Roof defectologist: how to repair a soft coating. Repair of a soft roof: the choice of materials and the procedure for performing the main stages of work The need for roof insulation

Maintainability is a strong argument in favor of flexible materials used in the arrangement of roofs of private houses. Most of the damage to bituminous tiles and roll coatings will be repaired by the owner of the house with his own hands without any problems.

He does not need sophisticated equipment and the fundamental knowledge of an experienced roofer. You will need confidence in your own abilities and the basics of skill, according to which the soft roof of low-rise buildings is being repaired.

Commonplace leaks are usually a convincing signal that tells about the need for roof repair. They appear for various reasons, which include:

  • Design violations. Among them are errors in the arrangement of the layers of the roofing cake, incorrectly calculated thickness of the insulation, incorrectly selected coating, etc.
  • Installation errors. This is a failure to comply with the technology: incorrectly installed fasteners, insufficient application of the adhesive composition and similar mistakes.
  • Household damage. Their list most often includes punctures and breaks in the coating resulting from inaccurate movement on the roof, falling heavy objects with pointed edges, heavy wind, cleaning with a metal shovel.

To correct defects formed as a result of design violations, a major overhaul is needed. Not every home master will be able to cope with it without professional assistance. But the damage indicated in the second and third paragraphs is eliminated during the current repair. It does not require global dismantling, a large amount of work and the performance of highly complex operations. Almost all damage included in the current repair area is available to an inexperienced performer. Let's consider them.

Determining the location of damage

Traces of violation of the integrity of the coating do not always appear during the period of active snowmelt and rainfall. Although the ceiling, the attic sheathing, dampened rafters, wet due to liquid precipitation, are reasonably considered to be one hundred percent indicator. It happens that atmospheric moisture that has penetrated under the coating for some time first “runs” along the waterproofing, and then seeps into the gap that has finally met on its way. According to popular wisdom, water will always find a “hole” for itself, and it can also “grind a stone”. Where can we deal with its impact on the wooden truss system, crate and mineral wool insulation.

In the name of the long-term service of the roof, inspections must be carried out regularly, 4 times a year. They are needed for the timely identification of existing and emerging breakthroughs, which sooner or later will definitely make themselves felt. So that the consequences of small punctures, cracks, potentially dangerous blisters do not take on an emergency character, the roof is inspected each time in two stages, these are:

  • Studying the condition of the roof structure from the attic with a thorough check of wet spots and the degree of damage to system parts.
  • Inspection of the roof covering from the outside with a detailed inspection of defects and revision of places of possible water penetration.

It should be noted that the wet spots identified from the attic do not always coincide with the existing holes found on the outside of the roof. The causes and effects of leaks practically coincide or are closest to each other on flat roofs. This is not typical for pitched structures: in reality, water penetrates higher than it leaves its destructive traces. This circumstance must certainly be remembered by the researcher of his own skates.

Roof repair technologies

The revision of the roof allows you to understand whether the home master will be able to repair the soft roof on his own, or it is better for him to resort to the services of builders. There are no fundamental snags with the current operations to eliminate defects in soft coatings. If the owner has not forgotten how to hold a tool in his hands, he is able to repair a roof covered with flexible tiles, a membrane and bitumen-polymer roll material.

Situation #1 - Replacing shingles of shingles

Minor roof leaks with shingles are corrected by replacing the damaged elements. The most common cause of holes in it is walking in frosty weather, when the bituminous coating becomes brittle. You can make a hole by cleaning off the snow with a shovel or by dropping the tool on the surface. In addition, poorly fixed shingles can be torn off by a heavy gust of wind.

Holes in the coating tend to grow, as a result, part of the tile or the whole shingle comes off. Even if the owner is not embarrassed by the loss of aesthetic indicators, the element must be changed. And for a competent repair, you should familiarize yourself with the repair technology of a soft tiled roof and with the sequence of actions for replacing it.


It is not necessary to install a new shingle, which includes three parts with petal ends. Sometimes it is enough to replace only one petal. However, having in stock a few pieces with a similar color coating is very useful. They are needed precisely then, so that at any time it is possible to restore the coating.

Let's analyze the sequence of work on replacing 1/3 of the shingle, i.e. parts with a torn petal. To replace it, we need to remove that part of the tile that is covered by the elements laid on top. It is impossible to fasten a bituminous detail over a piece of shingle that has not been removed. After all, the surface relief resulting from the “lining” can become a new cause of coating rupture.

Algorithm for repairing bituminous tiles with one torn petal:

  • We determine the repair area and the installation points of the roofing nails intended for removal. It is advisable to mark them with chalk so that the park does not unfasten the part of the coating that is unnecessary for repair.
  • Carefully lift two rows of tiles over the area to be restored. Because the nails hammered into the lower part of the untorn part of the tile are the first to overlap from the damaged one. There are also upper mounts under the second one from the nearby damaged coating.
  • We install a small flat mount so that it wedges the tiles laid on top.
  • With a nail puller, remove the fasteners of the torn petal.
  • Similarly, we dismantle the nails that fastened the element to be removed.
  • Using scissors for metal, cut off the damaged part of the tile.
  • We remove the cut off part, trying not to damage adjacent elements.
  • We cut off a third from the spare shingle for replacement, lubricate the back with bituminous mastic.
  • We install our repair tab instead of the removed part, align it with respect to neighboring elements and hammer nails, stepping back from the previous place by 3-5mm in a direction convenient for driving.
  • We fix our tab on four sides.
  • We process the heads of newly installed nails and fasteners of adjacent tiles with bitumen-polymer resin or mastic.
  • We apply mastic on the back side of all raised tiles.
  • We press the repair area to the crate and are pleased to understand that the current repair of the soft tiled roof has been successfully completed.

