During the operation of a soft roof, swellings of various diameters may occur on its surface. The reason for their formation is a violation of the installation technology of a soft roof in terms of vapor barrier. This may be the lack of a vapor barrier or its improper installation during the installation of the roof. The heat flow, which rises from the premises upwards towards the roof, carries a significant amount of moisture. During the passage of the roofing cake, it condenses and accumulates in the gap between the roofing materials and their substrate. In the winter period of the year, this moisture freezes and thaws repeatedly, which leads to stratification of the soft roof and its gradual destruction. In the warm season, moisture is converted into hot steam and increases its volume up to 40 times. For this reason, blisters with a diameter of more than one meter can form on the surface of the soft roof.
To eliminate swelling, they are cut in the shape of an envelope, and the corners are turned away and the contents are thoroughly dried. The inner and outer sides of the corners are cleaned of adhering dirt and moisture. After that, they are lubricated with a special mastic and glued back to the roof surface. A patch is fixed on top of the damaged area, the size of which should overlap the cuts at a distance of at least 100 mm. The edges of the patch are puttied, and the top is carefully treated with mastic. If the soft roof was made of welded materials, then you can refuse to use mastic. In this case, all gluing operations are carried out using a blowtorch or a gas burner.
Roof repairs in Moscow are similarly carried out by most construction companies that have extensive experience in this area and qualified personnel.
Installation of soft bituminous tiles must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Inattentive study of technical documentation, mistakes in choosing materials for a roofing pie, haste and a desire to save money lead to various problems, including: leaks, visual defects, reduction in the life of the coating.
Knowing the most common mistakes will help you avoid unforeseen situations and serious costs for urgent repairs.
Use of wet lumber. During the operation of the house, the board used for the crate dries out and deforms. The slope becomes uneven, this leads to shingles peeling off, water flowing in, and a decrease in resistance to wind loads. For you need to use a softwood edged board with a moisture content of not more than 20%.
OSB laying without gaps. This leads to deformation of soft tiles at the joints of OSB sheets and the formation of elevations that spoil the appearance of the roof. Compensation gaps prevent the sheets from pressing against each other when the temperature rises or the humidity rises. The installation instructions say: "between OSB sheets you need to leave a gap of 2-3 mm."
Improper storage of underlayment. Bends and folds, dents and creases are formed on the material. As a result, the laid underlayment loses its ideal surface geometry. becomes more complex, it becomes harder to pick up a pattern, waves form on the surface of the finished roof. The lining carpet should be stored in a vertical position at normal humidity and temperature not higher than +30ºС.
Laying underlayment at low temperatures. With an increase in temperature, a natural change in the linear dimensions of OSB sheets occurs. This leads to the formation of waves on the roof of shingles. The defect is more cosmetic and may go away with time. But is it worth the risk? Manufacturers recommend at a temperature not lower than + 5ºС.
Error in the selection of material: thick carpet, thin tiles. This combination "shows" all the shortcomings and flaws in the installation of the base and lining carpet. Irregularities, waves appear, as a result, the resistance of the coating to wind and mechanical stress decreases. It is better to use soft tiles and carpet from the same manufacturer, while the thickness of the tiles should be greater.
Errors when installing windshields. These provide a tight connection between the roof and gables of the building. Incorrect installation leads to water flowing under the tiles and into. The gable planks begin to be laid from the cornice, overlapping between adjacent elements by at least 5 cm. The planks are nailed with roofing nails in a checkerboard pattern.
Use to fasten fewer nails or nails without notches. Savings on fasteners or the use of nails not intended for fixing the roof leads to a decrease in the reliability of the roof. Shingles in this case are easily torn off by strong winds. For the installation of soft tiles, they are used, 25-30 mm long with a wide hat. For one shingle 4 - 6 nails (depending on the angle of the roof).
Installation without marking. Laying shingles "by eye" leads to the formation of a crooked pattern. The markup plays the role of guides, horizontal lines are applied using construction laces or using a stretched rope.
Using shingles from only one pack. This leads to the formation of a "zebra effect", which will negatively affect the appearance of the roof. Manufacturers recommend taking one shingle from 5-6 different packs to avoid color variations.
Mounting in hot weather. At a temperature of more than + 25ºС, bitumen in the composition of flexible tiles softens. This makes it difficult to walk on the shingles that have already been installed, and there is a risk of damaging the shingles with shoes. Roofing works are best carried out at a temperature of +5 - + 20ºС in dry weather.
The roof is the face of the house. That is why this part of the building must be given special attention, but you may have considerable difficulties in the process of choosing a roofing material, since there are many "rumors" about a soft roof. Let's still find out what is "truth" and what is "false" relative to.
