How to make roof glue. Slate repair: how to repair holes and cracks

Asbestos-cement roofing is renowned for its durability. Nevertheless, even with such wear resistance, it is impossible to completely exclude damage to the slate during operation. As a rule, after a dozen or one and a half years, chips or cracks can be found on its surface.
Repairing slate can extend the life of the roof by about another ten years, so the question of how to repair the coating is very relevant. Once upon a time, slate roof repairs were carried out using ordinary oil paint and fabric strips. The effect of such an intervention was short-lived - only a few years. Modern materials make methods for repairing damage much more effective.

How to fix cracks

When the slate leaks, it means there are cracks in the coating. There are several fairly simple ways that really help restore its functionality. All of them are available for self-fulfillment, you just need to know how to seal the slate. Usually this is applying a patch to a damaged area or. Let's see what needs to be done when the roof leaks, what is the fastest way to patch a slate roof than glue it. This is especially important in bad weather conditions.

Consider the most common technologies for restoring damaged sheets. So, burst, flowing, slate. How to close up, glue it? The simplest option is asbestos paste.

Step-by-step instructions for using asbestos paste

Preparation of the composition

The mixture is a composition that includes asbestos and cement, you can prepare it yourself. Powder components are mixed in a separate container (asbestos is taken three times more) and water and dispersion polyvinyl acetate glue taken equal in volume are added until a homogeneous creamy mass is obtained. Stir the mixture very carefully so that lumps do not form. Work with asbestos mixture is carried out in a respirator.

If the composition is not used for a long time, it loses its qualities. Therefore, it is advisable to knead it in small portions.

Application method

Before sticking the slate, prepare the damaged area:

• remove garbage;
• wash the place of damage and degrease, for example, with gasoline;
• in the case of an ordinary crack, a fiberglass tape (sickle) is fixed along its entire length, which is at least 5 cm longer than the crack.
• significant damage or holes are first filled, for example, with raw rubber or caulked, for a greater effect, the fibrous material is pre-treated with hydrophobic compounds.

The asbestos-cement composition is applied to the damaged area gradually, in successive layers as evenly as possible. The total layer thickness must reach at least 2 mm. When the patch dries, the resulting seam is treated with sandpaper.
It is desirable that the mixture significantly covers the damage zone.
Such repairs will protect the under-roof space from moisture penetration for 8-10 years.

Use of foil

The patch on the roof can be aluminum foil, even from an ordinary chocolate bar. Universal glue is applied to it and applied to the damaged area from the wrong side. So that the corners of the patch do not bend, they are rounded. The connection of the foil and the roof is strong and will reliably protect the roof from water access.

If the crack passes through the fastener, then first it is sealed with foil and a hole is drilled for the fastener in another part of the sheet.
After the work has been done, the dismantled sheet is returned to its place. We must not forget that rubber gaskets for nails are a mandatory requirement. When the work is completed, the patch is masked to match the tone of the roofing. in dry weather, it is advisable to use a roller or brush. The best effect can be achieved if the repaired area is treated in two approaches with a break to dry the first layer.

These methods are much more convenient if you perform them on a removed sheet.

Repair of asbestos-cement roof without dismantling

There are some ways to repair an asbestos-cement roof for which damaged sheets are not dismantled. These works are performed directly on the roof, so it is necessary to provide insurance.

Seal cracks with silicone paste

Cracks can be covered with silicone paste, which has good adhesion to the asbestos-cement coating. The damaged area is carefully cleaned of dust and small crumbs of asbestos with a metal brush. Then it must be degreased. To do this, you can use, say, acetone or a special solvent. Asbestos chips are poured into the crack gap in a uniform layer.

The next step is to pour the crumbs with silicone paste, let it grab and paint over the color of the roof. These works take a little time, and the result is quite reliable.

The repaired sections of the roof are painted over as soon as the silicone paste sets. This is necessary because of the porous structure of the asbestos-cement sheets, whereby the repaired surface quickly becomes dirty at the edges.

Using mounting foam

The damaged area is cleaned and degreased. Next, the crack is blown out with foam, but not completely. The repaired area is dried and the excess foam is cut off on the sides, after which a layer of sealant is applied. The work is completed by covering the restored surface.
To keep the resin liquid, a little diesel fuel is added to it when heated. It turns out a kind of primer. The desired density of the mixture can be achieved by adding ordinary clean sand.

Repair mastic

Sheets with joints are treated with mastic with a reinforcing filler of a wavy structure.
Small pieces of bitumen are melted in a separate container. In this case, foam and impurities are formed, which are removed in the process. Melting at 200–220°C is continued until the bitumen is completely dehydrated. Then filler is added to small portions of molten bitumen, which is preheated to 110°C.
Hot mastic is applied to the joints with a spatula or other suitable tool. In the process of application, the material is smoothed. Thus, excess moisture is removed and the mastic is firmly tamped.

Another option for sealing cracks is to use. It has exceptional adhesion characteristics to any substrate. After gluing the crack, a high-quality overlay is formed, which excludes the ingress of water, is resistant to any weather conditions, ultraviolet radiation, and temperature extremes.

To increase the adhesion of repair materials, it is desirable to prime cracks or chips with PVA glue.

Elimination of significant damage

It is possible that during the inspection of the roof, a sheet split along the length will be found, it will be possible to glue it with epoxy resin. First, parts of the sheet are fastened from the inside with adhesive tape, and only after that the gap is filled with epoxy.

If the slate sheet turns out to be badly damaged, say, partially destroyed, or an impressive hole has formed on it, even several, its complete replacement is necessary. old slate in this case is ineffective. Not only will it not provide the coating with the desired characteristics, but it will not stop further destruction and soaking.

