Replacing the truss system of a private house. Installation of rafters: the specifics of sawing and the rules for installing the truss system. Video: repairing a metal roof with bituminous mastic

Repairing the roof of a private house is an urgent procedure. You can postpone painting the walls, replacing the floor and even warming for the future, then you can’t live with the current roof. And it is better not to wait until it flows. The sooner you decide to repair the roof of the house, the easier it will be to carry out the repair yourself.

What to look for when inspecting a roof

1. The condition of the rafters and load-bearing parts of the roof: is there any rot, fungus, cracks and other mechanical damage.

2. The condition of the roofing: the presence of damage, depressurization of the joints, especially at the junctions with the eaves, ridge, etc.

3. If there are electric wires or heating pipes, their condition must also be checked and all damage to the insulation repaired immediately, the tightness of the joints restored, etc.

4. Check the places of characteristic leaks: if they occur during rain and in the same places, it is most likely a depressurization of the junction or joint.

According to the results of the inspection, emergency repairs may be necessary (local replacement of damaged areas that threaten to leak).

In addition to the emergency, there is also the current repair of the roof of the house, which consists in partial (up to 40 percent) restoration of the roofing, and major - complete, up to the dismantling and replacement of rafters.

Rafter repair

When repairing the roof of a private house, a complete dismantling may be required in case of damage truss system more than 50 percent. If individual bars are rotten or broken, you can only replace them.

1. The broken rafter is lifted with a jack.

2. Wooden plates up to 4 centimeters thick and up to a meter long are applied on both sides. The planks rest on the Mauerlat or the upper crown of the log house.

3. Nail the boards with long nails to the rafters.

4. Holes with a diameter of one and a half centimeters are made on all sides, the fixing bolts are inserted and tightened.

If several adjacent bars are damaged, they act differently.

1. Disassemble the roof on the affected area, remove the crate.

2. They put temporary supports for the rafter legs.

3. Cut out the entire damaged area.

4. A bar prosthesis is put on a shortened rafter, it is attached to the Mauerlat.

If the repair of the roof of the house requires the replacement or restoration of the Mauerlat, you will have to suffer a little: the damaged areas are dismantled and replaced with new ones. To hold the rafters, use strong support posts or a jack.

It is much easier to replace damaged sections of the crate, since they do not carry loads.

All wooden parts of the structure after repair must be treated with antiseptic agents.

Roofing repair

The method of repairing roofing depends on its type.

1. Old putty is removed from the joints of ceramic tiles and the seams are rubbed with fresh. If it is necessary to replace individual tiles, wedges are hammered under the overlying ones and the damaged ones are carefully lifted with a trowel.

Video "Repair of built-up roof":

2. Repair of built-up roofing is easier. The damaged sections of the roofing material are cut out with a sharp knife and a patch is placed on this place. Glued with bituminous mastic.

4. Repair metal roofing depends on the amount of damage: it may be necessary to replace the entire sheet, a separate part of it, and in case of small defects, it is enough to cover the crack with silicone putty. If only the paint polymer coating is damaged, touch up this area.

If the roof of a private house needs to be repaired in winter, try to work from a cradle or lift. According to the norms, even climbers do not have the right to work from the ropes already at -6 degrees.

Replacing the roof of a private house is a task that every homeowner faces sooner or later.
This type of work involves the complete removal of old roofing material in order to lay a new one, as well as the replacement of roof waterproofing, thermal insulation, repair or complete replacement of the truss system.
complex and to some extent dangerous work require vocational training and experience, and therefore should be entrusted only to specialists.

Our company conducts professional installation and replacement of the roof with a preliminary expert examination of the object. We work in Moscow and the Moscow region at private housing construction sites and summer cottages.

Replace completely or repair?

Practice shows that in most cases it is enough to carry out current or major repairs of the roofing, however, in situations of complete wear of the covering material or significant damage to the roof structure, a complete replacement of the roof cannot be avoided. There are other, more specific reasons for replacing roofing material. Among them:

  • regular strong leaks;
  • the spread of the fungus along the crate, the presence of rot in the elements of the truss system;
  • wear of heat-insulating material, waterproofing.

Replacing a metal roof, roll and other material is sometimes required in case of a change in the appearance of the house (for example, replacing a flat roof with a pitched one).

Laying the roof on a new truss system allows you to choose any material for decoration. While maintaining the same old rafters, we recommend choosing a profiled sheet or metal tile: these materials best cover the defects of the old frame.

Stages of work

  1. Replacing a roof made of slate and other materials is carried out by our specialists as responsibly as possible, and therefore work always begins with a thorough examination of the current state of the roof, including the truss system. Depending on the degree of wear of materials and wishes for future flooring, a decision is made to completely rebuild the roof or to update only the covering layer.
  2. At the second stage, the old coating is removed, if necessary, the insulation is replaced. If a decision is made to rebuild the rafters, then they also change.
  3. After finishing preparatory work our specialists lay the new waterproofing material and the crate under the new roofing material.
  4. Laying a new roof on the prepared crate.

Replacement slate roof and other coatings are carried out by our specialists under an official contract. All work is covered by a 3-year warranty.

House roof replacement: price

The price of the roof replacement work is calculated based on the cost of the selected materials, the level of complexity of the upcoming events, the time of year (roof replacement in winter and summer has slight differences in price). Our experts will help you calculate the price per 1m2 for roof replacement. The master will also answer questions about how much it costs to replace the roof, help you choose the material and make an accurate cost estimate.

Give us a call and schedule a free consultation with a specialist at your site. We will come to any district of the Moscow region at a convenient time for you.

Cracks, holes, punctures and other damage to roofing are serious problems that need to be addressed before they become more serious. Dampness and stains on the ceiling are only a small part of what leaks in the roof can lead to.

