Designation: D 1079 – 05a

Standard Terminology Relating to

Roofing and Waterproofing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1079; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Referenced Documents alligatoring—the cracking of the surfacing bitumen on a

1.1 ASTM Standards: 2 built-up roof, producing a pattern of cracks similar to an
C 33 Specification for Concrete Aggregates alligator’s hide; the cracks may not extend through the
C 591 Specification for Unfaced Preformed Rigid Cellular surfacing bitumen.
Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation anionic emulsion—an emulsion in which the emulsifying
C 1289 Specification for Faced Rigid Cellular Polyisocya- system establishes a predominance of negative charges on
nurate Thermal Insulation Board the discontinuous phase.
D 312 Specification for Asphalt Used in Roofing application rate—the quantity (mass, volume or thickness) of
D 450 Specification for Coal-Tar Pitch Used in Roofing, material applied per unit area.
Dampproofing, and Waterproofing artificial weathering, v—exposure to conditions, which may
D 698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character- be cyclic, involving temperature, relative humidity, radiant
istics of Soil Using Standard Effort (12 400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 energy, and/or any other conditions or pollutants found in the
kN-m/m3)) atmosphere in various geographical areas, which may accel-
D 727 Test Method for Kerosine Number of Roofing and erate changes in properties of materials over those of natural
Flooring Felt by the Vacuum Method weather conditions.
D 1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Charac- asbestos—a group of natural fibrous impure silicate materials.
teristics of Soil Using Modified Effort (56 000 ft-lbf/ asphalt—a dark brown to black cementitious material in which
ft3 (2700 kN-m/m3)) the predominating constituents are bitumens that occur in
D 2822 Specification for Asphalt Roof Cement nature or are obtained in petroleum processing.
D 4022 Specification for Coal Tar Roof Cement, Asbestos asphalt, air blown—an asphalt produced by blowing air
Containing through molten asphalt at an elevated temperature to raise its
D 4586 Specification for Asphalt Roof Cement, Asbestos- softening point and modify other properties.
Free asphaltene—a high molecular weight hydrocarbon fraction
precipitated from asphalt by a designated paraffinic naphtha
2. Terminology solvent at a specified temperature and solvent-asphalt ratio.
2.1 Definitions: DISCUSSION—The asphaltene fraction should be identified by the
temperature and solvent-asphalt ratio used.
accelerated weathering, v—the exposure of a specimen to a
specified test environment for a specified time with the intent asphalt felt—an asphalt-saturated felt.
of producing, in a shorter time period, effects similar to asphalt, steam blown—an asphalt produced by blowing steam
actual weathering. through molten asphalt to modify its properties.
aggregate—(1) crushed stone, crushed slag, or water-worn asphaltite—a natural asphalt found below ground level.
gravel used for surfacing a built-up roof; asphalt mastic—a mixture of asphaltic material and graded
(2) any granular mineral material. mineral aggregate that can be poured when heated, but
requires mechanical manipulation to apply.
1
asphalt rock (rock asphalt)—a naturally occurring rock
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on
Roofing and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.01
formation, usually limestone or sandstone, containing
on Nomenclature, Definitions, and Editorial. throughout its mass a minor amount of asphalt.
Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2005. Published October 2005. Originally asphalt roof cement, n—a trowelable mixture of asphalt,
approved in 1950. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D 1079 – 05. solvents, mineral stabilizers, fillers or fibers, or both. See
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Specifications D 2822 and D 4586.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on asphalt roof cement, n—see flashing cement.
the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 1079 – 05a
backnailing—the practice of blind-nailing roofing felts to a cant strip—a beveled strip used under flashings to modify the
substrate in addition to hot-mopping to prevent slippage. angle at the point where the roofing or waterproofing
bald roof—See smooth-surfaced roof. membrane meets any vertical element.
base ply—the bottom or first ply in a built-up roofing cap flashing—See flashing.
membrane when additional plies are to be subsequently cap sheet—a granule-surfaced coated felt used as the top ply
installed. of a built-up roofing membrane.
base sheet—a product intended to be used as a base ply in a cationic emulsion—an emulsion in which the emulsifying
built-up roofing system. system establishes a predominance of positive charges on the