Both in the case of numerous damages, and in the case of replacing the entire bituminous shingle, they act according to the above algorithm.


If a roof covered with flexible tiles flows along the junction lines, then the cause should be sought in the cracking of the sealant, the detachment of the waterproofing carpets attached to the penetration, or, again, in violation of the penetration technology. In such situations, the tiles in the repair area, most often around the pipe or along the parapet line, are unfastened. And after the defect is eliminated by the described method, they are laid in place.


Situation #2 - Membrane Roof Repair

Holes and holes in the roofing membrane are the result of incorrect operation. Walking on a polymer-coated roof is only allowed on footpaths laid specifically for its maintenance. Tracks are constructed from an elastomeric strip with an anti-slip relief, produced by the manufacturers of this roofing material. To remove snow from the membrane, use a plastic or wooden shovel.

Small defects in the membrane roof are repaired by installing patches:

  • According to the actual dimensions of the hole, we make a patch, the outline of which should overlap the damaged area by at least 5 cm in all directions. Round off the edges of the patch.
  • Thoroughly wipe the area to be repaired with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dry it with a building hair dryer.
  • We weld the patch in one step to the surface. We place the nozzle of the welding device diagonally to the seam line. The welded surfaces are immediately rolled with a silicone roller. We direct all movements from an imaginary center to the periphery.

In case of severe contamination of the surface around the hole, the patch can be placed under the coating and welded in a similar way. You can rent a manual welding machine from a specialized company or a tool store.


If a welding device is not at hand to eliminate the defect, it is permissible to seal the gap with butyl rubber tape:

  • We cut the damaged material so that there are no frayed edges and flaps.
  • If there is damaged waterproofing under the membrane, we cut it too.
  • We clean and dry the area of ​​​​the roof and the waterproofing carpet to be repaired. Soap stains and greasy marks on the membrane should not be.
  • We repair the waterproofing by applying a patch with rounded edges to the waterproofing sheet, pre-treated with bitumen-polymer mastic.
  • We glue the patch from the butyl tape, first removing the protective film from its back side.
  • With effort, we “walk” over the patch with a silicone roller or simply with a hand with a dry rag.
  • We process the edges of the patch with polyurethane sealant.

The materials used to repair the membrane must be compatible with the coating. Before applying the patch, the surface should be primed.


In addition to gaps and cracks during operation, flaws in the installation of the membrane may appear. The most common manifestation is delamination of the strip along the welded seam. In such cases, the coating is not patched, but the poorly welded strip is removed and a new one is laid. It is recommended to duplicate the new seam from above with a welded strip of material with an approximate width of 10 cm.

Situation # 3 - elimination of defects in bituminous roofing

The fight against defects in bituminous and bitumen-polymer coatings is carried out along all fronts characteristic of soft roofs using characteristic repair methods. Common types of damage include:

  • Punctures, breakthroughs, gaps resulting from illiterate operation.
  • Cracking of the coating in the adjoining areas, formed due to the movements of the building structure not taken into account by the designer.
  • Blisters that have arisen above the places of moistening of thermal insulation. The reason may be laying the coating on top of a wet insulation or punctures in the vapor barrier layer from the inside.
  • Shallow depressions in a roof covering, formed when it is attached to an unrepaired concrete or cement-sand substrate with potholes.
  • Leaks around roof penetrations, the prerequisites for the appearance of which are most often poor-quality pasting of the adjacent area with a waterproofing carpet or its mechanical damage.
  • Sliding of a rolled coating laid on the vertical planes of adjacent walls, pipes, parapets.
  • Peeling of the roofing carpet from the base due to insufficient adhesion to it, which arose due to the lack of soil or poor heating of the back side of the rolled material.

Holes in the roofing carpet, the cause of which is incorrect operation, are not without reason leading the list of situations to be repaired. Damage to rolled material is often of mechanical origin.


Options for fixing minor defects:

  • Small breaks and punctures do not require a complete replacement of the coating, a patch is sufficient. The dimensions of the patch should cover the gap by 10 cm in all directions, its edges should be rounded. The patch is applied to the cleaned primed surface from above, if the base was a cement-sand screed or an uninsulated reinforced concrete slab. The patch is placed under the cut material if the basis for laying was wood flooring, plywood, OSB sheet and similar materials. Large cracks are repaired by the same method.
  • Small fracturing is eliminated by filling the damaged area with bitumen-polymer mastic, applied in two layers. Coarse-grained topping is applied over the second layer of mastic.
  • Swellings that are insignificant in area should first be incised crosswise and dried with a hair dryer on the wet layers of the roofing cake. The corners of the cut turn outward in the form of petals and are scrupulously cleaned of dirt. The dried rear of the petals is heated with a propane torch, applied in place and rolled with a roller. A patch of identical roll material is placed on top of the notch.