House roof repair

Problems relating to the construction of the roof and roofing are quite regular situations that can be solved without resorting to the help of specialists. To find out what technical condition the roof of the building is in, it is necessary to conduct a visual inspection of its structure.

To do this, you need to go up to the attic and carefully examine the space around, the truss system, the crate and other structural elements. As a rule, if the roof leaks, then already during the inspection you can feel the persistent smell of dampness. In turn, due to constant dampness and moisture, the supporting elements of the roof will be affected by mold.

It is better to carry out a roof revision in rainy weather - this will allow you to more accurately determine the places where the roof is leaking. If no signs of damage to the roof are found, and the walls and ceiling in the house are still damp, then the cause should be looked for among possible problems in the water supply and central heating system.

Roof repair must begin with an inspection of the inter-attic space and the existing roof structure.

The most common reasons why it is necessary to carry out current or major repairs of the roof include:

  • violation of the integrity of the roofing - cracks, ruptures, dents and other mechanical damage received during snow removal, cleaning of the roofing, etc. As a rule, leaks and damage to the heat-insulating cake occur due to mechanical damage;
  • depressurization of the joints of the roofing carpet - loss of tightness of the joints of the roofing with adjacent elements: chimney, walls, parapet, antennas. If the laying technology is violated, depressurization of the seams between the roofing sheets is possible;
  • damage drainage system- partial or complete failure of the gutter system of the roof. Usually, drainage problems are observed on flat roofs, when water simply stagnates on the roof surface. As a result, both damage to the roofing and moisture to the load-bearing walls of the building can occur.

When inspecting the roof, it should be remembered that the leak may not be where water seeps through the roofing cake and drips onto the attic floor. This is due to the design features of pitched roofs, due to which water can freely flow through the rafter system.

Current roof repair

The current roof repair is the restoration of the structure and the elimination of local damage to the roof. Usually needed when the area of ​​damage is small compared to with total area roofs. All maintenance work can be done independently. This allows you to significantly save on labor costs. Instead, you can choose better materials.

The current repair of the roof is aimed at eliminating local damage to the roofing

Roof maintenance includes the following types of work:

  • replacement of the damaged section of the roofing carpet;
  • restoration of tightness of the connecting seam between different elements roof structure;
  • patch repair aimed at covering leaky areas of the coating;
  • single replacement of elements of the truss system;
  • roof drainage system repair.

To perform current repairs, various materials are used, the choice of which directly depends on the design of the roof. For example, for the repair of pitched bituminous roofs, bitumen-rolled coatings are used. When repairing roofs, coverings with metal tiles, galvanized sheet metal or tile elements similar in color are used.

Overhaul is carried out in cases where more than 40% of the roof surface has damage of a different nature. If the roof structure is a rafter system, a heat-insulating cake, vapor barrier and roofing, then a complete replacement of one of the roof elements is carried out only after a scheduled inspection.

It is better to entrust major repairs to qualified workers who can not only carry out repair work, but also eliminate the cause of damage or errors made in the design of the roof structure.

Major repairs of the roof are carried out in the case when more than 40% of the roofing surface is damaged

Major repairs are necessary in the following cases:

  • inconsistency of roofing material with the type of roof;
  • mistakes made when laying the roofing cake;
  • step discrepancy between rafter supports;
  • the presence of problems with the installation of the crate;
  • partial or complete lack of roof ventilation;
  • violation of the technology of laying and fixing roofing;
  • oversights made during the adjoining of the roofing to various communications;
  • errors in the design of the drainage system.

It should be noted that major repairs are carried out only in cases where the implementation of local repairs is impossible or will not bring results. For example, if there is damage to the gable roof truss system, coupled with damage to the roofing pie, then current repairs are impossible. In this case, a complete enumeration of the heat-insulating layer, replacement of leaky rafter legs, as well as a complete replacement of the roofing on one of the roof slopes will be required.

When performing a major overhaul, it should be borne in mind that roof damage is not always associated with a violation of the technology for working with roofing materials or errors in calculations. Sometimes roof damage is caused by increased soil mobility. Because of this, the bearing elements of the structure are displaced and the rafter legs are skewed, as a result of which there is a depressurization of the connecting seams and damage to the coating.

Rafter system repair

The rafter system is used to create pitched roofs. It includes vertical racks, inclined rafter legs and struts. All elements of the system are responsible for the bearing capacity of the pitched roof. With the help of the truss system, the roof structure is able to withstand the load exerted by the roofing material, the volume of snow lying on it, as well as the flows of flowing water and gusts of strong wind.

Moisture on the rafters, racks and struts leads to the formation of mold and rot

Therefore, it is important to carry out a scheduled inspection of the truss system and, even if there are minor damages, carry out local repairs. Otherwise, not only the roof itself, but also the supporting elements of the structure may suffer.

The general technology for repairing the truss system is as follows:


During work, it is recommended to substitute temporary supports under the repaired rafter legs or racks - for this, it is better to work with a partner. After replacing the damaged elements, the insulating materials are laid back, the battens and roofing are installed. If these elements of the cake were also damaged, then they are partially or completely replaced.

Roof deck repair

The roof sheathing consists of edged boards or sheets moisture resistant material laid perpendicular to the rafter legs. Sheathing boards are laid with a certain step, which is calculated in advance based on the expected load of the roofing material and snow masses.

Solid roof sheathing is made of OSB-boards or moisture resistant plywood

The main problem affecting the integrity of the lathing elements is moisture entering through damage to the roofing material. Therefore, the repair of the lathing is carried out in conjunction with the restoration or complete replacement of the roofing.

