Problems Associated With Flat Roofs and Roofs Terraces

You will often inherit a flat roof and roof terraces when purchasing a property, as they are a common design feature here in Spain.

Upper terraces are often structurally sound, it is unusual for them to be built as an afterthought. Although I have come across instances where this is the case, where they are separating from the main building. However, flat roof and terraces can still be a cause for concern and costly to put the faults right.

The main problem associated with flat roofs and terraces is water ingress. The main structure of Spanish properties is reinforced concrete. The builder will often skip the very important phase of preparation, which involves sealing the concrete from water penetration, simply laying the tiles onto the concrete.

In the Summer, Damp Issues are Often Undetectable

Damp walls and water ingress is a very common problem with Spanish properties. The majority of properties are purchased during the rain free summer months, and so the potential new owner is often unaware of the problem.

Very few houses in Andalusia are built using a damp course during the construction process, the reason for this is that the Town Halls did not in the past enforce strict planning regulations and the Architects seldom visited the building sites to insist on the correct procedures. Sadly, seldom will you find any property over 10 years old having a damp course.

The lack of a damp course will result in rising damp through the concrete base and up the walls. This is often masked and disguised by walls being covered with ceramic tiles or stone cladding on the exterior and interior ceramic tiles, and the building painted on an annual basis in the spring months when the walls have dried out. The unsuspecting buyer therefore is oblivious to the defects until the following autumn when the rains resume. Several other factors will determine how prone to damp the house is

Property Issues: Flat Roofs and Roof Terraces

Problems Associated With Flat Roofs and Roofs Terraces

Property Issues: Damp in Houses

In the Summer, Damp Issues are Often Undetectable

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