What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

Slate roofing is one of the most common coatings since the Soviet Union.

Recently, slate in private construction has been quietly replaced by newer and more progressive roofing materials such as ondulin, soft tiles, metal tiles.

Even in the urban economy, slate is gradually being replaced with corrugated board on the roofs of multi-storey residential buildings.

And yet, old slate roofs are ubiquitous. And although, they have a service life of at least 50 years, but ... repair of the slate is required from time to time. We will not talk about high-rise buildings, on the slate of which in winter the workers of the oil and gas distribution department are carelessly "roaming" and, like, knocking down icicles, in fact, irresponsibly breaking the slate with their knives and shovels ...

In order for the slate to serve for a long time, it is advisable not just to buy it and immediately put it on the roof, which is what many developers do. It must be prepared before installation: cover with a composition: hydrophobic or paint, which will extend its service life and slow down the aging of the material several times.

For example, everyone knows that wood will serve for a long time only if it is antiseptic: the top layer of wood after painting it becomes water-repellent, which protects it from decay processes. The same is true for slate: small cracks and damage over time arise from the effects of the processes of melting snow and freezing of moisture trapped in the pores of the material.

Repair of slate, usually, requires partial, or rather, local. That is, in some place a crack appeared in the lower or upper wave. If a crack occurs on the upper surface of the wave, then the leakage will be small because the water rolls off quickly. But if the crack is on the lower wave, then all the water that falls on it will be in the attic.

If by slate roof do not "run around" unnecessarily, then there will be few such cracks and it will be possible to cope with them quickly and easily.

Cracks and breaks of waves of slate sheets occur as a result of stress in the coating for various reasons:

from improper installation and violation of the technology of laying asbestos-cement sheets on the roof lathing (for example, a crack formed when a nail is driven into a wave of slate)
from deformations and movements of rafters and roof lathing. First you need to examine the "pieces of wood" to make sure that there will be no more movement and it makes sense to repair the slate. Otherwise, you need to first repair the rafters if the problem is in them (caved in, rotted ...)

And also slate (and not only it) will certainly break under a person's feet, because slate is designed for a distributed load over the entire area, for example, from snow. And the load from the person is point!

How to repair a crack in slate

The crack in the slate must be sealed so that the roof does not leak

painting - applying a sealing repair compound to cracks and small holes
pasting - repair of larger surfaces with soft roofing materials such as roofing material, fiberglass, etc.

Roofing material (or other non-thick roofing material) can be glued to the broken place with the help of ready-made mastic. Previously, hot bitumen was used, but now a weld-on roofing material is used on the roofs. But ..., firstly, it is too thick, because a bitumen composition has already been applied to it. Secondly, not everyone has a gas or gasoline burner at home to melt the adhesive layer of the deposited material ... Therefore, it is best to use ready-made cold mastic, which is sold in cans.

Sticking method roofing material quite laborious and is used in the repair of slate in case of large damage.

If only a narrow crack needs to be repaired, then it is easier to use some kind of sealant. Now there is a wide selection of various sealants on sale, you just need to choose for external work so that it does not lose its properties both during the heat in summer and during low temperatures in winter.

Another method is quite classic and has been used for a very long time. A mixture of cement and asbestos in a 1: 3 ratio is made and filled with water, in which PVA glue is added in a 1: 1 ratio. Everything is kneaded until homogeneous (sour cream density) and applied to the cleaned surface of the slate in the place where the crack has formed.

It is convenient to seal holes from old nails with an asbestos-cement compound. For example, they broke a slate sheet or replaced it, taking it already in use, and on it holes from nails, which, naturally, will leak.

It is also possible to seal the seams at the exit of the pipe to the roof. Usually here a piece of galvanized steel is placed on the slate, which closes the opening of the pipe passage through the roof, but since the slate is wave, and the galvanized sheet is flat, it makes sense to seal the "waves" between galvanized and slate with such a composition so that snow does not blow there in winter ...

Only the asbestos-cement composition has one small drawback: it is tough, since it contains cement. But they can work and, after repair, the slate can serve for another ten years.

