|
|
|
Steel Roof Repair
Introduction to Steel Roof Repair
The word steel suggests strength and durability and yet, steel roofs also leak from time to time and it's just as annoying as a regular roof leak – sometimes even more. When a steel roof leaks, it's only a matter of time before it spreads to your flooring, walls, woodwork, insulation, windows and doors, at which point you'll have a lot more to worry about. As urgent as any other house chore, steel roof repair is something that none of us can get out of.
Necessary Equipment for Steel Roof Repair
When fixing a steel roof, try to have the following materials:
- Galvanized metal
- Butyl tape
- Sheet metal screws
- Caulk
- Roof Coating
Also, the following tools may be necessary for an efficient repair:
Tin snips
Wire brush
Flexible putty knife
What you Should Expect with Steel Roof Repair
Half the job of fixing the steel roof is finding where the leak occurred. In the case of steel roofs, logic may not work – in the sense that the living room flood may not be caused by a leak straight above it. You may be surprised to find, after hours of search, that the leak is actually above the kitchen. There are specific areas of the roof that are particularly vulnerable and you may want to start your search with them:
- The flashing around pipes, vents and skylights
- The J-rail
- The roof sealant and seams
- Rumble buttons
- Wherever you see rust or it looks a little worn.
Also, before you turn your roof upside down, you may want to make sure that it's not a simple condensation issue. If you discovered a leak, check out the entire roof before you start patching it up. If you have more than one, a full roof covering may be easier and even less expensive. Make sure to clean the area before starting to patch anything. Apply butyl tape around the area that needs to be patched and cut a piece of galvanised metal the size of the taped area. Screw the patch on the leaking area and seal the edges with caulk. When it all dries, apply roof coating.
Precautions with Steel Roof Repair
If the steel roof is wet, watch your step as it can be very slippery. The same goes for ice and snow – although this applies to just about every type of roof. If possible try to make all the repairs from a ladder and not from the actual roof – it is considerably safer. Watch your step – try not to pop a seam and as much as possible, keep yourself on the rafters (they are usually at a 16 to 24 inch distance one from the other). Also make sure that whatever spots you step on can support your weight – worn out metal can break.
If you must step on the roof and the ladder simply will not give you access to the leaky area, you can try using a wooden board. If you place your weight on the board, it will cause less pressure on the roof – due to the weight being spread on a larger surface. However, be sure to not place it on steep slope – it may slide down.
↑ Top
|
|