FEATURES
This is a
“ connector
that has
to last for more than
30 years. It has to be
weatherproof, heavy
rain, snow, slush, salt,
water leaking – it’s
like connector hell.”
– Elon Musk.
Elon Musk’s innovative solar roof tiles.
An example of concrete roof tiles in
Kleinmond, Western Cape.
Tesla’s textured glass solar roof tiles come in four varieties of photovoltaic shingles.
From page 22
intensive and has low maintenance
requirements. The roof pitch enhances
interior thermal comfort by encouraging
the convectional flow of hot and cold air
caused by natural ventilation.
“Whether specifying in situ or precast
concrete for roofs, the material presents
the means to create shelter that is at the
same time both impressive and sustainable
by harnessing concrete’s natural qualities
of sculptural flexibility, durability,
affordability and thermal mass in
conjunction with best practices and quality
construction techniques,” he adds.
Waterproofing tiled roofs
To protect the longevity of roof tiles, local
manufacturers are turning towards
24
JULY 2018
RESIDENTIAL // COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
producing safeguarding products. One of
South Africa’s foremost authorities on
waterproofing, Gordon Anderson, who
consults to a.b.e. Construction Chemicals,
highlights the importance of maintaining
roof tiles through waterproofing.
a.b.e, part of the Chryso Southern Africa
Group, has been manufacturing products
synonymous with waterproofing in South
Africa for almost 80 years. Anderson’s
reputation in waterproofing is equally
impressive – he is a former managing
director of Gundle Coatings, a board
member of the Derbigum Group and boasts
decades of experience in waterproofing
under his belt.
Drawn from his extensive experience,
Anderson says during heavy rainfall
seasons, certain measurements should be
put in place to maintain roof tiles. “All
gutters should be cleared of debris and
downpipes checked to see if they are
running freely. A visual inspection of the
tiles would show any cracked or broken
tiles, which should be replaced. Roof
valleys should be checked and cleaned to
ensure free flow of rainwater.
He continues, “The ridge tiles should be
inspected for displacement or cracking. Tile
cracks can be treated with rubberised
liquid bitumen emulsion, which must be
used in conjunction with a membrane
which can be used to waterproof flashings,
parapet walls, roofing joints, laps and roof
screws on corrugated roofs. As most tiled
roofs have parapet walls, the crowns of
these walls should be examined for cracks
in the plaster. Deterioration of the wall
will be speedy if the correct actions are
not taken.”