Repair Of Metal Roofing, Including A Description Of Its Main Stages, As Well As Material And Tools For Work

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Effective metal roofing repair: do it yourself

Metal tiles are a popular and practical roofing material. A roof with such a coating serves for many years, but periodic inspection of its condition and repairs can significantly extend the service life.

Content

• 1 Options for repairing metal roofing

  • 1.1 Features of the current roof repair

    1.1.1 Video: possible mistakes during the installation of metal tiles

  • 1.2 Overhaul of the roof

    1.2.1 Video: tips for installing metal tiles

  • 1.3 Emergency roof covering repair

• 2 How to prepare for the repair of a metal roof

  • 2.1 Required materials for the repair of metal roofing
  • 2.2 Repair tools
  • 2.3 Roof patching technology

Repair options for metal roofing

The metal tile is a steel sheet with a relief wavy surface imitating a natural tile coating. Elements can be aluminum or copper, but steel is the most durable. The sheets have a protective colored polymer coating. As a result of the influence of climatic conditions, ultraviolet rays and other factors, the material can be damaged, for example, holes are formed, which are the causes of roof leaks. In such situations, it is necessary to repair the roofing.

Restoration can be done in a variety of ways, but it is important to use quality materials. The scale of the work required can be determined by regular inspection of the roof, which should be carried out at the end of each season and after heavy rainfall.

Features of the current roof repair

As a result of regular inspection of metal roofing, damage can be found that does not require significant repair measures. The check will allow you to eliminate the defects that have appeared without large financial costs. Damage can be expressed in the drying out of the seal of the roofing screws, loosening of metal sheets, holes in the roof material.

When inspecting, special attention is required to the edges of the roof, where the coating is often damaged after snow or rain

To carry out routine repairs, which is carried out annually, you need to prepare simple materials and tools that allow you to eliminate surface defects quickly and at no extra cost. This method of restoring the quality of metal tiles is optimal in the following situations:

• elimination of holes in the coating that are formed as a result of mechanical damage, for example, when cleaning the roof from snow with sharp and heavy tools;
• scratches on the polymer coating formed due to the sharp descent of ice. Snow protectors help to prevent such consequences, and if scratches are still formed, then the metal tile should be treated with polymer paint to match the color of the coating;
• deformation of sheets resulting from heavy hail, heavy snow load and other similar mechanical effects. In such cases, it is recommended to replace the damaged sheet with a new one;
• detached components for metal tiles, for example, cornice strips, must be replaced with new ones, since the old ones can be deformed.

Deformed roof elements must be replaced with new ones

In regions with a long winter period or a large amount of precipitation, inspection and maintenance of a metal roof is carried out at the end of the cold season. This event involves the elimination of minor defects, replacement of parts, prevention of leaks. Often the cause of breakdowns is improper installation of the roofing, and adherence to technology will help to avoid this. For current repairs, you need to carry out the following steps:

1. Pick up new materials, for example, roofing screws or snow holders, which will be installed to replace the damaged ones.
2. Carefully remove old elements, clean the working area from dirt and dust.
3. Install new parts into existing holes.

Video: possible mistakes when installing metal tiles

Overhaul of the roof

Replacement of the rafter system and roof covering involves a major overhaul of the roof. Such an event is carried out in the event that more than 50% of the roof is damaged as a result of mechanical stress or a long absence of current repairs. The overhaul process is also relevant for the old roof, which has not been corrected for more than 10–20 years.

During a major overhaul, replace the rafter system, hydro and vapor barrier, external coating

Repair may exclude the replacement of the rafter system if there are no signs of decay or large cracks on its elements. But a roof covering with many dents and damage is completely changed. It is possible to repair rotten rafters and a deformed metal roofing only by completely replacing the roof. This process involves removing the coating and lathing, removing the waterproofing film and insulation. After that, the following actions are carried out:

1. Analysis of the rafter system, removal of elements from the Mauerlat.
2. Installation of a new truss system from high quality and pre-cut boards.
3. Laying the waterproofing film outside the rafters, installing the insulation from the inside and fixing it with bars.
4. Attaching the vapor barrier from the inside of the attic.
5. Creation of a crate for the installation of metal tiles.
6. Installation of gutters, ridge and other roof elements.

