Every roof needs some type of covering material to serve as the front line of weather protection for the building. Therefore, the construction industry constantly offers new products on the coating market, and one of them is liquid roofing. Its operational properties and features will be discussed further.
Bitumen, as many years ago, is the basis for many roofing materials, especially for flat roofs, due to its specific chemical and physical properties.
New products are constantly being developed based on it, and one of them is liquid rubber. This is a bitumen-polymer containing one or more components.
Strictly speaking, “one-component” compositions can be called such only conditionally, since they represent ready-made mixtures various substances, ready for use and do not require mixing or other additional operations.
At the moment, liquid rubber for roofing is one of the most technologically advanced and easy-to-use materials.
It is used both independently and as waterproofing for other types of coatings - and, unlike classic films and membranes, it is applied over the base.
There are practically no roofs that cannot be coated with liquid roofing due to its high degree of adhesion (penetration and adhesion).
Among them:
- Monolithic and precast concrete
- Cement strainer
- Tree
- Metal
- Roof tiles (including as a bottom waterproofing layer)
- Slate
- Old coatings made from roll materials
At the same time, a special advantage of the material is that on the roof where liquid roofing is applied, the roof as such can be of any shape, and with the most complex geometry.
The advantages of this mastic include:
- Creating a continuous roofing carpet without seams
- No connection problems at the locations of various roof structures
- High elasticity
- Durability (20 years or more)
- Ease of application and fast drying
- High water resistance even in extreme conditions
- Chemical and biological resistance
- Wide operating temperature range (-60 - +110 °C)
- Environmental safety (can be used even indoors)
- Low material consumption (1-3 kg/m2)
The material can also be applied in almost any way:
- Brush
- Roller
- Spatula
- Rubber mop
- Spray installation
At the same time, high fire safety is ensured, since this roof is installed in a cold way, without the use of open fire.
Hardening occurs almost immediately after application. You can walk on the coating, and complete readiness occurs in a day.
Minimal preparation is required, similar to the installation of a conventional screed or surface painting: cleaning from dirt, degreasing, and, if necessary, a primer
Important information! Degreasing and priming work must not be carried out using substances based on petroleum products
A particularly effective area of application for the material is roof repair. liquid rubber. As a rule, it is performed on the old coating made of rolled materials.
It is noteworthy that in this case - as in full coverage old roofing carpet, and when applying repair patches, removal of the old coating is required only in places of spalling. Even bubbles, after cutting them, can be filled with mastic.
Advice! In order to save money when constructing a roof covering, you can use rolled material as the main material, and use bitumen-polymer mastic to treat difficult areas - abutments, vertical and inclined surfaces and so on.
Of course, no material is without its drawbacks; liquid roofing also has them.
These include:
- Relatively high price
- Sensitivity to solvents and other petroleum-based products
- Possibility of removing the coating, if necessary, only mechanically
However, the advantages still outweigh: the speed of the device, the ability to apply it to vertical surfaces (without subsequent sliding under the influence of heating from the sun's rays) - this material has no equal. Special mention should be made of high elasticity.
Thanks to it, when the ambient temperature changes, even the most drastic one, the roof will work together with the base, which will not allow damage to occur either in the covering itself or in the places where the carpet adjoins various elements roofs.
When installing additional protective layers(substrate underneath and hard covering - screed, cement tiles, etc.) on a material such as, for example, a reinforced liquid roof can be used.
Although mastic is usually produced in black, there are also colored options. It can also be tinted with dyes based on organosilicon or water based.
The remarkable properties of liquid rubber (although in fact it is not rubber, it does not necessarily contain rubber) make it a universal and very practical coating.
And if you additionally coat it with protective paint against exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such a roof will last much longer than the 20 years stated in its characteristics.
Liquid rubber is popularly called a popular material used for, based on petroleum bitumen. Professionals know how much it is universal remedy, but inexperienced craftsmen often underestimate self-leveling waterproofing. Liquid rubber can be used to erect flat roof, repairing old roofing felt coatings with your own hands and protecting the roof and foundation from moisture. In this article we will dwell in detail on its composition, properties and methods of use.