The cheapest and easiest-to-manufacture adhesive for sealing cracks or gluing on a broken wave of fiberglass slate is obtained from gasoline and foam. This is a popular method that is very popular, because it meets all the requirements and aspirations of private owners doing repairs with their own hands.

It is necessary to dissolve a piece of polystyrene in a small amount of gasoline in some container. Polyfoam is the cheapest and most porous (minimum density), grade PSB15. In appearance, it is grainy and easily crumbles. When immersed in gasoline, it dissolves in it before our eyes without a trace. As a result, you need to get a creamy mixture, which can be worked for an hour. After this time, the mixture hardens.

In terms of its qualities, this composition is most acceptable for repairing slate:

plastic so that it can be applied to the slate with a paint brush, preferably a stiff one (you can use a spatula or stick)
when dry, a very strong and monolithic "crust" is obtained

It can be applied just like that, sealing cracks of different widths or using it to glue fiberglass, thus reinforcing the old slate in places of large deformations and breakdowns.

After repairing the slate by gluing fiberglass with a lubricant with a gasoline-foam composition, a 100% guarantee that there will be no leaks and further breakdowns in this place.

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Once upon a time, slate roofing was considered almost the most versatile: affordable, durable and unpretentious. Cheap and cheerful, as they say. But for 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 can easily seep. Fortunately, a slate roof is at least not subject to corrosion, like a metal one, which is covered with rusty spots from the slightest scratches, and yet repairs will still have to be done from time to time. So how to close the crack in the slate and stop the further destruction of other sheets? Now we will understand everything in more detail.

Fragile slate gets damaged quite easily:

From shock loads. From careless walking on the roof.
From microcracks due to falling tree branches.
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!
From time. Unfortunately, the service life of a slate roof is not long, and after 10-12 years the first cracks and holes appear.
From constantly stagnant rainwater. Any roof, and not only slate, has weak spots around roof windows and pipes. Pay attention to these elements right away - it is not difficult to seal them.
The angle of inclination of the roof is not suitable for slate roofing.
The slate was laid with certain irregularities, and the material is constantly under excessive stress. It is also bad if during installation you used ordinary nails without rubber gaskets to fasten the sheets - then you cannot do without cracks.
Sloppy transportation and storage. Such defects may not be detected immediately, but they will immediately become noticeable from walking on them on the roof.
Sudden temperature changes. Believe me, any asbestos-cement material does not like this.
Due to the disproportionately small holes for screws or nails. Do not forget that metal is characterized by seasonal expansion, and therefore the place for such an attachment needs to be left a little more (but not so that it becomes numb rainwater). This is why rubber gaskets are needed.

And finally, snow can add new problems. The fact is that a slate roof is not as smooth as a metal one, and snow lingers on it constantly. And just a little sun's rays are enough to flood this whole snow cap from below - as a result, the melted water flows down to the cornice, where it meets a new layer of snow (the cornice is always colder than the roof above living quarters). Here melt water freezes again and in the form of ice already destroys not only slate sheets, but also drainage system... In addition, all this mass, under natural expansion from low temperatures, clogs under the sheets and from there, melting, falls directly onto the rafters or into the insulation.

Also, often the reason for cracks in the slate lies in its improper manufacturing technology. Moreover, at several stages:

During the preparation of the mortar, less cement was added than was required by the factory recipe (guess why).
Gross violations of the technology of production of slate sheets (handicraft production).
In the slate, short asbestos fibers were used (and this is already the manufacturer's decision).
Poor quality processing of finished slate sheets (lack of control).
Shortening the hole period of the material (and it takes 28 days).

Now let's talk about how and with what to fix holes and cracks on the slate roof of a house.

How to find coating defects?

Agree that it is quite difficult to notice new defects or cracks on an outwardly heterogeneous slate roof, while on a smooth folded roof or corrugated board it is not difficult to do this 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 damp and deteriorates, and the ceiling needs repair. Go to the attic if you have similar suspicions: if you smell damp, then there is a problem. And individual spots of mold indicate that somewhere there is a crack in the slate, but so far it does not make itself known, except for small leaks. Check the under-roof space of the slate roof also after every shower.

