm the roofing system. When this occurs, there are generally two methods that can be used to optimize the system. You don’t have to wait until there is a problem before setting up preventive and control measures: add a preinstalled membrane to absorb condensation and release it as it forms with the weather cycle.