Liquid rubber is a popular material for do-it-yourself roof waterproofing, made from bitumen emulsion. It is a thick, viscous, flowing liquid that hardens on the roof surface at a temperature of +5 degrees. After hardening, liquid rubber forms a durable, monolithic layer that does not allow moisture to pass through. In addition to bitumen emulsion, this waterproofing material includes:
- Polymer additives. They improve the properties of liquid rubber, making it more resistant to temperature changes and mechanical damage.
- Plasticizers. The task of plasticizers is to make the consistency of the bitumen emulsion more fluid and elastic, as well as to increase the adhesion of the composition.
- Hardeners. Hardeners are responsible for curing this DIY roof waterproofing product after application.
Important! The composition of this waterproofing agent is in no way reminiscent of real rubber; it is so called because even after hardening it retains elasticity and ductility. In production, this waterproofing material is poured into metal barrels 200 liters or smaller containers.
Properties
Liquid rubber is a universal means for roof waterproofing, having wide possibilities applications. It is characterized by high water resistance, elasticity and ease of application by hand. The advantages of this material are considered:
- Solidity. After the composition hardens, a monolithic waterproofing layer is formed on the roof surface, which does not allow moisture to pass through, and also has no joints or seams where leaks can occur.
- High adhesion. This waterproofing material is able to penetrate small cracks and pores in the base of a wood, concrete or even metal roof without additional priming.
- Weather resistant. The temperature range in which liquid rubber can “work” is from -75 to +95 degrees, which is quite enough for trouble-free operation throughout Russia.
- Easy to apply. This waterproofing material can be used for vertical and horizontal surfaces. The composition can be applied using a brush, roller or spray.
Please note that the disadvantages of this waterproofing agent are its rather high price and low resistance to ultraviolet radiation. To protect a roof covered with liquid rubber from direct sun rays It is recommended to treat it with water-based or silicone-based paint.
Possibility of use
As already mentioned, liquid rubber can be used in a wide range of construction applications. It differs fundamentally from other waterproofing products in its consistency, which allows it to be applied to vertical and horizontal surfaces, as well as to cover narrow cracks and joints. It can be used for the following purposes:
- For waterproofing flat roof. The waterproofing material is evenly poured over the roof surface until a homogeneous layer is obtained. required thickness. This technology is called self-leveling roofing.
- For priming the roof base before laying rolled and piece roofing materials.
- To protect the foundation and other structural elements home from exposure to moisture. Bitumen gives the composition bactericidal properties, so liquid rubber preserves materials well, protecting them from corrosion and rotting.
- For repair soft roof with your own hands. By using liquid waterproofing you can repair cracks, tears, holes, or glue a patch to the surface of an old roofing felt roof.
Experienced craftsmen believe that the high price of the material is compensated by the excellent performance characteristics of liquid waterproofing. It has been experimentally proven that a two-millimeter layer of liquid rubber corresponds in effectiveness to an eight-millimeter layer of rolled waterproofing materials.
Technology of use
Since the price of liquid rubber is quite high, it is necessary to carefully prepare the roof surface for it to work effectively. From quality preparatory work depends on the service life and waterproofing qualities material. The surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust, and then dried, primed with mastic and a reinforcing layer of geotextile laid. After such preparation, you can apply liquid rubber with your own hands using one of the following methods:
Please note that for effective protection Surfaces from moisture are treated with liquid rubber with your own hands not just once, but 2-3 times at once. Re-application begins after the previous layer has set, which takes 5-9 hours.
Video instruction
If you've ever heard of so-called liquid rubber before, you've probably been surprised at how far technology has come. This material is difficult to replace when it comes to complex terrain, where the use of rolled materials is generally impossible. It is also excellent for arranging new structures and repairing old ones, as well as protecting against corrosion important elements designs. This material is on molecular level Able to adhere to almost any surface!
But waterproofing a roof with liquid rubber only at first glance seems like a simple and straightforward process. In fact, to really get it in the end high-quality waterproofing, you will have to strictly follow all the rules! And we will tell you all the details and nuances of the process itself.