bitumen—(1) a class of amorphous, black or dark-colored, discontinuous phase.
(solid, semi-solid, or viscous) cementitious substances, natu- caulking—a composition of vehicle and pigment, used at
ral or manufactured, composed principally of high molecular ambient temperatures for filling joints, that remains plastic
weight hydrocarbons, soluble in carbon disulfide, and found for an extended time after application.
in asphalts, tars, pitches, and asphaltites; channel mopping—See mopping, (3) strip.
(2) a generic term used to denote any material composed coal tar—a dark brown to black cementitious material pro-
principally of bitumen. duced by the destructive distillation of coal.
bitumen trap—See pitch pocket. coal tar roof cement, n—a trowelable mixture of processed
bituminized, adj—impregnated with bitumen. Example: bitu- coal tar base, solvents, mineral fillers or fibers, or both. See
minized fiber pipe. Specification D 4022.
bituminous, adj—containing or treated with bitumen. Ex- coal-tar felt—a felt that has been saturated with refined coal
amples: bituminous concrete, bituminous felts and fabrics, tar.
bituminous pavement. coal-tar pitch—a dark brown to black, solid cementitious
bituminous emulsion—(1) a suspension of minute globules of material obtained as residue in the partial evaporation or
bituminous material in water or in an aqueous solution; distillation of coal tar.
(2) a suspension of minute globules of water or of an coated sheet (or felt)—(1) an asphalt felt that has been coated
aqueous solution in a liquid bituminous material (invert on both sides with harder, more viscous asphalt;
emulsion). (2) a glass fiber felt that has been simultaneously impreg-
bituminous grout—a mixture of bituminous material and fine nated and coated with asphalt on both sides.
sand that will flow into place without mechanical manipu- coke-oven tar—See coal tar.
lation when heated. cold-process roofing—a continuous, semiflexible membrane
blast-furnace slag—the nonmetallic product, consisting es- consisting of plies of felts, mats, or fabrics laminated on a
sentially of silicates and alumino-silicates of calcium and roof with alternate layers of roof cement and surfaced with
other bases, that is developed in a molten condition simul- a cold-applied coating.
taneously with iron in a blast furnace. concealed membrane waterproofing, n—also referred to as
blind nailing—the use of nails that are not exposed to the structural slab waterproofing; (1) for below grade: refers
weather in the finished roofing. to a form of waterproofing where the membrane is applied to
blister—(1) a raised portion of a roofing membrane resulting the mud mat and later covered with a topping, usually
from local internal pressure; concrete, to act as a wearing layer or course, and (2) for
(2) the similarly formed protuberances in coated prepared elevated structural concrete deck: applied over the structural
roofing. surface and covered/concealed by other components such as
blocking—(1) wood built into a roofing system above the deck a topping slab, pavers, ballast, pavement, and plantings.
and below the membrane and flashing to (a) stiffen the deck condensation—the conversion of water vapor or other gas to
around an opening, (b) act as a stop for insulation, (c) serve liquid as the temperature drops or atmospheric pressures
as a nailer for attachment of the membrane or flashing. rises. (See also dew point).
(2) wood cross-members installed between rafters or joists conditioning, v—the storage of a specimen under specified
to provide support at cross-joints between deck panels. temperature, humidity, etc., for a specified time prior to
(3) cohesion or adhesion between similar or dissimilar testing.
materials in roll or sheet form that may interfere with the conductance, thermal—the thermal transmission in unit time
satisfactory and efficient use of the material. through unit area of a particular body or assembly having
blueberry—See strawberry. defined surfaces, when unit average temperature difference
bond—the adhesive and cohesive forces holding two roofing is established between the surfaces. C = W/m2·K (C = Btu/
components in intimate contact. h·ft2·°F).
brooming—embedding a ply by using a broom to smooth it conductivity, thermal—the thermal transmission, by conduc-
out and ensure contact with the adhesive under the ply. tion only, in unit time through unit area between two
built-up roofing—a continuous, semiflexible membrane con- isothermal surfaces of an infinite slab of a homogeneous
sisting of plies of saturated felts, coated felts, fabrics or mats material of unit thickness, in a direction perpendicular to the
assembled in place with alternate layers of bitumen, and surface, when unit temperature difference is established
surfaced with mineral aggregate, bituminous materials, or a between the surfaces. k = W/m·K (k = Btu·in./h·ft 2·°F).
granule surfaced sheet (abbreviation, BUR). cone penetration—See penetration.

