Construction and repair by own hands

Plan roof flat roof. Flat roofing

You can build a flat roof yourself or by using specialists. Thanks to this design, the building has a beautiful and stylish appearance.

The device of a flat roof?

The technology of flat roof construction is more practical and economical. The installation of such a roof takes less time, as well as money costs compared to the roof of a double-decker type.

For a flat roof use several layers:

  • As a base, plates of reinforced concrete or a structure of a metal profile are laid.
  • Then, roll or bituminous materials are used, which serve as a vapor barrier.
  • After this, the installation of expanded polystyrene plates, expanded clay or a cement screed, these materials have thermal insulation properties.
  • Thanks to the use of PVC membranes or other roll-type materials, it is possible to create a high-quality waterproofing.

The layer can be stacked in a different order, it depends on the type of flat roof. The choice of insulation and waterproofing material depends on what type of substrate is used.

How to properly make a roof slope?

When constructing a flat roof, it is necessary to make a slope, it can be up to 4 degrees, doing this in order to avoid the accumulation of atmospheric water. If this is not done, the coating will quickly deteriorate, leakage or corrosion of the surface material will appear. To make a slope, use a mixture of concrete and polystyrene, after laying, it freezes, and is durable. Also, instead of polystyrene, claydite can be used, this mixture will be economical, but it will have a significant load on the supporting elements, and the strength of the roof pie will decrease.Another slope can be made using a monolithic thermal insulation. On the surface with the glue fix the insulation in the form of sheets, and then fix the dowels, which have plastic spacers, so the material will not move.The slope can be made by laying foam concrete, but this method is expensive.

Varieties of flat roof

Flat roofs are divided into exploited and unexploited structures, so first you need to decide what kind of roof to choose. In the unexploited roof there are several layers that are responsible for the load-bearing function of the roof. This type of construction is more economical, and easy to install. For the construction of such a roof, special PVC membranes can be used, their laying does not depend on weather conditions, and is produced by a welding apparatus with no open flame. It is also possible to use mastic based on bitumen, which is applied on top of the thermal insulation material. This mastic quickly hardens, and a cast coating resembling rubber is obtained, it is resistant to moisture and damage. Polymer-bitumen coating can be in the form of rolls, they are spread on the surface, and fixed with a welding apparatus that has an open flame.

It takes more time and money to build an exploited roof, but in the end, an additional area is obtained that can be used for various purposes. Such a roof must withstand a significant load, and subsequently not deform. In contrast to the first option, above the waterproofing material, a hard-facing screed is used that does not allow the coating to be pressed and deformed.

According to the design features, the roofs are divided into the following types:

  • traditional;
  • breathing;
  • inversion;
  • green.

The technology of installing a traditional flat roof

The traditional type of roofing is such structures, where the waterproofing material is laid on top of the thermal insulation, it also serves as the final coating, for this you can use both roofing felt and PVC membrane. Roofing of the traditional kind is not exploited, since it does not have a special concrete screed, which has a strengthening effect. When constructing a structure, basalt cotton wool is used, but it does not withstand the loads. Such a roof has its advantages:

  • quick and easy construction;
  • economy;
  • all work can be done independently, without recourse to specialists.

The disadvantage is the fact that the waterproofing material will eventually have to repair or replace the entire surface.

Installation of the roof is carried out in the following sequence:

  1. First set the base, for this use slabs or a monolithic reinforced concrete slab.
  2. Then they start laying the vapor barrier material, it can be polyethylene, bitumen or polymer. The last type of vapor barrier is denser and stronger than other materials, during welding there are no seams, which can eventually get moisture.
  3. They make laying of thermal insulation, for this, mineral wool can be used, it is more economical, and keeps the heat well.
  4. Fix the thermal insulation material with bitumen glue or dowels.
  5. Then proceed to laying the bottom of the waterproofing material, rolls spread on the surface overlap to 20 centimeters, and fix by welding.
  6. From above produce another laying of the waterproofing layer, which serves as the protection of the entire structure, and ensures its reliability. Fusion of coils of the upper waterproofing is carried out on the entire surface, and not only on joints, as in the first case.