To repair the crate, you will need to do the following:


As mentioned above, the sheathing boards must be laid at intervals, the size of which depends on the angle of the roof. For example, for pitched roofs with a slope of 5–10 degrees, the lathing must be solid and can be made of moisture-resistant plywood or OSB. When laying roofing, the overlap between adjacent sheets must be at least 300 mm.

Roof eaves repair

Roof eaves or overhangs prevent running water from getting under the roof covering, onto load-bearing walls, windows and other building elements. Additionally, cornices provide ventilation of the under-roof space.

Structurally, the roof cornices are formed by protruding the rafter legs at a certain distance. On the front side of the building, cornices are formed due to the protrusion of the truss system beyond the bearing wall.

For filing roof eaves, it is better to use vinyl or steel siding.

Repair of cornices, as a rule, is associated with the replacement of sheathing material. Basically, either elements of vinyl and metal siding are used for this, or ordinary edged board treated with an antiseptic.

Replacing the skin is carried out according to the reverse technology. First, the finishing bar is dismantled, and only then the plastic or metal soffit. In the case of a board, it is enough to dismantle the damaged boards and replace them with new ones. When working with wood, remember that any structural element must be treated with two layers of water-repellent impregnation.

Roof Repair Materials

Various materials are used for roof repairs, from bituminous mastic to create a seamless roofing carpet and ending with high-strength sealant used to seal metal roofs.

Adhesives for sealing

Adhesive compositions for sealing are used in the construction of both flat and pitched roofs. Used for sealing joints between sheets, canvases and various elements of roofing. Additionally, they can be used to eliminate gaps when laying materials near chimneys, drains, ventilation holes and other communications.

Sealing tape or tape sealant is used to repair minor damage on bituminous rolled roofing.

Conventionally, adhesive compositions for sealing joints can be divided into the following types:


Roof Repair Mastic

Bitumen mastic is a viscous plastic mass consisting of finely dispersed fillers and special additives, rubber, various resins and plasticizers. It is used both for waterproofing various surfaces, and for the installation of full-fledged roofs. For example, in order to seal a flat roof for technical and storage rooms.

One-component bituminous mastic is used to repair localized damage on a flat rolled or soft roof.

Bituminous mastic is characterized by increased elasticity, resistance to low and high temperatures, good adhesion to concrete and metal, as well as resistance to vibrations and weak mechanical stress.

Depending on the composition, bituminous mastic is divided into the following types:


Any bituminous mastic allows you to create a seamless monolithic roofing sheet that reliably protects the roof structure and interior spaces from dampness and moisture. In addition, mastics are ideal for local repairs of bituminous flat roofs.

Among the disadvantages of these compositions, it can be noted that repair work is possible only on a sunny day, when the likelihood of precipitation is minimal. In addition, in the absence of work experience, it will be quite difficult to control the thickness of the bitumen layer, which may affect the final result.

metal roof sealant

For the repair of metal roofs, a sealant based on bitumen or silicone is used. It is a water resistant compound based on bituminous elastomers that can be used even in high humidity conditions. The composition is resistant to UV rays and can be applied as low temperatures up to -35 ° C, and at high heating to temperatures above 100 ° C.

Bituminous sealant eliminates minor damage to metal tiles and other metal roofing

Other benefits of this sealant include:

  • excellent adhesion to most materials used for roofing;
  • ease of application - the composition does not spread, does not drip and easily penetrates even into small cracks;
  • environmental friendliness - bituminous sealant does not contain asbestos and other highly toxic substances.

When working with this type of sealant, there are several restrictions that are usually indicated on the packaging. For example, once applied, the sealant must not be painted over with organic solvent based paint. It is also not recommended to use it in conjunction with foam insulation, which is often used for thermal insulation of roofs.

Metal Roof Paint

The use of metal as a roof covering is a very good choice, especially when you want to get a durable coating that does not require seasonal repairs. But the metal itself is susceptible to moisture and corrosion.

Therefore, to protect metal roofing, special paints are used, which can increase the service life of the product by 2-3 times. This also applies to galvanized steel roofs. By itself, galvanizing copes well with corrosion, but even a slight damage to the front layer can lead to damage to the whole sheet of material.

To protect the metal roof, it is painted with special enamels that protect the surface from mechanical damage and prevent the development of corrosion.

For painting metal roofs, many paintwork materials. The most common enamels marked EP-1236, EP-1333 and EP-140 M. These compositions are suitable for painting aluminum, copper, galvanized and other surfaces. They are characterized by high UV resistance, resistance to mechanical stress and a wide choice of colors.

If it is necessary to use compositions with high adhesion, it is recommended to purchase enamels marked AK-06, AK-070M and XC-5146. To obtain the required consistency, you can use the P-5A solvent.

Roof Repair Methods

Roof repair work can be done independently. Especially if the owner of the house already has experience with roofing materials, bituminous mastic or sealant. In other cases, it is better not to take risks and entrust the repair of the roof to professionals.

Roof repair with liquid rubber

Liquid rubber is a water-based bitumen-polymer composition, which is applied using special equipment and a spray gun. With its help, you can create a seamless roofing carpet. Mainly used in cases where the use of rolled or metal roofing materials impossible due to their higher weight.

Liquid rubber can be applied as hand tool, and special high-pressure installations

Among domestic manufacturers, liquid rubber under the Technoprok trademark can be noted. The composition is a two-component mixture and is widely used for flat roofing in the industrial sector.

Roof repair technology using liquid rubber consists of the following steps:


Video: spraying liquid rubber on the roof

Roof repair with roofing bitumen

Construction bitumen is used for flat roofs, as well as their waterproofing after construction. concrete screed. Currently, it is rarely used for roof repairs, as there are simpler and more economical materials. Despite this, it is widely used for the production of roofing materials, including bituminous mastic and bitumen roll coatings.

