Repair Of Slate And Steel Roofs

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

How can you repair the roof in the country

The roof, without any exaggeration, is the most vulnerable part of any structure. After all, it is on her that all natural adversities first of all fall: rain, snow, hurricane wind, solar radiation, incinerating heat, terrible cold. And the life of the residents under this roof entirely depends on the condition in which it is.

Slate roof repair

Slate is a profiled roofing material made mainly of asbestos cement. This is perhaps one of the most common roofing materials. It is widely used both in residential buildings and in summer areas. Most houses in suburban areas are covered with slate. This is due to the fact that, in addition to a reasonable price, slate has other undoubted advantages … Roofs made of it are durable, they can withstand even very severe frosts, they are fire-resistant enough.

Alas, 10-15 years pass, and the slate roof begins to collapse. First, microscopic cracks appear on it, little noticeable chips. Over time, they increase and the roof begins to leak. In a word, repairs are needed. The problem immediately arises: what to do and how?

About thirty years ago, the roof was cleaned, washed, dried, primed with linseed oil, after which all cracks were covered with fabric strips soaked in oil paint. Then the roof was painted with oil paint. Such repairs allowed the roof to “hold on” for another 2-4 years, after which everything had to be repeated.

Later, another, more reliable method of repairing a slate roof became widespread, which extended its service life to 10 years. To repair a slate roof in this way, very few materials are used: PVA glue (or its modern analogue), cement grade 400, fluffed asbestos and water.

The repair mixture is prepared in small portions, for 2-3 hours of work. 1-2 parts (by volume) of cement are mixed with 3 parts of fluffed asbestos and diluted with PVA glue, diluted 1: 1 with water. The repair mixture is brought to the consistency of sour cream. Before renovation, the roof is first cleaned, removing areas covered with soil, moss and other debris. After that, the roof is washed with a stream of water from a hose. Particularly thoroughly clean (using a stiff brush) areas with cracks. After drying, the roof is primed with PVA glue diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 3 (by volume), and then cracks are coated with the prepared mixture. Usually, during repairs, two layers of the mixture are applied (the second after the first has dried) so that the total layer is at least 2 millimeters thick.

Steel roof repair

If, unfortunately, the sheet metal roof starts to leak, then immediately start repairing … First of all, carefully inspect it. Better to do it in the rain. Mark the places of leaks with chalk and, if water penetrates through the fold (fold is the joint of the sheets), additionally coat the fold on top with thick rubbed oil paint or sealant.

If there are punched holes in the roof, first straighten their edges, and then coat the roof with oil paint around the hole. Apply a cotton patch so that it fits into the prepared area without wrinkles. After pouring in, paint the entire patch (especially its edges) with paint. Remember this place well, so that in winter you do not tear off the fabric when throwing snow.

If you find rust holes, do not use a steel brush. This will only expand them. It is best to replace the damaged sheets, but if this is not possible, then paint the roof with red lead or other waterproof materials directly over rust, capturing undamaged places around the holes at a distance of 100-150 mm from them. Then over the fresh paint, apply a thick burlap-type fabric or its modern substitute. Previously, it is advisable to soak this fabric in paint and, without wringing out, cover the defective place with it so that the edges of the fabric go into the undamaged areas of the roof. Once dry, paint the patch again. And the thicker the paint, the more reliable the patch. The black steel roof is painted after 2-3 years. Galvanized roof - ten years after installation.

But no matter what roof you repair, observe at least basic safety measures when working at height:

• work at height includes those that are carried out at a height of more than 1.5 meters from the surface of the earth, ceiling or working floor. Work, even at a height of about a meter, should be done from sturdy stands, benches, and a goat. It is forbidden to use random objects (barrels, boxes, blocks);
• never work on a roof without a partner;
• Only tie the safety rope to the rafters or beams, not to the chimneys. The safest way is to use a climbing rope;
• when working on unsecured ladders and ladders, it is prohibited to fasten safety belts to them. Before climbing a ladder, be sure to check its strength and stability;
• it is impossible to engage in roofing work at a wind speed of more than 15 meters per second, as well as during icy conditions and during fog;
• when working, use only ladders made of softwood, free of knots, cracks and other wood defects. For greater stability, the ladder should expand downward and have metal tips or rubber stops. The height of the extension ladder is no more than 5 meters, the ladder is 3.5 meters.