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 D 1079 – 05a
coping—a covering on top of a wall exposed to the weather, envelope—a continuous membrane edge seal formed at the
usually sloped to carry off water. perimeter and at penetrations by folding the base sheet or ply
counterflashing—formed metal or elastomeric sheeting se- over the plies above and securing it to the top of the
cured on or into a wall, curb, pipe, roof-top unit, or other membrane. The envelope prevents bitumen seepage from the
surface, to cover and protect the upper edge of a base edge of the membrane.
flashing and its associated fasteners. equilibrium moisture content—( 1) the moisture content of a
coverage—the surface area to be continuously covered by a material stabilized at a given temperature and relative
specific quantity of a particular material. humidity, expressed as percent moisture by weight;
creep—the time-dependent part of a strain resulting from (2) the typical moisture content of a material in any given
stress. geographical area.
cricket, n—a construction to divert water around or away from equiviscous temperature (EVT), n—the temperature at which
a chimney, curb, wall, expansion joint, or other penetration. a bitumen attains the proper viscosity for built-up membrane
(See saddle). application. EVT may or may not be applicable to polymer
crushed stone—the product resulting from the artificial crush- modified bituminous sheet materials. (See EVT for asphalt
ing of rocks, boulders, or large cobblestones, substantially and EVT for coal tar).
all faces of which have resulted from the crushing operation. DISCUSSION—In England, EVT is the temperature corresponding to a
cutback—solvent-thinned bitumen used in cold-process roof- standard efflux time from a road tar viscometer.
ing adhesives, flashing cements, and roof coatings.
cutoff—a detail designed to prevent lateral water movement equiviscous temperature for asphalt, n—the equiviscous
into the insulation where the membrane terminates at the end temperature (EVT) for roofing asphalt (Specification D 312,
of a day’s work, or used to isolate sections of the roofing Type I, II, III, or IV) is as follows: (1) mop application—the
system. It is usually removed before the continuation of the temperature at which the asphalt’s apparent viscosity is 125
work. cP. ( 2) mechanical spreader application—the temperature at
dampproofing—treatment of a surface or structure to resist the which the asphalt’s apparent viscosity is 75 cP. See equivis-
passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure. cous temperature and EVT application range.
dead level—absolutely horizontal, or zero slope (see also equiviscous temperature for coal tar—the equiviscous tem-
slope). perature (EVT) for roofing coal tar (Specification D 450,
dead level asphalt—a roofing asphalt conforming to the Type I or III) is the temperature at which the coal tar’s
requirements of Specification D 312, Type I. apparent viscosity is 25 cP. See equiviscous temperature
dead level roofing—a roofing system applied on a surface with and EVT application range.
a 0 to 2 % incline. EVT application range, n—the bitumen application tempera-
deck—the structural surface to which the roofing or water- ture range. The range is from 25°F below the EVT to 25°F
proofing system (including insulation) is applied. above the EVT (50°F span). The temperature is measured in
direction change—a change in the orientation of the principal the mop cart or mechanical spreader just prior to the
dimension or of the support of adjoining units of the roofing application of bitumen to the substrate.
system. expansion joint—a structural separation between two building
double pour—to apply two layers of aggregate and bitumen to elements that allows free movement between the elements
a built-up roof. without damage to the roofing or waterproofing system.
dry felt—(1) see felt; exposure—(1) the transverse dimension of a roofing element
(2) a felt which has not been saturated with bitumen. not overlapped by an adjacent element in any roofing
edge stripping—application of felt strips cut to narrower system. The exposure of any ply in a membrane may be
widths than the normal felt-roll width to cover a joint computed by dividing the felt width minus 51 mm (2 in.), by
between flashing and built-up roofing. the number of shingled plies; thus, the exposure of a
edge venting—the practice of providing regularly spaced 914-mm (36-in.) wide felt in a shingled, four-ply membrane
protected openings at a roof perimeter to relieve water vapor should be 216 mm (81⁄2 in.);
pressure in the insulation. (2) the time during which a portion of a roofing element is
elastomer—a macromolecular material that returns rapidly to exposed to the weather.
its approximate initial dimensions and shape after substantial extra-steep asphalt—See super-steep asphalt.
deformation by a weak stress and subsequent release of that fabric, n—a woven or nonwoven cloth of organic or inorganic
stress. filaments, threads, or yarns.
embedment—(1) the process of pressing a felt, aggregate, facer, n—the outermost, adhered top or bottom, or both, sheet
fabric, mat, or panel uniformly and completely into hot (or layer) of an insulation board that is comprised of a
bitumen or adhesive to ensure intimate contact at all points; different material than the insulation itself. It is commonly
(2) the process of pressing granules into coating in the composed of organic paper, glass mat, or a combination
manufacture of factory-prepared roofing, such as shingles. thereof, generally impregnated or coated, or both, with
emulsion—an intimate mixture of bitumen and water, with asphalt, latex, or the like; or metal foil.
uniform dispersion of the bitumen or water globules, usually factory square—10 m2(108 ft2).
stabilized by an emulsifying agent or system.

