GB2121082A - Roof weatherproofing element - Google Patents

Abstract

A construction element for weatherproof joining of adjacent roof sections comprises a rigid base, preferably of reinforced fibre glass, which is in use attached to roof battens 12. Centrally of the base is a keyed band 3 for receiving mortar to bed adjacent tiles or slates 10, 13. On each side of the band (3) is a channel defined by two longitudinal ridges 5, 6. The ridges (5, 6) prevent any water leaking between adjacent tiles or slates from entering the roofspaces and direct such water downwardly to the roof guttering. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Construction element This invention relates to the weatherproof joining of adjacent building roof sections.

Providing a weatherproof join between adjacent slated or tiled roof sections, for example when renewing a roof section of a terraced or semi-detached house, is very important. Relatively quick and cheap methods of joining such roof sections are known. For example, a mortar fillet or a tile slip bedded in mortar can be used. However, such methods are not long-lasting; the mortar can crack and permit water to penetrate into the roof causing dampness in the party wall. Other ways of joining such sections are to bed hip or ridge tiles along the intersection or to bed new tiles on existing slates at the intersection. If, however, there is differential movement between the adjacent properties, cracks can occur between the bedded tiles to allow water penetration.Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to obta.in a good bonding of cement mortar on old tiles or slates due to the presence of atmospheric dirts on the surface of the old tiles and slates. As a result, the mortar bond commonly fails and rainwater can, by capillary action, seep through.

One way of overcoming the problem of water leakage is to use lead flashing at the intersection.

This method, however, requires the attachment of several wood sections on top of one another extending longitudinally along the intersection.

Firstly, a treated softwood batten is attached to the roof battens. Attached to the softwood batten is a packing batten or spacer and secured to the spacer is wood core roll. The lead soakers are then attached to the roll to extend to one side thereof, the soakers being inserted between adjacent tiles or slates of the existing roof. A pre-fabricated flashing piece is secured next. The flashing piece has a rounded section which fits over and is nailed to the wood core roll and a generally flat section which lies over the newly tiled roof section.

It will be appreciated that the use of the lead flashing construction is expensive, both in terms of materials and time.

The present invention aims to enable weatherproof joining of adjacent roof sections to be achieved relatively simply and cheaply.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a construction element for use in the weatherproof joining of adjacent roof sections, said element comprising an elongate base, a keyed band extending longitudinally of the base for receiving mortar or the iike for the bedding of laterally adjacent roof tiles or slates, and an elongate ridge or protuberance located on each side of the key to provide the wall of a channel to contain between said ridges any water leaking between said adjacent roof tiles.

Preferably, a pair of such ridges are provided on each side of the keyed band, the pairs of ridges forming respective channels for leaking water.

The keyed band preferably comprises sand or other abrasive material adhered to the base by any suitable means and extends centrally of the element.

Preferably, the element is a unitary moulding of reinforced fibre glass or plastics material, providing a substantially rigid structure.

In use the construction element is attached to the roofing battens at the intersection of adjacent roof sections and adjacent tiles or slates are bedded on to cement mortar placed on the key.

Should there be any water leakage through the mortar or past the tiles or slates, the water is directed by the channels longitudinally of the element into the guttering.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of joining adjacent roof sections comprising the steps of attaching an element according to the invention to a roof at the intersection of the roof sections and bedding adjacent tiles or slates on to the keyed band.

A construction element in accordance with the invention for use in joining adjacent roof sections will now be described, by way of example, with references to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the element, Figure 2 is a transverse section of the element, and Figure 3 is a cut-away perspective view illustrating the use of the element in joining adjacent roof sections.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the construction element 1 comprises a base 2 of a substantially rigid material. The material may, for example, be plastics or reinforced fibre glass.

Centrally of the base 2 and extending longitudinally is a keyed band 3. As shown the band 3 comprises sand or other suitable material adhered to the upper surface 4 of the base 2 by any suitable adhesive. The keyed band 3 may, however, be formed in other ways, for example by roughening the upper surface 4 of the base.

On each side of the band 3 are two upstanding projections or ridges 5, 6 which extend longitudinally of the base 2 and are spaced apart laterally of the base 2. Between the inner projections 5 there is a channel 7 and between each pair of projections 5, 6, there is a channel 8.

The projections 5, 6 also serve to provide longitudinal rigidity to the element 1.

Figure 3 shows the use of the construction element in the weatherproof joining of an existing slated roof section 9 and a new tiled roof section 10 at an intersection above a party wall 1 The element is secured by nails or screws to the transverse tiling battens 1 2 with the keyed band 3 in such a position that it will be overlaid by the edges of both the end slates 1 3 and the end tiles 1 4 of the roofs 9, 10 respectively. As the new roof is laid, the new end slates 13 and the end tiles 14 are embedded in mortar 1 5 placed on the keyed band 3.

Should there be any water leakage between the slates 13 and the tiles 14, due to cracking of the mortar or for any other reason, the leaked water is directed by channels 7, 8 downwardly into the guttering (not shown). Thus, the water does not leak into the properties.

It will be appreciated that the element may take other configurations while performing a similar function. For example, there may be only one ridge or projection on each side of the keyed band 3.

Furthermore, several elements 1 may be laid end to end to provide any required length.

The keyed band 3 may comprise two or more longitudinal keyed strips (not shown) which are spaced apart laterally with gaps between the strips.

Many other patterns of keying could be used for the band 3, but the simplest is the single band 3 described above and illustrated in the drawings.

Although described above for use with cement mortar, other forms of adhesive, for example, a plastics mortar substitute, could be used.

The above-described element has the advantage that it permits relatively simple and cheap weatherproof joining of roof sections 9, 10.

The rigid element also serves to support the tiles and slates which are bedded on it.

Claims (8)

1. A construction element for use in weatherproof joining of adjacent roof sections, said element comprising an elongate base, a keyed band extending longitudinally of the base for receiving mortar for the bedding of laterally adjacent roof tiles or slates, and an elongate ridge of protuberance located on each side of the key to provide the wall of a channel to contain between said ridges any water leaking between said adjacent roof tiles.

2. A construction element according to claim 1, wherein two such ridges are provided on each side of the key, each pair of ridges forming a channel for leaking water.

3. A construction element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the keyed band comprises abrasive material adhered to the base.

4. A construction element according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the keyed band extends centrally of the element.

5. A construction element according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base is a unitary moulding of reinforced fibre glass.

6. A constructional element constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A method of joining adjacent roof sections, comprising the steps of attaching an element according to any of claims 1 to 6 to a roof at the intersection of the roof sections and bedding adjacent tiles or slates onto the keyed band.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the construction element is attached to the roofing battens at the intersection.