Roofing bitumen is available in ingots of various sizes, which are melted before being applied to the work surface.

The technology of work with roofing bitumen is as follows:

  1. The damaged area of ​​the roofing must be cleaned of dirt and dust. If the area of ​​damage is extensive (more than 40%), then it will be necessary to completely dismantle the upper waterproofing layer.
  2. After dismantling and garbage collection, it is required to determine the technical condition of the concrete screed. If a concrete layer does not have pronounced damage in the form of cracks and chips, then the surface is additionally cleaned and prepared for further work.
  3. If the concrete screed is severely damaged, it must be dismantled with a construction tool. For this, a jackhammer, a puncher and a grinder with a disc for concrete are used.

    The damaged screed is broken with a perforator

  4. After dismantling the screed, the work surface is cleaned again. Further on the surface of the roof is laid thermal insulation material up to 10 cm thick. For this, extruded polystyrene foam or polystyrene is used.

    Under the new screed, insulation from modern composite materials is laid.

  5. Linear guides are installed on top of the insulation in increments of 60–70 cm. After that, the concrete mixture is mixed based on M300 cement. To improve the strength properties of concrete, fiber is used, which is added to the mixture during mixing.
  6. A concrete screed up to 8–10 cm thick is poured. A wooden or metal rule is used to distribute concrete. After pouring, the screed is covered with a tarpaulin or polyethylene. In the process of drying, it must be moistened 2-3 times a day.

    A new concrete screed is poured onto the insulation layer

  7. After 25-28 days, you can start waterproofing the roof with bitumen. To do this, you need to make a small fire near the place of repair work and melt the bitumen. For the preparation of the bituminous mixture, bitumen with the BNK 90/30 marking is used.

    It is convenient to distribute bitumen over the roof surface using wooden trowels and metal scrapers.

  8. Bitumen is applied after its complete melting. Bitumen is applied evenly. For spreading, a hard-haired roller and a metal scraper with a long handle are used.

    If possible, it is better to use liquid modified bitumen for repairs.

Video: melting bitumen to make mastic

Roof repair technology with mastic

The process of repairing a roof using bituminous mastic is in many ways similar to the technology for applying liquid rubber. Bitumen mastic, depending on the type, is one- or two-component.

One-component compositions, as a rule, are used in conjunction with bituminous roll and metal roofing. Two-component compositions are used for the device of flat mastic roofs.

To apply bituminous mastic, paint brushes and rollers with a hard bristle are used.

The general technology for repairing a roof with mastic is as follows:

  1. The surface of the roof, on which there are damages of a different nature, must be cleaned of dust, sand and other abrasive particles. To dry the damp roof, a building hair dryer or heat guns are used, which are located under a special canopy.
  2. Prepare bituminous mastic according to package instructions. As a rule, an electric drill with a mixer attachment is used for this. If required, the mastic is carefully heated to operating temperatures.
  3. Apply bituminous mastic to the cleaned roof surface. To do this, it must either be carefully poured onto the surface and spread with a scraper and roller, or applied as a paintwork with a brush and roller.

If the area of ​​work is quite large, then it is possible to apply the mastic by airless spraying using a special spray gun. During the repair work, safety precautions must be observed. Mixing and distribution of mastic occurs only in gloves and goggles.

Video: repairing a metal roof with bituminous mastic

Roof repair is a long and labor-intensive process that requires an integrated approach. overhaul can be avoided if you perform a routine inspection of the roof structure and fix the problems found in time. This is especially true for pitched roofs, when for revision it is enough just to go up to the attic and carefully examine the truss system for dampness and rot.

A leaky roof with signs of leaks is not a reason to be discouraged and calculate the upcoming expenses for capital reconstruction. You should not relax either, because the consequences of even a minor defect can result in impressive damage to the decoration of the house and property. Dampness is the enemy of the wooden truss system and the electrical wiring passing through the attic, the proximity of moisture to which is really dangerous.

Therefore, at the first manifestations of wetting the walls and ceiling, you must immediately take measures to eliminate them. In a number of "current" cases, the owner of the house can successfully carry out roof repairs with his own hands.

Leaks are a clear sign of a malfunction in the roofing system. This is a characteristic indicator of an emergency, regardless of the degree of wetting of building structures.

It is impossible to leave even a minor leak without the owner's attention, which will certainly increase over time. It is necessary to deal with roof defects in a timely manner.

Prerequisites for a major overhaul

The list of reasons for a leaky roof is quite extensive. There are prerequisites in it for major alterations, and for cosmetic repairs that are quite accessible to the home master. Capital restoration is desirable to entrust the construction organization. It will be required if design errors and defects in the roof structure are revealed, such as:

  • Incorrectly selected roofing that does not match the type of roof and the steepness of the slopes.
  • Errors in the arrangement of the layers of the roofing cake and in the selection of materials for its construction.
  • Incorrect calculation of the step of the rafter legs, misses in the device of the crate.
  • Lack of cornice wind vanes, cornice air vents, insufficient ventilation in the ridge area.
  • Violations of the roofing fastening technology, which cannot be corrected during the current repair.
  • Notable oversights in the arrangement of junctions and intersections of the roof with pipes and other communications.
  • Illiterately designed drainage system that does not provide a full flow of water.

The factors signaling the need for capital intervention also include the use of low-quality materials and fasteners, most often caused by a banal desire to save money.

The cause of roof leaks can be flaws not only in the design of the roof, but also in the house as a whole. Unaccounted for foundation movements or natural instability wooden walls, for example, can cause the roof structure to skew. As a result, a violation of the tightness of the joints, displacement of nodes, the appearance of cracks, rupture and destruction of the roofing material.

