Metal Roof Repairs That Could Be Needed For Rust And Holes On An Exposed-Fastener Roof
Metal roofs are durable, but under the right conditions, they can leak just like all other kinds of roofing materials. When leaks develop, they're often due to rust eating holes in the metal panels. Here's a look at metal roof repairs for holes and rust.
Find The Leak
The roofer needs to examine the roof from the inside to look for signs of leaking and water damage on the roof to pinpoint the leak. They also need something to help them find the area when they're on top of the roof, such as measurements from the edge of the building.
They can also hunt for the leak by walking over the roof. Rust is fairly easy to spot, and it can even show through white coatings. The roofer may also find rusty areas that are not the source of the leak, but that need to be repaired. Another place the roofer may check is along the seams of exposed-fastener panels. Since the panels overlap, rust could be hidden underneath the edge of a panel.
Patch A Hole In A Metal Roof
Metal roof repairs for a hole involve putting a patch over the hole. First, the area needs to be cleaned. This may involve using a hand sander to remove rust in the area so the rust doesn't continue to spread. Once the area is clean, the roofer can cut a metal patch from sheet metal and fit it over the hole, leaving plenty of overlap on the sides.
The metal patch is screwed in place to hold it tight. Then a sealant is applied along the edges of the patch and over the screws to make the patch watertight. Once the sealant has cured, it may be topped with a reflective coating to protect it from UV rays so the patch lasts a long time.
A similar process can be used to fix leaky roof seams as well.
Remove Rust
If the roofer finds a rusty area that isn't leaking, they'll probably remove the rust so it won't eat a hole through the roof and cause a leak later. This can be done by sanding away the rust down to the bare metal. This also helps the roofer find a hole if there is one. The area can then be covered with a sealant to keep rust from coming back.
Contact a metal roofing repair service in your area to learn more.
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