Shop roof leaking

[Wayne02]

Discovered a leak in my shop the other day, looks like a tree top or branch came down during the windstorms a couple months ago and made a tear in the roof. It has apparently been leaking for awhile and finally made its way down the underside of the roof panel, eventually dripping on the top of the woodstove.

How is a small tear like this repaired? I’d really rather not have to get up on the roof itself, but I can access it from inside fairly easy. Can I get away with smearing some sort of sealant in the crack from down below? If so, what type of sealant should I use? If I have to replace the panel I will likely not be able to do it until this summer.

How is damage usually repaired on metal roofs like this, replace the whole panel? I’ve made patch repairs and what not on regular roofs but they have all had some structure to fasten the patch to, like roof truss, underlayment etc. In these pole buildings there is not much structure to fasten to.

The roof panels are 3 feet wide and about 14 feet long. This particular tear is right in the middle of a panel.

Also, if I decide to replace the panel or have to get up on the roof to do the repairs, how do I distribute the load on the roof? Someone younger and more spry then I might be able to walk only where the perlins are and not do any damage, but I’m concerned about doing more damage to the roof with my weight.

I have a 24’ fiberglass ladder that I could maybe use one section of to lay up on the roof from eve to peak and keep my weight on the ladder, thus distributing the load? Probably tie the ladder off with a rope over the peak and attach to my truck to keep it from sliding off the roof????

http://waynef.smugmug.com/photos/134216870-M.jpg

http://waynef.smugmug.com/photos/134217133-M.jpg

http://waynef.smugmug.com/photos/134217345-M.jpg

Thanks

[Evan]

That's nothing. Squirt a bunch of urethane/acrylic sealant on from the inside and force it through with a putty knife.

Oh yeah, it might be a good idea to stop drill the ends of the crack to keep it from growing with temp changes.

[Alistair Hosie]

The best advice is to change the whole panel should be not too expensive if you can find same profile or use car body filler on both sides with gauze underneath for strength. Alistair

[Alistair Hosie]

or you can use a tar type strip about 12 " wide very sticky which sticks too roofs made for around windows rooflights etc called roof flashing Alistair

[SGW]

I'd be inclined to scrub down the inside so it's a clean surface and slather on some silicone caulk. The "right way" of course is to replace the panel, but I bet a patch job would hold up for a long time, and be easier.

[Evan]

Silicone isn't as good as urethane-acrylic in a weather application. It tends to lift at the edges, especially if in the sun.

[Swarf&Sparks]

I've used the stuff Alistair spoke of.
2 brands here are "Flashband" and "Flashtac".
Sticks like sh1t to a blanket and seals tight.
Sealed ply panels over my darkroom windows a few years back.
Came time to sell the house, took me all day to get it off!