Roof Roofing And Its Main Elements, As Well As How To Carry Out Proper Maintenance

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

The main elements of the roof, features of their installation and maintenance

The roof is a priority in the functional purpose of the building. It is not for nothing that the people say: "there would be a roof over your head." Indeed, without it, even the strongest walls will not stand for a long time - they will be destroyed by water, wind and sun. What structural elements the roof consists of, what role does the roof play in its composition and how to properly maintain this structure, will be discussed below.

Content

• 1 What is a roof and what does it consist of

  • 1.1 Roof device
  • 1.2 Types of roofing

• 2 Roof installation

  2.1 Video: DIY installation of a metal profile

• 3 Dismantling and replacing the roof

  3.1 Video: dismantling and installation of the roof (slate - metal)

• 4 Roof maintenance

  • 4.1 Visual inspection of the roof covering
  • 4.2 Checking the health of the roof components
  • 4.3 Monitoring the condition of the coating
  • 4.4 Drainage system

  • 4.5 Roof cleaning

    4.5.1 Video: Roof Cleaning

  • 4.6 Staining

    4.6.1 Video: painting a metal roof

  • 4.7 Rules for the operation of the roof in winter

    4.7.1 Snow removal

What is a roof and what does it consist of

Often the words roof and roof are used synonymously. Meanwhile, in strict terminology, these are different, albeit interrelated concepts.

A roof is a structure crowning the structure, which serves as protection against adverse weather conditions. The main purpose of the roof is to protect the building from precipitation: rain, snow, melt water. In addition, it performs heat-insulating functions, prevents warm air from escaping from the room and overheating of the interior space under the influence of solar radiation.

The roof is an integral part of the roof and is an external waterproofing coating that prevents moisture from penetrating inside. The main purpose of the roof is to drain water from the roof surface. In order for the water to flow in the right direction, the roof is positioned at an angle to the horizontal axis. Even flat roofs have a certain angle of inclination (up to 12 ^o), due to which atmospheric moisture enters the gutters.

The roof is the outer part of the roof that is in direct contact with the atmosphere.

Roof device

The roof is structurally subdivided into several elements.

1. Carrier layer. Consists of lathing, screed or solid flooring. The type of support lining is determined by the type of roofing and the technology of roof installation.

   

   For light sheet coverings on pitched roofs, the base is usually a sparse lathing of wooden slats or metal profiles

2. Insulation layer. Distinguish:

   • thermal insulation that protects the roof from thermal overloads, heat leakage and heating of the roof;
   • waterproofing - an additional coating designed to prevent moisture from entering the insulation;

   • vapor barrier made of polyethylene film or membrane, which protects the inner surface of the roof from condensation.

     

     Reinforced polyethylene film is often used as a vapor barrier.

3. Roof covering. The topmost layer, which is in direct contact with the external environment. The main characteristics of the coating are durability, strength and weight.

Different designs can combine one or more layers of insulating materials.

When choosing roofing, the following properties are taken into account:

• resistance to solar radiation;
• waterproofness;
• elasticity;
• resistance to temperature extremes.

Roof types

There are many materials from which roofing materials are made. They can be divided into two large groups. One of them includes roofs made from natural components - metal, stone, sand, asbestos, as well as straw, reeds, reeds and even moss. Another group, which has arisen not so long ago, includes polymer and synthetic types of roofs - composite, bituminous, ceramic tiles, roofing felt, etc. The raw materials for the manufacture are refined products in combination with paper, fiberglass, ceramic chips and other components. Recently, polymer additives have become widespread, which are introduced into the composition of the roofing material. Plasticizers prevent cracking and corrosion of the outer coating and significantly increase the life of the roof.

Below is a list of the most commonly used roofing materials.

1. Slate. The group of roofing coatings made of cement and asbestos, which have undergone molding and heat treatment under pressure, is in great demand, and their production is growing every year. This is due to the low price and high quality of the products.

   

   Slate is one of the most popular roofing materials

2. Roofing material. Roofing roll material with high waterproofing properties. It is made by impregnating building board with bitumen, followed by coating with a refractory compound and anti-sticking dusting (sand, talcum or asbestos).

