- An insulated roof system helps prevent the entry of moisture into the roof system, either from inside or outside. The insulation of the roof deck system results in a constant deck temperature throughout the year. The constant temperature helps avoid problems relating to expansion and contraction of the roof as temperatures change. There could also be a double-drain arrangement that consists of a lower drain and an upper drain. This reduces the chances of leakage due to bad workmanship.
- The roof drain system helps drain surface water from the roof. This piping collects the rainwater from roofs and routes it to a point where it connects with the general below-ground drainage system. Before installing such drain piping, the engineers should make sure that the roof drain is compatible with the piping materials. The drain piping is generally made of cast iron and there are specifications relating to these pipes from standards organizations such as the American National Standards Institute.
- The requirements for installation of drain piping insulation vary by roof type. For instance, in the case of a flat roof, the roof drain has to have an adjustable drainage collar. This collar should be capable of being raised or lowered to meet the required height for insulation. The bottom section of these flat roofs serve as a roof drain during construction, before the insulation is put in. Canopy roofs also require adjustable drainage collars.
- To make sure that the roof drain system is ready before the insulation is put in, there are ways of testing it. A water test involves closing all the openings in the pipe, except its highest opening. The system is then filled with water until it is at the point of overflowing. You could also test the system in parts. There are also other tests, such as an air test that tests for air leakage and a smoke test.
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