Over time, improving construction technologies, roofing waterproofing materials More and more serious demands are being made: high properties and ease of carrying out the work itself. This is especially true for treating roofs with complex terrain and atypical building materials, which is not uncommon today.
Depending on what type of liquid rubber you will use, you will need special equipment, or you can get by with a regular bucket and roller.
For a one-component solution, a brush and normal manual application are sufficient. After all, such rubber is no different in consistency from ordinary mastic. But two-component rubber can only be sprayed using special mechanized equipment.
Waterproofing with two-component liquid rubber
We are talking about an airless spraying unit in which two components are supplied and mixed under pressure at once. Caught under open air, they polymerize quickly. And as a result, they have excellent adhesion without a single seam.
As a result, spraying liquid rubber using special equipment turns the whole job into a fairly simple and pleasant process:
The spraying process itself roofing quite interesting. What other roofing could you apply this way, so quickly? And even with the most challenging task Only two workers can easily cope here.
Special equipment helps to achieve the exact thickness of the application, no more and no less. Which is very important, because liquid rubber is not a cheap material. The principle of such a unit is practically no different from the operation of a conventional spray gun.
It contains two tanks, one of which contains a polymer-bitumen emulsion, and the other contains a calcium chloride hardener. Both substances are supplied from pressurized containers, the components are mixed at the tip and fed through a small hole - thin enough to provide a coating thickness of 2.2 to 4.0 mm. Already in place, the components influence each other and solidify in the open air.
Moreover, the method of spraying under pressure differs significantly from the pneumatic one. Here, material losses are significantly reduced environment. Speaking in simple language, no fog forms around the sprayer, and less solvent is introduced into the composition itself.
Thanks to all this, when working with liquid rubber, it is not necessary to wear a protective suit and mask, and the speed of the coating itself is much greater, because all the material is directed strictly at the roof and not into the air. And all the equipment for the work of one team easily fits into a small Gazelle-type car: catalyst, liquid rubber and installation.
Most often, liquid rubber is black, but the material itself is compatible with silicon-organic or water-based, but not chemical solvents. But today many types of colored liquid rubber are produced, but you can also paint your roof yourself with VD-AK-1503 paint, special for this undertaking, which can also be produced from a spray bottle. And there is another plus to this - additional protection liquid rubber from ultraviolet radiation:
Experienced roofers can work with two types of color at once, applying one layer first and the second on top. What is it for? It's not about design at all!
This is how you can clearly see how well the new layer was sprayed, and whether it completely covered the previous one, or whether some places were missed. In addition, when spraying a top layer of a different color, it is clearly visible how correctly the base material is dispersed.
But, hiring a crew for similar work, keep in mind that you need to have a license to cover a roof with liquid rubber, because without training personnel it is impossible to spray such a coating efficiently, and the process has its pitfalls.
Waterproofing with one-component liquid rubber
Depending on the task, the desired area of the roof is covered with liquid rubber with a thickness of 2 to 3 mm. At the same time, the coating has high elasticity and a wide temperature range from -45°C to +120°C. And the quality of the liquid rubber determines how smooth it will lie on the roof and how quickly it will harden.
First you should prepare the surface, repair all holes, chips and cracks. Ideally, you can thoroughly clean the roof of dirt, for which water from a hose under pressure and detergent, if you have such an opportunity. And how smooth the surface is will affect the uniformity of rubber application:
Also, the corners of the junction with the wall and the exit of the roofing elements are treated in advance with a primer and even mastic:
Then, using a roller, spread the composition over the roof surface. Once the first coat has dried for 8-24 hours, apply the second coat.
The main thing is to carefully distribute the material over the entire surface:
The newly applied rubber instantly hardens to 80%, and continues to harden for another 48 hours, although it is already waterproof. Although after just 10 minutes you can safely walk on such a roof.
As a first step, calculate required amount liquid rubber for the roof. So, for a layer of 1 mm per one square meter you will need 1.35 to 1.65 kg of liquid. Also, a lot here depends on the base material on which the liquid rubber will be applied:
- insulation layer for wooden and metal structure is 1.50 mm;
- layer for concrete and reinforced concrete roof should be between 3.2 and 4.0 mm;
- in case it is necessary to cover a membrane roof, then the layer should be 2.0 mm.