   

   Roofing material is usually laid in several layers, changing direction so that the last row is located vertically

3. Decking. Profiled sheet made of steel, treated with zinc, powder paint or other water-repellent compound.

   

   To cover the roof, you can use only special roofing types of corrugated board, which are distinguished by increased bearing capacity and a large wave height

4. Roofing made of zinc-titanium alloy (or D-zinc). It looks like tinned copper in appearance and has a lifespan of up to 140 years. Modern metallurgical technologies have reached a level where titanium-zinc alloy is cheaper for the manufacturer than pure copper roofing. Therefore, D-zinc has good prospects as a roofing coating.

5. Corrugated bituminous sheets (ondulin). They consist of building board 1.5–3 mm thick, impregnated with a light fraction of bitumen.

   

   In appearance, ondulin is very similar to slate, but in composition these roofing materials are very different.

6. Slate roofing (natural stone). Another name is shale shingle. It is made from certain rocks by splitting into flat plates. It features an almost unlimited service life.

   

   Shale tolerates weather anomalies well and is poorly sensitive to mechanical damage

7. Shingles, shingles, tes - a wooden roof. The raw material is wood. Dried blanks cover the roof in the manner of shingles.

   

   Wooden shingle is an environmentally friendly covering that lasts 50 years or more

8. Zinc plated sheet steel. Used in standing seam roofs. Joining of sheets and plates (seam) is performed by folding the edges into a single surface.

   

   Steel sheets are connected using a folded lock, which ensures a high tightness of the connection

9. Copper sheet roofing. One of the traditional types of coating in the Middle Ages to the present day. Differs in resistance to mechanical damage and adverse weather conditions. A layer of copper oxide forms on the surface, which prevents corrosion. Layer thickness - from 0.5 to 1 mm.

   

   Copper roofing is one of the most durable roofing materials that last up to 150 years

10. Aluminum roofing material. A very promising type of coating. Unlike copper, which has a high cost and a decent weight, aluminum does not increase the load on the building structure. Minimum service life of 100 years. Coating with special polymer dyes provides the desired color scheme and durability of the roof.

    

    Installation of aluminum sheets is carried out according to the principle of a seam roof

11. Tol. Product of impregnation of building board with tar made from coal or oil shale. The surface is spilled with mineral powders, which protect the rolls from sticking.

    

    Roofing paper has a short service life, so they are usually covered with roofs of outbuildings

12. Glassine. It is used as an auxiliary material for the arrangement of lining layers and is a cardboard impregnated with a soft fraction of bitumen.

13. Keramoplastic roofing. It is made of clay mixed with polyaffines (synthetic plasticizers), which are characterized by high reinforcing properties. During the production process, a persistent dye is added to the composition.

    

    The shape of the ceramoplastic roof imitates the slate shingle

14. Roof tiles. One of the most archaic building materials known since the days of Ancient Rome. Originally made from fired clay. Differs in a variety of shapes and durability. This material has a large number of modern modifications:

    • ceramic tiles are the closest analogue of the old roofing material. Despite the large weight and laboriousness of installation, it is popular, as it is a natural product;

      

      The assembly of ceramic tiles is carried out according to the lathing, laid with a step equal to the size of the tile

    • metal tile - an imitation of a ceramic coating made of sheet steel by stamping. It is favorably distinguished by its low weight, but is inferior in terms of thermal conductivity and noise absorption. Requires mandatory grounding;

      

      The generally recognized disadvantage of metal tiles is the high conductivity of sound

    • bitumen shingles. Other names are soft or flexible shingles. It is produced by applying a layer of petroleum bitumen on a fiberglass canvas. Due to its ease of manufacture, it has a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Ease of assembly, good dielectric characteristics and sound insulation performance - all this contributes to the growth of popularity among consumers;

      

      With soft tiles, you can create complex patterns on the roof surface

    • sand-cement tiles. Replica of a ceramic tile made of cement and sand. Its properties are comparable to the original, but it is much cheaper;

      

      The relatively low price contributes to the popularity of sand and cement tiles

    • polymer-sand tile. Consists of sand bound by a polymer composition with a dye. Durable, flexible material that is not subject to cracking under thermal and mechanical stress;

      

      Distinctive features of polymer-sand tiles are strength and lightness

    • composite tile. Piece products, which are made of steel sheet coated on both sides with an anti-corrosion alloy. The outer layer is crumbled with fine stone granules and covered with a matte glass-like glaze. With a low weight, it has a very effective appearance and a long service life.