Impressive swellings and ruptures dictate the need for a major overhaul of the built-up soft roof with the replacement of layers of the roofing cake that have had time to get wet. In order not to come to major alterations, the regularity of the inspection should be observed. Repair work is recommended to coincide with the days when the thermometer does not fall below +5ºС and does not rise above +18ºС. Deviations in both directions from the indicated temperature limit are reflected in the elasticity and strength of the material.

If depressions with a depth of no more than 1.5 cm appear on the surface of the rolled roof, the repair is carried out according to the principle of eliminating bubbles:

  • The material is cut in the form of an envelope, the cut ends are bent and dried.
  • A cement-sand mortar is poured into the hole and allowed to dry. Mastic for leveling recesses can not be used.
  • Mastic is applied to the surface of the fill.
  • The dried petals of the incision are returned to their place and glued.
  • A patch is applied on top, the dimensions of which overlap the incisions by 10 cm.

Minor leaks in the area of ​​​​roof penetrations are fought by opening the finishing material and replacing the waterproofing pasting. Often, an autopsy shows that only the sealant layer is damaged. It just needs to be updated.

Things are much more complicated with the elimination of leaks in the area of ​​​​roofing adjoining and passages, if the problems are associated with delamination, cracking and destruction of the coating. Troubleshoot such problems as follows:

  • We release the junctions from a protective apron - metal or asbestos-cement around the chimneys, bituminous along the lines of interface of the walls and the parapet with the roof.
  • We remove the old waterproofing carpet and dry the surface.
  • We glue a new waterproofing carpet on the mastic so that 30 cm of it falls on a vertical surface.
  • We fix the edge of the new waterproofing on a vertical surface with a metal rail or apron.
  • We seal the seams.

Peeling of the roofing is also repaired, if the area of ​​the defect does not cause any particular concern and does not suggest the complete replacement of one or two adjacent strips. In delamination areas, care should be taken to separate the coating from the base and adjacent strips as much as possible. The base and the separated material should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, after drying, primed. The undersides of the separated coating are reheated with a gas burner and welded onto the substrate.

Actions for re-gluing the peeled coating are performed if the strip that has separated from the base does not have more significant damage. If there are large breaks and punctures, the sheet must be completely separated from the base and a new strip should be laid.


Situation # 4 - repair of roof penetrations

A soft roof can also leak due to the fault of poor-quality casings used to equip the crossing of the roof with communications. Rubber or plastic fixtures can simply burst. Damaged attributes of the arrangement are subject to unconditional replacement:

  • The coating around the penetration is separated from the base.
  • Remove the waterproof collar.
  • We dismantle the casing.
  • Installing a new device.
  • We cut out a new collar from the waterproofing carpet, using the old one as a template if it is irreparably damaged.
  • We clean the surface around the penetration and process it with mastic.
  • We put the collar on the casing.
  • We again process the repaired area with mastic.
  • We put the coating separated from the base in its original place.

In fact, the replacement of communication accessories is carried out in the same way as the initial installation. Watch a video that will help you learn in detail the principle of repairing penetration through a soft roof:

The presented examples of repairing soft roofing will help get rid of most of the characteristic defects that annoy the owners of private houses. Compliance with the restoration rules guarantees an excellent result. Moreover, the owner can do everything with his own hands without the participation of roofers.

The average service life of a soft roof reaches 10-15 years, but this is the case if all the features of the technological process have been observed. The “life” of a roof covering is the longer, the more carefully and regularly the maintenance of its surface is carried out. But it is worth noting that even with systematic care, from time to time there is a need to repair a soft roof, and there may be several reasons for this.

  1. Emergency.
  2. Current.
  3. Capital.

emergency repair necessary for the emergency restoration of a soft roof to its normal operating characteristics. Most often, at this time, the coating is replaced in places of actual and alleged leaks. Reconstruction is subjected to from 5% to 20% of the roof area. Repair is the installation of patches in critical areas, less often a part of the roofing material is replaced.

Current repairs cover from 10% to 40% of the entire roofing area. It is recommended to be carried out annually after a scheduled inspection of the surface of the roof of the house. The following activities can be carried out as works: replacement of part of the roofing or patching.

This roof is in urgent need of professional repair.

Overhaul necessary when more than 40% of the roof area needs to be restored. In order to fully normalize performance, the entire roofing or most of it is replaced.

The need for repair work is usually due to the destruction of the bitumen layer, which leads to a decrease in hydro and vapor barrier characteristics, which means that water from the outside begins to flow into the interior of the house. If you plan to repair a soft roof with your own hands, then it is worth studying the entire sequence of work, from assessing the condition of the coating to the final stages of restoration measures.

