Most often, slate is used for roofing. The installation technology of this material is so simple that many homeowners prefer to do all the work on their own. Consider how to properly lay the slate so that the coating is reliable and durable.
Why slate?
Today, there are many varieties of material that can be used to cover the roof. But why do so many homeowners prefer traditional slate?
Probably because such a solution has many advantages, among them:
- roofing material differs in low heat conductivity, resistance to fire and influence of low temperatures.
- Slate can be quite easily processed mechanically (cut into pieces).
- The material allows you to create a durable coating.
- Today, not only traditional gray slate is produced, but also colored, which allows you to increase the aesthetic characteristics of the coating. But when using ordinary slate, the roof can be made colored. To do this, just use the paint for slate.
- The material is very inexpensive slate installation. Even with the additional purchase of paint, the cost of arranging the roof will be low.
- Slate is easy to install, so when using this material, you can not hire roofers, doing the necessary work on your own.
Preparing for the installation of a slate roof
If you plan to do roofing work yourself, then you need to find out in advance how to properly lay the slate. Indeed, the reliability of the coating and its durability depend on how competently the installation was carried out.
Any construction begins with planning and preparation. For laying slate, a crate should be made. In addition, waterproofing under the slate must be laid.
This event is an additional insurance that moisture from the air does not penetrate into the under-roof space and does not cause the insulation material to get wet.
The fact is that due to the temperature difference in the street and in the space under the insulated roof, there is a risk of condensation on the cold elements of the "roofing pie". The installation of waterproofing serves as protection against the ingress of this moisture onto the insulation layer.
Slate laying methods
When solving the problem of how to properly lay slate, several solutions are possible. Slate can be put:
- In a run;
- No offset, but with a cut corner.
The first method is more common, as it requires much less labor. If you plan just such an option for laying sheets, then it is better to purchase an eight-wave slate.
Since there is more waste when using a six- or seven-wave material, therefore, the cost of acquiring the material increases.
How to lay slate in a run?
Consider how to lay slate by shifting sheets:
- It is necessary to cut sheets of eight-wave slate in half. For installation, as many halves of the sheet will be required as odd rows of laying will be on the slopes. That is, the halves of the sheet fit into the first, third, fifth, etc. row. In even rows, only whole sheets will fit.
- In the first row, a half sheet of slate is laid (into four waves), then the installation of whole sheets horizontally continues.
- The second row begins with laying a whole sheet and continues to the end horizontally.
- The third row, like the first, begins with laying half a sheet.
This method allows you to simplify the installation, since the displacement of the sheets is formed naturally.
How to lay slate without shifting sheets?
Consider how to properly lay the slate without shifting the sheets. This option is more economical in terms of material consumption, but also more laborious. When using this method, vertical alignment of sheets is achieved due to the fact that the corners on them are cut.
For example, laying sheets started on the left side of the ramp.In this case, it will be necessary to trim adjacent corners at the junction of the second sheet in the bottom row and the first sheet in the top row, and so on.
Slate Roof Installation Tips
These methods of laying slate allow you to create a durable and airtight coating. When performing work, the following nuances should be taken into account:
- Wavy slate is reinforced with roofing nails, screws or self-tapping screws. Only galvanized fasteners must be used.
- It is highly recommended to pre-mark the locations of the nails and make holes in these places with a drill. In this case, the risk of damaging the slate sheet with an inaccurate blow will be eliminated.
- fastened slate exclusively in the crest of the wave, and not in its deflection. If this condition is not met, the material will collapse very quickly.
- If during installation it becomes necessary to cut the sheet, then you can do this work with a grinder or a regular hacksaw. To facilitate the sawing process, it is recommended to moisten the slate with water along the cut line. When sawing, do not press hard on the tool, as this may cause the sheet to break.
- When building a crate, it is important to use only dry wood. Otherwise, as the wood dries, the roof fasteners will loosen.
- If tall trees grow around the house under construction, it is recommended to slightly increase the width of the overlap, both horizontally and vertically. The fact is that falling leaves from trees can be stuffed under sheets of slate, causing premature destruction of the material. Plant debris, falling under the edge of the sheet, swells under the action of moisture and begins to lift the slate sheet, forming a gap.Later, even more foliage and needles fall into the expanded gap, and the process of leaf tearing begins to increase. As a result, the slate roof will begin to leak and repairs will be required.
conclusions
If you take into account all the nuances of installation and adhere to the accepted technology, then you can quickly and efficiently perform roofing, which will become a reliable protection for the house from bad weather and other atmospheric influences.
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