We make a "diagnosis" of cracked sheets

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

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

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

The crack that follows the upper wave of the slate(it is easiest to notice), 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.
The crack that follows the lower wave, the most dangerous - here you cannot do without leaks. Use sealant, patch, and folded sheet.
The crack that went across the slate sheet, the most dangerous! And one cannot do here - the crack will begin to widen and move in the future to subsequent waves.

Have you decided on a future renovation? Proceed with caution! Remember that in many countries of the world this roof covering 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 repair cracks and holes on slate?

Before putting any patch on, it is important to start by completely cleaning the surface to be repaired from debris and moss, and then washing it with a powerful jet of water. And here's how to seal holes and holes in the slate on the roof with available materials and new products from the construction market:

Method number 1. Cement and sand

Prepare a mixture of one part dry cement and two sifted sand. Pour in water and knead to the desired consistency. Close up. Let the cracks dry well and paint them 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, thanks to which it is good to paint such a patch in the desired shade. And working with her is also simple:

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

Ready-made butyl patches are also used for repair:

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

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

Method number 3. Hot bitumen

It is not difficult to prepare bituminous mastic at the stake:

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

If you work at subzero temperatures, add 10% waste to the bitumen to give it elasticity and avoid cracking of the mastic. Especially if you are processing the edges of slate sheets:

Hot bitumen is also suitable for sealing small cracks:

But remember that any putty will only have a temporary effect. The problem with using traditional slate putties is that this roofing material is not very pliable to expand, whereas putties usually have a completely different coefficient. This is why, after a few cycles of temperature fluctuations, leakage problems return again. And sometimes it is much easier and safer to simply replace the defective sheet.

Method number 4. Asbestos, cement and PVA putty

First, we take ready-made asbestos. If you can't get one, just grate it from a piece of slate. Be sure to protect the respiratory tract during such 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 is completely dry. 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. Ready putties

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

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

Please note that such renovation work on a slate roof, it is necessary in dry and cloudy weather, so that the necessary components in the mixtures dry out slowly.

Method number 6. Foam and epoxy

Cracks and holes in the slate are also closed with liquid foam, but for this you will have to purchase a whole cylinder. Practiced among home craftsmen and the so-called "three-layer" method:

Step 1. We clean and degrease the area.
Step 2. Close up the crack polyurethane 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 by ultraviolet rays than foam.

This is an expensive but reliable method to deal with small problems, although it is inconvenient to use it on an incline. So, if the slate sheet has split along its entire length, fasten the wavy joints with epoxy glue. But first, secure them together at the bottom with mounting tape, and only then fill the gap at the top.

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 the patch from the tin, roll it up into a tube.
Step 2. 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.
Step 4. Fill the gaps with construction sealant.

The repair of a slate roof must be taken seriously. If the patch will pass even a little water 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 paint as they dry. oil paint... That's all!

Method number 9. Moisture resistant glue

Step 1. We wash the sheets well with plain water, three of them with a stiff brush.
Step 2. We are waiting for the slate to dry and glue each hole with a piece of dense fabric so that its edges extend beyond the hole by about 3-4 cm. For this we saturate the patch with moisture-resistant glue.
Step 3. On top of the patch, once again apply a layer of glue (Enamel).
Step 4. Turn the damaged sheet over and fill the hole with concrete.
Step 5. Once the mortar has set, glue another patch.
Step 6. At the end of the crack, 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. We attach the foil and press it with a self-tapping screw.
Step 4. If the slate on your roof is colored, paint in the same color and the patch.

In extreme cases, it is easier to replace any section of the 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 a metal or wooden one:

How can the slate be protected from further damage?

The situation is worse if the roof began to burst in different places. This usually indicates installation errors in due time, and the usual repair of roof slate will only give a temporary effect. It is urgent to stop the destruction process:

Method number 1. Temporarily place a strip of fabric soaked in paint over the crack to prevent cracking.
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 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 repairs 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.

Slate roofing has been very popular for a long time.

This popularity was achieved due to the low cost of the material, good performance, and ease of installation.

Today in European countries it is forbidden to produce materials that include asbestos cement.

Slate continues to be produced in Russia, and it is in great demand, although there are many other roofing materials with a similar cost.