The technology of installing an inverse flat roof

The inversion type of the roof is more reliable and durable than the traditional roof, it does not leak for several decades.

When constructing this type of construction, the order of the arrangement of the layers varies, thereby improving the quality of the roof. Unlike the first method, such a structure can be operated.

  • For minimum loads, use is made of insulating, heat-insulating, and waterproofing materials. As a final coating, roll-type materials are used.
  • For medium loads, a stronger and denser insulation should be used. As a final coating, use paving slabs or other types of similar material.
  • For significant loads, between the main layers of insulation, reinforce the material. And as a final coating, reinforced concrete slab is used.

The installation of an inverted flat roof is carried out in the following sequence:

  1. First prepare the base, lay a reinforced concrete slab, then cover it with a primer to ensure that the welded waterproofing is well attached.
  2. The installation of the waterproofing material is somewhat different from the traditional method. First lay waterproof material, it can be PVC or rolls, which include bitumen.
  3. Then proceed to laying insulation material.
  4. Then spread the geotextile, which should be located between the insulating materials of the internal composition, and the final coating.
  5. At the end, the final covering is laid, for roofs with a minimum load, roll type materials or crushed stone are applied, which is applied to the entire surface. For a roof with medium load, it is possible to lay paving slabs or apply other strong materials. For significant loads, use a reinforced concrete slab of monolithic type.

The technology of installing a breathable flat roof

A breathable view of the roof helps prevent moisture accumulation inside the structure, thanks to this type of construction this space is well ventilated. Ceilings, cracks, and other problems due to mold formation do not appear on the ceilings. Through the holes made from the inner layers of insulation, the moisture can freely evaporate and exit outward. On the roof surface have special aerators, 40 square meters is enough for one piece.

A breathing roof can be made as follows:

  1. Remove the installed cake is not necessary, it is sufficient to strengthen the waterproofing function. Using a welding machine, fuse the previous coating.
  2. On top of the previous coating, a new layer of waterproofing material is melted, then the entire surface is leveled, and moisture wastes are performed.
  3. The accumulated condensate can completely destroy the building in a certain time, therefore it is necessary to provide a roof with a qualitative ventilation system. To do this, install special aerators, which serve as fans, they are fixed to pipes made of plastic or metal. On top, the instruments are covered with hoods in the form of umbrellas, so that the outside does not get moisture.
  4. The principle of the aerator is different internal and external pressure. Warm air from the bottom comes into contact with the cold flow, and the fans start to work, and the humidity under the roof goes off on their own.
  5. On a simple flat roof, such holes are placed at the highest point, on the connection of heat-insulating materials. The installation of fans is performed during the installation of the roof, if this is done after the completion of the work, then the unnecessary costs can go away.

What is a green roof, and how to build it?

Green roof allows you to give the building an original look and design. Such a roof has several advantages:

  • Thanks to space saving, you can grow various vegetables and berries, decorative plants on the roof, and place a comfortable zone for rest or business meetings in a green atmosphere.
  • With the help of plants on the site appear more oxygen, that is, they favorably affect the environment. Also, plants are able to absorb various toxic substances, if the city has a big gas content.
  • The soil layer, located on the roof, cools the room inside during the summer period, and insulates the room in winter.
  • Thanks to such a structure, the level of sound insulation increases.

If it is planned to build such a roof, then you need to strengthen the structure, since it will be given a significant load.

Green roof can be of two types:

Extensive roofing is covered only by decorative plants or lawns, with a layer of soil up to 15 centimeters. Watering is carried out only when the grass begins to grow, and other plants are located in pots. In this case, the lawns are periodically cut, as necessary.

The intensive roofing allows the placement of soil up to 60 centimeters, that is, you can plant not only decorative, but fruit plants that have shallow roots. On the roof of this type, you can arrange a garden or a garden, while the structure of the bearing type must withstand a significant load. This type of roof is expensive.