      

      Composite tiles are available in a wide variety of colors, you can choose the desired shade according to a special catalog

15. Straw, reeds, turf. The material for knitting roofing mats are natural plant components harvested in natural conditions. Despite the simplicity and availability of raw materials, these technologies have not been developed on an industrial scale. And to this day, like thousands of years ago, the procurement is painstaking manual labor. An exception is turf coverings, which are grown on specialized farms in pre-spread canvases. After reaching a layer thickness of more than 3 cm, the mats are rolled up and transported to the installation site. The disadvantage of reed, reed and thatched roofs is their flammability … With the arrival of electricity in every house, the risk of fire from a minor circuit in the network pushed folk methods into the background. Safer materials have been replaced.

    

    Thatched roof has very high thermal insulation properties, but requires painstaking manual labor and is highly flammable

16. Liquid types of roofing. These include solutions that harden in the open air. Most often, such materials are used in industrial construction, since spraying them on the surface of the slopes requires serious equipment. An example is polyurea, which forms a waterproof layer within 10-15 minutes after application to a substrate. In private construction, various types of mastics are better known, mainly on a bitumen basis. They are rarely used as an independent coating; mastic often serves as an auxiliary tool for roof repairs.

    

    Spraying polyurea requires special equipment and certain operator qualifications

17. Polycarbonate roof. Appeared in the arsenal of roofers not so long ago. Polycarbonate is transparent and UV-resistant. It is used for greenhouses, greenhouses, conservatories and indoor swimming pools. Polycarbonate roofs can often be found at bus stops in major cities. Visors over the entrance doors made of this material are popular.

    

    Polycarbonate is commonly used to cover greenhouses, gazebos and canopies over building entrances

Roof installation

Depending on the laying technology, roofing materials are divided into:

• type-setting (all types of tiles);
• sheet (slate, metal sheet materials);
• roll (roofing felt, roofing felt);
• mastic ("liquid rubber", polyurea);
• membrane (polyethylene films and membranes).

To avoid confusion and misconceptions, the consumer needs to remember that profiled metal materials such as copper, corrugated board, aluminum, etc., are produced not only in the form of sheets, but also in the form of rolls. Flexible roofing also has various packaging - piece, roll, large membrane-type canvases and mastic. The choice of size and shape depends on the transportation conditions and the type of installation.

Laying a piece roof is a more time consuming process. Nevertheless, this material is preferred for construction in the private sector. Oversized membrane panels are used exclusively for the construction of large facilities with large roofs. This is due to the fact that during the installation process the piece material is less prone to deformation and does not create longitudinal stresses along the lathing.

The stacking tile laying is laborious, but the result is a beautiful coating with a minimum amount of waste, which does not exert longitudinal loads on the crate

The support on which the roof is installed is a rafter system for pitched roofs, and ceiling (or attic) ceilings for flat roofs. Before installing the outer covering on the roof, a crate is assembled, which is rarefied or solid.

Depending on the type of roofing material used, a solid or sparse lathing is used for its fastening.