When repairs are needed

To understand how much work awaits the master, you need to climb the roof and assess the damage. During the inspection, you should pay attention to the following points:

  • the presence of delaminations at the junction of panels of soft roofing material;
  • the appearance on the surface of the roof of pits and depressions visible to the naked eye, in which water accumulates;
  • the appearance of blisters and bubbles on the surface of the roof: this is evidence that water has seeped under the layer of material;
  • assess the degree of damage to the roofing from stagnant water - the appearance of rot, mold or fungus;
  • check the roof for mechanical damage - cracks, tears, abrasions, deformations.

Important! Inspection of the roof should be carried out annually, and not once every 2-3 years, as is often the case. Early identification of defective areas will allow you to fix the trouble more quickly and cheaply.

The presence of bubbles on the roof surface indicates that it is time to start repair work.

An objective assessment of the damage will make it possible to draw conclusions - whether a major overhaul of a soft roof is needed or a small restoration can be dispensed with. To determine the sequence of operations, as well as to see the cost and the full scope of work, an estimate will help, the preparation of which should be the next step in repairing a soft roof.

Subtleties of budgeting

Sometimes you may come across information that it is necessary to draw up an estimate only for major repairs of the roof. This approach cannot be considered correct, because the estimate allows you to financially assess the amount of work, as well as systematize the data for the purchase of the necessary materials.

The estimate should take into account a complete list of repair activities, namely:

  • dismantling of the old roofing - completely or only in the volume of the damaged area;
  • preparatory work for laying new roofing material;
  • direct installation of a soft roof and sealing of seams;
  • creation of the upper waterproofing layer.

Also, the estimate should include the cost of purchasing consumables and combustible materials, and take into account the payment for the delivery of purchased products.

Photos of soft roof coating defects with a detailed description will greatly facilitate the calculation of the required amount of materials for repairs

If it is difficult to decide on your own how much the soft roof repair technology will cost, then you can submit an application for the formation of estimates to professional builders. To prepare the document, they will need the following information:

  • a complete roof plan with all measurements;
  • the thickness and height of the parapets, the location and length of the cornice overhangs and their junctions;
  • the location of shafts, pipes and other roof elements, indicating their number and size;
  • description of defects or their photos to assess the condition of the roofing;
  • list of planned works;
  • name of the roofing material selected for repair.

Having received a financial assessment of future repairs, you can start choosing specialists or plan to carry out the work yourself. It should be noted right away that the repair of a soft roof should be carried out taking into account the relevant regulatory documentation, which regulates both the work itself and the materials that must be used.

Important ! Often the experience of a team of craftsmen is adequately replaced by SNiPs, GOSTs and other rules. After all, regulatory documents do not take into account the rapid renewal of the construction market, its development and the emergence of new options for soft roofing with more successful characteristics.

Minor roof repairs

Depending on the type of defect, several options for work are possible:

  1. Creation of "patches" in places of damage to the material.
  2. Connecting broken joints.
  3. Refurbishment the old way.

Important ! If restoration work will be carried out by professional builders, then preference will be given to the latter option, since the first two are considered a temporary and poor-quality measure.

Repairing a soft roof requires professional skills and the ability to handle special tools.

The installation of patches involves local repair of the coating and is performed according to the following scheme:

  1. All visible defects are removed - cut out or pierced.
  2. The surface of the roof is cleaned of dirt, dust and debris.
  3. The damaged area is filled with sealant or bituminous mastic.
  4. A ruberoid is applied to the mastic with a larger area than the repaired area.
  5. Another layer of bitumen is applied on top, which is distributed with a roller over all surfaces with an emphasis on the edges of the patch.

Important! This method has poor efficiency, since soft roofing sometimes has hidden defects, which are very difficult to detect.

If the task of the masters is only to connect the divergent joints, then it is quite enough to perform the following work:

  1. raise and thoroughly dry the space under the roofing material;
  2. coat the damaged area with bitumen;
  3. lay the roof in place;
  4. re-treat the joint with bitumen.

Repair of a fragment of the roof, in which there is no need to dismantle a large section of the roofing

The method, which is called "the old way", is considered the most effective and high-quality for minor roof repairs. Its essence lies in the fact that a new layer of material is laid on the old roof, cleaned of debris and dirt, which is used as a base. It turns out an updated coating with a complete restoration of all operational characteristics of the roof.

However, there are limitations to be aware of when using this method. Repair is not carried out according to this scheme if:

  • the old roof is very badly damaged;
  • this is not the first roof repair and the number of layers of old material has already reached eight.

Important ! The fusing of a new layer significantly increases the load on the floor supports and walls of the house. Before starting work, it is necessary to calculate how much weight can be added without endangering the building structure.

Overhaul stages

In some cases, the roof is already in such a neglected state that local repairs do not help. Then it is worth considering other options, which are based on the removal and replacement of the old roofing carpet. The estimate for the repair of a soft roof in this case increases significantly, and the work itself is called capital. The activities are carried out in a certain order, but it is worth noting that the appropriateness of some stages is assessed by the masters on the spot. In the case of a good condition of any layer of the "roofing cake", some work may be skipped.

The overhaul of a soft roof is a certain sequence of works

The complete list includes:

  1. Dismantling of the old roof;
  2. Dismantling of the cement screed and removal of the heat-insulating layer;
  3. Restoration of the vapor barrier layer;
  4. Putting in order the internal drain;
  5. Installation of thermal insulation;
  6. Carrying out demolition when using sand;
  7. Installation of funnels for internal drainage;
  8. Installation of cement screed;
  9. Primer screed;
  10. Installation of the roof, taking into account all technological features;
  11. Roof coating with fire retardant or reflective composition.

