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Steps For Repairing A Hole in A Metal Roof System

When metal roofs are installed properly, their longevity can be compared to none. Properly maintained metal roofs could last for up to 70 years. However, any roof that faces harsh weather conditions may not last forever. That’s why occasionally, you may need to hire a company that can install quality roofing with years of experience. If done properly, your roof will last for long, but if done improperly, the repairs may fail and break, leaving you with continuous leaks.

Nothing’s more serious than leaks because they’ll damage your interior and promote the growth of mold. That’s why you may want to quickly fix your roof immediately you realize it has a problem. This article highlights some steps you can use to repair holes in your metal roof.

Required Tools

  • Cordless drill
  • Pencil
  • Metal snips
  • Caulk gun
  • Wire brush
  • Putty Knife
  • Metal brush
  • Paint Brush

Steps

  1. Clean The Area You Intend To Repair

The first thing you need to do when repairing your metal roof is to clean its surface. Holes are caused by several things such as rust, roof deterioration, or a large branch falling on the roof. Regardless of the hole’s cause, the area around the whole will probably be dirty and need cleaning.

You can wipe the metal panel’s surface using a cleaner like Simple Green until its surface is free from algae, film, and dirt. Ensure you use cleaners that don’t use residues because they’ll compromise the roof’s integrity during the repair.

  1. Scuff The Metal’s Surface

Once the surface is clean, use the wire brush to scuff the region that requires repair. Scuffing will help the sealant to bond with the metal. Ensure that you only wire-brush the area that needs patching because going beyond that may lead to removing the top coating and cause deterioration later.

  1. Get The Measurements Of The Repair Area

Using a measuring tape, find the area’s accurate measurements that need to be cut and cut a patch from a metal sheet. Ensure the patch overlaps at least 2 inches beyond the ages of the damaged area. Once you cut the patch, fit it with emery cloth or file to smoothen the sharp corners to prevent them from catching ice or snow.

  1. Install The Patch

Use a color-matched sealant to mark the area that requires patching. Ensure you leave no voids and gaps on the edges of the patch. Once you do that, press the metal patch into place and ensure the sealant squeezes from the edges of the patch. Apply more sealant to areas that haven’t oozed under the patch to eliminate any voids that may lead to moisture penetration.

  1. Secure The Metal Patch

Once you have the patch in place and have pressed it to the metal’s surface, screw its perimeter. Ensure the screw is an inch from the edge of the patch to distribute the pressure to the sealants underneath the patch. The screws you use should be long to join the patch to the roof panel.

Summing Up

If you can, you should hire a roofing contractor to seal holes on your metal roof. However, you can also follow these DIY steps to fix the holes on your roof and prevent it from leaking.

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