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 D 1079 – 05a
fallback—a reduction in bitumen softening point, sometimes sand grains, resulting from the natural erosion of rock.
caused by refluxing or overheating in a relatively closed gravel in—to spread aggregate into hot bitumen on the surface
container. (See also softening point drift). of the roofing membrane.
felt—a flexible sheet manufactured by the interlocking of gravel stop—a flanged device, frequently metallic, designed to
fibers with a binder or through a combination of mechanical prevent loose aggregate from washing off the roof and to
work, moisture, and heat. Felts are manufactured principally provide a continuous finished edge for the roofing.
from vegetable fibers (organic felts), asbestos fibers (asbes- headlap, n—in roofing, for products installed in a shingle
tos felts) or glass fibers (glass fiber felts); other fibers may be fashion, the area on a shingle or sheet material that is
present in each type. covered by the requisite number of layers in multiply
felt layer—(1) a machine used for applying bitumen and construction; for example, two layers on a strip shingle or
built-up roofing felts; three layers in a three-ply built-up roof. Headlap is com-
(2) See ply. monly referred to by its width, thus the designation by linear
felt mill ream—the mass in pounds of 480 ft2 of dry, dimension. For multiple sheet roofing, see Fig. 1. For
unsaturated felt, also termed “point weight.” shingles, see Fig. 2.
fine mineral surfacing—water-insoluble inorganic material, heat exposure, v—the process of subjecting a specimen to an
more than 50 % of which passes the 500-µm (No. 35) sieve, elevated temperature at atmospheric pressure for a specified
used on the surface of roofing. period of time with the intent of determining properties by
finger blisters—finger shaped blisters or wrinkles in the plies subsequent testing.
of a built-up roofing or waterproofing membrane. holiday—an area where a liquid-applied material is missing.
finger wrinkles—See finger blisters. “hot stuff” or “hot”—a roofer’s term for hot bitumen.
fishmouth—(1) a half-cylindrical or half-conical opening hydrokinetic roof system, n—a roof system that depends on
formed by an edge wrinkle or failure to embed a roofing felt; quick drainage via water shedding to prevent water entry
(2) in shingles, a half-conical opening formed at a cut into or through the system.
edge. hydrostatic roof system, n—a roof system that is capable of
flashing—the system used to seal membrane edges at walls, holding water without allowing water to penetrate the
expansion joints, drains, gravel stops, and other places where system.
the membrane is interrupted or terminated. Base flashing hygroscopic—attracting, absorbing, and retaining atmospheric
covers the edges of the membrane. Cap or counterflashing moisture.
shields the upper edges of the base flashing. ice dam—a mass of ice formed at the transition from a warm
flashing cement—a trowelable mixture of cutback bitumen to a cold roof surface. Frequently formed by refreezing
and mineral stabilizers including asbestos or other inorganic meltwater at the overhang of a steep roof, an ice dam may
fibers. cause ice and water to back up under shingles or other
flat asphalt—a roofing asphalt conforming to the requirements roofing materials.
of Specification D 312, Type II. impregnate, v—in roofing materials manufacture, to com-
flood coat—the top layer of bitumen used to hold the aggregate pletely surround the fibers in a felt or mat with bitumen, with
on an aggregate-surfaced, built-up roofing membrane. the spaces between the fibers partially or completely filled
fluid-applied elastomer—an elastomeric material, fluid at without a continuous coating of bitumen on the surface.
ambient temperature, that dries or cures after application to incline—the slope of a roof expressed in percent or in the
form a continuous membrane. Such systems normally do not number of vertical units of rise per horizontal unit of run.
incorporate reinforcement. inorganic, adj—being or composed of matter other than
flux—a bituminous material used as a feed stock for further hydrocarbons and their derivatives, or matter that is not of
processing and as a material to soften other bituminous plant or animal origin.
materials. iso—in roofing, see polyisocyanurate foam board.
“free carbon” in tars—the hydrocarbon fraction that is isoboard—See polyisocyanurate foam board.
precipitated from a tar by dilution with carbon disulfide. insulation—See thermal insulation.
glass felt—glass fibers bonded into a sheet with resin and kerosine number—the millilitres of kerosine held per 100 g of
suitable for impregnation in the manufacture of bituminous felt as determined by Test Method D 727. To obtain the
waterproofing, roofing membranes, and shingles. percentage saturating capacity of the felt for any bituminous
glass mat—a thin mat of glass fibers with or without a binder. saturant, obtain the specific gravity of the saturant and
glaze coat—(1) the top layer of asphalt in a smooth-surfaced multiply that figure by the kerosine number of the felt.
built-up roof assembly; knot—an imperfection or nonhomogeneity in materials used in
(2) a thin protective coating of bitumen applied to the fabric construction, the presence of which causes surface
lower plies or top ply of a built-up membrane, when irregularities.
application of additional felts, or the flood coat and aggre- liquid bituminous material—one having a definite volume
gate surfacing are delayed. but no definite form, except as provided by its container. It
granule—See mineral granules. has a viscosity of 0.1 to 1 3 105 cSt (mm2/s) at 40°C. This
gravel—coarse, granular aggregate, with pieces larger than does not include powders or granular materials.