Scope of current repair operations

In addition to serious design errors, there are standard causes of leaks that can be eliminated by cosmetic repairs of the roof: after all, roofs must be constantly maintained, by analogy with all building structures. To do this, it is not necessary to contact the builders or be a roofer "from birth". You can handle it yourself if you just have to:

  • Replacing a damaged area or roofing detail.
  • Restoration of the tightness of the connection of the elements of the roof structure.
  • Applying patches to leaky spots in the coating or waterproofing.
  • Replacing worn or defective fasteners.
  • Gutter repair.

The home master can eliminate minor defects in bitumen and polymer roll roofing materials. The simplest operations for the restoration of roofs covered with sheet metal and metal tiles are quite affordable. The repair of tiled and slate roofs with your own hands will not cause any particular difficulties, if you know the technological subtleties of working with the listed types of coatings. An important circumstance is the exact determination of the cause and location of the leak.


Roof leak classification

Focusing on the time and frequency of the appearance of leaks, roofing theorists divide them into three categories, these are:

  • Leaks associated with liquid atmospheric precipitation. Traces of wetting or frank "dripping" appears directly during the rain or a little later after it. It usually flows with them along the lines of junctions that have lost their sealing, in areas of poorly arranged roof penetrations, in places where water accumulates. On a flat roof, such a defect is easily determined: it is located directly under the hole in the roof. With pitched structures, everything is much more complicated, because water can flow in one place and get wet in another.
  • Leaks that appear during the melting of solid precipitation. Signals about their appearance are located in valleys, along overhangs, around drain funnels and near the gutters. Those. in places of accumulation of melt water, the flow of which was prevented by ice.
  • Leaks associated with wetting of the insulation. Most often they happen in the summer heat. Due to the significant difference between the outside temperature and the same parameter, condensate accumulates in the thickness of the insulation, the excess of which is able to “dump” the vapor barrier membrane. The second reason for their appearance is damage or errors in the waterproofing device.

The first type of leaks is most often encountered by owners who decide to repair their own roof with their own hands. In most cases, their actions are to restore the roofing. The second type requires a thorough cleaning or repair of the drainage system, the third - recalculation of the thickness of the thermal insulation with major alterations.

Accurate diagnosis is the key to success

The first step to completing a successful repair will be a detailed audit of the condition of the roofing system. Visual inspection in most of the simplest cases allows you to identify a leak and find damaged areas. True, it is only suitable for determining defects in the outer layers of the roofing pie. Violations inside the multilayer filling can only be found by an experienced craftsman.

Diagnostics should be carried out in two stages:

  1. Inspection of the roofing system from the attic. You need to check the condition of the skin, if any, of the rafters, floor, Mauerlat, if it is not behind the skin. Damp, swollen areas do not need to be meticulously looked for, they are immediately visible. The presence of a leak is also easily determined by the characteristic changes in the color of the wood: by discoloration or the appearance of dark spots. If the first visual inspection did not bring results, it is worth waiting for the rain and climbing into the attic while it is coming. Wet places will tell you in which direction to look for a hole in the roofing system.
  2. Inspection of the outer side of the roof. You need to thoroughly prepare for it, especially if you have to explore a roof with high slopes. You need to stock up on comfortable clothes, shoes with non-slip soles, a reliable ladder with a strong hook for fixing it on the skate. External examination begins with a ridge, gradually moving down the overhang. They study the condition of roof penetrations, junctions, inspect valleys, gutters and points of internal drainage.

It is great if, as a result of research, it turns out that the roof was leaking due to the banal stagnation of water due to clogging of drainage channels and funnels. This happens because none of the finishing roofings yet has 100% waterproofing properties. All the work then consists in cleaning the water drainage routes and repairing their leaky parts.

It may be necessary to install a tin gutter in soft roof valleys, for example, if the waterproofing carpet used to equip them does not cope with its duties. It is possible that a slight revision of the gutter and ventilation system by installing protective nets on gutters, vents, funnels.


If mosses are found on the roof, they must be carefully removed from the coating. It is possible to clean bituminous and polymeric roofs only with a broom. With similar care, they treat corrugated board and polymer-coated metal tiles, because it is easy to scratch and render unusable. But it is permissible to clean a steel, copper or aluminum roof without a protective and decorative outer shell wooden shovel but without fanaticism.

Optimal time to work

The most favorable period for carrying out repair operations on the roof is recognized as early spring or autumn. They are favorable because of the working temperature in the range from + 5ºС to + 15-18ºС. In general, it is not recommended to engage in capital or current repairs any type of soft roof, if the temperature on the thermometer is below the specified lower limit. Both bituminous and polymeric material then loses elasticity, cracks, it is almost impossible to evenly attach it to the base.

Metal, asbestos-cement and ceramic coatings are not so demanding on the temperature regime, but it is much more difficult to work with them when the thermometer is negative.

Naturally, from the point of view of optimal operating conditions, liquid precipitation is undesirable. The awning will be able to protect the craftsmen from their impact, but the excess of air humidity in some cases negatively affects the repair procedures. It is difficult to achieve the ideal result of the adhesive operation, it is impossible to predict the outcome of applying the solution to cracks, etc.

Because some restrictions on repair work on the roof still exist, preferably all year round have in stock "improvised" material. To apply a temporary patch on the roof, regardless of the type of coating, it would be good to replenish the household with a piece of roofing felt, roofing felt, polymer membrane or similar insulating material.

And at the same time with glue or bituminous mastic, no matter cold or hot, necessary for gluing a temporary repair device. It does not hurt to stock up on a piece of roofing tin.


Simple roof repair options

Based on the results of the preliminary examination, it can be concluded whether the home master is available self repair Or is it better to hire roofers. For those who decide to make their own efforts, we offer an analysis of elementary repair operations. I want to immediately warn against the stubborn desire to restore a steep roof with a cold attic from the outside.

