Slate paint, how to choose slate paint for reliable roof protection
According to statistics, more recently, slate accounted for 2/3 of total sales. That is, more than half of the houses had slate roofs, pleasing with smooth waves and the same gray color. Of course, now a lot of new roofing materials are sold, which have excellent technical characteristics, but the low price and ease of laying slate make this material extremely popular among consumers with low wages. Moreover, by making additional efforts and painting it, you can not only significantly increase its service life, but also improve the strength characteristics.
Content
- Is it possible to paint slate?
- Types of paint for slate
- Preparing slate for painting
- Antiseptic treatment
- Slate painting
- Slate painting (first layer) video
- Innovation in construction or what rubber paint is?
- Rubber paint for slate. Paint properties. Video
Is it possible to paint slate?
Slate can and should be painted. Many mistakenly believe that the paint applied to asbestos-cement products will not last long and there will be no sense in it. This is far from the case, modern paints and varnishes can not only reliably protect the porous roof, reducing water absorption, but also prevent the destruction of the surface due to accumulations of organic dirt. Dust and plant components will not accumulate on the painted slate roof. It will not sprout with moss and lichen, and their roots will not destroy the already fragile surface. The main thing is to immediately decide what to paint the slate and choose a reliable, high-quality paint.
Types of paint for slate
There are several main types of paint for slate roofs:
Acrylic This paint reliably fills all the microcracks and surface voids formed in the slate. Thanks to the acrylic coating, the slate lasts much longer, the water flows better and the snow does not linger in the winter and leaves without creating an additional load on the roofing material.
Enamel for slate (quick-drying). Enamel creates a smooth coating with water-repellent properties. It is rather steady against atmospheric phenomena. Special coloring pigments serve as a kind of filter from sunlight and prevent the roof from premature destruction.
Liquid plastics. Mixtures based on bitumen or polystyrene. In general, they cost twice, or even three, cheaper than all other paints. The main disadvantage of this coating is its extremely low wear resistance. The influence of both high and low temperatures quickly destroys the layer of this paint and it has to be applied again every two to three seasons.
Preparing slate for painting
In order for the slate paint to lie evenly and last as long as possible, it is necessary to carefully prepare the roof surface for painting.
Any pollution, settled soot and ingrained dirt are perfectly cleaned with an ordinary metal brush. The process is certainly time consuming, but doable. The only negative is the significant time spent on cleaning.
In order to facilitate the process of cleaning the roof for painting, you can use an ordinary drill or grinder (any tool with a rotating shaft) on which a special nozzle is dressed. Work done in this way will be done much faster and better.
Of course, there is a third way that you can clean the roof for painting is a jet of water under high pressure directed to the contaminated surface. But such devices are specialized and are unlikely to be found in simple farming. Although not expensive high-pressure washers are currently on sale, for home use and they can easily handle the job of cleaning the roof from slate.
Antiseptic treatment
Even having decided which paint to paint the slate and choosing the best and most reliable option, it is necessary to pre-treat the surface with an antiseptic. This process is necessary for guaranteed disposal of various parasites that multiply in microcracks and the destruction of fungal spores.
You can apply an antiseptic with a simple paint brush, but for better processing efficiency, it is better to use a spray. To prevent ill health from the vapor of a drying antiseptic, it is necessary to use glasses, a respirator and gloves during operation.
Slate painting
Experts recommend applying a primer layer under the paint. Paint lays on it much better and forms a reliable waterproof coating. It is best to choose a deep penetration primer, this will further strengthen the structure of porous asbestos-cement sheets and significantly reduce paint consumption. The primer composition is applied to the surface using a spray gun and dries within 12 hours.
After drying the primer, you can proceed directly to the painting. It does not matter if you use slate paint, the price of which is comparable to the price of the slate itself or the cheapest option is purchased, you still have to paint the roof twice. The first layer is the main one and it consumes much more of the paint. The first approach carefully paints all the corners and joints.
Do not forget about the ends and inaccessible places. It is also not necessary to sting the paint, it is necessary that the coating be solid, without gaps and white spots. Only after the roof has been completely painted over can it be left to dry completely.
The second layer is applied for decorative and preventive purposes. You can carefully paint over all the stains and give the roof a plain and even color. If flaws of the first color are detected, a plentiful layer of paint is applied to the missed places and carefully shaded.
Innovation in construction or what is rubber paint?
Special rubber for slate rubber, deserves a separate presentation. This material for coating slate has appeared recently, but has already managed to gain incredible popularity due to its special properties:
- The formation of an extremely reliable dirt-water repellent layer, which easily withstands all atmospheric precipitation.
- A high degree of adhesion, due to which the paint firmly lays on the slate, does not peel and does not crack.
- It has a very attractive appearance, forming a shiny film of saturated color during painting, which looks great on the roof.
- Sun protection. Thanks to special coloring pigments, the roof is reliably protected from the damaging effects of direct sunlight.
Rubber paint is applied in at least two layers to ensure the most reliable protective coating of slate. The color scheme of rubber paint for slate is most often presented in blue, green or red colors.