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 D 1079 – 05a

FIG. 1 Headlap in Multiple Sheet Roofing

loose-laid membrane—a ballasted roofing membrane that is surfaced sheets, and roofing shingles.
attached to the substrate only at the edges and penetrations mineral stabilizer—a fine, water-insoluble inorganic material,
through the roof. used in admixture with solid or semisolid bituminous mate-
lot—in roofing, (1) production lot—all material produced in rials.
one eight-hour shift of the same type (and color when mineral-surfaced roofing—built-up roofing whose top ply
applicable); consists of a granule-surfaced sheet.
(2) delivery lot—all material of the same type delivered at mineral-surfaced sheet—a felt that is coated on one or both
one time by one truck or railroad car. sides with asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules.
low slope, adj—in roofing, that which commonly describes an mole run—a meandering ridge in a membrane not associated
incline of a roof which is 14° (25 % or 3 in./ft) or less. with insulation or deck joints.
mastic—See flashing cement and asphalt mastic. mop-and-flop—a procedure in which roofing elements (insu-
membrane—a flexible or semiflexible roof covering or water- lation boards, felt plies, cap sheets, and so forth) are initially
proofing, whose primary function is the exclusion of water. placed upside down adjacent to their ultimate locations, are
mesh—the square opening of a sieve. coated with adhesive, and are then turned over and adhered
metal flashing—See flashing; frequently used as through- to the substrate.
wall, cap-, or counter-flashing. mopping—the application of hot bitumen with a mop or
mineral fiber felt—a felt with rock wool as the principal mechanical applicator to the substrate or to the plies of a
component. built-up roof. There are four types of mopping: (1) solid—a
mineral granules—opaque, natural, or synthetically colored continuous coating; (2) spot—bitumen is applied in roughly
aggregate commonly used to surface cap sheets, granule- circular areas, generally about 460 mm (18 in.) in diameter,