Make an accurate calculation, and you will buy neither more nor less. Moreover, liquid rubber is not a cheap material.
Repair of roofing elements with liquid rubber
Liquid rubber for roofing is one of the most the best materials for waterproofing and repair. Indeed, in addition to the fact that such a coating creates excellent water and sound insulation, liquid rubber itself helps strengthen the structure of the roof.
Liquid rubber can be applied directly to old layers of roofing felt roofing, without prior installation. This is why the material itself is valued, because it can be laid on old roofs. The only thing that then old surface install deflectors to remove accumulated moisture.
For local repairs and waterproofing of the roof, one-component liquid rubber is more suitable for you, because it can be applied with a roller or brush. And at the same time, the final quality will be no worse than that of a two-component one! First you need to prepare the liquid rubber by stirring it well. Now use special paper or fabric pads to give the repaired surface more rigidity and a kind of reinforcement.
Restoring an old roof: preparation and application
This is what the liquid rubber waterproofing process looks like in practice. One-component rubber must be applied in two or three layers, with each of them pre-drying:
All waterproofing work should be carried out at a temperature of +5°C, spraying or applying rubber exclusively to a dry surface.
Local roof repair and waterproofing of junctions
If you are concerned about the quality of liquid rubber for repairs, then use well-known imported materials such as Premier Rubber Membrane. This is a composition of the Canadian company Cantex Coatings Ltd, which consists only of non-flammable liquids, without any organic volatile compounds.
You will recognize this product by its dark brown color and dense rubber coating. After complete drying, it will have particularly high elasticity, about 1500%, absolute water and vapor impermeability and excellent resistance to mechanical deformation.
Moreover, the repaired area will retain these properties for more than 25 years, according to the manufacturer, and this is with constant contact with water:
For comparison: liquid rubber applied to the repaired area in two layers (this is up to 2 mm) has the waterproofing properties of four layers of roofing material!
But there are some limitations when working with liquid rubber. For example, it is not allowed:
- Work in the rain, because... at high humidity air, liquid rubber will not have time to polymerize. But you can work with residual moisture in the base, because when it dries, the rubber will allow its water to evaporate.
- Apply rubber at air temperatures below +5°C, although sometimes this problem is solved by heating with guns.
All other weather factors will not interfere with the process. A fascinating process, isn't it?
Liquid rubber in Lately is gaining increasing popularity as a material for roof waterproofing. Most often, liquid rubber is used to coat flat surface. The use of liquid rubber on surfaces with a large area is one of the most convenient options, since when working with this material, it is very easy to apply a coating even to complex details of the roof topography.
What are the advantages of liquid rubber
It is worth noting that liquid rubber has a whole range of other undeniable advantages. These include, in particular:
- ease of application with high performance labor;
- chemical resistance and environmental friendliness;
- Fire safety;
- reliable roof covering;
- high elasticity;
- no seams;
- resistance to various kinds atmospheric influences and ultraviolet rays;
- complete protection from moisture;
- durability.
It is more convenient to use than roll and membrane coatings. Currently it is one of the most modern species roof waterproofing. Liquid rubber can be used both in the reconstruction of old buildings and in the construction of new ones construction projects. The most important advantage of this material is its versatility. The connection to the base occurs at the molecular level, due to which very high reliability of fastening is achieved, regardless of the texture or material of the roof.
However, to be fair, its shortcomings should also be pointed out. Firstly, the cost of liquid rubber is quite substantial. Secondly, it has a fairly high sensitivity to solvents and substances that include petroleum products. Thirdly, it will be possible to remove liquid rubber already applied to the surface, if such a need suddenly arises, only mechanically.
When covering the roof with liquid rubber, you should take into account the specific application of this material.
The most obvious way to see the coating of a roof with liquid rubber is when applying such a coating to roofs that have complex design ramp, or when working on large areas. A special feature of liquid rubber is its very wide scope of application, and it can be applied this material it is possible even on old coating: it just needs to be cleaned of debris.
Roof coating with liquid rubber is carried out in one of three ways:
- bulk;
- coloring;
- cold spraying.