It is not always advisable for owners of buildings with a similar design to take risks by climbing onto slopes. If it is possible to replace the piece cover element from the attic, it would be wiser to take advantage of this significant plus.

Replacement shingle bituminous shingles

Undeniable dignity shingles- the ability to change only damaged tiles without dismantling the vertical or horizontal row to the damaged place. Cracks, holes and notches appear on it most often when cleaning snow in cold weather with a hard shovel or from falling heavy objects in the heat.

If the topping just crumbled from the surface, you should contact the manufacturer to replace it. It is rather difficult to present cracks in a piece element as a warranty case. After a long debate, you still have to change the damaged shingles yourself.


The sequence of work on the replacement of shingles:

  • The edges of the top and side tiles adjacent to the element to be replaced are carefully lifted with a small crowbar.
  • Having exposed the place of attachment, carefully remove the fasteners with a nail puller.
  • We apply mastic on the back of the new shingle. The thickness of the mastic layer should be exactly the same as the manufacturer indicated in the instructions. No need to "overdo it", this reduces the quality of gluing.
  • We bring a new tile under the upper element and arrange it in place of the old one.
  • The edge of the upper shingle is slightly bent, we nail the tile with brushed nails. We try not to fall into the previous mounting point, moving closer to the upper edge by 3-5mm.
  • Lubricate the edges of adjacent tiles with mastic and fix them in place.

If a shingles laid on low, almost flat slopes, it will not flow due to mechanical damage. In such situations, a complete replacement of the roof finish is recommended because it is not compatible with the type of construction.

How to repair a rolled roof

Repair of bitumen, bitumen-polymer and polymer roofing is carried out by installing patches from a similar material or from a fiberglass mesh, followed by the application of mastic. On holes in polymeric membranes, patches are applied only from above.

The patch to be repaired must overlap the damage by at least 5 cm in all directions. The edges of the patch are rounded. In order to create a strong connection, it is better to weld a piece of the membrane, but it can also be glued to a composition with a compatible formula.

The method of repairing a rolled bitumen and bitumen-polymer roof depends on the type of base:

  • To seal a hole in the coating, laid on a solid wooden crate, put an internal patch. It should be 5-7 cm larger than the hole in all directions. The damaged area is cut crosswise. The edges of the incision, like petals, are bent outward. The back side of the patch is treated with mastic, carefully inserted into the hole formed and carefully straightened its edges under the coating. Then the petals of the cut are returned to their original position, and the lines of their connection are filled with mastic, hot bitumen or bituminous suspension.
  • To repair a hole in the coating laid on concrete base, the patch is placed on top. A piece of material with dimensions similar to the previous ones is treated with mastic, bitumen or suspension from the rear, then simply glued.

Punctured or bubbling in many places soft roof do not repair with patches, it is better to completely cover the strip or the entire carpet.


Seam roof repair

A roof covered with sheet metal can leak for three reasons, these are:

  • Corroded material corrosion.
  • Holes from heavy and sharp objects that have fallen on the roof.
  • Violation of the tightness of the seams.

With the flow of standing seams, they fight either with the help of a hemming machine, or handicraft with a hammer and an auxiliary bar. The recumbent fold is easier to seal with fiberglass and cover the repaired area with polymer mastic.

Small holes and rusty holes can be patched like this:

  • The repaired area is carefully cleaned with a brush with metal bristles.
  • From roofing sheet metal cut out a patch, the edges of which will be 7-10 cm larger than the damaged area in all directions.
  • The leaky place and the back side of the patch around the perimeter are first covered with flux, then soldered.
  • After cooling, remove the excess solder with a file.
  • We paint the repaired area or the entire roof.

If there are more than two or three holes on a metal roof with significant damage over the entire area of ​​a sheet or a pair of sheets connected to a card, they are completely changed. A single perceptible hole in the metal is closed up by duplicating part of the sheet. This can be done if the edges of the repair patch can be inserted into the standing folds. Jewelry work, without experience it is better not to take it.



Repairing a metal roof

There are three common causes of metal roof leaks, these are:

  • The result of installation errors.
  • Use of poor quality fasteners.
  • Holes due to improper cleaning.

The first point is related to capital alterations. You can fix the situation on the second point yourself. If the sealing washers of poor-quality fasteners are destroyed due to temperature fluctuations, it is necessary to act according to the following algorithm:

  • Loosen the fasteners of adjacent sheets.
  • We insert wooden wedges into the hole above the repaired area, placing pieces of roofing paper or glassine under them.
  • We turn out the screws, remove the damaged seals.
  • We change fasteners.
  • We tighten the loose fastenings of adjacent sheets.

Single small holes patch up standard scheme metal roof repairs. Sheets with multiple holes are best changed completely, proceeding in the same way as when replacing fasteners.


Slate repair without dismantling

Flat and corrugated sheets of asbestos-cement coating are extremely sensitive to mechanical damage. A hole in a fragile material can be made by a stone, a fallen tree, a bayonet of a shovel when cleaning, a carelessly stepping foot. The method of removing defects in the slate coating depends on the degree of damage. It is better to change a sheet with a significant hole by disassembling the roof to the damaged element vertically or horizontally.