But in most cases, after ten to fifteen years, the slate roof loses its strength and cracks appear on it. But it is far from always necessary to make a complete replacement of the entire roofing covering.

Small roof repairs can be done to seal small cracks and holes in the slate sheets. Sometimes such repairs are quite time consuming task. This article will tell you how and how to seal the holes in the slate.

The main causes of defects

Asbestos slate has a long service life, but over time, under the influence of weather conditions, it loses its protective properties... The reasons for failure can be improper laying of roofing material, walking on slate, improper transportation, etc.

1) Damage incurred during the transportation of the material. Small cracks and chips appear on the slate, which may go unnoticed at the time of installation.

It would seem that such minor flaws should not cause trouble. But after a while, such cracks can cause serious damage.

2) Damage incurred at the time of laying the sheets. Small cracks resulting from strong nail pressure during installation can cause major damage.

This can lead to the need for a complete replacement of the roof covering. Over time, small cracks become larger and grow into holes. In places of fasteners, pieces of slate break off.

3) Wrong drilled holes for fasteners can also cause cracks in the material.

According to the technology, the diameter of the hole should be larger than the diameter of the nail, but this rule is often forgotten, as a result of which, after a while, chips and long cracks may appear on the slate.

4) Cracking of the slate sheet may also occur due to temperature changes. Asbestos slate absorbs water well and when a sharp cold snap occurs to sub-zero temperatures, it becomes brittle.

Even a slight blow to the slate sheet can cause it to fall apart. Therefore, it is advisable to check the roof in the spring and replace the damaged sheets with new ones.

5) Another reason for the appearance of defects can be careless movement over the roofing.

Over time, lichens and moss can appear on the roofing, and if they are not removed, then the slate can lose its protective properties.

How and with what to seal the holes in the slate?

The choice of a method for restoring the roofing depends on the extent of the damage and its type. There are 3 ways to repair damaged coating:

Cardinal repair (replacement of the entire roof and rafter system). This method used if the rafters are severely damaged and roof covering... It is also used when completely changing the roofing material to another, which requires a different structure of the rafter system and lathing.

Selective sheet replacement. In this case, sheets with holes, chips and cracks are replaced. You also need to check the condition of the roof structures.

Performance cosmetic repair, which consists in sealing holes and other small defects. To do this, you need to apply patches or repair cracks using special mixtures.

But still, how to close the holes in the slate in order to achieve the maximum effect? You can buy a ready-made mixture or make it yourself.

Consider the second case first.

First of all, we clean the repaired surface from moss and accumulated debris. Then wash it thoroughly with a powerful jet of water. During the drying of the surface, we make a mixture consisting of cement, asbestos and PVA glue.

First, we buy ready-made asbestos or rub it from a piece of slate on a grater. Asbestos is harmful to the body, therefore, when doing this work, you need to protect the respiratory tract. For the manufacture of the mixture itself, we take 3 parts of asbestos, 2 parts of cement and a solution of PVA and water in a one-to-one ratio. Stir the resulting mixture vigorously until it thickens to the consistency of sour cream.

You need to close the hole in the sheet as follows:

We are waiting for the complete drying of the repaired surface;

We apply the prepared mixture to the damaged area;

We treat the damaged area with a solution of PVA and water (in a ratio of 1: 3);

Apply 2 more layers repair mixture(the thickness of each layer is more than 1 mm);

To carry out such repairs, dry, but at the same time, not sunny weather is necessary, since in the prepared mixture the asbestos must dry out on its own.

There are also ready-made mixtures for repair, which include waterproofing materials. When using them, you must first clean the surface of debris and degrease it with acetone or a solvent. Then you need to dry the surface.

The damaged surface is primed with a liquid solution of the repair mixture. After that, the mixture is applied with a spatula or a special pistol. We are waiting for 5-6 hours, cover with fiberglass and again put a layer of the mixture.

Despite the wide range of roofing materials, slate is no less popular today than it was a couple of decades ago. This demand for coverage is due to its relatively low price. At the same time, the relevance of the material is very justified if the roof has a simple configuration (1-2 slopes). However, it is worth knowing that over time, the strength of the slate is significantly reduced, which provokes the appearance of small and large cracks or holes on it. Therefore, in the article below, we will learn how to repair a crack in a roof slate or how to deal with a hole in it.

