Balcony roof repair can be done on your own, or you can invite specialists. If you have chosen the first option, but do not know where to start and how to do it, our article is for you.
Sometimes in apartments we notice that the wall from the balcony is getting damp. Some people may not immediately guess that the balcony roof is leaking, many sin on the quality of the seams.
But in fact, moisture, lingering on the visor, gradually destroys the concrete and microcracks appear.
If this fact is not given due attention immediately, over time, dampness will be not only with you, but also with your neighbors. Then it will take more time and money to repair.
If the roof of the balcony is leaking or it is completely absent, then something needs to be done.First you need to understand that the design should be simple and practical, you should not make a birdhouse (gable) out of small balconies.
Usually this is a canopy with a slope from the wall of the building. The tilt angle can be from 15 to 75 degrees.
Advice! With a slope angle of 15 – we save material, at an angle of 75 - precipitation will not linger on the roof.
You should start by choosing the materials that will be used in the repair.
Most often, the repair of a balcony roof or its construction includes three stages:
- Reinforcement of existing balcony structures.
- Installation of new load-bearing structures.
- Roof device.
At each stage, we will need certain materials. Let's talk about them in more detail.
materials
For mounting or strengthening the structure (frame), use wood or metal (rectangular pipe or steel corners).
It is easier to make the structure out of wood, you do not need a welding machine. Metal seems to be more reliable, but more expensive. The choice is yours.
For the roof itself, the following materials are used:
- Ondulin - euroslate. This material is easy to install, environmentally friendly, strong and durable. Has a sound absorbing effect. But snow on this material lingers longer. Therefore, when installing the balcony roof, you should take care of a larger angle of inclination.
- A metal tile is a galvanized iron sheet with a double-sided coating, similar to a profiled metal sheet, but has a more aesthetic appearance (multi-colored). This material is durable and highly resistant to corrosion. Often used today. Ideal option if in the future it is planned to glaze the balcony.
- Cellular polycarbonate - made from polymeric carbonates. Durable, lightweight and durable material. The roof of the polycarbonate balcony will create a bright and warm room. The cellular structure makes this material sound and heat insulating. Depending on the color, from 20 to 70% of natural light will penetrate the balcony.
Of course, other materials can be used, such as slate, sheet or galvanized iron, but they are not durable and not very aesthetic. It is better to do so for a long time and beautifully.
Dealt with the materials. We propose to consider the most practical device for the roof of a balcony.
Device
Our goal is not to make an ordinary visor so that water does not drip onto the head. You have to do it thoroughly. And for this you need to know what the roof of a glazed balcony should consist of (the most difficult option).
- Roofing material.
- Air gap.
- Insulation.
- Waterproofing.
What is it for? If in the future or immediately you decide to continue repairing the balcony and glaze it, you will not need to re-dismantle the roof. This structure helps to retain more heat and prevent moisture from penetrating inside.
With the first two points, everything is more or less clear, let's consider the last ones.
Heaters
Insulation of the roof of the balcony will allow in the future (after glazing) to use it as an additional room for relaxation or a winter garden.
For these purposes, you can use various materials: polystyrene, foam, mineral wool. It is better not to use a film for these purposes.
Be sure to leave an air gap.The ideal option is to place the insulation between the rafters, leaving space between the roofing material and the insulation.
Advice! Insulation of the roof balcony is not a mandatory type of work. If the balcony will remain open, then you can skip this step.
Waterproofing
Balcony roof waterproofing helps prevent moisture from penetrating inside. On the upper floors (peaks) it is produced outside and inside.
If the visor is concrete, we use polymer mastic or polyurethane sealant. To do this, you must carefully go through all the cracks and junctions, especially the junction between the wall of the building and the visor.
If mounting foam was used when glazing the balcony, it is necessary to cut off the excess with a knife, and then seal these places with sealant. Sometimes, before laying the roofing material, the roof of the balcony is covered with insulating material (insulating material).
It is spread directly on the frame, and only then the roof is laid. In some cases insulation from below is required. When the installation of balcony roofs is completed and the insulation is laid, we go through all the joints and cracks with mastic or sealant.
Then we lay a layer of germalflex or any other insulating material. After that, you can proceed to the interior decoration of the roof of the balcony.
We figured out the roof device. Now it's time to answer the main question: "How to make a roof on a balcony?".
Building a roof
We propose to make the most simple design. This work will be able to do even for beginners. The main thing is to have a desire.
For work, we need the following materials and tools:
- Aluminum or steel corners;
- Wooden bars;
- Anchors and dowel-screws;
- Waterproofing materials (mastic and sealant);
- Roofing material;
- Screwdriver;
- Hammer;
- Level, measuring tape and pencil.
Of course, it is better to first draw a frame diagram. This will help calculate the amount of material.
Balcony roof replacement begins with the construction of a new frame or the strengthening of old structures. If there is a railing, use them as an additional support for the frame.
Welded trusses (corner triangles) or wooden beams can be used as the basis for the roof. We attach them with anchors to the wall as shown in the figure. After that, we proceed to the formwork.
For this we need wooden boards. We fix them on the frame with screws. We lay the boards perpendicular to the trusses. Before laying them, it is necessary to treat the wood with a stain or bioprotection, you can simply paint it several times.
Now we spread the isol, and on it we lay ondulin or other roofing material (slate, metal tiles, polycarbonate). We fix the sheets with special self-tapping screws with hats so that water does not flow into the holes.
You can first, for convenience, drill holes of a smaller diameter with a drill, and then tighten the screws with a screwdriver.
All cracks must be covered with sealant. If we use mounting foam, be sure, after solidification, we cut off the excess, and we pass these places with sealant.
The roof of the balcony must be waterproofed. For these purposes, we use polyurethane mastic. Before applying, the roof surface is cleaned of dust, dirt and traces of oil.
For application, use a roller (not foam rubber) or a brush. The application is made in two layers. It is best to use mastic of different colors for this.
This will help you get the job done faster and better. Work should be carried out on a dry day at a temperature of 5 to 35 degrees above 0. Apply the first layer and let it dry.
Then we apply the second one. Spread evenly with a brush over the entire surface. If the base or the previous layer is visible, this place must be re-passed. We apply not only on the roofing material, but also on the adjacent wall of the building. There shouldn't be gaps.
The installation of the roof on the balcony is over, but now we are finishing the bottom. Warm it up if necessary. How to do this and what materials to use is written above.
If the balcony is already glazed, close the distance between the frame and the roof.
To do this, you can use pieces of corrugated board, wooden beams and mounting foam (then cut and repair). After the insulation is laid and the cracks are sealed, we proceed to the internal insulation (described above) and finishing.
Advice! The balcony must be ventilated. You can remove the pipe if the frame is deaf. In general, it is necessary to provide for ventilation options.
From the inside, we sheathe the roof of the balcony with plastic, MDF, wood or iron. It all depends on whether the balcony is closed or not, for which it will be used and your preferences.
To do this, fill the corners around the perimeter or make a frame from profiles for roof to balcony.
We attach our decorative material to them. When using a tree, be sure to open it with stain, varnish or paint. Now the work can be considered finished.
Experts recommend installing roofs + balcony glazing immediately, at a time. Of course, this is a little expensive, but having done it once, you no longer have to return to the issue of landscaping the balcony.
If in doubt about whether you can handle it yourself or not, hire or consult with specialists who will perform the glazing. And do not forget that all work at height should be done in a safety belt.
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