For cosmetic repairs to repair small cracks and holes, a wide range of products is available:

  • An oil paint used to repair a section of a roof with a grid of fine cracks. The surface is first painted, then a piece or strip of fabric is applied to it, then painted again.
  • Silicone sealant combined with a thick fabric patch.
  • Asbestos paste used to seal serious cracks. A composition is prepared from three parts of asbestos and one part of a binder solution. The solution is closed with equal parts of water with polyvinyl acetate glue. The solution is gradually introduced into asbestos. Stir, trying not to get lumps. In order not to swallow asbestos dust, all work is carried out in a respirator. The paste is applied in layers, the total thickness of the restoring layer must be at least 2 mm.
  • A patch made of ordinary aluminum foil, planted with universal glue on the wrong side of the slate. To repair with foil, the sheet is dismantled if it is not possible to repair it from a cold attic. If the crack crosses the mounting hole, then it is sealed completely, and the hole for the fastener is drilled higher.
  • Adhesive tape with butyl rubber backing.
  • Bitumen-polymer mastic applied in layers interspersed with fiberglass.
  • Epoxy resin used for bonding sheets split along the entire length. From the inside, the slate is first sealed with fiberglass, then resin is poured into the crack from the outside.

The original method of temporary roof repair will demonstrate the video:

We have proposed the simplest ways of repairing coatings that are actively in demand in the dacha economy. In fact, the topic of repair is quite extensive, and more complex problems can be fixed on your own. However, it is better to go through the school of a repairman from the basics.

Exploitation wooden houses old buildings is associated with periodic maintenance and repair work of all the main structures of the building, including the roof. The main defects are the deflections of the supporting elements of the roofs and the appearance of leaks. In each case, it is necessary to find out the causes of the problem and take steps to eliminate them. Timely repair of the roof of a wooden house will avoid serious consequences, the elimination of which will require much more financial resources.

To check the roof for deflection, you need to move away from the house and look at the line of the ridge. If it is flat relative to the mentally drawn horizon line, then the truss system is in order. Seasonal movements of the structure do not affect the condition of the roof. The condition of the foundation and embedded logs of the object does not cause concern.

If the ridge line deviates from the imaginary horizon line, then we can talk about the presence of a deflection of the roof resulting from the natural deformation of the ridge beam resting on the gable rafters. To verify this, you need to inspect this element, climbing into the attic.

Roof deflection visible to the naked eye

Why does the ridge beam sag

The deformation of the ridge beam may be due to a mistake made by the builders at the stage of roof construction when choosing building materials. If a poorly dried log that did not reach the required degree of strength was used as a ridge beam, then it will definitely bend over time under the weight of not only its own weight, but also the weight of the roofing, as well as the action of snow load.

Important ! To prevent the ridge from sinking, it is necessary to build additional supports and install them between the gable rafters. This is precisely the repair of the roof of a wooden house in this situation. First, the sagging log is leveled with a jack until it reaches as even a line as possible, and then an additional support is installed.

Leveling the ridge log with a jack and installing an additional support

If a ridge beam was not used in the construction of the rafter system, but there is a subsidence of the roof in the ridge, then the reason lies in the deformation of the columnar foundation, which is actively used in the construction of wooden houses. With uneven shrinkage of the foundation pillars, the roof sags in the place where the supports sank the deepest. This problem is typical for log houses with five walls. In this case, the defect is much more difficult to eliminate. After all, in addition to the roof, you will have to level the house itself.

Elimination of the consequences of sagging foundation pillars by installing a new embedded log and wooden spacers

In this diagram, the following elements of the structure are indicated by letter symbols:

  • A - A new mortgage log installed during repairs.
  • B - Place of cutting bearing walls.
  • B - Line showing the deflection of old embedded logs before the repair.
  • G - The most sagging pillar of the foundation.
  • D - Spacers made of wood.

During the repair, the builders will raise the house, eliminate the deflection of the walls, and install the object on new embedded logs. Adjust the height of the support pillars of the foundation using spacers cut from wooden beam durable rocks that will prevent further subsidence of the walls in places of cutting. This work must be entrusted to a team of professional builders.

Important ! Roof deflection can cause damage to the roof covering, increasing the chance of rainwater leaking.

Causes of subsidence of the roof on the slopes

If, with a relatively even ridge, deflections of the roofing surface are noticeable on one or both slopes, then this is due to the deformation of the rafter legs. When inspecting the condition of the rafters, pay attention to their straightness, and also check the integrity of the material: there should be no breaks and deep cracks.

The deflection of the rafters indicates errors made in the calculation of the roof structure. The insufficient rigidity of the rib of the rafter leg is not able to withstand the weight of the roof itself and the pressure of snow accumulating over the winter. The greatest deformation occurs in spring, when the mass of the melted snow layer presses on the roof with the greatest force.

Important ! You can eliminate the deflection of the rafter legs on your own, without resorting to the help of specialists. There are two ways to increase the bearing capacity of the rafter legs: installing a prop or strut. Although the presence of struts will make it difficult for free passage in the attic, it will ensure the strength of the rafter legs and prevent the roof from sagging.

Installation of spacers allows you to eliminate the deflection of the rafter legs

Installation of spacers and timing of replacement of rafters

How to install the spacer

  • With the help of two jacks, it is necessary to slowly squeeze both rafter legs at the same time at the deflection points.
  • First make cuts at half the thickness of the rafters, into which the spacers will be inserted.
  • Mount the spacers between the rafters, inserting them into the prepared grooves, and secure with nails.

Important ! You can not make grooves in the rafters, but immediately nail the spacer bar to them.

When the rafters are changed

When repairing the roof of a wooden house that has served for decades, the strength of the rafters is checked with an ax, making a shallow incision. The spilled dust, resembling a light brown powder, is the result of a deep damage to the wood by a bug. If the wooden elements of the roof structure are also infected with a fungus, and also have extensive rotten areas, then they must be urgently replaced.