If you have to perform all of the above work, then the cost of repairs may exceed the amount of the cost of a conventional installation. It will not be possible to avoid this, since in any case the work will be associated with dismantling and removal of construction debris.

Important ! The simplest overhaul includes: a complete replacement of a soft roof with a partial repair of the base, as well as revision and partial replacement of some elements of the roof.

Checking the quality of work

The main question that confronts the owner of the house after the repair of the roofing: how to check the quality of work. There is no single line of conduct, but you should pay attention to the following parameters:

  • Visual inspection of the repaired roof. Rolls of material should lie flat, without visible distortions, excessive overlaps and intersections.
  • Assessment of the state of the edges. They must be perfectly melted and fit snugly to the base, otherwise the sheets can be torn off during the first bad weather and strong winds.
  • The behavior of the roof during rain. This is the most important indicator, as it really demonstrates the quality of the work performed.

Important ! Do not forget about the guarantees that any handyman working for hire must provide.

Soft roof after a quality repair

In general, when accepting work, you can focus on the requirements of SNiPs and SPs, since in any case they should serve as a theoretical basis for any serious repair. Even if a roofing material not specified in them is used, the installation requirements remain unchanged for a long time.

Winter work

Repairing a soft roof in winter is a separate topic for conversation. Of course, it is not recommended to carry out any work on the roof during the cold season, but there are situations when it is simply necessary to carry out emergency repairs.

Important ! Repairs in winter should be carried out at an increased level of safety.

In winter, it is worth doing the restoration of the roofing if:

  • the roof of the house was seriously damaged (due to a snowstorm or when a large and heavy object fell);
  • the amount of snow that has fallen has caused the roof to sag;
  • the thaw led to the formation of leaks.

Clearing a soft roof from snow cover before starting repair work

Any of these situations can lead to deformation of the roof, as well as walls and ceilings; cause a short circuit or even a fire. To avoid this, it is recommended to restore the roof immediately, especially since this can be done at almost any air temperature.

Like any other complex repair, winter activities must be carried out in compliance with certain rules:

  1. The choice of roofing material. Low temperatures are bad for many types of coatings, so it is very important to choose an option that will not break in the cold.
  2. Among the materials recommended for repair, it is worth noting: soft tiles, corrugated board, metal tiles. For work, it is better to choose frost-resistant sealants that react neutrally to sub-zero temperatures.
  3. It gets dark quickly in winter, so you should think about lighting the roof in advance, otherwise you can interrupt work immediately after dismantling the roof at the site of damage.
  4. Security. It is worth considering in advance the clothes and shoes for work. In addition, you need to take with you everything you need to protect yourself from bad weather.
  5. Snow must be removed from the roof before repairs can begin. To do this, use a scraper with a rubberized surface.
  6. The patch material must be kept warm until the very last moment.
  7. Roof repair in winter should be entrusted to professionals, since in difficult conditions it will be difficult for an amateur to cope.

It is possible to carry out any roof repair work by working with a partner. However, you shouldn't do this on your own. You can still install a new roof yourself, but it is advisable to call professionals for repairs. Only in this case, you can be sure that the assessment of the condition of the roof will be carried out correctly, the estimate is drawn up taking into account all the features of the repair, the necessary materials have been purchased and all work has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of regulatory documentation.

Roof of a residential building

The main cause of damage and deformation of soft roofs is operational wear. In some cases, defects may be caused by installation or maintenance errors. Regardless of the reason that caused the violation of the integrity of the coating, the repair of soft roofing should be done as soon as possible. This will help to avoid the complete dismantling of the old coating and the re-arrangement of the roofing material.

Prevention

In order to delay the need for repairs, preventive measures should be taken to protect the roofing:

  • During operation, the roof slopes may sag. The reason for this is the excessive load that the soft roof is subjected to. The load may be the result of errors during the installation of the roofing or the result of rotting and deformation of the beams on which the roof rests. The load is caused by natural phenomena. In Moscow and other regions of Central Russia, it is often caused by snow. Therefore, the soft roof should be regularly cleaned of it, as well as dirt and debris.
  • Roofs should be periodically washed with ordinary clean water supplied under pressure. After washing, the surface is treated with special compounds that protect the outer layer of the roofing cake from moss and mold. It is sufficient to flush once a year.
  • Additional preventive measures are required in regions with high humidity. Roofs of houses in such areas are additionally protected. For example, a zinc strip can be installed near the ridge.
  • In winter, in Moscow and Central Russia, it is necessary not only to regularly remove snow and icicles, but also to treat the surface with chemical compounds that prevent the accumulation of snow and the formation of an ice crust.
  • If trees grow near the house, it is necessary to cut off the branches hanging over the roof. The distance between the nearest tree branches and the roofing should be at least one meter.

These measures help to avoid frequent repairs of soft roofs.