Slate proved its belonging to the sought-after roofing materials long ago. If it is correctly laid, then it serves for decades. But, like all building materials, it has several drawbacks that lead to cracks, chips, and broken corners. Therefore, I would like to understand the topic, how and with what to close a crack in the slate on the roof, in what ways can this be done with guarantee that the roof does not leak.

Reasons for the formation of defects

Let's start by considering why the slate fails.

1. Impact loads. Unfortunately, point impacts make holes in the asbestos-cement material. Atmospheric precipitation will not damage this roofing material. But often trees grow near houses, and so, with a strong wind, branches can break and fall on the roof, damaging it. This also applies to thrown stones or walking on roofing.
2. Vital activity of the simplest plants: moss, lichens. They are well fixed on the rough surface of asbestos slate, destroying the material, or rather its structure. At the same time, plant colonies fill the lower waves of material, thereby making water congestion, working like dams. This is, firstly, an additional load, and secondly, the likelihood of leaks increases. This problem with mosses is solved simply - the roofing material is painted with special paint, the surface becomes smooth, which means that plant spores will not be able to catch on. If the slate is not painted, and the vegetation is already beginning to conquer space, then the roof will have to be cleaned in any way: mechanical, hydraulic, chemical.
3. Aging building material. Over time, any material loses its technical and operational qualities. And slate is no exception. In addition, the negative impact of environmental stress accelerates the aging process. For example, in industrial cities it passes faster than in rural areas.
4. Incorrect installation. The process of laying and fastening slate is simple, but there are some nuances in it, the implementation of which determines the quality of the final result, and, accordingly, the duration of operation, plus the integrity of the material itself. For example, for fastening it is necessary to use roofing, and not ordinary nails, if the hole for the fastener was drilled with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the fastener, then during thermal expansion, large stresses are created at the junction of two materials. And there are many such nuances.

So, having dealt with the causes of the appearance of defects, we proceed to how to detect flaws in the roofing material.

Roofing defect detection

The rough surface of asbestos slate hides small defects from the eyes. Therefore, it is so easy to determine whether the slate is broken, it is difficult. Therefore, they must be searched for signs.

1. After the last rain, it is necessary to lift it to the attic and inspect the roof from the inside. Even the smallest defect is a leak. That is, wet places of a dark color should appear on the slate on the reverse side. These are the places where cracks form.
2. It is clear that if water began to drip from the ceiling in the house, or stains appeared on the walls, then this is the most obvious sign of a break in the roofing.

Basically, there are two main features. But it is necessary to indicate that there are certain places on the roof where flaws appear most often. A few words about this.

1. The edge of the cornice. They are clearly visible from below, so it will not be difficult to determine the defect.
2. The crest of a wave where nails are driven in.

So, we figured out how to determine where cracks and other flaws in the slate appeared. We turn to the question of how to repair the identified defects.

Slate roof repair

First of all, we will consider which defects can be repaired, which are not worth it.

1. If at least one slate cracked strongly in the longitudinal or transverse direction, then it must be replaced.
2. If the defect is small, then you have to look for a way to fix it.
3. There is no point in sealing transverse cracks, they will still leak after some time.

Now let's move on to repair methods. But immediately make a reservation that repair work is carried out on the surface of the roof, so it is pre-cleaned well. And one moment. The defective area is weak, so you need to move carefully along the roofing material. Tip: use a special ladder to move on a steep pitched roof, on sloping boards laid across the waves of slate.

Method number 1: cement-sand mixture

This is an old-fashioned technology in which a cement-sand mixture is used with cement-sand proportions as 1: 2. Fine sand and M500 cement are used. From modern materials, it is possible to offer an adhesive composition used for facade work. Such glue for slate can easily cope with natural loads and will protect the defect from leaks for a long time.

The repair itself is carried out by coating the defective area with a spatula. If the crack is small, then it is enough to cover it from above. If the flaw is significant, then you will have to lay a lining formed in the form of a wave under it from the side of the attic. The lining can be made from galvanized sheet metal, from roofing material.

The solution is applied from above in a not very thick layer. This is especially true for the lower waves, where there is always the possibility of water jams. Before applying the mixture, the surface of the slate is moistened. The applied layer is leveled evenly in thickness.

As soon as the repair mortar layer dries, it is primed. And after drying, the primers are painted with waterproof paint.

Method number 2: butyl rubber tape

Of the modern slate repair options, the use of butyl rubber tape is one of the most effective. It is a waterproof material that seals cracks well. Typically, the tape is used when the task is to seal the junction of materials with walls, pipes and other protrusions. This material is based on a non-woven fabric, hence its good strength characteristics. In addition, the tape can be easily dyed.

How to seal a crack in slate with butyl rubber tape.

1. The place of the detected defect must be cleaned and treated with white spirit, acetone or paint thinner.
2. A piece of length equal to the length of the crack, plus 10 cm, is cut from the coil of tape. That is, 5 cm on each side of the end of the flaw.
3. The sealing material on the reverse side is covered with a protective polymer film. It is not necessary to remove it from the entire segment immediately. One edge is separated, which fits on the crack. Now gradually removing the protection, the main tape is immediately applied along the entire length of the defective area. The main task is to prevent the tape from wrinkling, folding in folds.
4. Once the crack is completely closed, you can paint the patch.

Note! Butyl rubber tapes are not only sold in rolls today. They are sold in segments, which has become very convenient to select it along the length of the crack.

In this way, even cracks with a large width can be sealed. But for this, you will have to additionally lay a sickle tape made of fiberglass. The latter acts as a reinforcing frame, giving the crack being sealed greater strength. And one more thing - for repairs, you need to purchase a butyl rubber tape with a double-sided adhesive layer applied.