Carefully check the roof lathing: rotting areas can lead to premature wear of the entire structure

Paying attention to the crate

A thorough inspection also requires a plank roof lathing, which can rot from constant wetting. The appearance of traces of water smudges indicates a leaky roofing and about a poor waterproofing substrate that does not protect the attic from moisture. It is impossible to put up with this situation, because not only the structural elements of the roof, but also the ceiling shield can rot.

If the problem is local in nature, then a partial repair of the roof of a wooden house can be carried out. When a large number leaks, a complete replacement of the roofing material that has served its time is necessary. At the same time, the installation of the roof is done taking into account modern requirements for the installation of lathing, waterproofing and laying the selected material for coating.

Important ! In the event of mechanical or other damage to the roof, water that falls on the waterproofing substrate flows down it into the drainage system and is discharged from the house.

Repair and replacement of slate

On wooden houses of old buildings, slate or roofing iron was used for roofing. Signs that indicate that it is time to repair the roof of a wooden house, covered with slate sheets, include:

  • the appearance of cracks of various sizes;
  • the presence of holes from nails in the lower waves of the slate sheet;
  • lack of rubber pads under tin plates placed under ordinary nails;
  • mossy old slate;
  • damaged sheet edges;
  • brittleness and brittleness of the material.

Important ! Damage to the lower waves of slate sheets is especially dangerous, because rain and melt water flows down them, which is formed during the melting of snow.

Inspection of the slate roof and ridge for the likelihood of leakage

Quick repair of damaged slate

With a lack of financial resources to purchase new material and carry out a full-fledged repair of the roof of a wooden house, cracks in the slate can be repaired with cement and bandage. This option will temporarily eliminate the flow of water.

Work is carried out according to the following algorithm:

  1. Using a brush for metal, they clean the place of cracking of the slate from moss and blackness, wetting it with water.
  2. A mixture of cement (0.5 parts) and asbestos (1 part) is prepared, after thorough mixing of the components, water is added to obtain a liquid solution.
  3. Inflict a small amount of solution at the site of injury.
  4. The bandage, folded in three layers, is moistened in the prepared mixture for one minute, after which it is pressed against the surface of the slate and carefully smoothed. The bandage should be a few centimeters longer than the length of the crack.
  5. Three hours later, the dried bandage is covered with a layer of varnish or gray paint.

Important ! Remember that such a slate repair will last no more than two years. During this time, the owner needs to find funds to replace the old roof.

When laying a new slate, it is necessary to use special nails that provide waterproofing of the fastener. Holes for fasteners are pre-drilled in the upper wave of the sheet, after which nails are driven into them. Neighboring sheets are overlapped by one wave. Rows of slate overlap each other by 15 cm.

Important ! The roof ridge must be protected by a waterproof material, the integrity of which must also be monitored and corrected in time.

Repair of the iron roof of a wooden house

On many houses of the old buildings, you can see roofs made of iron and painted red-brown. The fashion for such roofs appeared in the 70s of the last century. It is clear that at that time ordinary iron was used, which did not have a zinc coating that saves the metal from corrosion. Repair of such roofs comes down to cleaning the surface of rust and old paint, followed by painting.

Rust spots need to be cleaned and the roof repainted.

Waterproofing of junctions of the roof to the chimneys

The places where the roof adjoins the chimney or ventilation pipe need special waterproofing protection, which often cause water to leak into the under-roof space. The ingress of moisture in this important area negatively affects the brickwork of the chimney, as well as on the ceiling surface adjacent to it. Modern materials, such as the liquid rubber, bitumen-polyurethane mastics, etc., allow solving the problem of waterproofing adjoining units once and for all.

However, in addition to this, a number of design solutions are used to reduce the likelihood of leakage. At the stage of laying the chimney, a visor protruding half a brick is made, covering the place where the roof adjoins the pipe wall and protecting it from precipitation. Another technique, on the contrary, provides for a recess in the wall the size of a quarter of a brick. Roofing material is introduced into this gap.

Important ! During repair work on waterproofing the junctions in the walls of the chimney, a strobe is cut out if the stove-maker did not foresee the presence of a recess when laying the chimney pipe. Soft roofing material is inserted into the strobe and pressed against a metal rail, which is fastened with self-tapping screws. Then the polyurethane sealant is poured into the junction of the rail with the wall.

The pipe must be protected by an umbrella

To prevent moisture from entering the chimney, it is necessary to install a cap or a protective umbrella on it. This item protects upper part brickwork chimney from constant wetting, leading to the destruction of its walls and falling out of individual bricks.

Installation of a drainage system

Without a drainage system, the roof cannot perform in in full functions assigned to it. After all, water flowing from the roofs will fall on the walls of the house and the foundation, which will ultimately affect the life of the wooden structure. In many private houses there is some semblance of gutters, designed by the owners themselves from improvised materials. Currently, for each type of roofing material, it is possible to select suitable elements of the drainage system, which not only collects and diverts rain water in a safe place for the home, but also perfectly complements the design of the roof and home decoration.

Many start repairing the roofs of wooden houses for aesthetic purposes, replacing the old faceless coating with a new bright roofing material. The market is filled with a variety of offers that allow you to transform a wooden house beyond recognition. In combination with wall finishing materials the new roof turns an ordinary building into a small palace.

Installing or repairing gutters will protect the walls and foundation of the house from water running off the roof.

Installation of new roofing materials should be carried out by professionals, because you need to know and comply with a number of technological requirements. However, approach the choice of a company carefully, collecting information about its activities. Serious firms have a website that displays photographs of repaired roofs. There is information about the legal and actual location of the company's office, not only mobile phone numbers, but also landline numbers are indicated.

It is best to choose those firms that have done well with repair work on the objects of your acquaintances and friends. This is the best and safest option! Serious companies know that satisfied customers are an excellent advertisement for services and use it. We think none of you will refuse to join the ranks of satisfied customers.