Defects

It is necessary to start repairing a soft roof if at least one coating defect was found during the examination. These include:

  • Mechanical damage to the roofing pie.
  • Presence of plants, moss or mold.
  • Swollen areas.
  • Flaking of roofing material.
  • Cracks.
  • Damage to previous patches.

Any of these defects requires immediate intervention and repair of the soft roof surface. Otherwise, they will cause roof leaks.

Roof installation

Depending on the frequency of occurrence of leakage, there can be different types:

  • Manifested immediately after precipitation. Most often, leaks of this type are caused by mechanical damage to the roofing pie or natural wear and tear. If a leak appears immediately after installation or repair of the coating, we can say that the work was done in violation of the technology, or poor-quality materials were used.
  • Appearing some time after the snow melts. Such leaks may indicate that mechanical damage or cracks are present at the joints or in the areas where the roofing pie adjoins the ventilation ducts.
  • "Flickering" leaks that appear periodically. They are caused by microcracks in the coating. When flickering leaks appear, a major overhaul of a soft roof is most often required.

Even if there are no leaks, the roofing should be inspected regularly. The objectives of such a survey in the spring are:

  • Detection of blisters, determination of their size and nature.
  • Assessment of the state of waterproofing roofing.
  • Determination of the integrity of the aprons and the correctness of their installation.

Preparation for work

During the summer period, the following defects can be detected:

  • Bubbles in the coating.
  • Cracking of roofing material of varying degrees.

In the fall, the following are revealed:

  • Clogs in funnels and drains.
  • Wet walls.
  • Stagnation of water.

Repair technology

Repair of a soft roof can be current or capital. Overhaul requires the complete dismantling of old materials with the arrangement of new hydro-, vapor barrier, screed, etc.

The choice of materials for repair

The construction market in Russia and Moscow presents a variety of materials for the repair of soft roof coverings. The roofing pie is arranged in several layers. Materials must meet a number of requirements:

  • For the outer layer, you need to choose products with mineral dressing and a thickness of 4.5–5 mm.
  • For the lower layers, materials with a thickness of 3–3.5 mm are suitable.
  • All textures used must be compatible with each other.

Installation by non-professionals

In Moscow and Central Russia, bituminous roll materials have gained the greatest popularity. They are easy to install, especially on flat roofs, and can be used for roofs of residential and industrial buildings. In terms of coating reliability, bitumen-based roll materials are superior to most other methods of arranging a roofing pie. Such materials are well suited not only for Moscow with its relatively stable climate, but also for areas where there are sharp temperature changes.

Maintenance

Current repairs are carried out with minor damage, cracks or open joints. Cracks and mechanical damage can be eliminated by filling them with bituminous mastic, on top of which a patch is glued. Roll roofing materials are selected for it. On top of it, it is desirable to pour another layer of bitumen.

Opened joints are also treated with bitumen. Before pouring the mastic, you need to thoroughly dry the lower layers of the roofing cake with a gas burner. After drying, bitumen is poured on which the old material is laid, and another layer of mastic is performed.

Overhaul

Work completed

Roof repair is a complex task, the implementation of which is best entrusted to specialists. Moreover, in Moscow and other large cities it is quite easy to find a specialized company providing such services.

Repair is carried out in several stages:

  • Dismantling of the old roofing pie.
  • Implementation of a cement screed roof.
  • Arrangement of steam and waterproofing layers.
  • Laying of rolled roofing materials.

Violation of any of the stages of the technological process will lead to the fact that the soft roof will be quickly damaged, and all problems associated with leaks will return, requiring a new repair.

You need to start repair work with surface preparation. The roof must be cleared of debris, and the old roofing completely dismantled. The base of the roof must be level. Next, the operability of the ventilation and drainage systems is checked.

On flat roofs, it is necessary to perform a cement screed, which ensures the evenness of the surface. For additional protection, the base is primed with a bituminous primer or mastic. First, the composition is applied completely to the entire base, including parapets, junctions and podiums. In this case, the surface must be thoroughly impregnated with a primer. After the material has dried, the next layers can be laid.

Mounting process

The vapor barrier is mounted on a cement screed, and then a layer of insulation is laid. To protect the resulting cake, reinforcement with a road mesh is used. Vapor and thermal insulation materials are selected depending on the roof structure.

Materials are laid in different ways depending on the angle of the roof slope. On roofs with a slope angle of less than 15º, the materials must be installed perpendicular to the direction of water movement when it flows into the drainage system. At an angle of more than 15º, laying is carried out from top to bottom in the direction of water movement. After laying the roofing material, all joints, elements of the parapet, gutters, etc. are sealed.

Repair work in winter

Roof repairs in Moscow and Central Russia during the winter period are impossible. In fact, all work in the event of leaks comes down to patching the damaged area. The area to be treated is dried with a gas burner, after which a patch of the required size is welded onto the surface. With the onset of the warm period of the year, the roof is carefully examined, and current or major repairs are carried out, which depends on the degree of damage to the coating.

Conclusion

Repair of a soft roof is required when the slightest defects in the coating appear. Despite the relative ease of laying rolled bituminous weld materials, the work must be carried out by specialists. One single violation of the technological process, which may seem insignificant to a non-professional, can lead to rapid wear of the new coating, and in the worst case, reduce the result of the work to zero.

