The roof is one of the main elements of the building, which is responsible for the indoor microclimate. Being directly influenced by the external environment, it can lose its integrity, which leads to emergency situations. The first sign of defects is leakage. If this problem is not solved, dampness appears in the house, heat begins to leave, and the rafter structure may collapse.
Features of roof repair
If you notice the problem in time, you can easily repair the roof yourself. To do this, you should decide on the choice of material for repair - its type depends on what format was used when erecting the structure initially.
- Metal roofing. This type of roofing is practically not repairable, and therefore experts advise replacing it. In the process, screws are removed, the old material is removed and a new one is installed. Temporary repair consists of treating the damaged sheet with paint. This option is convenient when you need to wait until the new material is delivered.
- Slate. The damaged areas are cleaned and dried. After that, the cracks are carefully treated with a mixture of PVA glue and water in proportions of 1:3. In this case, the weather should not be sunny. If the damage is more serious, then it is advisable to replace the entire sheet.
- Soft roofing. Minor damage is repaired with roofing glue. If there are many cracks, you need to change the coating. The process consists of dismantling the fasteners and cutting out the damaged material. Then a new piece cut to the required shape is laid in its place. Next, the joints are combined and treated with glue. It is best to carry out such work at an air temperature of +5 to +25 degrees. Steel sheet. Minor damage is repaired by painting cracks and gaps. Before this, the old paint should be cleaned and treated with a degreaser. If the seal is broken, use construction sealants. In case of significant defects, patches are applied to the surface of the coating. Natural tiles. Repair involves replacing damaged elements. In this case, it is necessary to remove the tiles that are laid nearby. This way, it is possible to preserve the laying technology. Work begins with the upper elements, then you need to move on to the side part.
In most cases, such repair work is organized in a complex. This means that in case of serious damage, it is necessary to pay attention to the stability and integrity of the rafters, the condition of the heat and waterproofing layer, and how the drain works.
How to find leaks on a roof
There may be many reasons why the integrity of the roof covering is compromised. This includes incorrectly selected material for the roof configuration or its poor quality. Very often, leaks begin due to a breach in the tightness of the seams. If the problem is ignored, then over time, wet spots form on the ceiling and upper part of the walls, a damp smell appears in the rooms, and the surface of the facade quickly loses its attractive appearance due to streaks.
That is why it is important to conduct a roof diagnostic and identify places where water is leaking. The method of examination is selected depending on the roof structure:
- Flat roof. In this case, it is quite difficult to detect the place where the water is leaking from. This is explained by the impossibility of guessing where the water is moving due to the small angle of inclination. As a result, it can drip in one place and leak in a completely different place. The most accurate way to find the damaged areas is in the summer in hot weather, when a dried salt trace forms in the places where the water flows. If the roof is covered with a soft material, then it can be felt for the presence of voids with air or water.
- Pitched. Finding the problem here is much easier, since the water moves almost in one line with the hole. If there is a technological possibility, the damaged area is repaired exactly along this line.
- Solid roof. When covering a house with ondulin, slate, corrugated sheets, tiles, the leak can only be found after dismantling the sheets. After a thorough inspection, a repair method is selected taking into account the use of roofing material.
When water leaks onto the walls, you need to pay attention to the layer of heat and waterproofing. Often the cause of the problem can be a violation of the technology of laying these systems, or wear and tear of the main materials used earlier in the construction of the house.