Overhaul involves serious measures with significant financial costs

If the roof has serious damage, for example, rotten and broken rafters, then the structure is completely changed. This will allow avoiding emergency situations in the form of roof collapse under the influence of precipitation and the roof's own weight. If only the outer coating is damaged there, and the rafters are reliable, then the installation of a new metal tile is the best solution.

Video: tips for installing metal tiles

Emergency roof covering repair

Emergency situations (hurricane, strong wind and heavy rainfall) can occur unexpectedly and therefore it is worth preparing for them. This requires materials such as tow, fiberglass, bituminous mastic, roofing fasteners for metal tiles. Such components can quickly eliminate holes in the roof and provide roof waterproofing.

Leaks in valleys are a frequent situation requiring prompt repair.

Emergency repairs may be required in a variety of cases, but often prompt elimination of breakdowns is necessary after bad weather conditions, strong winds, or large hail.

How to Prepare for a Tile Roof Repair

For the implementation of any option for repairing the roof, a certain preparation is required, consisting in the acquisition of materials, tools, and the development of work technology. The amount of materials depends on the scope of the problem. For example, to eliminate holes in the coating up to 5–7 cm in diameter, you should not completely change the sheet of metal tile, but you can try to create a patch. Thus, the amount of materials corresponding to the volume of work is determined.

The scope of work also depends on the roof area, because the wider the roof, the more damage can be detected

Repairs are carried out only in dry weather and at a temperature of at least -5 ° C, which will ensure optimal adhesion of waterproofing materials. Adhesives should be designed for roofing or outdoor use. This will ensure the efficiency of the process and the sustainability of the result.

Necessary materials for the repair of metal roofing

The most common problem is leaks due to holes in the roof tiles. Therefore, roof repairs should be considered by the example of eliminating such defects. For work, you will need the following materials:

• sheet of metal, matched to the color of the roof;
• bituminous liquid mastic;
• brush or narrow spatula;
• fiberglass;
• spray paint to match the color of the metal tile;
• roofing screws with a press washer;
• a sealant in the form of a tape.

Coating leaks are often caused by improper use of roof fasteners

In the absence of pronounced damage to the roof, leaks can form as a result of the drying out of the rubber seal on the self-tapping screws. In this case, only new fasteners are needed for repairs.

Tools for repair

It is possible to eliminate breakdowns of the roof covering with the help of simple tools, which are also used in the overhaul of the roof. To work, you need such devices as:

• tape measure, building level, pencil;
• scissors for metal or a special die-cutting machine for cutting metal tiles;
• screwdriver, drill with drills.

Self-tapping screws are matched to the color of the metal tile

All cutting tools must be sharp and fasteners of high quality. When working, be sure to use gloves, as the edges of the metal tiles are sharp and can cut your hands.

Roof patching technology

If, after inspecting the roof, holes were found through which moisture enters the under-roof space, then prompt repairs should be carried out. In such cases, a technology is often used that involves the creation of patches on the metal surface. For this, the following actions are carried out:

1. Cleaning the area around the damage from dirt and dust.
2. Applying bitumen mastic to the edges of the hole, fixing a piece of fiberglass larger than the hole.
3. Repeated application of mastic, fixing fiberglass and so on in 3-4 layers.
4. If the damage is more than 15 cm, you need to cut exactly this area.
5. Cut off the part with dimensions larger than the hole from the sheet of the new metal tile.
6. Lay on the hole and fix with self-tapping screws, gasket or fiberglass patch around the edges.

The detached sheets of metal tile are screwed on, and the cracks are treated with a sealant

When attaching the patch, you need to treat the edges with a sealant, which is also true for loose sheets of material. The protruding edges must be fixed with self-tapping screws, having previously installed the sealing tape and sealant. This method allows you to quickly and efficiently eliminate minor damage to the metal tile.

Repairing a roof made of metal tiles is a mandatory measure to maintain the quality of the structure and eliminate minor breakdowns that can lead to significant problems.