OT repairs to metal roof

[jim davies]

Well, it looks like today just ain't gonna be my day [year?]

Noticed a couple of leaks after the last heavy rain. I also notice a number of those rubber-washered screws holding my galvanized roofing down are sitting high, pushed up. Running new ones in doesn't look like it will work too well because they don't really tighten up, the wood is weak at the hole. Soooo, anyone know of a proper repair? The steel itself, although maybe 20 years old looks very good. I could replace the screws with larger ones, but the only ones I have seen are quite a bit larger. Any ideas???

[Evan]

Drill the hole out a bit larger than the screw and glue in a piece of dowel with waterproof glue. After it drys put the screws back in.

[Ted Coffey]

Move the screw and inch or so and patch the old hole with polyurethane caulk of a color to match the old roof if possible. Its available in "Clear" also. Make sure its "polyurethane".

[This message has been edited by Ted Coffey (edited 06-28-2005).]

[burnlast]

Check out this company's products:
http://www.swepcousa.com/bpsite/bpprod.htm
I have used there coatings on a steel roof that I never could find where a leak was coming from.Their coatings do keep metal roofs cooler which cuts down on expansion and contraction.This helps keep the screws from working out and causing the problem of screws backing out.


Usual disclaimer: Just a satisfied customer.

[3 Phase Lightbulb]

Hell, that's an excuse to play with the TIG welder or the O/A setup with braizing rod .. I might try removing one of the loose screws, cleaning up the area around the hole, make some steel plugs and TIG them in the holes or braze the plugs in place.. Just seal up the hole basically. Now drill a new hole somewhere else and install new screws..

-Adrian

[andy_b]

maybe roofing tar? that stuff sticks to anything.

andy b.

[hrhoades]

A word of caution, I have an ex brother-in-law who lost a barn built in the late 1960's to collapse from letting the screws work loose and leak. Be sure that before you go up on this building the structure is still sound. You will be surprised to see how much water can leak into the wood from a loose screw. I think the best idea is moving to another place and rescrewing with a fresh screw and caulking the old holes shut. if the purlins have deteriorated and you have inside access you could sister new wood next to the existing purlins and rescrew into the new wood.