Diy repair of a flat roof - technology and work sequence
Flat roof is a great way to block high-rise buildings and outbuildings, the price of which is several times lower than the prices for the construction of pitched counterparts. It is created by layering bitumen or polymeric materials on a concrete or wooden base. Due to such a multi-layer roofing cake has a high degree of waterproofing and resistance to mechanical damage. Unfortunately, the harsh climate of Russia, low temperatures in winter and a large amount of precipitation lead to premature destruction of the coating, cracks, leaks or delaminations appear on it. This article will tell you how to do a major or partial repair of a flat roof with your own hands.
Causes of damage
The price of a flat roof device is 2-3 times less than the construction of pitched structures, due to the absence of a massive truss frame. However, the service life of the bitumen-polymer coating, depending on the materials used, is from 5 to 15 years, and the difficult operating conditions and the lack of regular maintenance only approximates the deterioration of a flat roof. Damage to the roof surface occurs for the following reasons:

- Poor installation. The main reason for the failure of the roofing coating is the wrong sequence of work when mounting it yourself, the wrong installation technology, and work in the winter. Nonprofessional approach leads to a decrease in the service life of the roof and the appearance of leaks, bringing a major overhaul.
- The use of low-quality material. In an attempt to save money, homeowners often acquire low-quality material, the price of which is lower. Bitumen-polymer coatings that do not comply with GOST are not resistant to temperature extremes, cracking and deteriorate even at the stage of installation work. The criterion for the choice of material for a flat roof should be not low prices, but durability and strength.
- Difficult operating conditions. The climate in Russia is famous for cold in winter, large temperature drops and a sharp change in frosts and thaws. Severe operating conditions lead to the appearance on the surface of the material swellings and cracks through which moisture penetrates into the thickness of the roofing pie. And the prices for the restoration of liquid rubber are not encouraging accessibility.
- Mechanical damage. The surface of the flat roof is soft enough, so it is easily damaged by wind, falling branches. Price affects the strength of the material.
- Lack of maintenance. In order to delay the overhaul, it is necessary to regularly perform maintenance of a flat roof. From the surface of the roof you need to clean the West garbage, eliminate swelling, repair cracks with liquid rubber. Performance of work on maintaining the state of the roofing material increases the life of the coating. Pricing for the reconstruction of liquid rubber is much less than a full overhaul.
Important! The advantage of a soft roof is that you can do the current or even overhaul the cover with your own hands. Most minor damage can be sealed with liquid rubber. The technology allows you to do your own hands any time of the year, as long as the weather is dry.
Minor repairs
In most cases, homeowners have to deal with minor damage to the soft roof. After several years of operation, small cracks and swellings appear on the surface of the roofing material. The technology for eliminating these defects with your own hands is as follows:
- First of all, the condition of the roof covering is assessed, noting with the help of chalk all the observed cracks and swellings. At this stage of work it is important to determine whether it can cope with these injuries by treatment with liquid mastic.
- If there is swelling on the surface of a soft roof, moss or other plants grow, then liquid is accumulated in the thickness of the cake. To remove dampness and swelling, a cross-cut is made with a sharp knife. Pressing the cut place with a rag, the water is expelled out and left to dry completely. To speed up the process or dry particularly wet places, use a building dryer.
- With the help of liquid mastic or rubber, the edges of the cross-cut are glued back. Also come with cracks on the surface of the soft roof. This method of termination is temporary.
- Over the cracks and cut blisters using liquid bitumen mastic fix patches of roofing material. They can be melted using a gas torch. An excellent material for sealing damage is self-adhesive roofing material, on the base of which an adhesive layer is applied.
Important! The price for a partial reconstruction of a flat roof, taking into account the cost of materials is 700-800 rubles. for the quarter. m. Doing your own works will save 20-30% of this amount. However, patching holes in the ruberoid only slightly delays the overhaul, not completely solving the problem.
Overhaul
The lifetime of a flat roof using modern polymeric materials is 20 years on the assurances of manufacturers. However, under actual operating conditions, the need for capital repairs arises already in 10-15 years. The technology of complete reconstruction of the coating is as follows:
- The first stage of the overhaul of the flat roof is the dismantling of aerators, ebbs and other auxiliary elements. Then remove all layers of roofing, insulation and screed up to the base. The cost of dismantling is about 20% of the price for the repair of the roof, so it is better to perform this task with your own hands.
- Beacons are installed on the roof surface and the leveling is performed using a concrete screed. New leveling layer give time for complete drying. Plates of insulation are laid on the concrete screed or expanded clay is poured. Most often use glass wool or basalt fiber. A reinforcing mesh is laid on top of the insulation and is poured with a layer of concrete 2-4 cm.
- Lay the roof covering. The first 2 layers are made of lining material, and the subsequent of the roofing. Flat roof pie usually consists of 3-5 layers of waterproofing material laid overlapped. Layers are mounted in a run so that the location of the seams does not match.
- The final phase of construction is the installation of aerators, parapets, and drainage elements.
Note! The price of a complete reconstruction of flat blood ranges from 2500 rubles per 1 square. The installation is carried out with the help of a gas burner, by fusing the lower layer of roofing material onto a concrete base. If the base of the roof is made of wood, then the lower layer of roofing material is nailed with nails.