Some Construction You See, Some You Don't

If your metal roof has developed a hole, your roofer might be able to repair it so the entire roofing panel doesn't have to be replaced. Prompt roof repairs are important to take care of right away when you have a hole in your roof, even if it's a tiny one.

One type of roof repair for a metal roof is to patch the hole with another piece of metal. Your roofer may have other options too, but using metal is common when the damage is in a flat area of the roof. Here are some considerations when patching your metal roof.

Choosing The Metal Patch

The roofer has to cut a patch out of a piece of metal because the patch has to be a custom size. The patch needs to extend beyond the edges of the hole a few inches so it gets a tight seal. Also, the type of metal is important.

Your metal roof expands and contracts along with the weather. The patch has to be from metal that expands and contracts at the same rate or the patch will fail. The roofer needs to cut a patch from a piece of sheet metal that's the same type of metal as your roof.

When cutting the patch, the roofer will probably make it a round shape or at least round off the corners. Otherwise, the sharp edge might catch leaves and trap them on the roof or lift up and work the adhesive loose.

Dealing With Rust So It Won't Spread

If the hole was caused by rust, all the rust has to be removed before the patch is put on. This is necessary since rust spreads and it will keep spreading even though the area is covered up. Rust can be removed with a wire brush. The scrubbing will scuff up the metal too, but that's a good thing since the adhesive bonds better to rough metal than it does to a smooth surface.

Securing The Patch For Long-Term Protection

The roofer has to carefully choose the adhesive and apply it properly. Getting a watertight bond is essential or the patch will start leaking around the edges. The roofer applies a generous amount of adhesive and presses the patch against it. This causes the adhesive to leak out around the edges, but this is a sign to the roofer that the patch has a perfect seal.

It takes time for the adhesive to cure and form a watertight seal around the patch. Pressure needs to be applied during this time, and that's done with small screws that are placed around the edges of the patch.

These screws only go in far enough to attach the patch to the metal panel below. They don't attach to the deck or that would interfere with the movement of the patch and lead to leaking. The screws keep the patch secure while the adhesive cures and they also keep the patch in place for the long term.

For more information about metal roof repair, contact a local roofing company near you.