One versatile material that is frequently used to waterproof roofs is bitumen mastic. It is a thick, gooey material with exceptional adhesive and waterproofing qualities that is derived from bitumen, a byproduct of petroleum refinement. This coating material is a popular option for both residential and commercial roofing projects because of its exceptional effectiveness in keeping water from penetrating roof surfaces.
Water damage is a major concern in areas that receive a lot of rainfall or snowfall, so this waterproofing solution is very helpful there. Bitumen mastic can be used on metal, concrete, and asphalt roofing materials, among other kinds. Because of its flexibility, it can expand and contract in response to changes in temperature, maintaining a strong seal that shields the supporting structure.
Bitumen mastic application is a reasonably simple process. Spreading it with a trowel, brush, or roller makes it accessible to both professional roofers and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. The mastic creates an instant barrier against leaks and moisture infiltration by adhering firmly to the roof surface and forming a seamless, long-lasting layer. To get the best results, the roof surface must be properly prepared, and manufacturer instructions must be followed.
Aspect | Description |
What is Bitumen Mastic? | Bitumen mastic is a thick, sticky material used for waterproofing roofs. It is applied as a coating to create a protective barrier against water. |
When is it Used? | It is used when roofing materials need extra protection from water, especially in areas prone to leaks or where the roof surface is uneven. |
How to Apply? | First, clean the roof surface. Then, apply the mastic evenly with a brush, roller, or trowel. Let it dry completely before any additional layers are added. |
- What is this material?
- Types and differences of bitumen from mastics
- Construction bitumen
- Waterproofing mastic
- Consumption
- Application technology
- The nuances of roofing repair
- Popular brands and their prices
- Useful video
- Video on the topic
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- March 29, 2024.
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What is this material?
This is a hydrophobic coating material that can be either bitumen pure or bitumen mixed with different additives to make mastic. The final byproduct of oil cracking that oil refineries obtain is construction bitumen.
The product can be used as an inexpensive insulating material because it rejects water. It is applied to roofs while they are molten. large pieces that are either wrapped in paper or PVC film.
Bitumen mastics are made of modified petroleum bitumen that have had different chemical compounds added to it. These additions give the bitumen many beneficial properties, including high elasticity, fluidity, and resistance to low temperatures. supplied in barrel or closed bucket containers to retail chains.
Types and differences of bitumen from mastics
Bitumen is a material used to apply crude waterproofing coatings to roof surfaces, which aren’t always up to the developer’s standards. Conversely, mastics comprise a broad spectrum of products that fulfill various requirements for performing insulation work. Today, the following kinds of mastics are available from reputable manufacturers:
- Polymer. Artificial rubber with vulcanizing agents, pigments, treated with solvents, turns into a soft elastic mastic. The product has high adhesion. Mainly used for interior work (laying floor coverings, etc.). On the roof, additional elements of the roof covering are secured with mastic at the points of contact with the walls and chimney pipes.
- Road. Mastics have high viscosity. Used for repairing roll roofing. Patches are made from sections of film waterproofing impregnated with mastic. Cracks and holes in old roofing coverings are sealed with mastic, and bypasses of chimneys and other pipes are also treated.
- Adhesive. The products have high adhesion and form strong connections. Used when laying piece roofing such as tiles of all types and bitumen tiles. For waterproofing, MBK brand mastic is often used.
- Cold and hot. Cold mastics are used in finished form without heating. They are bitumen-water emulsions or bitumen compositions with a hardener. They are called two-component materials that require preliminary preparation. Add the hardener to the container and then mix the mixture thoroughly. Hot compositions are laid on the roof, heated with a gas burner. Both types are equally popular for large volumes of work, as they are much cheaper than their above-mentioned counterparts.
Take note! Formulations with two components have a noticeably longer shelf life than other products. When closed for five to ten years, their residues—if not treated with a hardener—can hold their properties.
Like mastics, bitumen has benefits and drawbacks. They can be listed separately according to the kind of coating.
Construction bitumen
The ease of application of a waterproofing coating, as well as the material’s accessibility and affordability, make construction bitumen advantageous. One of the drawbacks is that bitumen is used to create hard coatings that are brittle and have poor adhesion. The bitumen layer may fracture as a result of mechanical stress, which could result in roof leaks.
Waterproofing mastic
Manufacturers add plasticizers and liquid rubber to the compounds to make them elastic. At low temperatures, synthetic materials exhibit good elongation and flexibility. The treated structures are completely free of moisture infiltration thanks to the material’s high adhesion.
Bucket and barrel containers offer convenient resin packaging and a lengthy shelf life, which all contribute to the products’ dynamic growth in demand.
Regarding a note. The pricey nature of waterproofing materials is the lone and major disadvantage.
Bitumen mastic is a multipurpose material that resembles tar and is used to waterproof roofs. It offers a dependable barrier against moisture and leaks. In order to guarantee a long-lasting, weather-resistant barrier, it is frequently applied during roof installations and repairs. It is perfect for both flat and sloped roofs because it is simple to use and can be sprayed on or brushed on. This substance is particularly helpful in sealing joints, cracks, and seams, prolonging the life of the roof, and shielding your house from water damage.