Reasons for the destruction of slate

In order not to look for an answer to the question of how to glue the slate, it is worth knowing that holes or cracks in it can appear for various reasons that can be prevented. But the main ones are:

Wear of the coating over time. As a rule, after 10-15 years, the material becomes more fragile, which provokes exposure to point shock loads (falling of an icy branch, fruit, etc.).
The tendency of slate to accumulate moisture in shaded areas of the roof. In this case, where the sheets of the covering are more humid and at the same time there is no direct sunlight, moss grows. Typically, this is the north side of the roof. Moss is a destructive organic substance for asbestos cement.
Incorrectly assembled roof drainage system. When rainwater stagnates in certain areas of the roof, the strength of the coating will begin to decline, leading to cracks or holes over time. Here it is worth taking into account the failure to comply with the operating conditions of the slate. That is, if the slope angle of the slopes is not observed, the water will stagnate on the roof.
Gross violations when laying slate sheets. In particular it comes the use of simple nails without rubber pads to fix the roofing sheets; and the wrong laying of the sheets, which now puts the roof under constant stress.
Inconsistency of holes for nails and screws when laying the material. If they are too small, then over time, the metal, prone to seasonal expansion, will destroy the structure of the asbestos-cement sheet and holes will appear on its surface, which will require restoration.
Failure to comply with the conditions of transportation and storage of the coating. In this case, small microcracks will be invisible at first, and then you will have to look for an answer to the question of how to repair a crack in the slate.

Important: if all of the above possible reasons the appearance of cracks on the slate is not about you, which means that you have purchased substandard goods that were produced with gross violations of technology. In particular, the proportions of the components could be violated, short asbestos fibers were added, or a poor-quality final grinding / processing of the coating was carried out with a decrease in its settling time.

We identify defects on slate level of danger of cracks

To see a crack on a slate sheet, you need to use special telescopic equipment, since such violations of the structure of the ACL (asbestos-cement sheet) are difficult to notice with the naked eye. In order to understand whether a slate roof needs to be repaired and whether there are holes / cracks / cracks in it, it is necessary to conduct an assessment attic floor and the rafter system from the inside. That is, according to appearance insulation and wood rafters can be judged about possible leaks in the roof. They will be evidenced by:

Wet and rotting rafter wood;
Stains and mold on insulation or other components of the roofing cake;
Stains on the floor of the attic in a specific location.

If a leak is identified, it is worth determining the level of danger of the hole. So, consider the types of cracks:

If the crack is located in the lower ridge of the roof slate, it means that urgent restoration of the roofing is needed. Because over time, water will simply spill on the head of the residents of the house. Indeed, it is in the lower ridges of the roofing wave material that water accumulates in the maximum amount.
If a hole has formed on the upper crest of the coating wave, this is a less dangerous option, but still requiring you to think about how the cracks in the slate are repaired.
And, finally, the most unpleasant from the forecast point of view is the transverse crack. Here, the hole can spread to neighboring waves, which will lead to the breaking of the entire sheet of the coating. Therefore, it is best to replace it completely.

Important: When starting repair work, wear protective clothing. Because asbestos fibers are toxic to human health.

Repair of slate sheet

It is worth knowing that any repair manipulations with slate should be carried out only after it has been cleaned of debris and moss, thoroughly washed and dried. In addition, you should degrease the crack or hole with cotton wool soaked in solvent or acetone.

Repair option 1

If you do not know how to seal the holes in the slate, then the simplest and most old-fashioned method with which you can seal the gap is to use bitumen mastic. Previously, only it was used to cover up any holes in the walls of a house or a fence / roof. It is cooked simply in a bucket over a fire, melted to a viscous state. If repair work is carried out in cold weather (with minuses), then about 10% of working off must be added to the bitumen mass so that the mastic is plastic. The crack is gradually filled with the finished mixture, leveling its level with the sheet.

Important: but it is worth remembering that this method of repairing cracks in slate is not the most reliable. The fact is that bituminous mastic tends to expand at positive temperatures and shrink again in the cold. As a result of such deformation, after several cycles of temperature change, the hole will again leak.

