Once the waterproofing test for the roofs has been completed—by submerging them in water for at least 48 hours— and after confirming the integrity of the waterproofing, the water is drained. It is recommended to return this water to the tank for use in sprinkling and other purposes. It is advisable to request a waterproofing test certificate from the entity responsible for the project’s waterproofing and thermal insulation work. Afterward, the plumber installs the water collection system («the network») on the roof and runs the water supply pipes, as well as the central heating pipes if present. The plumber must be instructed to take care not to damage or cut the insulation rolls, If this occurs, the waterproofing contractor must be notified so that the issue can be repaired later. It is recommended to place the water tank «network» inside the roof overhangs, as this protects it from sunlight and heat. and ensures moderate water usage, especially in the summer, as the water tank contains a significant amount of water; if left exposed to the sun, this water becomes very hot, particularly in the summer, and the opposite occurs in the winter. It is recommended to install the waterproofing membrane («rolls») on the roof walls using an aluminum strip secured with screws. This strip ensures the waterproofing is perfectly secured to the wall, as any loosening here would allow water to pass through and leak into the building. After the plumber has completed all the plumbing work, it is essential to test the system and ensure there are no leaks, God forbid. Some water pipe manufacturers offer free testing to their customers, providing a report confirming the integrity of the work. If any defects are found, the plumber is directed to repair them and retest the system. After that, the waterproofing and thermal insulation contractor begins their work, sealing rainwater drainage openings and inspecting the pipe locations and connections to ensure there is no damage to the insulation. If any damage is found, it is repaired immediately. The test is then conducted again by filling the surfaces with water for 48 hours, as the process of laying water pipes may cause some damage to the insulation, which can only be detected through this test—a critical step. Once the second test is complete, the water is drained, and the insulation contractor begins installing the thermal insulation according to the project’s approved specifications. Once the thermal and waterproofing work is complete, it is recommended to lay a layer of fiber fabric, which in turn preserves the tile’s warmth and helps protect the insulation. In the unlikely event of water leakage through the tiles, this layer allows the water to pass through toward the rainwater drains rather than retaining it. This concludes the waterproofing and thermal insulation work for roofs. In the next episode, God willing, we will discuss tiling for exterior roofs where waterproofing and thermal insulation have been installed.

Readers" Questions

When are the wooden door frames installed—before or after the plastering?

Wooden door frames are installed after the floor tiling is complete, and after the plastering of ceilings and walls is finished. It is absolutely not recommended to install wooden door frames before plastering, as this exposes them to water and moisture, which are among the most significant factors affecting wood, since wood undergoes a drying process before use. Additionally, installing the door frames before the floor tiles are laid causes the wood »molding” in contact with the subfloor, allowing moisture from the subfloor to reach the wood and negatively affect it. Furthermore, this creates a pathway for termites to access the wood, which significantly damages it and causes deterioration.