Consumption
The budget for building a house is eventually burdened financially by the consumption of building materials. How much roof waterproofing will be used, and how much will be required? Consequently, the amount of money needed to buy coating material will increase with its usage. Undoubtedly, the developer’s decision regarding the type of waterproofing coating is influenced by this economic factor.
The truth is that the price is determined by the worker’s proficiency using a brush to apply a waterproofing agent to the roof and by the material’s physical characteristics. It will only spread to its inherent thickness—neither more nor less—due to its viscosity. For this reason, a thoughtful manufacturer will list the amount of mastic used per square meter on the packaging.
For both hot and cold applications, as well as solvent- and water-based coating materials, there are widely recognized guidelines for consumption. The following table lists their physical attributes.
Layer 1 parameters |
Bitumen mastics | ||
Cold with solvents | Cold on the water | hot | |
Thickness, mm | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
Average consumption, kg/m2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
Drying time, hour | 24 | 5 | 4 |
Processing at temperature, degrees. | From – 100 to – 400 | From 5 to 300 | Up to – 100 |
Application technology
Bitumen resin can be applied using two different technologies: a brush-based manual method and an airless tar spraying method.
You can manually apply all mastics:
- the roof surface is cleaned of dust and debris;
- wet dirt is dried with a hair dryer and then blown off the roof;
- mastic is poured onto the roof in a small spot of 50 x 50 cm;
- the stain is smoothed out as much as possible with a brush;
- for a large amount of work, instead of a brush, use a mop with a wide brush;
- after a certain time, a second layer of mastic is applied to the dried coating.
Using asphalt spray:
- open the container with bitumen mastic;
- the installation pump pumps the emulsion into the tank from the container;
- one-component cold-apply resin is sprayed onto clean roof surfaces;
- in places where the roof meets the vertical surfaces of walls and chimneys, pieces of fiberglass are applied to the waterproofing;
- after the 1st layer has dried, spray the 2nd layer of mastic.
Seasoned roofers use the asphalt distributor. It is applied when bitumen-polymer waterproofing over a significant area of 200–1000 m^ or more needs to be done quickly.
The nuances of roofing repair
Bitumen resin roofing coating repair is accomplished by continuously spraying waterproofing (the above-mentioned spraying procedure employs a specialized compressor). In a different instance, localized roof damage is repaired by hand.
The following is how mastic roof repair is done:
- the base of the roof is cleaned of debris and dirt with a broom and, if necessary, a vacuum cleaner;
- identify areas requiring local repairs: damaged seams, cracked joints, swollen and burst bubbles;
- Damaged areas are sealed with mastic using a regular spatula;
- if there is a large swelling, then in this area the soft roof is cut crosswise with a knife;
- the edges of the cut are bent to the sides;
- the vacated space is filled with mastic, and the petals are returned to their place;
- the area is again covered with a layer of mastic;
- if long-lasting cracks are detected, the entire area is coated with mastic, covered with a piece of geotextile and covered again with waterproofing;
- repair the roof connections to all vertical surfaces;
- upon completion of local repairs, the entire roof is covered with a single layer of mastic, doing this manually or mechanized.
Find out more about fixing roof waterproofing here.
Employing a mechanized technique to apply liquid roofing:
Popular brands and their prices
A table listing the most widely used bitumen waterproofing compounds for roofing was created after a study of the market for bitumen waterproofing of various brands and an examination of customer reviews.
Brand | Characteristic | Delivery in buckets weight, kg/cost, rub. | Price per 1 m 2, rub. |
TechnoNIKOL | Cold bitumen-rubber solvent-based | 18 kg/1240 rub. | 103 |
Aquamast | – " – | 18 kg/1833 | 153 |
BRIT – roofing | Bitumen-rubber cold application | 30 kg/2300 | 120 |
MBR-X-65 | – " – | 60 kg/4200 | 105 |
ISOBOX | – " – | 23 kg/3400 | 210 |
MBK | Hot bitumen | By weight | 80 |
Transkor-Gaz | Bitumen-polymer hot | – " – | 140 |
Useful video
You will discover what modern bitumen waterproofing entails by watching the video.
One practical and adaptable method for waterproofing roofs is bitumen mastic. Its main purpose is to form a strong, seamless barrier that keeps water out of the roof structure. This aids in preventing leaks, mold growth, and structural damage to the building.
The process of using bitumen mastic is simple. Applying it with a brush, roller, or spray enables both experts and do-it-yourselfers to use it. Because of its adaptability to various surfaces and shapes, it can provide thorough coverage even in difficult-to-reach places.
It’s important to apply bitumen mastic at the appropriate time. To ensure optimal adhesion and curing, it is best used in dry weather conditions. The lifespan of your roof can be greatly extended with timely application and routine maintenance, giving it long-lasting protection from the weather.
It is a wise investment to include bitumen mastic in your roofing maintenance regimen. It improves the longevity of your roof and adds to the general security and coziness of your house. Bitumen mastic helps preserve the integrity of your property for many years by guarding against water damage.