Repair option 2

And you can use a cement-sand mixture if you do not know how and how to seal the holes in the slate. To prepare the mixture, you need to mix the named components in a 1: 2 ratio. Dilute the mass with water until the consistency of thick sour cream. The resulting solution is covered with holes and cracks and left to dry in the shade. The finished repaired sheet can be painted in the desired color.

Repair option 3

Also, to seal slate roofs, you can use a ready-made putty solution and not be tormented by special inventions. The mixture can be purchased at a specialist store. Before applying it, the surface of the crack or hole must be well primed. Then putty is applied to the hole and, after six hours, it is covered with a piece of fiberglass. Another layer of putty is applied on top, and thus the use of a sealing combination saves the slate.

Important: you can apply the putty mixture with a spatula or a pistol. At the same time, it is better to carry out repairs in dry weather with strong clouds so that the putty can dry slowly.

Repair option 4

And here, in order to cover up the slate roof, you can use a mixture of cement, asbestos and PVA glue. Such a mass is very plastic and fits well into all joints and gaps of the slate.

So, we prepare the mixture:

First, mix water and PVA glue in equal parts. Mix everything well until smooth.
Now we mix cement and asbestos in a separate container in proportions of 2: 3.
All components are mixed until very thick sour cream.
In a separate container, we also prepare a PVA solution from three parts of water and one part of glue.
We cover the finished, degreased and dried surface of the crack with the resulting mixture of glue, cement and asbestos. Lubricate the top with an additional glue solution. And again we apply two more layers of asbestos cement on top.

Repair option 5

And in this way, you can fill up holes from nails, which have crumbled over time and now let water through. In this case, you need to take a piece of aluminum foil and cut a patch out of it along the right size holes. Foil is lubricated universal glue and put the patch on the hole.

Important: in this case, the hole for the self-tapping screw will now have to be made in another place on the sheet.

Repair option 6

Here, to repair a large breach or hole from a nail, you can use tin to patch. A piece is cut out of it, folded into a tube and, crushing, pushed into the hole. It is necessary to tamp the sheet so that it fills the hole as much as possible. Now a hole is drilled in the tin plug for a self-tapping screw and the slate is fixed on the roof using a high-quality rubber gasket. In this case, water will not flow under the roof.

Repair option 7

Ordinary polyurethane foam will also help repair the holes in the slate. Craftsmen use it to fill cracks and crevices in a slate roof. it a good option the answer to the question of how to repair and seal a slate sheet. The mixture is applied to a clean and grease-free repairable area, and thus the gap is closed. Then, after drying, the crack is treated with a sealant and everything is lubricated with epoxy.

Repair option 8

Craftsmen often seal the cracks in the ACL with butyl rubber tape. By the way, it is good for painting, which will allow your roof to not look patched. The tape is placed on cracks in the slate after cleaning and degreasing. They press well, and after drying, they are painted in any color.

Important: a slate sheet with sealed holes and cracks will last a maximum of 3-5 years. Therefore, it is best to change the cover sheet as soon as possible. Otherwise, the cost of restoring a rotted rafter system can be much greater than spending on new slate and work on its replacement.

Slate defects and reasons for their appearance
Preparatory work and methods for sealing cracks
A few more easy ways

How to repair a crack in the roof slate? Such a question can often be heard from summer residents, whose roof of a house is leaking, covered with slate for more than a decade. And to change, for various reasons, there is no way.

The appearance of cracks in the slate can be associated with both mechanical damage and improper installation and operation.

Slate defects and reasons for their appearance

Good old gray wavy slate tested over the years. It would seem that he has no demolition. However, in reality it is far from the case. Cracks, chips, holes are usual for him. Repair? Yes, it is possible. But you need to clearly understand that patches will not save you for a long time. If only for a short time, while funds for radical repairs accumulate, but then the roof still needs to be changed. Alas, slate is not the most technologically advanced material. And you should start by identifying the reasons that contribute to the appearance of these very cracks. And there can be many such reasons.

natural "aging" of the material or its operation beyond the prescribed period;
non-compliance technological process production; liberties can be very diverse: for example, the norm of the cement laid in the solution is not observed, instead of long asbestos fibers, short ones are used, the terms for hardening of the sheet are not met, etc .;
the slate roof is based on an incorrectly selected slope angle;
violation of the manufacturer's requirements during the transportation of slate, mistakes in preparation for fastening work, during laying and installation;
using for fasteners not slate (with special rubber gaskets), but ordinary nails;
mechanical impact on slate.

