Klober urges industry to follow four top tips to help prevent mould damage in the roof space
With mould and damp a continuing issue across homes in the UK, Klober has listed four key tips that roofers can follow to tackle this health hazard in the roof space and help homeowners avoid costly repairs.
Mould and damp have been recurring headlines in recent months. While the focus has been on the occupiable areas of the home, Klober is reminding the industry not to forget the roof space, where mould could be growing ‘unseen’. By neglecting the roof space, it could lead to significant costs to remedy long term damage, as mould and damp can spread from the roof into other areas of the home.
The first tip is roofers need to check if ventilation pathways remain clear. Nick King, Portfolio Manager at Klober, said: “If, for example, loft insulation has been retrofitted, the ventilation pathways into the roof space can easily get obstructed and block up the eaves ventilation. If this does happen, installing roof tile vents may well be the best solution for facilitating the necessary airflow.”
Secondly, for roofers working on new homes or complete re-roofing projects, Nick also suggests roofers consider using air and vapour permeable membranes. “Air and vapour permeable membranes, like Klober’s Permo Air 160, can help moisture to escape during the drying out period of the roofing project, and even negate the need for additional ventilation in some instances. These products help prevent condensation from building up over time in an area that people don’t typically check on a regular basis.”
Thirdly, if using roof tile vents to provide high level ventilation into the loft space, they need to be spaced out accordingly. “The type of roof tile vent that roofers choose to use will affect how they should be spaced out. For example, Klober’s InLine range of roof tile vents should be spaced out every two metres on the roof to provide the necessary airflow into the loft,” said Nick.
Lastly, Klober encourages all roofers to check for failed flashings when working on existing roofs. “One of the most common causes of damp is failed flashings. Failed flashings can lead to water ingress and this can lead to structural damage, as well as mould growth,” said Nick. “If the flashing has failed then lead-free flashing alternatives, such as Wakaflex, can be considered to provide a flexible yet dependable fix. The combination of flexibility and strength are particularly valuable properties for more complex areas.”
Nick continued: “The roof space is one of the most important areas of the home where ventilation is needed. If roofers need advice and guidance on products they can use to provide ventilation into the loft space, we’re here to help.”
For more about Klober visit www.klober.co.uk.