Installation of the green roof is carried out according to the principle of a conventional reinforced structure. First lay the base of reinforced concrete, then have a waterproofing material. After that, polystyrene is stacked, it serves as insulation material. Spread the geotextile, and drain from gravel or gravel. Then again lay the geotextile, and proceed to place the soil. After all the layers are laid, you can plant the necessary plants.

Construct such a roof under a slight bias, so that excess water can go unhindered. Otherwise, it is necessary to install a drainage system, otherwise in case of stagnant water, the roof cake will deteriorate. Moisture will begin to penetrate into the room, it is fraught with the destruction of the flow, and subsequently of the walls.

Thanks to this decision, the roof can be given an original appearance, and also with the benefit of growing various vegetable and fruit plants. Among such an atmosphere, you can make a game complex for children, a recreation area, a tea party, and other activities.

If the roof is green, do not allow the water to stagnate on the surface. It is better to plant such plants that do not require frequent watering. It is also necessary to take into account the applied load from the soil placed on top, the structure must be reinforced to withstand the whole assumed weight. All miscalculations are desirable to be performed before the roofing works begin.

Conclusion

Before you begin the installation of a flat roof, you need to determine whether it will be used in the future or not. The traditional type of flat roof is considered a more economical option, and for installation it does not take much time. The inversion design of the structure is more durable and durable, does not require replacement of the final coating for several decades. By building a breathable roof, you can easily get rid of humidity with the help of special fans, this allows you to extend the life of insulating materials. Green roofs give the building an original look, and save space for growing various plants.


When building a building from scratch, the roof is the final stage of installation. In fact, it is during this period that all the parameters of the durability of the building as a whole are set, as the longer the roof is, the longer the building will be protected from precipitation and natural phenomena. Not so long ago, the standard roofing in private construction was considered a two-slope type, but today flat roof is gaining increasing popularity. This is due to the fact that the materials for coating it can be quite diverse, for example, you can apply ordinary mastic to its surface and this will be enough.

The positive sides of a flat roof

The history of this type of roof began with production buildings, and only then it spread to private houses. The fact is that a few decades ago, the standard of country house construction was a double-skinned roof, and the roll materials for them were abundant, as for flat ones, they had only tar and tar.

Agree, a rather meager assortment. That's why people did not build buildings with flat roofs, but today roofing manufacturers compete among themselves in the production of better products, therefore, the material has appeared much more.

Today, you can cover the entire roof slope with one solid carpet of roofing. Such materials can include polymeric, bituminous, and also mastic products. Their positive quality is high resistance to temperature changes, and, consequently, they can be applied in any latitude of the country. In addition, some types of cover are unpretentious to the base and can be laid on the lathing, screed, heat insulation plates. With the application of the latter you get the so-called roofing cake.

I want to focus a little on the positive and negative sides of flat roofs.

  • Flat roofing, the surface of which is laid with roll material, will be simple and minimalistic, which has recently come into vogue
  • There is no complicated rafter system, hence, material saving
  • When using profiled metal sheets, a very long service life can be achieved as a coating, for example, a copper roof will last about 150 years
  • Convenience in the provision of preventive inspections of the roof for damage
  • The ability to use the roof area for personal needs, for example, to arrange a garden or a summer workshop. In any case, you will have an additional area
  • Reliable protection over your head in any bad weather

Flat roofing device

The roof already ready for operation is very simple in composition and has only a few components. As an example, consider a multi-screw flat roof.


The section of a flat roof is as follows:

  • Overlap plates (base)
  • Waterproofing layer
  • Thermal insulation boards
  • Steam insulation membrane (if necessary for its installation)
  • Synthetic canvas
  • Roof covering

Roof pie in this type of roof plays a very important role, because if at least one of its components does not perform its functions, then the roof will completely fail, hence, it will require very fast repairs.

An important task at the design stage of this roof will be the determination of the type of coating, construction, selection of the necessary operational properties, for example, fire resistance, water resistance, etc.

