Better shelter in a storm

WITH THE annual monsoon imminent (or maybe it’s already here), homeowners can expect to encounter bothersome problems as their houses withstand the heavy rain and high winds. The three most troublesome issues are leaky roofs, missing roof tiles and rain splashing from the roof and damaging what sits below.
Suppawitt Uttayavat of building-materials firm SCG says a company survey confirmed that the roof is the part of the house that experiences the most problems during the rainy. It’s the “first line of defence” against severe weather, after all.
Suppawitt suggested solutions for the three top roof problems.

LEAKY ROOF
Leaks mainly develop along the sloping areas and at the joints on each side and along the ridge. The usual cause is that substandard material or equipment was used in the roof installation, or the installation itself was mishandled. 
Architects sometimes choose materials to match the building’s design and prevent leaks. Other possible factors behind leakage can be deterioration of the “angle ridge”, cracked tiles and an incorrect angle in the tiling are.

The importance of the angle ridge cannot be overlooked, since it helps ensure structural safety, as well as preventing leakage. 
One proven solution is Drytech System Premium, which features an innovative method for stepping installation. Homeowners should hire skilled roofers to prevent leaks from ever occurring in the first place. Leakage can damage the interiors of homes and escalate repair expenses.

 MISSING TILES

Wind speeds measured at 93 meteorological stations indicate it can hit 118 kilometres an hour during thunderstorms, damaging buildings and particularly roofs. If the roof structure is unstable, it can be blown away entirely, leading to damage to the rest of the house and posing serious danger to the occupants and their neighbours.

SCG’s Roof Fixing Solution set has everything you need to repair a problematic installation.

Roofers in the past used steel wire to fix roof tiles in place and sometimes set the tiles in alternating rows. SCG has a Roof Fixing Solution, a set containing purlin beams, tile screws, tile hooks and eaves-fixing clips. 
All tile rows should be fixed in such a way that the strength of the whole roof is assured, so the recommendation is that homeowners should choose high-quality fixing equipment suitable to the size of the purlins.

RAIN-SPLASH DAMAGE
Rainwater splashing and dripping from the roof can damage the surrounding landscape. In a heavy downpour the water flows through the seam of doors or windows and pounds into the ground below the roof, creating holes and damaging the lawn. Walking paths on the ground become slippery and perilous. Soil splashed up is tossed around, perhaps even reaching a neighbour’s house.

This “rain chain” carrying water from the gutter to the ground is a novel replacement for a conventional downspout.

Awnings installed above the door and windows should deal with this problem, acting as shields against the splashing. They can be quite decorative too, designed or chosen to match the house style. 
However, a more effective solution is installing rain gutters that channel the water from the roof to a drain or standing receptacle. These days there are gutters of varying sizes and strengths made with durable, rust-resistant materials that complement the look of the house. 
Using a “rain chain” to channel water away from the gutter to a prepared outlet on the ground is a novel way of decorating the house, replacing the conventional downspout. The water can be stored in a container or directed to potted plants, a gravel lawn or a pond.

No home should be without rain gutters to channel the water from the roof.

When rainy-season problems like these aren’t tackles at their roots, indefinite, repeated repairs might be needed. Prevention and the proper solutions will bring relief and diminish maintenance costs. 
Homeowners can adopt the above guidelines to strengthen the roof and make it ready for all weather conditions. When problems arise, they should consult an expert – free advice is available at SCG Experience and SCG Home Solutions. Find out more at www.SCGBuildingMaterials.com.