A garage is an integral part of the life of any car owner, protecting the vehicle from precipitation, temperature changes and mechanical damage. However, owners often forget that the car “house” itself also needs protection, especially its upper part, which takes the brunt of the elements. A leaking roof can lead to increased humidity indoors, corrosion of the car body and damage to stored property, so the issue of high-quality waterproofing is acute.
One of the most reliable and time-tested solutions is the use of rolled overlay materials, such as linochrome. This material is an improved analogue of roofing felt, which has significantly higher performance characteristics, durability and elasticity. Unlike their predecessors, modern bitumen-polymer coatings do not crack in the cold and do not leak in the summer heat, ensuring tightness for decades.
In this article we will analyze in detail the entire installation process, from choosing the material to the final check of the seams. You will learn what tools you will need, how to properly prepare the base, and what mistakes beginners most often make when working with open fire. A competent approach to the matter will allow you to save on the services of professional roofers and be confident in the dryness of your garage.
Material selection: markings and characteristics
The first step before starting work is the correct selection of material, since not only the service life of the roof depends on this, but also its ability to withstand mechanical loads. Linocrom is available in various modifications, which differ in the type of base and the purpose of the layers. The basis for this material is fiberglass, fiberglass or polyester, each of which has its own strength characteristics. Polyester is considered the most durable and elastic, while fiberglass more suitable for base layers or temporary roofing.
When purchasing rolls, you need to pay attention to the letter marking, which indicates the type of surface of the material. For the top layer, which will be in direct contact with the external environment, a material with coarse-grained topping, designated by the letter “K” (for example, Linocrom TKP or EKP), is used. This topping protects the bitumen layer from the destructive effects of ultraviolet rays and mechanical damage. For the lower, lining layers, a material with the letter “P” in the marking is used, which has a film coating on both sides.
It is also important to consider the thickness of the material, which usually varies from 2 to 5 millimeters. For a high-quality garage covering, it is recommended to use a combined method: laying two layers of material. The bottom layer can be thinner (about 2-3 mm), and the top layer can be denser (4-5 mm) with protective crumbs. This approach provides double protection and significantly extends the life of the roof.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to save money by buying material without a protective coating for the finishing layer. Under the influence of the sun, bitumen will quickly lose its properties, and after 2-3 years the roof will have to be re-covered.
There is also a division based on the type of base, which directly affects cost and durability. Materials based on fiberglass are cheaper, but less tensile strength, while a polyester base can withstand significant deformation without losing its tightness. For flat roofs of garages, where movement of the structure or walking on the roof is possible, it is better not to skimp on the base.
Necessary tools and base preparation
The quality of the work performed directly depends on how well the surface is prepared and the tool is assembled. Working with deposited materials requires compliance with safety regulations and the availability of specific equipment. The main tool is a gas burner connected to a propane cylinder, which allows you to heat the bitumen to a melting state. In addition, you will need a roofing knife with a strong blade, a spatula, a brush for cleaning the surface and a poker (hook) for rolling out the roll.
Preparing the foundation is a critical step, and ignoring it will ruin all your efforts. The old coating must be completely removed if it has swelling, tears or peeling. If the old roofing material lies tightly and has no defects, you can leave it, but in this case you must clean out all the bubbles and glue them. The surface must be absolutely dry, clean and level.
☑️ Checking readiness for work
If there are cracks or potholes on the concrete slab, they must be sealed with cement mortar or bitumen mastic. To improve the adhesion (adhesion) of bitumen to concrete, it is recommended to treat the surface with a primer. A primer is a solution of bitumen in an organic solvent, which penetrates the pores of concrete and creates a sticky film.
Pay special attention to the angles where the roof meets the walls and ventilation pipes. These places are the most vulnerable to leaks. Before starting the main work here, it is recommended to make additional reinforcements from strips of material or use special bitumen sealants. Make sure that the slope of the roof (even the slightest) is directed towards the drain so that water does not stagnate on the surface.
Laying technology: step-by-step instructions
The process of installing linochrome requires care and adherence to temperature conditions. Work should be carried out in dry weather at an air temperature of at least -5°C, although the optimal time is considered to be a warm, sunny day. The laying technology involves heating the bottom of the roll with a gas burner until a glossy shine appears (melting bitumen) and then rolling it out.
It is necessary to start laying from the lowest point of the roof, moving upward so that the flowing water does not flow under the joints. The roll is rolled out gradually, warming up approximately 20-30 centimeters of the canvas, pressed against the base and rolled out further using a poker. It is important not to overheat the material, as this can lead to destruction of the base structure, but underheating is also unacceptable - the material simply will not stick.
The overlap of adjacent panels should be at least 8-10 centimeters on the sides and 15 centimeters at the end joints. In areas of overlap from the bottom of the roll (approximately 10-15 cm), it is necessary to remove the protective film or coating before heating to ensure reliable welding of the layers. When working with corners and complex elements, the material is heated more strongly and pressed tightly with a spatula, forming a sealed contour.
The nuances of working with a burner
When working with a gas burner, it is important to hold the flame at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface, heating both the base and the material at the same time. Movements should be smooth, zigzag. If you see that the bitumen is “boiling” and black smoke is coming out, you are overheating the material, reduce the heat.
The second layer is laid with the seams offset relative to the first layer. This is done to ensure that the joints do not coincide, which significantly increases the reliability of the waterproofing. If the first layer was laid with an overlap of 10 cm, then the second layer should overlap these seams with its solid part. After laying the entire coating, it is necessary to visually check all the seams and, if necessary, “go through” them with a torch again, pressing the edges with a spatula.
Material quantity calculation and cost table
In order not to encounter a shortage of material in the midst of work or not to overpay for extra rolls, it is necessary to make accurate calculations in advance. The roof area is calculated by multiplying the length by the width, however, to the resulting value you need to add a margin for overlaps and trims. Typically the reserve is about 10-15% of the total area.
When calculating, it is important to take into account the dimensions of the roll itself. A standard roll of linochrome is 1 meter wide and 10 or 15 meters long (depending on thickness and type), giving a coverage area of 10 or 15 square meters respectively. However, the actual coverage area will be smaller due to overlaps.
Below is a table that will help you navigate the material consumption for different garage areas and the number of layers:
| Roof area (m²) | Number of layers | Required area of material (with a margin of 10%) | Number of rolls (15 m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 1 | 22 m² | 2 pcs. |
| 20 | 2 | 44 m² | 3 pcs. |
| 30 | 1 | 33 m² | 3 pcs. |
| 30 | 2 | 66 m² | 5 pcs. |
| 50 | 2 | 110 m² | 8 pcs. |
When purchasing material, always take one roll in reserve. The remaining intact roll can be returned to the store (if you have saved the receipt and packaging) or used for repairs in the future. If there is not enough material, finding exactly the same shade and batch in a week can be problematic, which will ruin the appearance of the roof.
Buy material from one store and one batch to avoid different colors. Bitumen chips from different batches may differ in shade, which will be noticeable on a large surface of the roof.
Security and common mistakes
Working with open fire and bituminous materials is classified as a fire hazard. It is strictly forbidden to carry out work in windy weather