When using roll materials, special attention should be paid to sealing seams. As a rule, this happens overlapping, but if you use rails, then you should also choose the correct fasteners.

When choosing a waterproofing, it is necessary to decide in advance how it will be arranged. Modern construction distinguishes only three ways of its laying, namely:

  • Bonding
  • Application of fasteners
  • Free laying

In the case where the installation rules are ignored for this, you can pay the following:

  1. You will tear waterproofing protection with strong gusts of wind
  2. Incorrect selection of the material of fasteners as a result of interaction with metal profiled sheets can cause the rapid destruction of the latter
  3. Gutter system often clogs or freezes, resulting in a large accumulation of moisture on the roof surface

As you can see, the device of a flat roof is very simple, and, consequently, its installation will not be very difficult either. If we compare it with pitched systems, then the material savings is evident, therefore, and the cost as a whole.

Flat roofs of their types and designs

Flat roof has two types, the design of which varies significantly - it is operated and not maintained roof.

The first type is used only in those buildings in which frequent visits by people to the roof of the building are a necessity. For example, it can be equipped on the roof of your house garden or workshop. This design has some nuances. In the process of its arrangement you will need to create a fairly solid foundation directly on the layer of waterproofing. This is done in order to allow the roof structure to withstand stronger loads. Otherwise, in some places you simply rupture the waterproofing.


In unoccupied roofs, there is no need to install a rigid foundation and, as a rule, they use thermal insulation plates. It is advisable to create this type only if you do not need care for it during the operational period. In simple words, you can say that if you do not need to visit the roof every year (except for preventive inspections), then such a roof will suit you. As for the inspections, I advise you to use special bridges when conducting them, which will distribute the load over the surface more evenly.

IMPORTANT: Non-exploited roofs are cheaper than its opposite type, but its service life is much less exploited. Therefore, than to sacrifice - the choice of the builder.

Now that you have learned about which flat roof is more durable and than the design of one differs from the other, I will go further and tell you about the species.

To date, only these types of flat roofs are known to the construction:

  • Classic
  • Inverse
  • With ventilation ducts

The most common type is considered a classic flat roof or soft, as it is often called developers. Under its foundation, as a rule, a reinforced concrete slab is laid. Then comes the roofing cake and the whole thing is covered with a coating.

The flat roof cake does not differ from the pitched roof, it includes exactly the same layers (waterproofing, heat-insulating and vapor-insulating layer), but there are some distinctive features. Better materials are used here, and some protection is stacked in several layers. Roof pie for a flat roof is more than simple layers of insulation and the more quality its components, the longer your roof will serve you.

The inverse view of a flat roof means finding the insulation plates above the waterproofing, and not under it, as can be seen in the classical type. Such a change in the components makes it possible to protect the layer of waterproofing from the influence of an aggressive external environment, for example, ultraviolet radiation, temperature difference, etc. This kind is very suitable for the operated structure, as a result of which it is possible to get a very high quality roof over the head, which allows to arrange various gardens and lawns on its surface.

The last view is a ventilated roof. It allows you to get rid of excessive amounts of condensate, because, as you know, getting moisture in a roofing pie reduces its useful qualities at once by half, and if this happens all the time, completely removes this layer and has to be replaced. Builders of Western countries are already actively using this type of roofing and therefore if the problem with high humidity is relevant and for your region can make yourself the same. To do this, you will need to partially plant the nodes of the first layer of such a roof on the glue, or use mechanical clamps. This will lift the coating to a certain height, resulting in gaps for ventilation, through which excess moisture will escape.


What should be the base of the flat roof

To create the most durable roof you will need to create an ideal foundation for the flooring. It should be smooth and have a certain bias. And now a little about this in more detail.

As it was already written above, the reinforced concrete slab is an ideal basis for creating a flat roof. But it is often possible to use profiled steel or a solid wooden crate.