How is the repair process carried out in this case:

1. The self-adhesive tape is laid in exactly the same way as in the previous case.
2. After that, the protective film laid on the upper side of the material is removed.
3. A piece of sickle tape is laid.
4. A butyl rubber tape with a one-sided adhesive is laid on the latter.
5. Staining is in progress.

Method number 3: hot bitumen (bituminous mastic)

This repair technology can also be classified as "grandfather methods". Here, hot bitumen is used as the main adhesive, on which a patch cut from roofing material is laid. It is optimal to lay the patches in two layers, smearing them with hot bitumen. And also apply a bituminous layer on top of the roofing material.

Today, instead of bitumen, it is better to use bituminous mastics, which are ready-to-use material. They, like bitumen, do not need to be heated on fire. Therefore, this method of repairing slate is called cold. Instead of roofing material, it is proposed to use special waterproofing films from TechnoNIKOL, for example. They are often called euroruberoid.

The process is carried out as follows:

• bituminous mastic is applied to the defective area with a brush;
• lay the sickle tape;
• another mastic layer;
• euroruberoid;
• mastic layer;
• euroruberoid;
• the top layer of bituminous mastic.

By the way, the number of layers can be increased depending on the width of the crack. But do not make the patch high, especially on the lower wave.

Method number 4: sealant

Here, sealant for slate coating, polyurethane foam and epoxy resin are used. Let's make a reservation right away that this technology was developed by craftsmen and put up on the Internet for general discussion. Many have tried it and given a positive opinion.

So, how to properly use sealant for repaired slate, mounting foam and epoxy:

1. The defective area is cleaned and degreased. If the crack is wide, then the edges of the slate forming it are recommended to be cleaned with a file.
2. A lining is laid under the crack from the side of the attic. It must be supported with something so that the mounting foam does not push it out of the installation site during expansion.
3. Now the top of the roof crack is filled with mounting foam. You have to wait until it dries.
4. Excess material is cut off with a knife along the plane of the slate coating.
5. A sealant is applied from above, which will fill all the pores of the mounting foam.
6. As soon as it dries, epoxy is applied. It is laid so that it closes the crack and slate along the edges of the latter within 2–3 cm.

So, the last three repair methods answer the frequently asked question, how to glue the slate on the roof. All three options are modern, well-proven, with a high degree of reliability and durability. But all three are expensive technologies, especially the last one. Therefore, we offer a few more simple and cheap ways.

Method number 5: glue

For this, a moisture-resistant nitro-based adhesive is used. The main part of the repair work is transferred to the attic. Here the defective area is cleaned and degreased. The edges of the crack are treated with glue. Then a fabric strip is taken with a width greater than the width of the crack by 8–10 cm, so that the patch covers the edges of the defect on each side by 4–5 cm.

The fabric is also treated on both sides with an adhesive composition and superimposed on the flaw. As soon as the patch dries, the work is transferred to the roof. Just the place of the crack is filled with a cement-sand mortar, as in the first case.

Method number 6: coating type waterproofing compounds

Here, special coating-type waterproofing compounds are used, made on the basis of a mixture of cement and polymers. In stores, they are sold in jars or buckets. This is a ready-to-use material. Or in paper bags - dry mixes.

The algorithm for the repair operations is as follows:

1. The defective area is cleaned and degreased.
2. The waterproofing composition (its part) is diluted to a liquid state. The crack area is treated with this solution. Basically, it's a primer.
3. After drying, apply a thick composition.
4. Allow time to dry and then lay a serpentine mesh on top of the applied layer.
5. And the last layer is a thick waterproofing composition.

Video instruction

Summing up

As you can see, there are quite a few ways how and with what to repair a crack in the slate on the roof. There are a few more, but they can repair minor defects. Let's just label them:

• chalk with drying oil;
• asbestos cement.

But, as the practice of modern home craftsmen shows, more and more often they use modern materials to repair slate with their own hands. Therefore, when they face the question of how to glue the slate on the roof, they choose bituminous mastics and euroruberoid. The repair technology is simple, does not require special knowledge and skills, but in terms of strength, reliability and water resistance it is not better.

Once upon a time, slate roofing was considered perhaps the most versatile: affordable, durable and unpretentious. Cheap and cheerful, as they say. But with all the strength of asbestos fibers, such sheets are not very resistant to mechanical stress: over time, many small cracks always appear on them, through which moisture easily seeps through.

Luckily, at least a slate roof doesn't corrode like a metal roof that rusts from the slightest scratch, but repairs will still need to be done from time to time. So how to close a crack in the slate and stop the further destruction of other sheets? Now we will understand everything in more detail.

1. from impact loads. From careless walking on the roof.
2. From microcracks due to falling tree branches.
3. From mosses, lichens and other misfortunes. Moss and lichens, which are especially fond of slate, not only deprive it of its aesthetics, but also slowly destroy it!
4. From time. Unfortunately, the service life of a slate roof is not long, and after 10-12 years the first cracks and holes appear.
5. From constantly stagnant rainwater. Any roof, and not just slate, has weak spots around skylights and chimneys. Immediately pay attention to these elements - it is not difficult to seal them.
6. The angle of the roof is not suitable for slate roofing.
7. The laying of slate was carried out with certain violations, and the material constantly experiences excessive stress. It’s also bad if during installation you used ordinary nails without rubber gaskets to fasten the sheets - then you can’t do without cracks.
8. Careless transportation and storage. Such defects may not be detected immediately, but they will immediately become noticeable from walking on them on the roof.
9. Sharp temperature changes. Believe me, any asbestos-cement material does not like this.
10. Due to disproportionately small holes for screws or nails. Do not forget that metal is characterized by seasonal expansion, and therefore, you need to leave a little more space for such fastening (but not so that rainwater flows). That's why rubber gaskets are needed.

