Do-it-yourself roof and roof waterproofing - materials,
Roof waterproofing is the most important stage in the process of constructing the roof of residential, industrial and commercial buildings. He is to create a strong and durable hydro-barrier, which will protect the roof frame from moisture, prolonging the life of the roofing. For waterproofing, materials of different composition and properties are used with one common property - moisture impermeability. In this article, we will talk about various waterproofing roofing coatings, as well as how to mount them to the rafter legs with your own hands.
Waterproofing tasks
Waterproofing materials for the roof are necessarily present in the composition of the roofing pie for any finishing coating, be it decking, metal, roll or soft roof, slate or ceramic metal. They serve as a barrier separating the wooden frame elements and roofing materials, performing the following functions:
- Prevent dampness of insulation. Thermal insulation materials except for foam have a high hygroscopicity, therefore, when they come into contact with water, they absorb it, which increases the coefficient of thermal conductivity, and the effectiveness of the insulation decreases accordingly.
- Protection of the roof finish against corrosion. The lower surface of the roof covering is not as well protected from moisture as the external one; therefore, as a result of the process of condensate formation without additional protection, it becomes rusty.
- Roof frame protection from moisture. When erecting a roof with their own hands, the truss system is made more often of wood, which under long-term exposure rots.
- Leak prevention. The main thing is that waterproofing materials provide additional protection against leakage as a result of mechanical damage or breakdown of the roof.
Note that without high-quality waterproofing, properly selected and suitable for the roofing pie finish coating, the life of the roof can be reduced by 2-2.5 times. Skilled craftsmen do not recommend saving on this operation, especially since you can do it yourself.
Requirements for waterproofing
Waterproofing of the roof is made in the process of roofing work before laying the finishing coating. Waterproofing materials are selected in accordance with the characteristics and properties of the roof. However, they are subject to general requirements:
- Water resistant. The materials used as waterproofing should contain water pressure of 10 MPa for at least 10 minutes.
- Density and tensile strength. Since the roof is subjected to intense weight and wind loads, waterproofing coatings must have sufficient strength to avoid damage during installation or after installation.
- UV resistant. It is necessary that the waterproofing film withstand exposure to direct sunlight without damage for at least 4 months.
- Resistance to temperature changes. Most roof finishes have a high thermal conductivity, so waterproofing during operation may experience significant temperature fluctuations. It must withstand temperatures in the range of -60 / + 100 degrees.
- Incombustible. To reduce the risk of occurrence or rapid spread of fires, masters recommend the use of non-combustible materials for waterproofing, which do not support burning.
Being engaged in roofing works with your own hands, keep in mind that the service life of the lining waterproofing cannot be less than the service life of the roofing coating declared by the manufacturer. Otherwise, you will find a time-consuming procedure to replace the waterproofing material, which can not be performed without dismantling the roof finish layer.
Types of waterproofing
Construction stores offer a variety of waterproofing materials by price category, composition and method of attachment. It is important to know that for each roofing there is an optimally suitable type of film recommended by the manufacturer, which improves its performance and prolongs its service life. Waterproofing for the roof is of the following types:
- The films. Foams are called thin polymeric sheets of polyethylene, having an average density and strength. They are delivered in the form of rolls 1 meter wide and up to 30 meters long. The price of waterproofing films is quite low, however, they have low resistance to ultraviolet radiation, they are easily torn, therefore they are not so reliable.
- Membranes. Although the membranes are separated into a separate group, they are essentially the same foams, only improved. Membrane waterproofing is made of stronger and more resistant polymers, and it is also supplied with small-diameter holes through which air easily passes, but water molecules do not leak as they are larger in size. The membranes are more expensive, but they are optimally suited for such popular roofing coatings as metal tiles, decking and shingles.
- Liquid waterproofing. When the base of the roof is made of concrete, the masters use liquid waterproofing. It is a bitumen, polymer or bitumen-polymer mastic. Liquid waterproofing is applied to the roof surface with his own hands with a roller, brush or spray gun. It has hydrophobic and bactericidal properties.
Note! When building a roof with their own hands, craftsmen often use materials that are not suitable for this, for example, lining roofing material or roofing felt. On the one hand, these coatings create a reliable hydro-barrier, but on the other hand, they do not let air through, which is why a greenhouse effect occurs under the finishing layer of the roof, which reduces the service life of materials.
Mounting methods
Professional roofing masters say that it is not enough to choose the right waterproofing for the roof, the main thing is to install it correctly. Pricing for the installation of waterproofing coatings from mercenary brigades is quite democratic, for 1 square meter of roof they ask for only 50 rubles. But why pay someone if you can successfully complete this task with your own hands. Fastening is carried out over rafter legs by one of the following methods:
- Mechanically. Most often waterproofing materials are attached to rafter legs mechanically, that is with use of fasteners. For fixing the films used ordinary nails of small size or construction stapler. The advantage of this method is in the reliability of fixation, and the disadvantage is that, using such tools, it is easy to damage the coating.
- Gluing method. To avoid damage to the waterproofing during installation, use the technology of gluing. It is possible to glue insulating materials to the rafters with the help of special adhesive compositions or a self-adhesive layer with which diffuse membranes are supplied.
Important! Experienced masters know that the waterproofing of the roof is attached with a slight sagging, and not in the tension. It is necessary that when leaking, the pressure exerted by water on the film does not lead to rupture of the waterproofing coating. Enough sagging 1-2 cm, so that it does not burst under the influence of the flow.