If your choice fell on the reinforced concrete structure, but there are very strong irregularities on it, then I advise you to use asphalt concrete or cement-sand mortar as a screed. Its thickness will depend entirely on the material of the substrate. When using concrete, the thickness is from 10 to 15 mm, on special heat insulation plates - from 15 to 25 mm (hard material) and from 25 to 30 mm (soft material).

When the slope of the roof is less than 15%, then at first the screed is poured in the area of ​​the races, and only then along the entire slope. But your ramp is steeper than 15%, then everything should be exactly the opposite.


All vertical roofing elements should be treated with a plaster solution to a height of at least 30 cm and when this value is reached a special rack is installed, which will serve as the basis for fastening the roll coating. When laying the screed on the roof surface it is necessary to primed it with special mastics, this will increase not only the waterproofing qualities, but also increase the adhesion with the coating.

IMPORTANT: Before priming an element, do not forget to clean it and thoroughly dry it.

Roofing materials for flat roofs

Producers of any material often hear negative feedback from customers about their products, but it may not be in them, but in the sellers themselves?

When you come to the building store, you should study the purchased products as much as possible, for example, if you buy roofing material, then consider it carefully, identify defects in the form of cracks, oil spots, unevennesses. If everything is in order, then you can purchase this material, but for the purpose of reinsurance, some developers advise to tell the material on a flat surface and keep it in such condition for a day. And I, as an expert, advise you to do the same. This non-tricky manipulation will allow you to view the purchased product in more detail, and after lying in the untwisted state for a while, it will show its elasticity indices.

By the way, if you are looking for a roof covering for a temporary structure, then most likely you will be suitable mastic, because it, due to its properties, can fulfill several purposes at once. The first of these is an independent roof covering, and the second is a material for the foundation or repair work. The use of such a product in construction is possible, both in the cold and the molten state.

For sure, such coverage will interest every person who wants to save on the roof of the temporary structure.

Roofing mastic is a liquid base material, which is made up of elastic hydrophobic resins of polyurethane. Immediately after applying this coating to the roof, a chemical process takes place, as a result of which the mastic acquires a different structure and is more like rubber. Thanks to this product, a perfectly protected surface is created, and at a very low price.


Positive aspects of roofing mastic as a coating:

  • Ecological cleanliness. As a result of exploitation, it does not emit harmful substances, therefore, it is considered clean
  • Reliable. Coating of rubber will not accurately pass moisture under its surface
  • Good resistance to ultraviolet, precipitation and microorganisms
  • Fits on any tuberous surface and at the same time has rather good adhesion
  • Possibility of applying both manually and with a brush and roller, or mechanically spraying

Of course, such material for private construction is better not to use, because the appearance of such a house will be more likely to scare away than to attract.

If you want the opposite, i.e. so people are delighted with your home, then use another roof covering, for example, corrugated board (copper or aluminum), soft tile or a membrane.

Thermal insulation in soft roofs

In cold winters, developers often have questions about how to insulate a flat roof. And there are two such ways.

  • Interior
  • Outer

Warming the outside of the flat roof is much more convenient, and, therefore, this method is much more popular. It can be used both in the building already in use and at its erection.


By the number of layers, insulation can be made in one layer or in two. Here everything depends on the heat engineering calculation together with the strength requirements that are imposed on this roofing structure. The whole insulated area is filled with slabs so that the seams of the lower layer do not overlap with the overlying ones. In the places where the plates adjoin the walls or any other vertical elements, for example, parapets or chimneys, it is necessary to erect transitional edges of the thermal insulation.


In order to keep the insulation on the surface of the base, one of the following fastening methods is used:

  1. Mechanical. It is a classic of fasteners. With such a device for metal base using self-tapping screws, and for reinforced concrete products - plastic dowels with special cores
  2. Adhesive.
  3. Using a large scale. This method is also called ballast. As a cargo, as a rule, a lot of stones are used or paving slabs are laid
  4. Without the use of fasteners. When using this method, it is necessary to take slightly larger parameters of the material, so that it had to be crammed, rather than stacked. Due to pressure, he will be in his place and will not go anywhere

Basic errors in installing a flat roof

In any work that is not performed by professionals in their field, there may be some complications, so I will try to shield you from them with this paragraph.