And finally, snow can add new problems. The fact is that the slate roof does not have such smoothness as the metal one, and snow constantly lingers on it.

And just a little sunlight is enough to flood all this snow cap from below - as a result, the melted water flows down to the eaves, where it meets a new layer of snow (the cornice is always colder than the roof over the living quarters).

Here, the melt water freezes again and, in the form of ice, already destroys not only the slate sheets, but also the drainage system. In addition, all this mass, under natural expansion from low temperature, is clogged under the sheets and from there, melting, it falls directly onto the rafters or into the insulation.

Also, often the cause of cracks in slate lies in its incorrect manufacturing technology. And at several stages:

• During the preparation of the mortar, less cement was added than the factory recipe required (guess why).
• Gross violations of the production technology of slate sheets (handicraft production).
• Short asbestos fibers were used in the slate (and this is the manufacturer's decision).
• Poor quality processing of finished slate sheets (lack of control).
• Reduction of material opening period (a need 28 days).

And now let's talk about how and how to fix holes and cracks on the slate roof of the house.

How to detect coating defects?

Agree that it is rather difficult to notice new defects or cracks on an outwardly heterogeneous slate roof, while on a smooth seam roof or corrugated board this is easy to do even from a neighboring building. Therefore, pay attention to such alarming signs that your roof needs to be urgently repaired:

The fact is that unnoticed leaks are quite insidious: the rafters are immediately saturated with moisture, the thermal insulation becomes damp and deteriorates, and the ceiling needs repair. Go to the attic if you have such suspicions: if you smell dampness, then there is a problem.

And individual mold spots indicate that there is a crack somewhere in the slate, but so far it does not make itself felt, except for small leaks. Check the under roof space of the slate roof also after every downpour.

We put a "diagnosis" on the cracks of the sheets

If the cracks went along the protruding waves of slate, then the bookmarks must be applied both from below and from above.

Cracks in the lower waves require the most complex solutions. After all, it is here that water will constantly stagnate, and it is rather difficult to achieve the necessary tightness.

But let's look first at the crack itself - a lot depends on this:

1. A crack that goes along the top wave of slate(it is the easiest to spot), usually does not leak due to the fact that the water under it does not stagnate. This is the most harmless crack, and it is easy to repair it - just bend the galvanized iron and slip it under the slate, and cover the crack itself with a special roofing tape.
2. A crack that goes along the bottom wave, the most dangerous - here you can not do without leaks. Use sealant, patch and folded sheet.
3. A crack that went across the slate sheet the most dangerous! And leaks alone are not enough here - the crack will expand and move on to subsequent waves in the future.

Have you decided on your next renovation? Proceed with caution! Remember that in many countries of the world this roofing is completely prohibited due to harm to health, and therefore, when dismantling old sheets or machining, protect yourself from asbestos fibers. Here's how professional teams do it:

How to fix cracks and holes in slate?

Before applying any patch, it is important to completely clean the repaired surface of debris and moss, and then wash it with a powerful jet of water. But how to close up holes and holes in the slate on the roof with available materials and novelties of the construction market:

Method number 1. Cement and sand

Prepare a mixture of one part dry cement and two sifted sand. Fill with water and stir until desired consistency. close up. Let the cracks dry well and paint them in a suitable color.

Method number 2. Butyl rubber tape

A special butyl rubber tape is also good as a patch for holes and cracks. What is good, its surface is made of non-woven material, so it is good to paint such a patch in the desired shade.

And it's easy to work with:

• Step 1. Degrease the repaired area of ​​the slate sheet with gasoline.
• Step 2 Remove the protective strip from the tape and stick it to the damaged area.
• Step 3. Paint in color so that your roof does not look "patched".

Ready-made butyl patches are also used for repairs:

To seal cracks in slate, sickle is also used - a tape that gives strength to the putty joint of sheets. To do this, a layer of bitumen is first applied to the crack, then a sickle is applied to it, and then everything is again smeared with bitumen.

Or use a more expensive modern version of the tapes, which are designed specifically for the repair of such roofs:

Method number 3. hot bitumen

It is not difficult to prepare bituminous mastic on a fire:

1. We kindle a fire, put two bricks on the sides.
2. We take an old bucket, put a piece of bitumen in it.
3. We put the bucket on the fire and stir gently so that nothing catches fire.

If you work in sub-zero temperatures, add 10% waste to the bitumen to give it elasticity and avoid cracking the mastic. Especially if you process the edges of slate sheets:

Hot bitumen is also suitable for sealing small cracks:

But remember that any putty gives only a temporary effect. The problem with using traditional putties for slate is that this roofing material is not very pliable for expansion, while putties usually have a completely different coefficient.

That's why after a few cycles of temperature fluctuations, leakage problems return again. And sometimes it is much easier and more reliable to simply replace the defective sheet.

Method number 4. Putty from asbestos, cement and PVA

First, we take asbestos in finished form. If you didn’t manage to get one, just grate it from a piece of slate. Be sure to protect your respiratory tract during this work!

So, to prepare the mixture, you will need to mix 2 parts of cement, 3 asbestos and a liquid solution of PVA glue and water, taken equally. Stir the mixture until it thickens like sour cream.

If you cleaned part of the slate before repairing, wait until it dries completely. Next, apply the prepared mixture, treat with a solution of PVA and water (now the ratio is 1: 3) and apply 2 more layers of the mixture.