Before starting repairs, the slate should be cleaned with a broom and water.

To know how to repair slate, you need to determine what type of work the planned work belongs to.

A radical (complete) renovation, which implies the replacement of the entire roofing system, namely: rafters, roof coverings. It is used when the slate sheets and rafters are seriously damaged or a person just wants to change the slate for a different roofing material, but it requires a completely different design of rafters and battens.
Partial renovation. Occurs when it is required to replace old slate, dotted with cracks, chips and large holes, with new sheets.
Redecorating. In this case, small defects in slate are repaired with patches, special compounds, etc.

Since the sixties of the last century, slate has become the main roofing material in our country. Cheapness, fast, simple installation allowed slate sheets to hold the leading position for more than a dozen years. Despite the fact that today slate is being replaced by metal and tile coverings, slate roofs are found in almost every settlement. Most often, the service life of such roofs is more than 10 years, which means that cracks and chips appear on the slate coating. It is recommended to replace heavily damaged slate sheets, but this article will tell you how to extend the life of a cracked sheet.

The reasons for the appearance of cracks on the slate are microcracks when branches or cones fall from trees, germination of moss and lichens, stagnant rainwater, installation errors (for example, using construction nails without a rubber backing or incorrect sheet cut), the severity of melting snow if it is untimely dumped from the roof ... You can tell if there are cracks in the slate roof by the smell of dampness or mold stains in the attic. The second way to detect hidden cracks is a low dull sound when tapping with a rubber hammer on the sheet.

The most affordable and easy-to-use method for repairing chrysotile cement sheets is to cover it with a solution of sand and cement. This option is suitable for cracks and holes, regardless of their size.

The combination of bitumen mastic and roofing material allows you to quickly and without preliminary preparation cover up a crack or apply a repair patch on damage. A significant disadvantage is the likelihood of an increase in a crack or a split of a slate sheet with overheated bitumen.

Ideal for embedding narrow cracks- epoxy resin, which is poured just above the level of the gap. Epoxy compounds will cope well with a sheet of slate split in half. To do this, the two halves are connected with tape, the joint is degreased with gasoline and filled with epoxy.

An alternative epoxy resin are self-adhesive tapes based on butyl rubber. This material is distinguished by elasticity, tightness, high adhesion, the ability to hold the wave of chrysotile cement sheet in the desired position. Butyl rubber tape removes the crack in just five minutes. The versatility of this type of self-adhesive allows you to use the material for repairing any surfaces. The disadvantages are the rather high cost and the required smoothness of the surface; therefore, it is recommended to sand or paint over the surface with roughness.

Budgetary, but no less effective method patching up cracks - using nitrocellulose glue. It is important that the adhesive is waterproof. The glue is divided in half, one part is diluted with acetone to a liquid state, the second is mixed with slate chips after cutting the sheet. The liquid part is applied to the crack in three to four layers. After drying, a mixture of glue and saw cut is laid on it, which is closed with construction tape.

Slate roofing has been very popular for a long time.

This popularity was achieved due to the low cost of the material, good performance, and ease of installation.

Today in European countries it is forbidden to produce materials that include asbestos cement.

Slate continues to be produced in Russia, and it is in great demand, although there are many other roofing materials with a similar cost.

Asbestos slate has a long service life, but over time, under the influence of weather conditions, it loses its protective properties. The reasons for failure can be improper laying of roofing material, walking on slate, improper transportation, etc.

1) Damage incurred during the transportation of the material. Small cracks and chips appear on the slate, which may go unnoticed at the time of installation.

It would seem that such minor flaws should not cause trouble. But after a while, such cracks can cause serious damage.

2) Damage incurred at the time of laying the sheets. Small cracks resulting from strong nail pressure during installation can cause major damage.

This can lead to the need for a complete replacement of the roof covering. Over time, small cracks become larger and grow into holes. In places of fasteners, pieces of slate break off.

