Are you looking to install a bituminous felt roof system? Whether the job’s on a house or an outbuilding, using self-adhesive or a torch-on application – here are some vital best practice tips that will keep both you and your customer happy.
You should choose the correct roofing material based on the type of substrate required and your proposed attachment method (e.g. self-adhesive, nail, torch).
Other properties to consider are fire resistance, aesthetics, solar reflectivity, roof access and traffic, along with any special requirements for chemical resistance. Make sure to choose a material that fits your needs in these areas.
Similarly, always remember to store your chosen material correctly. Your felt system should be kept under cover and placed vertically on clean, dry, level surfaces, raised off the ground – inside and outside. If materials become wet during storage, they should be dried fully before installation.
Reinforced bitumen roofing membranes should not be laid in frost, rain, snow, high winds or in extreme temperatures. So, plan your installation accordingly.
Similarly, once installation begins, successive roof layers should be laid with minimal delay to avoid trapping water during construction. Importantly, at the end of each day (or earlier if the weather turns for the worst) a ‘night joint’ must be formed to seal off the completed (or part-completed) areas to prevent water ingress.
Before laying your felt system, you must ensure the deck is sufficiently prepared first. Your deck should be dry, even, free of dust, debris, laitance, grease, projecting nail heads, mortar snots, holes or sharp edges.
Before installing the air and vapour control layer, supporting decks should be primed with a suitable primer and allowed to dry, except when bonding to either plywood or OSB boards.
Wind is one of the biggest enemies of felt roofs. Therefore, the roofing membranes should be securely attached to the substrate and to each subsequent layer to resist wind uplift forces. The edges of the roof should also be closed off to prevent air from entering the underside of the waterproofing.
A strip of robust bitumen membrane roofing should be dressed over and sealed onto new and old sections along the full working edge to ensure a watertight seal.
Last but not least, ensure all the equipment you plan to use is selected to suit the method of application and is purpose-made for professional use. To prevent accidents, especially with torch application, ensure safety equipment is accessible on site and used correctly, including fire extinguishers, protective clothing (e.g. gloves, footwear and hard hats) and first aid equipment.
Following these five simple tips, along with any specific product application instructions, should help you to successfully install your felt roof system and leave your customer satisfied for years to come.
For more detailed guidance on fitting a Chesterfelt bituminous roofing system, download our brochure here.