Method number 5. Finished putties

For the repair of such a roof, ready-made mixtures that include waterproofing materials are well suited. You need to work with them like this:

• Step 1. We clean the repaired surface well.
• Step 2. Degrease the area with a solvent or acetone, dry well.
• Step 3. We prime the surface with a repair mixture, only diluted to a liquid state.
• Step 4. We apply the mixture with a special gun or spatula.
• Step 5. After 6 hours, cover with fiberglass and put a new layer of the mixture.

Please note that it is necessary to carry out such repairs on a slate roof in dry and cloudy weather so that the necessary components in the mixtures dry slowly.

Method number 6. Foam and epoxy

They also close up cracks and holes in the slate with liquid foam, but for this you will have to purchase a whole bottle. Practiced among home craftsmen and the so-called "three-layer" method:

• Step 1. We clean and degrease the area.
• Step 2. We close the crack with mounting foam.
• Step 3. Dry or just leave for a day.
• Step 4. Apply sealant.
• Step 5. Cover it all with resin.

Epoxy resin is also suitable for repairing a slate roof, which is much less destroyed under ultraviolet rays than polystyrene.

This is an expensive but reliable method to cope with small problems, although it is inconvenient to use it on an inclined plane. So, if the slate sheet is split along its entire length, fasten the wavy joints with epoxy glue. But first, fix them together from below with mounting tape, and only then fill the gap from above.

Method number 7. Tin patch

This method is suitable for repairing large holes and cracks in a slate roof. So, step by step:

• Step 1. Cut out a patch from tin, roll it into a tube.
• Step 2. We push it into the hole so that a hole can be made in the middle of the patch.
• Step 3. Insert a bolt with a gasket into the hole and press it.
• Step 4 Fill gaps with building sealant.

The repair of a slate roof must be approached seriously. If the patch will allow even a little water to pass further, the rafters will eventually become completely unusable.

Method number 8. Drying oil with chalk

This is one of the most proven folk methods. So, we clean the cracks, carefully cover them up, and after drying, paint with oil paint. That's all!

Method number 9. Moisture resistant glue

• Step 1. We wash the sheets well with ordinary water, three of them with a stiff brush.
• Step 2. We are waiting for the slate to dry and seal each hole with a piece of dense fabric so that its edges extend beyond the hole by about 3-4 cm. To do this, we impregnate the patch with moisture-resistant glue.
• Step 3. On top of the patch, once again apply a layer of glue (Emalit).
• Step 4 Turn over the damaged sheet and fill the hole with concrete.
• Step 5. Once the mortar has set, glue another patch.
• Step 6 At the end of the crack, we drill a hole and seal it with an elastic sealant.

Method number 10. Aluminium foil

Ordinary aluminum foil will also help to cope with cracks:

• Step 1. Remove the old fasteners from the sheet.
• Step 2. Round off the corners of the patch.
• Step 3. Fasten the foil and press it with a self-tapping screw.
• Step 4 If the slate on your roof is colored, repaint the patch in the same color.

In extreme cases, it is easier to replace any section of a slate roof than to repair it. Then cut out the necessary elements from the new sheets:

Often, the ridge of a slate roof also becomes unusable, which is not difficult to replace with metal or wood:

How to protect the slate from further destruction?

The situation is worse if the roof began to burst in different places. This is usually indicative of installation errors in due course, and the usual repair of the slate on the roof will only give a temporary effect.

It is urgent to stop the destruction process:

• Method number 1. To prevent cracking, temporarily place a strip of cloth soaked in paint over the crack.
• Method number 2. Also, so that the crack does not go further, a hole is drilled in it and fixed with a self-tapping screw. Moreover, such a hole must be sealed with an additional roofing sealant, which will tighten, like rubber, the edges of the hole.

But, if in the next decade you are not going to change the entire roof, then approach the issue of repair more globally:

Or like this:

That's all! Choose the method for which you already have materials and you know how to work with them.

It is known that the restoration of damage to the roof is troublesome and far from being as simple as it might seem at first glance, and when it comes to repairing slate, repairing holes and cracks in the asbestos-cement sheet, hands drop completely, so the result of the repair is unpredictable. Nevertheless, slate repair technologies exist and are successfully used in practice. As the classics say, nothing is impossible, all that is required is patience and a little accuracy in work.

Causes of cracks and holes in slate

In order to choose the right way to repair damage, first of all, you need to understand the causes and conditions for the occurrence of a crack or hole. This will help seal cracks in the slate on the roof so that the problem does not reappear after a short period of time.

Slate is rightly considered a very capricious, brittle and even brittle material, so there are quite a few reasons for the formation of cracks:

• Technological marriage, such slate is also called overdried. Due to the fact that in the process of manufacturing the sheet, the hydration of the cement base took place under conditions of lack of moisture, the material turned out to be too brittle. Such a slate cracks easily even under a small load, this is a marriage, and its repair does not make sense;
• Incorrect slate installation. In this case, part of the wave of the sheet is on the roof without relying on the rail. A crack can appear if you carelessly step on the slate or drop a heavy tool;
• Illiterate installation of fasteners. If, during the installation of a slate roof, nails are beaten into a dry sheet without drilling a hole, then a very long and dangerous crack can form, and even a small hole;
• Inept cutting of slate sheet. The most difficult operation when cutting material is to make a hole for a pipe, especially in a situation where you have to cut close to the edge or the last wave. A hole in the slate from a pipe can be patched up only by installing a double patch.

It is clear that extremely careful handling of the slate sheet reduces the risk of cracking, but it is not possible to completely avoid the threat of pricking holes in the slate. The slate holds a static load well, but can easily break from the impact of a dropped electric hammer or screwdriver.

Note! The likelihood of future repairs can only be reduced if the material is carefully inspected for surface defects before being lifted onto the roof.

