Not everyone knows that it is not so easy to lay roofing material on the roof, and even more so to cope with this task on your own. At least a couple more experienced hands are needed. But it is not always possible to pay for the work of an attracted employee. If you also find yourself in such a situation, then our article will come in handy: in it we will talk about how to cover the roof with roofing material + useful tips.
Characteristics of roofing material - roofing material
Very often roofing material is called "roofing cardboard".And indeed, roofing material is quite soft and flexible material, it is used not only for roofing, but also for waterproofing the foundation.
Compared to other modern waterproofing materials, roofing material is much cheaper, and your solid metal roof there will be no leaks!
The main advantages of roofing felt coating:
- Durability
- Practicality, do not need additional maintenance.
- Resistance to ultraviolet rays.
- Resistance to temperature extremes, easily withstand minus and plus temperatures.
- Resistant to the harmful effects of precipitation.
The technology for the production of roofing material consists of:
- Production of the basis of the material - roofing cardboard.
- Impregnation of roofing paper with bitumen.
- Application of the upper special layer of refractory bitumen.
The cardboard organic basis of roofing material is most of all unprotected from moisture. If the base absorbs moisture, then over time, the roofing material will lose its important properties, including dielectric and airtight.
Swelling, the cardboard base gradually rots, and becomes unusable - it is necessary to repair the roof with roofing material.
We cover the roof with roofing material

Before covering the roof with roofing material, it is necessary to find out the specific gravity of the roofing material and consider its load on the roof. Otherwise, it happens that the roof does not withstand the weight of the roofing and sags.
It is important to consider: the rafter system takes on the main load. Therefore, experts recommend paying priority attention to the truss system. It must be reliable, durable and practical, then any mass of snow in winter is not a problem for it.
Roofing material marking

It is possible to cover the roof with roofing material in other more complex ways. But we will talk about this after we get acquainted with the marking of roofing material.
The basis of the roofing material has a different density, its purpose and application depend on it. When buying roofing material, pay special attention to its marking: RKK 350, RKK 400, RM 350, RPP 300.
Let's decipher the abbreviation in the name of the roofing material:
- "R" - the name of the material - roofing material;
- "K" - its purpose - for the roof;
- the letter "K" at the end is the type of top powder (for example, coarse).
So, roofing material marked RKK 350 has a cardboard base, the density of which is 350 g/sq. m. Its protective special layer consists of talcomagnesite. Breaking load 25-26 kgf. Roll length 15 m, weight 25 kg.
RPP 300 brand roofing felt has the following characteristics:
- cardboard base with a density of 300 g/sq. meter;
- breaking load - 22 kgf;
- the roll itself is 20 kg;
- length -15 m.
Roofing felt grade RKK 400 has high resistance to negative weather factors.
This coarse-grained roofing material with special protection as an additional layer of asbogal is often used in order to arrange the outer layer of roof moisture protection.
For the arrangement of the middle and lower layers of the roof, experts recommend using roofing material of the RCP 350 brand. This roofing material will provide long-term and reliable waterproofing of many roofing coverings, including garages, structures, and buildings.
In order to provide the most powerful waterproofing, for example, in basements, we recommend the use of built-up roofing material.
This brand of roofing material has a thickened top layer and an additional bottom layer of special mastic. It is easy and quick to glue the built-up roofing material using kerosene or white spirit as glue.
We cover a gable roof with roofing material

In order for the roof to perform its main function, it is very important to know: how to properly cover the roof with roofing material. Consider the option of covering a roof with a gable structure with roofing material.
To do the work, you will need a ladder, its length should be enough so that you can reach the highest part of the farm and easily nail the boards of the batten.
If the roof has a rather complex configuration, then the roofing of the roof with roofing material has some difficulties.
In order to fulfill gable roof sheathing, we advise you to stand in the attic and put a board for the crate between the two trusses, then apply it from the outside and lightly bait it, without completely nailing it. Repeat the same operation with the opposite side of the board.
The task of completing the crate will be greatly facilitated by boards with a length slightly longer than two truss spans. A board of this size is very comfortable to work with, it is easy to insert between trusses and deploy over the roof.
A little advice: start making the crate from the bottom edge of the roof. Climb up gradually, when the crate reaches the width of the roofing material roll, you can immediately fix it. Since it will be very difficult to do this later, it is almost impossible.
How to cover the roof with roofing material without attracting additional outside help? This is a very difficult task, in order to facilitate its implementation, we recommend that you acquire a special tool.

In order to independently roll out a roll of roofing material on the crate, you need to simultaneously hold that part of it that is in the roll. Since you do not have four hands, we recommend making a special hook.
It can be made from a thick rod that needs to be bent into the shape of the letter "Z". Pay attention to this nuance: the length of this hook should be equal to the width of the roll of roofing material.
How to use this tool? Hook the edge of the roofing material with one curved edge of the hook, at the same time hook its second edge on the next board of the crate.
It turns out that the unused roll is supported in a suspended position, and at this time you can nail a piece of roofing material rolled out on the crate. It is very easy and convenient to do the work even on your own, without additional help.
After using this technology, you will cover one span of the crate, feel free to start covering the second span and so on.
Pay special attention to the fastening of the last run of the roofing material. Of particular difficulty is this fact: the last run must be fixed from the outside of the roof. To do this, attach a ladder to the very edge, climb onto the skate, while holding the roofing material in your hands.
This is the most difficult moment, but it is quite possible to do it on your own if you think over your practical actions on how to cover the roof with roofing material while still “on the ground”.
After you get on the skate, sit on it - this will increase your maneuverability, so the subsequent work will be much more convenient.
The front of work on the skate is minimal. Using the same hook, gradually unwind the roll with roofing material and attach it to the ridge. So your gable roof well insulated!
Important: do not forget about your safety when working at height - secure yourself with a thick rope.
In order to properly fasten the roofing material along the lower edge of the roof, we recommend watching a video on how to cover the roof with roofing material.
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