Myth number 1: Soft roofing is the same roofing material only more expensive
In factcomparison of these materials causes indignation among specialists.
In order to understand what is the difference or similarity between these roofing materials, you must first find out what is the basis of the material. The basis of roofing material - recycled waste paper - paper! The basis of a soft roof - fiberglass. Fiberglass, unlike paper, does not rot - this is the first and most important difference!
For production, high-quality bitumen is used with the addition of SBS-innovative polymer, which is coated on both sides of fiberglass, which makes it a durable material compared to roofing material, which uses ordinary bitumen.
The top layer of roofing material - the surface is not protected from ultraviolet rays, which is why the service life is only 5 years. The top layer of the soft roof is stone granulate, which protects the bitumen from any external influences, thanks to which the service life is more than 50 years.
Myth #2: Soft roofing is a very expensive roofing material that only the very rich can afford.
In factone of the most common myths.
First, the “very rich people” are willing to purchase roofing material for their home, such as slate, copper, and of course soft roofing…right?
Secondly, yes - flexible tiles are not cheap, but compared to the above roofing materials, it stands out for its democratic price.
Most likely, this rumor was generated by the owners of houses with outdated roofs, who know only one roofing material - slate. So, after a certain time, everyone who has a house is faced with the problem of choosing a roofing material. Often the choice falls on flexible tiles, because it is a beautiful and reliable material. Comparing the price of an outdated slate or low-quality roofing material with a flexible tile, the difference becomes so obvious that it is hard not to notice. In this case, of course, flexible tiles are an expensive roofing material. Unfortunately, it does not happen that a cheap roof can be of high quality, reliable and durable.
Remember that saving on a roof is just as absurd as it is on a foundation. The service life of the entire building depends on the quality of the roofing material.. The question "cheap or expensive thing" for each person is individual.
Myth #3: In the cold, shingles will crack and break.
In factthis assumption is partly correct.
The fact is that each of the materials presented on the market has its own production features and technical characteristics, so to speak, the “recipe” for flexible tiles. Some manufacturers of soft roofs use oxidized bitumen, which is the main reason for the fragility of the roofing material, it cracks in the cold and does not withstand mechanical pressure (you cannot move on such a roof).
However, if flexible tiles are made on the basis of polymer-modified bitumen (SBS), then it easily withstands the conditions of the Russian harsh winter. SBS is styrene-butadiene-styrene or artificial rubber. The unique molecular structure of polymers interacts with bitumen, increasing its flexibility, elasticity and strength over a wide range of temperatures and reducing the bitumen's sensitivity to extreme temperatures. The bending of such material at sub-zero temperatures shows flexibility and absence of cracks at very low temperatures.
Myth #4: Shingles warp in the sun and boards show through
In fact, unevenness will occur on the roof only if low-quality (raw) boards, plywood or OSB boards were used under a solid base. We recommend using high-quality OSB boards or moisture-resistant plywood, and if edged boards are still used, then they must be allowed to dry naturally!
Myth #5: Shingles fade
In fact, the color of Katepal shingles is provided by the surface of the stone granules, which are thermochemically colored, i.e. the coloring enzyme penetrates into the structure of the stone, and does not just break through from above, so the granules do not lose their original color. It is also UV protection.
This misconception is born from homeowners when examining the roof. If you bend (raise) the shingle of the top row, the color of the granulate under it will turn out to be much darker and more saturated. There is a very simple explanation for this: not those granules that are visible, but those that are covered with subsequent shingles, are subject to change.
The difference in the color of the tile granulate on the upper "petals" and "under the petals" occurs due to the fact that bitumen, which has an oily dark structure, is absorbed from the upper layer by granules of the lower, which is why the top shingles appear “faded”, more faded. Hence the erroneous opinion is born that the roofing material fades.
Myth No. 6: Very difficult installation in cold weather!
Really difficult - but possible!
You can not mount in the rain and snowfall, the presence of the SBS modifier allows you to work at low temperatures, but you need to follow some conditions:
- The tile before laying is stored in a warm room for 2-3 days.
- For better adhesion, the adhesive layer of the tile is heated with a building hair dryer, in extreme cases, it is glued with a heat gun.
- All metal elements that require bending bend only in a warm room.
Bituminous glue for work must be heated in a water bath (it is strictly forbidden to dilute it with acetone and other additives).
Myth No. 7: The need for additional expenses due to a solid foundation
In fact, a solid base is a design feature of a roof made of flexible tiles..
Just as a foundation is needed for a house, so for a roof, for example, made of natural tiles - a powerful crate and a reinforced truss structure, competent ventilation is necessary for the proper functioning of the under-roof space. To neglect these requirements, to perceive them as an extra waste of money, is at least wrong. Each material has its own prerequisites, without which its use is impossible.