Surely you know that up to 50% of the heat goes through the windows and doors, so it's worth it to focus on this exactly. But where does the flat roof you ask? It's all about the emerging temperature differences and the increase in indoor air humidity. When the moisture enters the room, it heats up and rushes up, and the top is the roof. As a result of such physical processes, the condensate destroys your coating from the inside. Therefore, fill the window and doorways with quality products that will protect your premises as much as possible from the moisture entering it.


The next problem may be the use of poor-quality fasteners on metal coatings. As an example, we can cite the situation when a very high-quality profiled steel sheet fits as a coating, but is fastened with cheap self-tapping screws from another metal. In this case, the chemical processes oxidize the fasteners and over time, the steel sheets, in spite of their protective coating, will also begin to corrode.

Using an insufficient amount of insulation will cause heat loss. As a solution to this problem, you can lay an additional layer on top of the roof.

IMPORTANT: To achieve minimum heat loss, use the material as large as possible, this will get rid of a large number of joints, therefore, reduce the access of cold air to the base.

A clear and well-prepared construction plan will help to avoid such small, but extremely unpleasant situations, as a result of which repair of roofing layers may be necessary.


As a conclusion, I want to say that if you are a creative person and create different crafts, but you do not have enough space to realize your fantasies, then a flat roof will suit you perfectly, by the way, you can arrange the necessary corner on its surface where it will be produced your products.

In addition, you can sow a lawn and sunbathe on the surface of your building, as if you are on a lawn or create your own garden. As you see a lot of options, so choose what is closer to you. Standard types of roofs or canvas for creativity.

Recently, in private construction, flat roofs are increasingly being used - the section is shown in the figure. This article considers the main types of flat roofing, its construction and ventilation equipment and drainage systems.

This is not just a constructive modern roof - a flat roof, which is widespread in recent times, also allows a significant increase in the area available for operation. This type of roof, which has a fairly small gradient (from 2 to 5 °), can be used not only for the construction of residential buildings, but also for covering buildings such as garages, terraces and various outbuildings.

Materials for flat roofs, manufactured using modern technologies, provide a number of advantages:

  • High reliability;
  • Durability;
  • Water resistance;
  • Ease of installation;
  • Non-combustibility;
  • Serviceability, etc.

Elements of flat roof construction also have high reliability and durability. When constructing a flat roof for a residential building, it is necessary to perform its insulation, otherwise the contact of the warm air coming from the rooms and the cold surface of the roofing will result in the condensation appearing on the ceilings.

In addition, the construction will accumulate moisture, gradually destroying the roof.

Types, features and installation of flat roofs


Flat roofs are divided into the following types:

  • Traditional, also called soft. Such a roof includes a carrier plate, on which a thermal insulation (usually in the form of mineral wool slabs) is laid on top of the vapor barrier layer.
    The material of thermal insulation is protected from precipitation by means of a carpet of waterproofing, the basis of which is rolled bituminous materials;
  • Inverse, representing a constructively improved version of traditional roofs;
  • Operational, the base of which should be made rigid, which allows to maintain the integrity of the waterproofing material.
    As a base, a concrete screed can be used that provides the slope required for drainage of water, or a corrugated board.
    The layer of a heater on such roofs experiences increased dynamic and static loads, accordingly, it is necessary to choose a material with high compressive strength;
  • Unexploited, for which the rigidity of the base for installation of waterproofing and insulation is not required.
    Exit to the flat roof for its repair and maintenance is provided by the construction of bridges or gangways that distribute loads evenly over the surface.
    These are cheaper, but also less durable than the exploited ones.

The main advantages of a flat roof are:

  • Slight bias significantly reduces the roof area, which allows you to reduce the cost of materials and roofing, as well as - for heating due to a smaller area of ​​heat transfer;
  • Houses with a flat roof have an additional usable area, which can be used as a solarium, recreation area, flower garden, small garden, etc.