It will be useful to even lightly tap the sheet with a rubber mallet. If there is a defect or a hidden crack, then it is quite possible to determine its location by low sound. Such a sheet is sent to patches, it's easier than laying it on the roof, or after a couple of years looking for a way to repair or repair a leak in the roof.

It saves that poor quality slate, with possible cracks, is visible to the naked eye. Usually, roofers do not even recommend lifting material with unevenly broken off rather than cut edges, a spotted or heavily dusty surface onto the roof. Repairing off-grade slate is a thankless task.

How to fix a hole in a slate roof

On the other hand, even if a sheet with a small crack came across in a pack of guaranteed quality material, this is not a reason to panic. It is always possible to close a crack in the slate from the inside, from the wrong side. Especially in conditions "on the ground" it is much easier to do this than on the roof. It is possible to patch or repair small holes in the slate, for example, from nails or repair fasteners, but in this case it will be necessary to soberly assess the nature of the damage and the possibility of further use of the sheet.

To repair a slate roof in a domestic environment, the following methods are used:

• The crack is sealed with a viscous and elastic material with a good level of adhesion to the asbestos-cement surface. Subject to the repair rules, the crack does not let moisture through on the roof and does not increase in size;
• Lay a patch of slate. This is the only real way to patch up a hole in a slate roof without resorting to replacing the sheet;
• Concreting of the damaged area. In this way, a relatively small sector of slate can be repaired; it is used for the most difficult cases;
• Blocking a crack or hole with foam. This is rather a temporary measure that allows you to close a hole for a short time, for example, in winter or in rainy weather. As soon as possible, it will be necessary to carry out a full repair of the roof.

It is easier to work with a crack than with a hole, it is enough to find the causes and carefully seal the damage. Another thing, if you need to patch a hole in the slate on the roof. In addition to the adhesive mass or binder, you will need to choose a patch material that would be similar in properties to slate and easy to process. Usually, thin sheet metal, asbestos or basalt fiber is used to repair small damage.

concrete mortar

This is the most affordable option for repairing holes of any size. Cement and sand can be found in any household, so you can close up a hole in the slate on the roof in just half an hour. A wooden formwork box is being prepared for repair, it can also be made in the form of a ring from a strip of the tread of an old car chamber.

The place of damage or a hole is carefully cut to size so that the improvised formwork can be brought under the slate and fixed. Next, a concrete solution is poured, and a patch from a larger piece of slate is placed on the hole. Sometimes the edges of the repair patch are painted over with oil or rubber paint.

Butyl rubber waterproof tape

The popularity of butyl rubber repair films is incredibly high, since almost any crack can be repaired with elastic self-adhesive tape, from plumbing to glass on a balcony.

The tape is sold in the form of a reel, like adhesive tape, but, unlike construction and household strips, BC has high strength and good adhesion. In fact, this is the best option in a situation where the slate has burst, and you need to close the crack within five minutes.

For repairs, it is enough to cut off a piece of tape of the required length and stick several layers in such a way as to block the leakage of water on the roof through the cracks. If conditions permit, then the place of the sticker should be smeared with acrylic paint or any nitro-glue. Butyl rubber adheres well to a smooth surface, but on a rough asbestos-cement coating it can peel off in the first rain. Therefore, the edges of the crack before sealing have to be painted over.

Moisture resistant nitrocellulose adhesive

Despite the convenience and relative simplicity, the use of expensive butyl rubber tape is not always justified. Firstly, this is an expensive material, the price of a coil can reach 12-15 EUR. Secondly, its use is reasonable for cases where the crack is located on a critical section of the roof, and, in addition to the tightness of the coating, the purpose of the repair is to keep the slate waves in the desired position.

For simple cases, for example, a crack appeared on the surface of the slate directly above the wooden plank of the crate, you can do with ordinary nitrocellulose glue.

A good adhesive can repair a cracked slate faster and cheaper than expensive butyl rubber. For repair, the adhesive mass is divided into two parts:

• The first half is diluted with acetone to a liquid state;
• A slate saw cut is added to the second part - chips and dust obtained when cutting a sheet with a grinder.

The liquid fraction is treated with a crack in several stages, dried and a thick adhesive mass is applied, after which a tape of construction tape is glued. In the same way, you can cover up all the cracks in the slate on the roof, if the size of the damage does not exceed a few centimeters.

Bituminous mastic

Before the advent of repair adhesive and polymer materials, bitumen and roofing material were actively used to repair all existing damage to a slate roof. This is not to say that bituminous compounds provide the highest quality of repair, but they are easy to use, affordable and do not require special preparation before use.

Advice! To repair slate, it is better to use ready-made liquid bituminous mastic.

Any options with melted resins and solid bitumen require increased accuracy, since a crack when the slate is heated can not only increase, but also lead to splitting of the whole sheet.

With the help of bituminous mastic it is convenient to apply repair patches. To fix a hole in a slate roof, just do the following:

• Cut a rectangular patch from a repair slate sheet;
• Lubricate the edges of the hole on the roof and the wrong side of the patch with a primer and one layer of mastic;
• Dry the prepared materials, apply the bituminous waterproofing again and lay the patch on the repair site.

If the angle of inclination of the slope is large enough, then the slate patch must be tied with wire to the base of the roof or to the nearest support. After a couple of days, the seams are re-stained with mastic. With the help of small pieces of roofing material and mastic, it is relatively easy to patch up nail holes in the slate. True, this must be done from the wrong side, even before laying the material on the roof of the building.

Cement-asbestos mortar

The sealing of a slate roof with repair mixtures based on cement and asbestos is considered the most correct in terms of the structure of the slate. Today, repairs using cement-asbestos mortars are considered outdated and unsafe, since you have to work with chrysotile fiber.