The thickness of the lathing depends mainly on the type and weight of the roofing:

• for laying roofing material, it is enough to lay a crate of boards up to 20–25 mm thick. At the same time, for a slate sheet, which weighs from 23 to 35 kg, boards with a transverse size of 32 mm are needed. The overlap between the rolls of roofing material should be 10-15 cm, between the sheets of slate - one wave;
• installation of ceramic tiles is carried out on lathing from a bar with a thickness of 40 mm. At the same time, first the top row at the ridge is completely laid out, then the row along the cornice, and after that the remaining rows are mounted in the direction from bottom to top. The elements of the covering are attached to the lathing with nails, and to each other - using special grooves along the edges of each shingle;
• soft tiles require a continuous coating underneath, but the thickness does not matter much, since the total mass of the petals is small. Therefore, sometimes moisture-resistant plywood from 8 mm in diameter is sufficient. Bituminous canvases should overlap each other so that the upper element covers the place where the lower one is attached to the crate (it is done with galvanized nails with a wide head);
• polycarbonate is mounted on a wooden or metal frame with a pitch of 40-60 cm depending on the roof structure. Since the material is predominantly produced in large sheets (6 mx 2.1 m) and has exceptional flexibility, it is used to create extraordinary architectural forms. Fastening to the frame is done using self-tapping screws with large flat caps;
• seam roofing is assembled from panels by rolling the edges of adjacent sheets. To do this, each of them has bumpers that are bent with a special tool. The crate is a metal or wooden frame. Due to the high thermal conductivity of the material, the composition of the roofing cake necessarily includes insulation and vapor barrier, which prevents the formation of condensation on the inner surface.

When installing a seam roof, a special tool is required to connect the sheets

Sheets of corrugated board are located with an overlap of at least 20-25 cm and a gradual horizontal displacement. The most critical elements of the roof, such as the ridge and the valley, are additionally waterproofed with roll or mastic material.

Lateral overlap of profiled steel sheets should be at least one wave

As you can see from the examples given, the device of each type of roof has its own characteristics. However, the general principle remains. The fixing of the roofing material to the roof is carried out on the lathing, which serves as a link between the rafter system and the roof.

The strength and durability of the entire structure depends on the quality with which the lathing is made.

Video: do-it-yourself metal profile installation

Dismantling and replacing the roof

When asked when a roof replacement is needed, the most convincing answer is a wet spot on the ceiling of the home. Especially when water drips from him with stubborn persistence.

It is not worth taking to such extremes; it is better to regularly conduct an annual inspection of the roof and carry out preventive work in a timely manner. However, if the leak is an unfortunate surprise, a strategic decision must be made. This requires an inspection of the roof and supporting structure.

Roof restoration works have three possible solutions.

1. When the damage only touched the roof, cracks, chips, foci of corrosion, leakage of joints and so on were formed on the roof surface, repairs are needed only for the coating itself. The volume is determined by the area of the lesion. If 40% of the area or more has failed, patching such a roof is impractical. Better and cheaper to replace the entire coating. For example, change the slate coating to metal tiles.

   

   Over time, cracks and through holes form on the slate, which require replacement of damaged sheets or the entire coating

2. If the wooden elements of the lathing have been damaged, fungus or mold is found on the surface of the boards or panels, blackening or the appearance of salts, the frame of the lathing will have to be replaced along with the roof. Otherwise, the renovated roof will not stand for a long time, and the money will be wasted.

3. And the last, the worst scenario of the development of events - violations affected the rafter system, the geometry of the attic or attic room was changed. The rafter legs have rotted, the supporting or auxiliary structural elements (crossbars, puffs) have sagged. In this case, the rafters need to be repaired, which means that complete dismantling of the roof cannot be avoided.

   

   If the load-bearing elements of the roof have become wet and rotted as a result of leaks, it is necessary to completely dismantle the roofing pie and repair the rafter system

Dismantling is carried out in the reverse order of installation. For example, the slate is disassembled with a hammer and nail clipper. It is more convenient to disassemble such a roof together - one knocks nails from the side of the attic, and the other pulls them out from the outside. Further, the released sheet is lowered from a height to the ground and stored.

To remove the slate covering, it is necessary to remove all fasteners, and carefully lower the released sheets to the ground

When rebuilding the roof, for example, from slate to metal, it is necessary to correct the shape of the lathing, because the slate is attached to one row, and the metal tile to two. The second frame serves to enhance the natural ventilation of the roof space. If the covering changes from soft tiles to corrugated board, the crate does not need to be altered. If on the contrary, you will have to cover the slopes with a continuous coating of OSB or plywood.