Soft roofs, due to their specificity, require regular maintenance and care. It is “softness” that is the main drawback - this type of roof is poorly protected from mechanical damage. The destruction of the waterproofing layer even in two or three places leads to the fact that after a while most of the roofing carpet becomes unusable. But such roofs are usually distinguished by good repairability and it is not too difficult to restore the roof.

If no more than 40% of the roof is damaged, current repairs (restoration of damaged areas) can be dispensed with. If more, a major overhaul is needed, involving the removal of the old coating and the flooring of a new one.

Soft roof defects

To detect damage to a soft roof, you do not need to do complex examinations, a careful examination of the surface is enough. Possible violations of the roofing:

  • Explicit delamination at the joints.
  • The presence of holes and depressions in which water can accumulate. In these places, corrosion processes, the appearance of fungus or mold are possible.
  • Cracks, serious abrasions, tears, mechanical damage.
  • Bloating. Usually this is evidence that moisture accumulates under the coating in this place, therefore, there are violations of the integrity of the waterproofing layer.

Building materials and equipment for repair work

Before proceeding with the repair, it is necessary to carefully calculate the amount of necessary roofing material and draw up a detailed work plan. This will significantly reduce the repair time. To restore the roof you will need:

  • Gas cylinder, reducer and burner.
  • Vacuum cleaner (industrial), estimates.
  • Mounting cutter.
  • Spool (pipe).
  • Putty knife.
  • Roulette construction.
  • Axe.
  • Stick for rolling.
  • Bituminous mastic.

If a major overhaul of a flat roof is needed, you may need to do a cement-sand screed in places or completely. You will need soil, sand, cement and water.

The modern market of roofing materials offers just a huge selection of rolled roofing materials. Some of them:

  • For the device of the top layer - Isoelast, Linocrom, Uniflex, Isoplast.
  • For the device of the lower layer - Technoelast, Bireplast, Isoplast, Uniflex.

The materials of the outer layer are coated with mineral particles that protect from sunlight. The thickness of the roll materials of the outer layer is 4.5-5 mm. The thickness of similar materials of the inner layer is 3.5 mm.

SNiP

When carrying out restoration work on soft roofs, it is necessary to be guided by the following documents:

  • SNiPII-26-76
  • SNiP 3.04.01-87
  • SNiP 3.04.01-87
  • SNiP Roofing Soft 12-03-2001

All documents regulating the conduct of roofing work should be carefully studied. However, it must be remembered that these regulations were adopted a long time ago and some items are hopelessly outdated.

Technology and sequence of do-it-yourself repair work

The sequence of works on repairing a roof from a soft roof depends on the roofing material you use. It can be both rolled welded materials and flexible tiles. Technologically, their laying depends on (flat and pitched).

flat roofs

Any repair of any surfaces begins with the preparation of the base. It is very important to always follow this point, otherwise even the most cutting-edge roofing materials will not last even half of the time they should last.

Maintenance can be done in two ways:

  • partial replacement of the old roofing carpet;
  • laying new layers of roofing over the entire area on the old coating.

If you are going to just patch the roof, you need to cut down all the damaged places. Thoroughly clean the surface under the patches, remove dust and primer. Pour hot mastic and glue a new roll coating on it. The area of ​​the patch must be at least one third larger than the restored surface. The edges are carefully sealed.

Such repairs are justified with a very small amount of damage to the roofing. At best, your patch will last 3-4 years.

On small roofs, it is quite possible to produce without removing the old one. If such repairs have already been carried out, it must be taken into account that each layer of roofing increases the load (approximately 1.5-2 kg per sq. M).

After making sure that your roof is able to withstand it and that the old roofing carpet is not in a deplorable state, you can begin to prepare the foundation. Having eliminated the defects and cleaned it, lay a new soft roof in two layers in the usual way, depending on the material.

Overhaul usually includes not only the dismantling of the old roofing, but also the repair of all roof elements - fences, parapets, gutters and water inlets. If necessary, a partial screed or screed of the entire roof area is made.

You can remove the old coating using a special machine, or you can use the old-fashioned way - with an ax and a metal spatula or scraper. The base, no matter what you are going to do next, must be cleaned of dust, dirt and degreased. If there are no serious defects on it - pits, holes, large potholes, you can do without a screed. But it is still necessary to partially restore the base - it is desirable that the surface be even, dry and clean.

Rolled welded roofing materials today are made of durable materials (polyester, fiberglass) with the addition of modifiers. Both sides are covered with a polymer-bitumen composition. The top layer is protected with mineral powders, and the bottom layer is covered with a special film.

Service life, depending on the modifier, ranges from 10 to 30 years. A well-done repair will keep your roof protected from the elements for decades to come. Roofing on flat roofs is done in several layers.

Installation of roll materials quite simple - the lower bitumen layer is heated with a gas burner, glued to the base and rolled. The rolls are rolled out with an overlap of 15 cm, the joints are carefully glued. The second layer is mounted across the first. As a result, you get an almost complete coverage. When installing the roof, special attention should be paid to sealing the joints to the vertical elements of the roof.