We hope that your choice of roofing material will be based on convincing facts, and not on the delusions of the majority.
The standard set of tasks for a real man, as you know, includes three items: give birth to a son, plant a tree and build a house. And today, among the representatives of the stronger sex, regardless of profession and status, there are many who seek to literally bring them to life. Moreover, modern materials and technologies that are easy to use make it possible to successfully carry out work on the construction and repair of a country house on their own. For example, it is possible to achieve guaranteed reliability and durability of a pitched roof through the use of a lining carpet. It forms a continuous waterproofing layer, through which moisture that has penetrated into the under-roof space simply flows off without harming the structure.
Now this progressive specialized material is also produced in Russia. ANDEREP underlayment carpets of TECHNONICOL Corporation successfully compete in foreign markets and make quality independent of imports for Russian consumers. A non-professional builder can easily handle their installation. However, there are a number of nuances, the neglect of which is fraught with a decrease in efficiency. About them - below.
Substrate preparation and installation conditions
The successful functioning of the lining carpet and the top coat largely depends on a well-prepared base and the conditions in which the installation was carried out. Therefore, it is extremely important not to make mistakes at these stages. Base plates - OSB, or moisture-resistant plywood must be laid with a gap of no more than 3 mm. Otherwise, during the process of thermal expansion, the surface may be deformed, unevenness will be created on the lining carpet, and the roof will lose, at least in aesthetic appeal. Installation on wet substrates or "spring installation" can also lead to the formation of wavy folds on the surface. During the winter, structures inevitably gain moisture, and at positive temperatures they begin to give it back. The expert recommends avoiding haste and starting laying the material only when the building frame and the surface to be mounted are in the same temperature regime and in acceptable humidity. For lathing structures, the permissible humidity is no more than 20%, for solid wooden flooring (OSB and moisture-resistant plywood) - no more than 12%.
Wrinkles and waves on the lining carpet can also occur if it is installed in different temperature and time frames. For example, the team may start work in the evening when the air temperature drops and the material hardens. At such a time, even small folds on the material will be invisible. In the morning, when the temperature rises, the lining carpet will soften, begin to adhere tightly to the surface, and the irregularities allowed will gather into large folds. To prevent this from happening, the installation of the lining carpet must be carried out in the same temperature regime with its maximum softness and suppleness, that is, during the day and at one time of the year.
Alexey Vorobyov
The right choice of underlayment
The need for a lining carpet today is understood by many. But it is important not just to lay a lining carpet, but to choose a solution that is most suitable for a specific construction task. A common mistake is to replace specialized products with cheap roofing materials, most often roofing material. Savings in this case is very doubtful. The strength characteristics of the roofing material below. Unlike underlayment carpets, it does not have a "self-healing" function. A huge number of holes formed in the process of mechanical fastening of itself and the roofing material and increased in the process, for example, by seasonal deformations, turn such a coating into a "sieve". Moisture that gets into the under-roof space will almost certainly fall on a wooden base and can lead to its decay and destruction. Lining carpets, unlike roofing material, create a continuous protective layer even on surfaces of complex geometry. But even among them it is important to choose the right one. For example, any product of the ANDEREP line is suitable for flexible tiles. But the use of economical lining carpets ANDEREP GL and ANDEREP GL PLUS, specially designed only for flexible tiles, with other roofing materials - metal sheets, ceramic tiles, etc. fraught with problems.
To do this, it is better to choose the universal ultra-light lining carpets ANDEREP PROF and ANDEREP PROF PLUS, and in places where roofs from shingles and tiles are most likely to leak, it is recommended to use ANDEREP ULTRA.
ANDEREP GL and ANDEREP GL PLUS are based on fiberglass. It gives the necessary strength, but does not have resistance to stretching, respectively, materials based on it do not withstand deformation well. For higher loads, ANDEREP PROF, ANDEREP PROF PLUS and ANDEREP ULTRA materials are suitable, based on durable and stretchable polyester.
Alexey Vorobyov
Installation of "self-adhesive" and underlay carpets with mechanical fastening
A simple and optimal installation solution is self-adhesive underlays such as ANDEREP ULTRA. To attach them, you just need to remove the protective film and roll the material to the base. It adheres tightly to the surface without forming air gaps. But when working with self-adhesive materials, it is extremely important to observe several conditions. The material must be laid on the most dry and clean surface. And the air temperature during work should not be lower than + 10˚C. In addition, in places of increased loads, for example, in the valley area, it is necessary to additionally apply mechanical fastening.