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 D 1079 – 05a

FIG. 2 Headlap for Shingles

leaving a grid of unmopped, perpendicular areas; (3) strip— test, such as defined in Test Methods D 698 or D 1557.
bitumen is applied in parallel bands, generally 200 mm (8 mud slab, n—a 2 in. (50 mm) minimum thickness non-
in.) wide and 300 mm (12 in.) apart; (4) sprinkle—bitumen reinforced concrete slab suitable as the substrate for mem-
is shaken onto the substrate from a broom or mop in a brane waterproofing.
random pattern. nailing—(1) exposed-nailing of roofing wherein nail heads are
mud cracking—surface cracking resembling a dried mud flat. bare to the weather;
mud mat, n—in construction design: (1) a surfacing layer (2) concealed-nailing of roofing wherein nail heads are
suitable for the application of membrane waterproofing, concealed from the weather. (See also blind nailing).
installed on a prepared subgrade; (2) an area of fill com- negative side waterproofing, n—an application wherein the
pacted to no less than 95 % of the maximum dry density of waterproofing system and the source of hydrostatic pressure
the fill based upon the appropriate laboratory compaction are on opposite sides of the structural element.

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 D 1079 – 05a
neoprene—a synthetic rubber (polychloroprene) used in presence of polyhydroxyl compounds, catalysts, cell stabi-
liquid- or sheet-applied elastomeric roofing membranes or lizers, and blowing agents. See Specification C 591.
flashing. polyisocyanurate foam board, n—a thermal insulation com-
nineteen-inch selvage—a prepared roofing sheet with a posed of polyisocyanurate foam with adhered facers. Com-
432-mm (17-in.) granule-surfaced exposure and a 483-mm monly called iso or isoboard. See Specification C 1289.
(19-in.) selvage. pond—a surface which is incompletely drained.
ninety-pound—a prepared roll roofing with a granule-surfaced positive side waterproofing, n—an application wherein the
exposure that has a mass of approximately 4400 g/m 2(90 waterproofing system and the source of hydrostatic pressure
lb/108 ft2). are on the same side of the structural element.
one-on-one—the application of a single ply of roofing over the pressure-sensitive, adj—a term used to describe a category of
substrate, followed by the application of a second single ply adhesives that, in dry (solvent-free) form, are tacky at room
over the first (phased application). temperature and adhere to a variety of dissimilar surfaces
organic, adj—being or composed of hydrocarbons or their when contact is promoted by application of pressure. Pres-
derivatives, or matter of plant or animal origin. sure sensitive adhesives do not require activation by an
parting agent—a material applied to one or both surfaces of a energy source such as heat.
sheet to prevent blocking. pressure-sensitive adhesive membrane, n—in roofing, a
pea gravel, n—in roofing, small, natural aggregate, 6 to 10 mm membrane that utilizes a pressure-sensitive adhesive as the
(¼ to " in.) in diameter, screened to comply with Specifi- primary means of attachment to the substrate or underlying
cation C 33, size 8. ply(s).
peak, n—in constant rate of elongation load-strain testing, the primer—a thin liquid bitumen applied to a surface to improve
point of maximum load. the adhesion of heavier applications of bitumen and to
penetration—the consistency of a bituminous material ex- absorb dust.
pressed as the distance in tenths of a millimetre (0.1 mm) rake—the sloped edge of a roof at the first or last rafter.
that a standard needle penetrates vertically a sample of raspberry—See strawberry.
material under specified conditions of loading, time, and recovering—the process of covering an existing roofing sys-
temperature. A cone is sometimes used for special purposes tem with a new roofing system.
instead of a needle. reentrant corner—an inside corner of a surface, producing
perlite—an aggregate used in lightweight insulating concrete stress concentrations in the roofing or waterproofing mem-
and in preformed perlite insulating board; formed by heating brane.
and expanding siliceous volcanic glass. reglet—a groove in a wall or other surface adjoining a roof
permeance—the rate of water vapor transmission per unit area surface for the attachment of counterflashing.
at a steady state through a membrane or assembly, expressed reinforced membrane—a roofing or waterproofing membrane
in ng/Pa·s·m2(grain/ft2·h·in. Hg). reinforced with felts, mats, fabrics, or chopped fibers.
phased application—the installation of a roofing or water- relative humidity—the ratio of the mass per unit volume (or
proofing system during two or more separate time intervals; partial pressure) of water vapor in an air-vapor mixture to the
a roofing system not installed in a continuous operation. saturated mass per unit volume (or partial pressure) of the
petroleum pitch—a dark brown to black, predominantly water vapor at the same temperature, expressed as a percent-
aromatic, solid cementitious material obtained by the pro- age.
cessing of petroleum, petroleum fractions, or petroleum release agent—See parting agent.
residuals. reroofing—the process of recovering or replacing an existing
picture framing—a rectangular pattern of ridges in a mem- roofing system. See recovering.
brane over insulation or deck joints. resistance, thermal—the average temperature difference be-
pinhole—a tiny hole in a film, foil, or laminate comparable in tween two defined surfaces of a particular body or assembly
size to one made by a pin. when unit thermal transmission in unit time through unit area
pitch—See incline; coal-tar pitch; or petroleum pitch. is established between the surfaces. R = K·m2 /W
pitch pocket—a flanged, open-bottomed metal container (R = °F·h·ft2/Btu).
placed around a column or other roof-penetration, and filled ridging—an upward, tenting displacement of a membrane,
with hot bitumen or flashing cement to seal the joint. frequently over an insulation joint.
plastic cement—See flashing cement. roll roofing—coated felts, either smooth or mineral-surfaced.
ply—a layer of felt in a built-up roofing membrane; a four-ply roof cement—See flashing cement.
membrane has at least four plies of felt at any vertical cross roofing system—an assembly of interacting components de-
section cut through the membrane. signed to weatherproof, and normally to insulate, a build-
plying cement—any bituminous material used for adhering ing’s top surface.
layers of felts, fabrics, or mats to structural surfaces and to rubber—a material that is capable of recovering from large
each other. deformations quickly and forcibly, and can be, or already is,
point weight—See felt mill ream. modified to a state in which it is essentially insoluble (but
polyisocyanurate foam, n—a cellular thermal insulation pro- can swell) in boiling solvent such as benzene, methyl ethyl
duced by the polymerization of polyisocyanates in the ketone, and ethanol-toluene azeotrope.