It is not difficult to cover up a crack on the slate with a mortar, you just need to apply a small amount of the repair mixture to the surface of the damaged area of ​​the roof and cover it with a film for a couple of days from rain and wind. After setting the solution, a patch is obtained, which in properties resembles a slate material, therefore liquid asbestos cement is used to repair the most complex and severe damage to the roof.

To date, there is no real alternative that can replace the solution. Polymers and resins have not yet been developed, with the help of which it is possible to ensure the sealing of cracks in slate with a guarantee for 60-70 years of service.

The preparation of the repair asbestos-cement mixture is carried out in the following order:

• In a metal container of 10-12 liters, it is possible in a galvanized bucket, asbestos fiber is pre-soaked for at least a day. For 5 liters of water, 3-4 kg of fiber is taken. After a day, the soaked powder turns into a gel-like substance;
• Cement grade 400, approximately 3-4 kg, is added to the resulting gel, and stirred by hand with a trowel until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

The mixture should be used within 3-4 hours, preferably in calm, dry weather. The quality of a slate roof repair depends on the brand of cement and the extent of the damage.

Polyurethane foam and epoxy resin

The use of building polyurethane foam greatly simplifies the process of sealing any cracks and damage, and especially holes. If, due to careless handling, a through break has formed - a crack, or the worst thing is the appearance of a hole, then with the help of PPU it is possible to reliably, and most importantly, quickly fix a piece of slate of almost any size.

The technique for using polyurethane foam is very simple. The place of damage or the formation of a hole is moistened with water, both on the surface of the roof and in the space under the slate. Next, the required amount of foam is blown from the wrong side of the sheet so that the resulting layer of polyurethane foam fixes the edges of the hole. After 30 minutes, you can close the damage with a patch using the same polyurethane as an adhesive.

Foam materials are ideal for repairing breaks and large holes, but foam is too viscous to repair cracks. For these purposes, epoxy resin is best suited. It will only be necessary to add a thinner so that the glue penetrates the crack better. After processing with an adhesive mass, the damage line must be closed with a patch of film or thin foil.

Chalk and drying oil

This is an old, well-known recipe for sealing gaps and cracks in the windows and walls of a building. The mixture can be used to repair cracks in slate. Thirty years ago, chalk, more often tooth powder, mixed to a paste, filled up the gaps between the glass and the window frame.

The quality of the repair of cracks and holes turned out to be low, so various auxiliary ingredients were added to the mixture, most often cement, casein glue or oil paint. The only advantage of such a "sealant" is that it is convenient to seal the gaps between the wooden beam and the asbestos-cement sheet. The putty adheres equally well to both materials, and over the course of a day hardens to the state of a stone.

Waterproofing coating composition

The use of liquid waterproofing based on acrylic or butyl-styrene rubber makes repairs as easy as possible. Using a brush, a knife and a metal brush, you can repair cracks of any length and size.

Thin and long damages are expanded and cleaned of debris, after which a primer and a thin layer of waterproofing are applied. Larger holes can be patched up with several layers of polyester fabric glued with a smear like papier-mâché.

Finished putties

You can also repair a crack in the slate roofing with the help of a putty mass. Best results are obtained with polyester, epoxy and acrylic fillers with fiberglass fillers.

All other compositions based on modified cellulose and water-dispersion polymers for repairing cracks and holes are not used due to their high sensitivity to temperature and humidity changes.

How to fix a hole in a slate roof

In order to perform a high-quality slate repair without removing the sheet from the roof, you can use the simplest items and things that can be found in almost any car enthusiast's garage. In order to close up a hole in the roof of a country house, you will need:

• Manual brace with a thin drill 4-5 mm;
• Thin copper or annealed steel wire with a diameter of 2 mm;
• A liter of gasoline;
• Remains of bituminous canvas, resin or a piece of raw rubber from a first-aid kit;
• Hammer, chisel and a dozen nails;
• Oil paint.

Before proceeding with the repair of the roof, you need to prepare rubber-bitumen glue. To do this, we dissolve bitumen and rubber in gasoline to obtain a viscous adhesive mass.

Advice! A hole in a slate roof can simply be sewn up with wire, but first you will need to cut a patch for repairs. It can be a piece of slate or, in extreme cases, any material with a wavy profile.

In order to fix the patch over the hole, you will need to drill 10-12 thin holes along the contour of the lining and the damaged area on the slate. Next, we thread the wire and pour homemade rubber glue to close the gaps on the roof. After a day, it is necessary to cover the drilling points with bitumen-rubber mass, always from the outside of the roof covering.

Sometimes masters try to check the quality of the repair of the hole by spilling water on the patch. If the patch is glued securely, then leakage will be minimal. In this way, it will not be possible to seal the roof slate “tightly”, there will always be a couple of small holes. Their position is determined by drops of water. To close the gaps, you need to cover the entire patch with paint.

Repairing a crack in slate is much easier:

• Pre-drill holes at the ends of the crack. This allows you to limit the spread and increase of damage;
• With a chisel and a hammer, the crack line is expanded by a couple of millimeters, after which bitumen-rubber glue is poured and covered with a strip of plastic film.

Note! If the crack is large and threatens the integrity of the sheet, then the edges can be pulled together with wire, as in the case of installing a repair patch.

Such repairs will provide the slate with a few more years of life on the roof of the cottage. Of course, this is just a temporary measure, and it cannot replace professional repairs.

How not to repair a slate roof

Asbestos-cement sheet coating is extremely sensitive to temperature differences, therefore, high-temperature melts based on ceresin, resin and basalt powder are not used to seal cracks. These materials are used to repair cracks in concrete roofs, to seal holes and joints in panels and slabs.