The disadvantages of a flat roof include:

  • The slightest mistake in choosing the material leads to the fact that the repair of a flat roof is required much earlier than the time, and the overall life of the roof is reduced;
  • During heavy snowfalls, a large amount of snow accumulates on the roof, which can cause leaks during the melting process.

To ensure that the flat roof is maximally reliable and effective, it is first of all necessary to develop and implement its design competently.

This requires:

  • Choose the most reliable cover;
  • To get high-quality building materials;
  • To attract to the work of performers with sufficient qualifications, able to correctly perform the installation of a flat roof.


Traditional include a base on top of which a layer of vapor barrier is laid to protect the insulation from moisture penetrating from the premises.

The main nuances of erecting a flat roof are the following:

  • The vapor barrier is made in the form of a fiberglass-reinforced bitumen-polymer membrane or a parabarrier film laid over the screed;
  • At the edges of the roof, the vapor barrier is wound vertically so that its height is greater than the height of the insulation, after which the seams are sealed;
  • Over the layer of vapor barrier insulation;
  • On top of the heater put a protective carpet, made of waterproofing materials with bitumen base.

Important: in the case of using expanded clay as a heating material under it, a cement screed is made, on which the waterproofing carpet is laid in two layers.

When constructing a light roof, the construction of which does not provide for the load, the waterproofing sheet is glued along the entire perimeter of the roof.

Ventilation

The design of the traditional flat is not always reliable - a breach of the seal of the vapor barrier layer leads to the penetration of moisture into the insulation.

A dense layer of waterproofing prevents its evaporation, as a result of which moisture accumulates in the insulation, reducing its thermal insulation performance and leading to the appearance of wet spots on the ceiling.

In addition, in winter, freezing water increases in volume, tearing off the waterproofing from the base. As a result of mechanical influences and temperature changes, cracks appear, leading to the flow of the roof.

To avoid such problems make the so-called "breathing" roof. To do this, it installs aerators, which are devices made of plastic or metal pipes with umbrella caps.

Aerators are placed evenly over the entire roof at the highest points. Using the pressure difference created by the air flows, the aerators remove excess water vapor from the space under the roof, preventing the roof from bubbling and delaminating its coating.

Waterproofing


The waterproofing of flat roofs is usually carried out using membrane or polymer bituminous materials, which during the installation are fused together with gas burners. In addition, polymer-bitumen self-adhesive materials can be used for the roofing.

Important: Bituminous materials have a low lifetime and their use for the roof leads to the need for repair and re-coating every 3-4 years.

Most often currently used membrane synthetic materials, which have a number of advantages:

  • High strength;
  • Fire safety;
  • Resistant to aggressive environments, sunlight, natural and mechanical influences.


Such membranes are glued to the roofing screed and freely lie on the base with a load in the form of ballast, or they are fixed by a complex method (mechanical, using glue).

Mechanical fastening is carried out by rolling the material over the deck, gluing together its webs, and then fixing it over the entire roof area. In this case, shrinkage and other movements of the building do not cause stress and damage to the web.

Low slope of the flat roof simplifies the removal of rainwater, but with heavy precipitation, roof flooding may occur. To avoid this, it is necessary to equip a drainage system that can be unorganized or organized, including external and internal drainage.

In the organization of internal drainage, the roof surface is divided into zones so that 150-200 square meters are required per riser, in the case of a smaller area, an additional riser is made. At the slope points of the roof surface, funnels are placed for flat roofing, providing them with baskets for catching garbage.

Funnels are usually located in the center of the roof, and drainage pipes are placed inside the building. To prevent freezing of water near the funnel around it, a cable heating area of ​​1 square meter is performed.

This is all I wanted to tell you about the flat roof. Choosing this type of roof in the construction of a country house, it is important to remember that to treat its erection should be very serious, so that it has served long and efficiently.