Roof Insulation Dedicated Thread (Old School Methods, New Treatments, Coatings,Paint, Advice Experiences)

[xzap042]

Do you have concrete or plastic tank? In our old home we had concrete tank. It was completely un-insulated but we never had hot water issues. In our new home we have a plastic water tank. It's has a metal shell outside the body of tank and inside is filled with fiberglass. It's exposed to sun on all sides as it's on top of mumty but we never have hot water problem. It's cold same as underground tank.
Using insulation sheets with extra wall was excessive and unnecessary in my opinion.

[anc]

Where did you buy these sheets from?

[krafiq]

So pws my neighbors house has a peculiarly designed overhead tank. There is some engineering involved and the space below the tank is empty, allowing for air to pass. He swears that because of this he gets cool water in pipes during summers. Have a look.

[xzap042]

What's the max temp in your area? That is some mighty overkill for a water tank

[krafiq]

Dude anything for cool water in hot summer afternoons...

[mehran]

I think that's standard practice in Rawalpindi area. Air gap under the water tank. This reduces chances of seepage from the water tank into the roof. My parents house has the same water tank arrangement and it was constructed in 1989.

[xzap042]

Still 9-12 inches of gap is sufficient. That looks like a whole one floor height.

[centos]

I wouldn't go for that. One thing you must not do is leave any air gaps. That is why I used 2 layers of 1 inch sheets overlapping in such a way that the gaps on the bottom sheet are covered by the top sheet. This helps achieve maximum efficiency.

[mehran]

Yes, I agree. It's quite raised . I think the owner probably had planned another floor so kept the water tank one floor above the roof to ensure sufficient water head for the first floor.

[centos]

After the insulating layer has been laid, it is covered by earth (mitti) and then covered by tiles. By tiles do you mean ceramic, porcelain or some other tiles? How are the tiles held in place? If a person was to walk over the tiles would the thermapore sheets be compressed and damaged? As the roof is sometimes accessed for a few odd jobs. Just a few queries from my side. Thanks

Another question. If the sheets get compressed due to load of mitti+cement+tiles+ foot traffic. Does it have any effect on the R value of thermopore sheets overtime?

Regular thin brick tiles that are used on the roofs, I think it's called 1.5 inch tile.

These sheets are tough and don't get damaged by just putting weight on them. We're walking on them the whole time during and after installation.

Where did you buy these sheets from?

https://thermopore.com/insulation/thermopore-blue/

[mehran]

Thank you. Interesting aspect towards the roof insulation problem.

[krafiq]

Are you using UPVC pipes for water connection?

[xzap042]

Yes, the section of pipe which is exposed to sun all day is insulated with foam and tape, the same which is used for AC pipes.

[krafiq]

Please post a picture.

[krafiq]

Kindly share picture of insulated pipes

[xzap042]

You can see in below images. The insulation has been painted over so it's white now. The green tint in image is due to green sheet, our exposed wall is completely covered with it.

[malik.com1]

Yes agree. I have seen tanks raised ten feet so that the water pressure is fantastic and water pipes are not easily blocked by debris or limescale

[mrdeejay]

Anyone had roof painted with reflective white paint? Did it reduce temperature on 1st floor?

[krafiq]

I have and given details in post no 279.
It's second season now, it's not that effective I feel in second year.

[mrdeejay]

Did you use regular paint or a product specifically for heat proofing e.g. https://www.daraz.pk/products/20-diy-i170616660-s1340710201.html It's called "White Elastomeric Roof coating" and is designed to reflect sun-rays and also last longer on the roof.

How much temp drop on 1st floor did you experience?