A lot of problems arise with sealing damage with epoxy and pure resin. At low temperatures in severe frost, the materials become covered with cracks and gradually peel out of the seam.

Prevention of destruction

The durability of the roofing depends primarily on how correctly the slate is laid on the roof. Since asbestos-cement sheets are nailed directly onto the wooden laths of the crate, water leakage or waterlogging of the wood can lift the slate and even break off the nails. To avoid this, the slats must be treated with water-repellent impregnation.

Most often, cracks and holes in slate appear due to improper driving of nails. It is best to hammer fasteners into the sheet after the hole has been drilled. If it is not possible to beat nails according to the rules, then the place on the slate surface must be punched with a punch and moistened.

Experts say that the cause of the breakdown is most often the negligent attitude of the owners to the roof.

Conclusion

Asbestos-cement roofing is remarkable in that any repair of slate, repairing holes and cracks, upsetting nails or sewing up an edge, does not require special equipment and knowledge. The quality of work, despite the apparent complexity, depends on the type of materials used and the accuracy of the repair worker. According to statistics, a slate roof gets repaired once every 10-15 years, even with perfect roofing. Therefore, in addition to adhesive materials, it will be useful to have at least one ladder and a wooden ladder with a support board on hand.

The mass use of slate in previous years was determined by its affordable price and durability. There are still many houses covered with this popular low-maintenance roofing material. But minor repairs still have to be done, because over time, cracks and even holes appear on the surface. Those who, for various reasons, cannot part with the cement-asbestos coating, make repairs with improvised materials. Let's see how this works out in practice.

Why cracks appear

With all the remarkable advantages, slate retains a low resistance to mechanical stress. Although the coating tolerates solar ultraviolet and high moisture quite well, their prolonged exposure weakens the original strength. Over time, the structure of the material becomes more vulnerable, and with sudden changes in temperature or when branches fall, longitudinal or transverse cracks appear in the sheets. The wind load also affects, the pressure of winter layers of snow, which is why the strong crest of the wave begins to sag, exposing the nail heads. If you do not close up the defects that have appeared, then they will gradually expand.

Of course, it is better to completely replace the damaged coating. But if this is not possible, then minor repairs become the only way to eliminate leaks and protect the building from destructive moisture.

Care prolongs the life of the roof

In addition to knowing the process of repairing a slate roof, you need to understand how not to bring the roof to a deplorable state. Even inaccurate movement on the roof during pipe cleaning and repair work can lead to the appearance of new cracks under the weight of the master. Therefore, it is necessary to lay special wooden flooring on the coating so that the transverse slats that fasten the boards from below are located in the recess of the slate wave. This allows you to evenly distribute the load over the entire coverage area. On steep roof slopes for work, there should be a ladder-ladder, having a length equal to the full slope of the roof, with a hook for the ridge.

Chronic disease of slate roofs - colonies of mosses and lichens, especially in shady places. If the vegetation has already taken over the depression of the wave, it will block the flow of water, and the growing moss will begin to lift the joints of the sheets, opening the way for rain moisture. Any vegetation on slate creates conditions for the formation of new cracks.

A simple and effective way to deal with mosses and lichens is to regularly paint the rough surface of the slate with several layers of resistant atmospheric paint. Cleaning the old roof from the green carpet can be done mechanically, and then treated with a preparation that destroys the root system of the colony.

It is necessary to inspect the roofing from the attic at least twice a year. In the presence of an insulating subroofing layer, it is more difficult to detect cracks, but it is necessary to carry out an audit. Otherwise, spots of mold will soon appear in the places of leaks, which will pass to wooden structures.

How to seal cracks

Longitudinal cracks along the crest or deepening of a wave can be repaired with a waterproofing self-adhesive butyl rubber tape specially designed for slate. Install it on the outside and inside of the cracks or just outside. If you install the tape only from above, then it is better to install a strip of galvanized sheet under it, which must be shaped in advance in a wave shape. Then the movement of the crack will not affect the integrity of the tape.

The outer side of the tape is usually covered with a non-woven fabric, which, if desired, can be dyed in the desired color. It is not difficult to stick the tape on the slate if it is well cleaned and degreased. Apply a piece of tape of the required length to the crack from one edge, and gradually remove the protective film from the inside of the material, while pressing it against the damaged part. Check the adhesion of the tape to the roofing material so that there is no partial peeling off of the edges.

We use bituminous mastic

To repair longitudinal cracks, you can use a fiberglass serpentine mesh or fiberglass, which is best glued using cold curing bituminous mastic. Transverse cracks are usually sealed with the same sickle mesh, but sometimes you still have to completely change the damaged sheet. To do this, you have to remove several adjacent sheets in order to remove the damaged one, and then put everything back and securely fasten it.

Cracks found in the sheets of the cornice row of the coating are more difficult to repair, so they are most often replaced with new ones. With such a replacement, careful removal of the nails connecting the eaves and the second row of the roof is required, since even whole sheets of old slate can crack if not carefully installed.

If for some reason it is impossible to replace the sheets along the cornice line, then they will have to be removed, and the cracks should be glued with a fiberglass mesh on bituminous mastic, applying materials from the upper and lower sides of the cracked slate. Then the repaired sheets must be reinstalled. Leaving damaged sheets is not recommended - cracks and chips will inevitably expand over time.

This material can also be used to repair holes or wide cracks, additionally using fiberglass. For reliability from the side of the attic, it is necessary to press a galvanized sheet with a wave bend to such damage, which can be removed after the cement mortar has completely solidified. The dried cement mortar can be primed and painted with weatherproof paint.

To make traces of repair work invisible, you can paint the entire surface of the slate coating with a single color. Then your roof will serve you for many more years.