Under the shingles, it is necessary to make a continuous crate, along which the underlay carpet will be mounted

Dismantling must be carried out by a team or an assistant. You cannot do this alone, safety precautions when performing high-altitude work prohibits being on the roof without a helmet and insurance.

If the roof was fastened with screws (corrugated board, polycarbonate, etc.), then its disassembly is carried out using a screwdriver. The installer consistently unscrews the fasteners and removes the sheets from the roof slopes.

Sheets of corrugated board, connected to the crate with screws, are unscrewed when dismantling with a screwdriver

The most time consuming is the dismantling of a flat roof covered with several layers of roofing material (up to 5 or more). When heated in the sun, roofing material is sintered over time into a monolithic carpet, which is very difficult to remove. In this case, a roofing ax is used, with the help of which the coating is cut into small islands and disposed of. On large areas, specialized organizations use a curtain cutter - a mechanized tool that cuts the roof into pieces. There are electric or petrol driven chasers. They can be used only if the layer depth is at least 30 mm.

The wall chaser is designed for flat roofs with a thickness of 30 mm

Replacing the roof involves carrying out certain calculations. If the weight of the new coating exceeds the weight of the old (removed), it is necessary to correctly assess the ability of the rafter system to withstand the increased loads. Sometimes it is necessary to strengthen the rafters by building up additional supporting elements. It is not recommended to use old-fashioned methods in this matter. It is desirable that the calculations are carried out by a competent engineer familiar with the specifics of the industry.

When replacing heavy types of coverage with lightweight, it is enough to calculate the weight of the roof per square meter. For example, when replacing slate with corrugated board, this can be done as follows.

1. It is known that a sheet of eight-wave slate weighs about 30 kg and has an area of 1.5 m ². Thus, for 1 m ² there are 30 / 1.5 = 20 kg.
2. A sheet of corrugated board has dimensions of 1.2x1.2 m. We consider its area: 1.2 ∙ 1.2 = 1.44 m ².
3. The weight of the sheet (depending on the thickness of the metal) is from 7 to 9 kg, so the relative load from it can vary from 4.9 (7 / 1.44) to 6.3 (9 / 1.44) kg / m ².

This means that the replacement can be done without additional building of rafters, since the pressure will decrease by almost 4 times.

Video: dismantling and installation of the roof (slate - metal)

Roof maintenance

Checking the condition of the roofing is an important preventive measure. The more regular maintenance is done, the more likely the roof will last longer.

Upon completion of the assembly, all objects are removed from the surface: cuttings from roofing sheets, screws, fasteners and other loose objects. A clean roof surface is a prerequisite for the proper functioning of the roof. The same requirements apply to the drainage system. The gutters should be free of foreign objects, debris, accumulation of leaves, etc. The drainage system serves to automatically remove moisture from the roof surface, therefore monitoring its functioning is also a preventive measure for roof maintenance.

Visual inspection of roofing

The roofing sheets are inspected at least once a year. It is not enough to assess the condition of the roof from the ground. You need to climb to the roof and inspect the entire surface from a close distance. Particular attention is paid to the places where the slopes adjoin vertical walls, a chimney and other objects located on the roof. If any problems are found, they are eliminated as soon as possible.

Checking the health of the roof components

The components include structural elements of the roof. It:

• skate;

  

  The ridge is installed at the top junction of the roof slopes

• valleys;

  

  Endova closes the inner corner of the junction of two slopes

• droppers;
• frontal cornice strips.

The general work and durability of the entire roof depends on the normal functioning of these elements, so you need to carefully monitor their safety. If the ridge is ventilated, check the air intake openings for free air passage. In the valleys, it is undesirable to arrange the accumulation of water or snow. Drippers and eaves are sometimes ripped off by water and wind. It is necessary to monitor the firm fixation, return them to their original place in case of violation of the fasteners.

