The flat roof is one of themost common roof shapes. Cost-effective and very practical, it is particularly suitable for city villas, garden houses, garages and roofs. All rooms have a high ceiling without sloping ceilings or niches. Especially with this type of roof, homeowners should pay close attention to quality workmanship and have even small defects rectified as quickly as possible. The consequences of a leaky roof are far-reaching and involve expensive repairs. Rainwater can not only damage the insulation, but can also lead to the formation of mold. We will explain to you how you can renovate a flat roof and what you should pay attention to.
When it comes to oneRoof renovation or sealingIf possible, there are several variants to choose from. Laying in two layers with bitumen is safe, but expensive. Liquid waterproofing is long-lasting, but must be carried out very precisely. TheLaying an EPDM roof filmis very easy in comparison. That's why the method with EPDM roofing foil has been successful in recent years and is becoming increasingly popular. In contrast to bitumen waterproofing, installation is fairly straightforward. The special roof film is glued directly to the dry insulation layer on one side. When it comes to laying, skill is required above all else. However, experienced do-it-yourselfers can also master the task on their own. The roof film is installed in several simple steps:
1. The flat roof is thoroughly cleaned. Laying only takes place on a clean surface.
2. Then the tarpaulin is laid out and cut if necessary, leaving an overhang of at least 40 cm on the sides.
3. In the next step, the tarpaulin is folded in half and a surface adhesive is applied to it with a paint roller. Leave about 20 cm of margin free. There will beContact glue attached.
4. Then half is glued together, smoothing out any air bubbles and wrinkles with a clean paint roller.
5. Proceed similarly with the other half - fold over the roof foil, apply plenty of surface adhesive, carefully place the foil on the roof and smooth it with the paint roller.
6. The panels are then glued together with contact glue.
The EPDM roofing film has a high level of elasticity and can stretch slightly in the summer months. As a result, air bubbles or wrinkles may form, but these will disappear again in the winter months. It is entirely possible that the film will change color over time. However, this is just a cosmetic blemish and will not affect the seal.
Renovate a flat roof or would you rather seal it?
Whether damage needs to be sealed individually or the entire flat roof needs to be renovated depends on several factors. If you move into a new building and notice minor damage in good time, you can have it sealed. Himselfa new houseshould therefore be checked every 4-5 months. It is also important that the roof's thermal insulation is not damaged. The waterproofing should be carried out by an experienced professional and installed on a dry and clean roof.
However, if you buy an old building, you should have the roof checked thoroughly. If defects are identified, it is recommended to renovate the entire flat roof. The costs incurred in this case are higher than with sealing. The investment definitely pays off because a well-renovated roof also has a very long lifespan.