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 D 1079 – 05a
DISCUSSION—A rubber in its modified state, free of diluents, retracts softening point drift—a change in the softening point during
within 1 min to less than 1.5 times its original length after being storage or application. (See also fallback.)
stretched at room temperature (18 to 29°C) to twice its length and held solid bituminous material—one having a viscosity of over
for 1 min before release. 5
1 3 10 cSt (mm2/s) at 40°C or an equivalent viscosity at an
saddle, n—a construction to channel or direct surface water to agreed-upon temperature. This includes powders and granu-
drains or off the roof. A saddle may be located between lar materials.
drains or in a valley, and is often like a small hip roof or a solid mopping—See mopping.
pyramid with a diamond-shaped base. (See cricket). split—a membrane tear resulting from tensile stress.
sales square—the quantity of prepared roofing required to split sheet—See nineteen-inch selvage.
cover 9.3 m2 (100 ft2) of deck. spot mopping—See mopping.
saturated felt—a felt that has been immersed in hot bitumen; sprinkle mopping—See mopping.
the felt adsorbs and absorbs as much bitumen as it can retain spud—to remove the roofing aggregate and most of the
under the processing conditions, but remains porous and bituminous top coating by scraping and chipping.
contains voids. square—a roof area of 9.29 m2 (100 ft2), or enough material to
screen—an apparatus with circular apertures for separating cover 9.29 m2 of deck.
sizes of material. stack vent—a vertical outlet in a built-up roofing system to
scrim, n—lightweight woven or non-woven fabrics that are relieve the pressure exerted by water vapor between the
manufactured from yarns. roofing membrane and the vapor retarder or deck.
scuttle—a hatch that provides access to the roof from the steep asphalt—a roofing asphalt conforming to the require-
interior of the building. ments of Specification D 312, Type III.
sealant—a mixture of polymers, fillers, and pigments used to steep slope, adj—in roofing, that which commonly describes
fill and seal joints where moderate movement is expected; an incline of a roof which is greater than 14° (25 % or 3
unlike caulking, it cures to a resilient solid. in./ft).
selvage—an edge or edging which differs from the main part strawberry—a small bubble or blister in the flood coating of
of: (1) a fabric; or (2) granule-surfaced roll roofing. a gravel-surfaced membrane.
shark fin—an upward-curled felt sidelap or endlap. strip mopping—See mopping.
shingle—(1) a small unit of prepared roofing designed for stripping—strip flashing:
installation with similar units in overlapping rows on in- (1) the technique of sealing a joint between metal and
clines normally exceeding 25 %; built-up membrane with one or two plies of felt or fabric and
(2) to cover with shingles; and hot- or cold-applied bitumen;
(3) to apply any sheet material in overlapping rows like (2) the technique of taping joints between insulation
shingles. boards or deck panels.
shingling—(1) the procedure of laying parallel felts so that one substrate—the surface upon which the roofing or waterproof-
longitudinal edge of each felt overlaps, and the other ing membrane is placed (structural deck or insulation).
longitudinal edge underlaps, an adjacent felt. (See also ply). sump—a depression around a drain.
Normally, felts are shingled on a slope so that the water super-steep asphalt—a roofing asphalt conforming to the
flows over rather than against each lap; requirements of Specification D 312, Type IV.
(2) the application of shingles to a sloped roof. susceptibility—when not otherwise qualified, the degree of
sieve—an apparatus with square apertures for separating sizes change in viscosity with temperature.
of material. system—See roofing system.
skater’s cracks—curvilinear cracks in a roofing membrane tapered edge strip—a tapered insulation strip used to elevate
that appear to relate neither to the direction of application of the roofing at the perimeter and at penetrations of the roof.
the membrane components nor the substrate components. tar—a brown or black bituminous material, liquid or semisolid
slag—the fused agglomerate which separates in metal smelting in consistency, in which the predominating constituents are
and floats on the surface of the molten metal. (See also bitumens obtained as condensates in the processing of coal,
blast-furnace slag.) petroleum, oil-shale, wood, or other organic materials.
slippage—relative lateral movement of adjacent components tear off—to remove an existing roofing system down to the
of a built-up membrane. It occurs mainly in roofing mem- structural deck.
branes on a slope, sometimes exposing the lower plies or thermal insulation—a material applied to reduce the flow of
even the base sheet to the weather. heat.
slope—the tangent of the angle between the roof surface and thermal shock—the stress-producing phenomenon resulting
the horizontal plane, expressed as a percentage, or in inches from sudden temperature drops in a roof membrane when,
of rise per foot of horizontal distance. (See also incline). for example, a rain shower follows brilliant sunshine.
smooth-surfaced roof—a built-up roof without mineral aggre- through-wall flashing—a water-resistant membrane or mate-
gate surfacing. rial assembly extending totally through a wall and its
softening point—the temperature at which a bitumen becomes cavities, positioned to direct any water within the wall to the
soft enough to flow as determined by an arbitrary, closely exterior.
defined method. tie-off, n—in waterproofing, the transitional seal used to