Monitoring the condition of the coating

Checking the condition of colored and polymer roofing coatings is one of the most important tasks. The process of corrosion and destruction begins with small and subtle damage, scratches and chips. If you eliminate them on time, you can count on the roof to last a long time. Bubbles, discoloration and mechanical damage are considered the most common signs of a damaged coating. Their appearance indicates that it is time to repair the roof.

Gutter system

A system of gutters along the roof slopes prevents the accumulation of atmospheric water on it. If the drainage systems do not function effectively enough, destructive consequences for the roof as a whole are inevitable. Lingering at the edge of the slope, water freezes or falls on the inner surface of the roof. This leads to wetting of the wood from which the rafters and lathing are mounted. The consequence is rot, fungus and mold, which very soon destroy the wood structure and render the roof unusable. Checking the operation of the gutters is a prerequisite for revising the roof. If the channels are clogged with debris, leaves, etc., they must be cleaned and brought back into service. It is best to carry out such work after flying leaves from trees, but before the onset of cold and frosty weather.

Before the start of the winter season, gutters and pipes must be completely cleaned of all foreign objects

Roof cleaning

Experts recommend washing the roof with water and a foaming detergent every two years. Removing debris and dirt is carried out with a soft long-bristled brush. It is possible to use pumps supplying water under pressure. The powerful jet of liquid eliminates stubborn dirt, sand and earth deposits. It is advisable to carry out work in the warm season, when the roof dries quickly under the influence of the sun and warm air masses.

You can use a special high pressure water supply technique to wash the roof.

Video: cleaning the roof

Coloration

An effective means of combating roof corrosion is the use of dyes with water-repellent properties. Typically, paint is used for outdoor use, matched to the existing color of the roofing.

The paint is applied with a brush or roller. If the damage has not affected the primer, one coat of paint is sufficient. If corrosion has penetrated to the metal, it is necessary to carefully paint over not only the affected area, but also the roof within a radius of 15–20 cm. The operation is carried out in dry weather, the paint is applied in two layers with a time interval until the first layer is completely dry.

Sometimes the roof is completely painted. This allows you to create additional protection for the roof from the adverse effects of the atmosphere. Practice has shown that the best paint - ship paint - withstands up to 7 climatic cycles (years) on a metal roof. After this time, it is advisable to repeat the procedure. However, much depends on the region. In warm areas, where severe frosts are rare, the paint can last from 10 to 20 years.

Stamped and undulating roofs are easier to paint with a brush

The above applies to metal and asbestos-cement types of roofing. Roofs made of polycarbonate, roofing felt or soft tiles cannot be painted.

Video: painting a metal roof

Roof operation rules in winter

In the cold season, when the air temperature drops below the water freezing threshold, seasonal factors must be taken into account.

Snow removal

With a properly planned and installed roof, snow problems should not arise. This largely depends on the angle of inclination of the roof and the condition of the roof. It is necessary to strive to ensure that zones with different textures do not form on the roof surface.… For example, standing seam roofing needs to be painted periodically, since the paint cracks and crumbles sooner or later under the influence of the sun and metal expansion and contraction cycles. At the same time, the sliding of the snow mass slows down, the snow clings to the remains of the paint and stays on the roof. Naturally, in this state of affairs, the owner of the house needs to monitor the condition of the roofing. The sooner you react to damage, the less losses they will cost. But if snow still accumulates in a layer of more than 10-15 cm, you need to clean the roof. The same applies to frost on the eaves and edges of the slopes. If huge icicles hang from the roof, this indicates that the rate of water rolling off the roof is insufficient, so the water, not having time to move down, freezes in the frost and turns into ice. A second possible cause is clogged and icy gutters.

When cleaning the roof from snow, it is recommended to use only plastic or wooden shovels

It is not recommended to knock and break ice on the eaves. This often leads to mechanical damage. Both the roof and the channels of the drainage system can be affected.

Taking on the restoration of the roof on your own is not always wise. The roof is a very responsible and vulnerable part of the building; you cannot treat it lightly. Moreover, if not only the roof needs repair, but also the trusses. Turning to the professionals, you will receive qualified advice and guarantees for the work performed.