3) Incorrectly drilled holes for fasteners can also cause cracks in the material.

4) Cracking of the slate sheet may also occur due to temperature changes. Asbestos slate absorbs water well and when a sharp cold snap occurs to sub-zero temperatures, it becomes brittle.

Even a slight blow to the slate sheet can cause it to fall apart. Therefore, it is advisable to check the roof in the spring and replace the damaged sheets with new ones.

5) Another reason for the appearance of defects can be careless movement over the roofing.

Over time, lichens and moss can appear on the roofing, and if they are not removed, then the slate can lose its protective properties.

How and with what to seal the holes in the slate?

The choice of a method for restoring the roofing depends on the extent of the damage and its type. There are 3 ways to repair damaged coating:

- Overhaul (and rafter system). This method is used if the rafters and roofing are severely damaged. It is also used when completely changing the roofing material to another, which requires a different structure of the rafter system and lathing.

- Selective sheet replacement. In this case, sheets with holes, chips and cracks are replaced. You also need to check the condition of the roof structures.

- Performing cosmetic, which consists in sealing holes and other minor defects. To do this, you need to apply patches or repair cracks using special mixtures.

But still, how to close the holes in the slate in order to achieve the maximum effect? You can buy a ready-made mixture or make it yourself.

Consider the second case first.

You need to close the hole in the sheet as follows:

- we are waiting for the complete drying of the repaired surface;

- we apply the prepared mixture to the damaged area;

- we treat the damaged area with a solution of PVA and water (in a ratio of 1: 3);

- we apply 2 more layers of the repair mixture (the thickness of each layer is more than 1 mm);

To carry out such repairs, dry, but at the same time, not sunny weather is necessary, since in the prepared mixture the asbestos must dry out on its own.

When laying the roof, it is necessary to take into account the realities - the strength characteristics of the slate will gradually decrease with changes in temperature and humidity (especially in winter period) cracks may well be. The crack must first be found, it cannot always be identified visually, sometimes these are small microcracks. To do this, inspect the rafters for possible moisture or even places of decay, as well as insulation - there may be mold spots.

As soon as the leaks are found, you need to revise them and assess the severity of the damage:

the slate has a cracked section in the lower wave ridge. These are the places of the greatest exposure to water and restoration work is required to be carried out without delay;
if the top of the wave crest is affected, then the problem is somewhat less and less costly restoration can be dispensed with;
the crack goes across, through several ridges. The saddest option is that you cannot do without replacing the entire sheet at all.

So, we begin to consider possible work, but first the slate must be cleaned (moss, leaves and other debris), washed and wait until it dries completely. It will not hurt to treat the crack itself with something degreasing, for example, acetone. Next, we act like this:

bituminous filling. We take the appropriate mastic and melt it in a bucket, it should become a viscous consistency. The crack is closed up with it in stages, increasing the layers, until you reach the level with the slate. The method is not so hot and all because the mastic is deformed during temperature changes, but for the upper (along the ridge) cracks it is suitable, especially for a while until you find it suitable material for embedding;
cement filling. We mix cement (1 part) and sand (2 parts), you should get a consistency like thick sour cream. Close up and dry in the shade, then you can paint it;
tape (butyl rubber). Comfortable, made of a material that is easy to paint later in the color of slate. It is simple to glue it - degrease, using gasoline, the desired area. The protective coating is removed from the tape, glued, and then can be painted;
you can also make such a mixture - we dilute PVA (1: 1) in water and mix cement with asbestos (2: 3) in it to the consistency of "sour cream". We apply, then again we do the treatment with a mixture of water with PVA (3: 1) and we also put 1-2 layers of the prepared mixture;
You can try to degrease a small area and "foam" with polyurethane foam. After it dries, there is a queue for the sealant, well, on top we use resin for reliability;
small cracks are closed (after cleaning them) with chalk mixed with ordinary drying oil. The layer, after it dries, is painted with ordinary oil paint.

There are still other ways. It would be best if a crack is found to take care that it does not develop further. To do this, small holes are drilled (they need to be additionally treated with a sealant) and everything is well fixed with self-tapping screws.