However, regardless of which method is used, before starting work, you should thoroughly clean the base on which the liquid rubber coating will be applied. remember, that preparatory stage is very important, since the final result largely depends on it, so the old coating should be cleaned as much as possible of grainy coating and the exfoliated roofing material should be completely removed. You need to remove all the dirt, all the debris, and then get rid of the dust. Applying liquid rubber over old roofing material requires the mandatory installation of deflectors that pull out roofing pie moisture. In addition, in some cases it is recommended to reinforce the waterproofing layer with geotextiles.
Let's move on to a more detailed look at how to apply a liquid rubber coating to a roof.
- One of the ways to apply it is the pouring method. After clearing the surface of debris, you need to saturate the base with bitumen emulsion. The thickness of this layer (also called primer) should be from 1 to 2 millimeters. After this, liquid rubber is immediately applied to the base. It should be applied in certain portions, evenly distributed over the surface using special rollers.
The thickness of this layer should be from 2 to 3 millimeters. It should be noted that bitumen-latex mastic only needs a few seconds for it to begin to set, but in order for the job to be done efficiently, the applied layer should be allowed to sit for at least 5 minutes. After waiting the required time, you can begin applying the next layer - in most cases this is already finishing layer. Bulk method used for flat surfaces, helping to level the roof itself as much as possible. For pitched roofs, the use of this option is, as a rule, not practiced.
- The next step is to apply the base layer - at this stage the rubber mastic is no longer diluted with water. Using a spatula, apply the composition to the surface so that you end up with a layer 2 to 3 millimeters thick - a wide brush will also work for this work. The applied layer will dry completely after at least 48 hours. To ensure that the application of the second layer is as uniform as possible, it is recommended to apply it perpendicular to the direction in which you applied the primer - with this order of work, the liquid rubber will fully comply with all the declared characteristics. Note that this method best suited for pitched roofs and small surfaces, when, from a financial point of view, it is simply unprofitable to use mechanical equipment.
- And finally, the last method is the spraying method. As mentioned above, first of all, the base is carefully prepared, after which you can begin to directly treat the surface with liquid rubber by spraying. To do this, a special device should be connected to 2 containers. One of them contains a polymer-bitumen emulsion, the second contains calcium chloride, performing the functions of a hardener. Both of these components must be fed into the nozzle at the same time, they are mixed before spraying onto the surface.
Surface treatment with liquid rubber by spraying is in most cases used over large areas or on sloped roofs. The advantages of this method include, first of all, the speed of work and the quality of applying the rubber layer. The applied material hardens almost immediately, meaning there is no need to wait for the rubber to harden. In addition, the spraying method can be used on any surface. The material here is applied using a sprayer, which means that you can handle even the most bizarre designs without any problems.
Good options roofing for baths - metal tiles, corrugated sheets and soft roofing. A soft roof is great for a bathhouse and, with proper and timely repairs, can last up to 50 years!
Repair of soft roofs is needed much more often than restoration work on hard types of roofing. We recommend that you inspect the roofing carpet every year in the spring for defects and damage. Check not only finishing coat, but also drainage system, screed and hoods.
We will consider two repair methods:
Traditional repair method: fusing
To save appearance And performance roofs, the coating must be coated with a special mastic and covered with roofing felt every 3-4 years. Thanks to such an easy repair of a soft roof, the panels will be better protected from moisture and temperature changes.
You should start repairing soft roofs only in warm and dry weather. At the same time, the coating itself should not be wet - if it has recently rained, it is better to wait a couple of days.
The video shows the main steps:
Necessary materials for soft roof repair:
- Ruberoid or its analogues
- Gas torch or blowtorch
- Any bitumen mastic for waterproofing
Before repair work Carry out a thorough cleaning of the roof of the bathhouse, clean storm drains and receiving gutters.
Repair technology:
Damaged areas of the coating must be cut out and damaged areas of the screed removed as necessary.
Apply the coating in the direction from the top of the roof to the bottom. If it is necessary to install a patch, it is cut so that its size is 10 cm larger than the area being repaired. The patch is glued to any bitumen mastic.