The most common use of underlayment carpets with mechanical fastening. This method of installation is practical and uncomplicated. However, it is extremely important to correctly calculate the required amount of fasteners - if you do not comply with the norms, with strong gusts of wind, there will be a risk of tearing the material from the surface. The overlaps of the material sheets must necessarily be fastened with special roofing mastics. This is a rather laborious process. This year, TECHNONICOL launched the upgraded ANDEREP GL PLUS and ANDEREP PROF PLUS materials on the market. Unlike their "big brothers" (ANDEREP GL and ANDEREP PROF, respectively), they are equipped with special adhesive (bitumen-free) strips - to fasten the sheets, you only need to remove the protective film and stick the next sheet to the adhesive surface. The use of such materials reduces the consumption of mastic, makes installation less laborious and increases the reliability of joints.
When installing any underlayment, it is extremely important to ensure its maximum tension and fit to the surface. Therefore, installation must begin after the material rolled out of the roll is completely straightened. The behavior of lining carpets on the roof largely depends on their foundation. If the requirements for the moisture content of the wood used in construction are not met, wrinkles may form on materials with a fiberglass base in the areas of the joints of the base. To avoid such a problem, it is necessary to reduce the step of attaching the material to the base and provide additional mechanical fasteners in the middle, in several rows. Super-thin underlayment carpets with a polyester backing are flexible and, when creases occur, they simply wrinkle, preventing the material from picking up the surface of the roofing. But, accordingly, their price is more expensive.
Alexey Vorobyov
Timely protection of the underlayment
Underlayment carpets are designed for laying under the finish coat. Bitumen mixture without special protection is not designed for long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The sanding on the material is intended only to ensure the safe movement of the person who is installing. It is advisable to leave such material without a finish coat for no more than a week. But the lining carpets ANDEREP GL PLUS, ANDEREP PROF, ANDEREP PROF PLUS and ANDEREP ULTRA will not lose their properties under the direct influence of the environment for six months.
During the installation of the roof, for various reasons, interruptions in work may occur. A number of lining carpets in such situations can effectively perform the functions of a temporary roof for a sufficiently long period. For materials ANDEREP GL PLUS, ANDEREP PROF, ANDEREP PROF PLUS, this ability is given by a protective coating with non-woven polypropylene (Spunbond), and ANDEREP ULTRA is an increased content of quality modifiers contained in the bitumen mixture.
Alexey Vorobyov
Thus, the right choice of lining carpet and strict adherence to the manufacturer's instructions will allow those who are used to doing everything themselves to provide reliable and durable protection for the pitched roof of the house.
List of typical mistakes and frequently occurring problems during the installation of shingles
1. Laying bituminous tiles on a roof with a slope less than the maximum allowable
Such cases are characterized by the frequent occurrence of leaks. They occur due to increased rain and wind load on the joints of the shingles.
2. The length of the roofing nails is less than the thickness of the wooden base
Short nails that have not penetrated through the boardwalk gradually come out due to the natural deformation of wood under the influence of humidity and temperature.
3. Bracketing
- soft material, so some believe that it can be attached to the ramp with a construction stapler. However, this tool is not suitable for this operation. The depth and uniformity of stapling will depend on the hardness and uniformity of the wood layers, which can vary significantly in different areas. Because of this, according to the experience of Stroymet engineers, it is impossible to ensure a tight, uniform fit of the tiles to the base.
4. Low ventilation of the under-roof space
The accumulation of water vapor and the formation of condensate on wooden and metal structures leads to their gradual destruction.
5. Lack of vapor barrier
It causes moisture to enter other elements of the roofing pie, significantly worsening their performance.
6. Laying a solid base is done without gaps
Due to the swelling of wood in wet weather, the surface of the flooring becomes uneven and can be damaged. At the same time, not only the level of tightness of the flexible tiles and the roof as a whole decreases, but also the appearance of the roof worsens.
7. Shingles do not stick to underlayment or valley carpet
This causes serious leaks of flexible tiles during rains and during the period of snow melting.
8. The solid base is made of boards or sheet materials of insufficient thickness. There are no supports under the junction lines of the boards
It is dangerous to move along the slope, the base may not support the weight of workers who install the flexible tiles, as well as the snow load.
9. Leaky connections to vertical elements (eg chimneys)
Lead to regular leaks.
10. Shingles of tiles are fixed with roofing nails along the top edge
Because of this, the fastener does not fall into the previous shingle below. The joint area becomes especially vulnerable to wind loading.
Common misconceptions when installing a soft roof
- Roofing nails should not penetrate the wooden base through.
- The solid base must be mounted without gaps.
- For normal ventilation of the under-roof space, slots in the zone of eaves overhangs are quite enough.
- The use of vapor barrier materials when installing a soft roof is not mandatory.
- Soft roofing can be used on roofs with any slope slope.
ALL OF THESE STATEMENTS ARE WRONG!