8
 D 1079 – 05a

FIG. 3 T-Joint

terminate a waterproofing application at the top or bottom of ties in a material, with the relative contribution of each
flashing or by forming a watertight seal with the substrate, dependent upon time, temperature, stress, and strain rate.
membrane, or waterproofing system(s). walk in—to embed insulation panels in hot bitumen or
t-joint, n—the condition created by the overlapping intersec- adhesive by walking on them immediately after application.
tion of three or four sheets in the membrane. See Fig. 3. water repellant system, n—an exterior coating system for
vapor barrier—See vapor retarder. above grade concrete or masonry which temporarily repels
vapor migration—the movement of water vapor from a region water but which is not intended to prevent the passage of
of high vapor pressure to a region of lower vapor pressure. moisture under hydrostatic pressure.
vapor retarder—a layer of material or a laminate used to (1) film forming type—latex or oil based paints or similar
appreciably reduce the flow of water vapor into the roofing materials that may require repair or renewal because of
system. climatic action;
vent—an opening designed to convey water vapor or other gas (2) pore penetrating type—types that fill or coat the interior
from inside a building or a building component to the of the surface pores of concrete or masonry and are
atmosphere. temporarily retained in these surface pores thus providing
vermiculite—an aggregate used in lightweight insulating con- water repelling action; periodic repair or renewal may be
crete, formed by heating and expanding a micaceous min- required because of climatic action.
eral. waterproofing—treatment of a surface or structure to prevent
viscoelasticity—a combination of viscous and elastic proper- the passage of water under hydrostatic pressure.

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