For more information about the technology of carrying out repair work using welded materials, see the video.

pitched roof

Soft roofs (flexible tiles) on pitched roofs are becoming fashionable. This type of roofing has a number of undeniable advantages:

  • Long service life (up to 50 years).
  • Low windage, such roofing will not break even a hurricane.
  • High sound insulation.
  • Zero waste. No more than 5% of the flexible roof gets into waste, even on roofs of complex configuration.

In addition, roofs covered with flexible tiles look original and impressive. The basis of this coating is high-strength fiberglass. Flexible shingles are surprisingly easy to use and.

Despite the excellent performance, such a roof may also need to be repaired. To replace a significant section of the roofing carpet, you will have to re-lay the entire slope. But this happens extremely rarely (for example, in the event of a tree falling on the roof).

Small cracks or blisters can be easily repaired with roofing adhesive. To replace a coverage fragment, you need to:

  • Lift the tile above and remove the damaged one.
  • Pull out the fastening nails with a nail puller.
  • Apply roofing adhesive evenly on new tiles.
  • Install it in place, secure with additional roofing nails.
  • Apply roofing adhesive to the top piece at the overlap.
  • Press the repaired section of the roof for a while.

Repair cost

In the case when you make repairs with your own hands, it is worth making a preliminary estimate before starting work. Knowing what roofing material will be used for repairs and its price, it is possible to determine the cost of repairs with great accuracy.

Unless you're a professional builder, you may not be able to account for shipping and supplies, but this does not add much to the cost of the repair. On average, current repairs will cost you from 60-80 rubles per square meter, major repairs will cost more than 200 rubles. Construction services will increase costs by 2-2.5 times.

Small-sized soft roofs can be repaired without hiring professional roofers. Installation of such coatings is quite simple, but you will need care and accuracy when carrying out work - the roof does not tolerate hack work. Another mandatory condition is reliable insurance. Do not forget that any roofing work is work at height.

Repair of a soft roof is necessary when the first defects are detected. Otherwise, leaking water will destroy the insulation, render the hydro and vapor barrier unusable, and you will have to spend more effort and money on restoration.

The final cost of restoration work depends on the type of soft roof. It is known that it is much cheaper to put in order a roll coating than to restore bituminous tiles.



The price of all events depends on the chosen repair option:

  1. Cosmetic restoration includes the elimination of minor defects - divergence of seams, holes, dents and swelling.
  2. Capital works consist in the complete replacement of existing material with qualitatively new components.
  3. Emergency repair is carried out when it is impossible to qualitatively eliminate the damage due to weather or other conditions. The main thing here is to fix the problem, and not to preserve the appearance.

The appropriate type of measures to be taken is determined on the basis of an internal and external inspection of the structure. This will allow you to identify the most problematic areas and focus on them.

cosmetic work

Cosmetic repair allows you to restore the beautiful appearance of the roof and at the same time eliminate the leak. They resort to it in cases where the water has not spoiled the "roofing cake".


Defects are usually eliminated in two ways, depending on their type:

  • cracks and holes are eliminated by applying patches and subsequent application of mastic or bitumen;
  • the separated joints are again glued with roofing glue on both sides - top and bottom.

It is more difficult to repair a soft roof with swelling. The reason for this phenomenon is the penetration of moisture into the insulation. To eliminate the defect, the heat is replaced and a new layer of waterproofing is laid. Air ducts are also constructed to circulate air and remove moisture.

Capital recovery

Major repairs are required in case of extensive damage to the roofing, when it makes no sense to partially close up the holes. Measures are also taken due to the aging of the material.



In this case, the work consists of several stages:

  1. Dismantling the old system - removing not only the roof, but also the "pie".
  2. Drying of all structural elements, processing of wooden elements with antiseptics.
  3. Laying a vapor-permeable membrane, insulation and waterproofing.
  4. Roofing installation.

Major repairs may be needed for extensive swelling. In this case, the work on laying ventilation ducts with the installation of aerators is included in the technological process, gaps are left for air circulation.


Here are the main aspects of repairing a roof from a soft roof. The number of activities and the complexity of the work depends on the type of roof truss, surface area. And if you want to save money and carry out a quality restoration, then contact a professional company.

The price of repairing a soft roof

Types of jobsUnitsPrices:
Complete dismantling of the existing roof (waterproofing coating, screed, insulation) with garbage disposalm2250 rub.
The device of a two-layer roofing carpet with welded roll material on a vertical surfacem2350 rub.
Thermal insulation device from slabs 150 mm thickm2200 rub.
Installation of a cement-sand screed up to 50 mm thickm2300 rub.
Reinforced cement-sand screed up to 50 mm thickm2350 rub.
Priming the base with a primerm2100 rub.
Deceleration device made of expanded clay with an average thickness of 100 mmm2200 rub.
Vapor barrier device built-up single-layerm2150 rub.
Dry vapor barrier devicem280 rub.
Installation of drain funnelsm22000 rub.
Installation of roof aerators, deflectorsm22500 rub.
Device for covering a parapet up to 500 mm wide with dry galvanized steelm2300 rub.
The device of an apron made of galvanized steel at the junction of the roofing carpet to vertical surfacesm30 rub.

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