We fill these places with fresh solution and seal them using a primer containing rubber. Apply primer in two layers:
- the first layer - as an absorbent coating,
- then the second layer, which must be used to cover the damaged areas with a reserve.
IN mandatory inspect and, if necessary, renew the roof parapets.
Rolled material is best fused using a gas-flame torch, application blowtorch not particularly effective. Slowly, from top to bottom, go over the entire area of the bathhouse roof, fusing patches to the defective areas.
Final stage restoration work– processing of connections to dormer windows, parapets, air outlets, chimneys etc. This stage requires special attention.
Don't forget about weather vanes - devices that allow you to remove water vapor that has accumulated above the base of the roof. They are arranged in such a way that one device makes it possible to remove vapors from under the coating within a radius of approximately 8 meters.
It should be said that the main problems of bitumen roofing materials are the formation of cracks, as well as swelling (i.e. air bags) between their layers.
When is it produced? major renovation soft roof, cracks bend. If this area is located at the junction, first the protective metal apron is removed, then the damaged layer of material is cut out slightly above the crack.
After this, using the transition edge, free the roofing carpet from the bedding or protective layer. Do this to a width of up to one meter from the exposed side. Next, apply 2-3 layers roofing material, spreading it onto the main coating by 10-15cm. Then replace the protective apron.
If you find air bags between the layers of covering, remove the bedding from the carpet, or protective material up to 20 cm wide from the swollen area. After that sharp knife Make a cross-shaped cut along the air sac over its entire width and depth. Bend the edges of the cut, clean the swelling from debris, old bitumen mastic and if it is wet, dry it. Then apply any mastic, hot or cold, to the defective area, and glue the patch.
Then apply a final layer of bitumen on top of it and return the bent edges of the roofing to their places. Press them to the base, then seal the area to be treated with a patch slightly larger than the previous one. At this point, do-it-yourself soft roof repair can be considered complete.
Disadvantages of conventional repair methods:
Seasonal temperature fluctuations have the most negative impact on soft covering roofs In this regard, the use of obsolete repair methods is not economically profitable and is far from rational.
When using them, financial resources for repairing soft roofs are spent alarmingly regularly. This happens on average once every 2 years and is often accompanied by local or complete replacement of the damaged coating. In addition, it is often necessary to reconstruct the roof frame due to the damaging effects of moisture.
Although bitumen is not soluble in water, it is completely or partially soluble in chloroform, benzene, carbon disulfide and others. organic solvents. In other words - bitumen roofing does not have sufficient protection against aggressive chemicals.
Another important factor is that all types of bitumen are produced from fossil fuels. This leads to the following conclusion: using a burner when making repairs and installing soft roofs in summer time, can lead to fire.
Due to their physical properties bitumen is greatly deformed in winter, and many large and small cracks form. In hot summers, the material can leak, exposing the base of the roof. These problems allow precipitation to seep through damaged coatings, form air pockets, and accumulate moisture under the insulation.
Even if you, when repairing the soft roof of a garage, house, bathhouse, use the latest roll materials, gluing their joints with bitumen heated by a burner will lead to the same result.
Repair of soft roofs using liquid rubber
Once you try to repair coatings using liquid rubber, you will forget about such work for a very long period - up to 15 years. This is possible due to the special properties of polymers.
The material can be used on flat and any pitched roofs. The use of liquid rubber is justified from any point of view:
- quality,
- durability,
- security,
- as well as financial benefits.
The composition used is, in fact, a two-component aqueous emulsion on a bitumen-polymer base. It must be applied using special equipment using cold spraying.
This absolutely eliminates the possibility of fires when carrying out roofing works and during subsequent operation of the coating. The composition does not contain toxic volatile compounds.
This method is suitable for both roof repairs made of soft tiles, and for roofing made of roll coverings.
It should be said about the high elasticity of the resulting coating. Its maximum elongation coefficient is more than 1000%. When you are repairing a soft roof, polymer material hardens almost instantly. This creates a durable rubber membrane that is resistant to both low and low temperatures. high temperatures. And the coating has the ability to “self-heal” and increased adhesion to the base.