Holes in metal roof

[scotty95]

Hello to all. I have some ideas, but looking for opinions. Northern michigan had a very bad ice storm recently. My 5 year old metal pole barn roof suffered holes in the roof from tree branches. Looking to temporary patching ideas until contractors can replace the panels to keep the rain out best I can. Thanks for your input.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Zip tape and tin.

 

[mike93lx]

Zip tape was my first thought, too. Stick it on and apply pressure to wet out the adhesive. I like using a stiff plastic scraper but if you have a little rubber or plastic roller, that works well

 

[Hooked]

Learn something new everyday. I'd never heard of Zip Tape and I could have used some a couple years ago.

 

[nadogail]

I probably would tackle patching holes in a roof just like patching a hole in the fabric that covers an airplane, wire brush the area and apply a patch.
I have had excellent results using fiberglass fly screen and asphalt roofing compound.
Sweep any loose rust and dust away, paint the affected area with the roofing compound that you have thinned to the consistency of paint with mineral spirits or gasoline to act as a primer and wet any loose dust.
Cut a patch from the screening material and paint it with more compound thinned to the consistency of cream and allow to dry.
Apply another heavier coat of the asphalt compound, then follow up with a Full Strength coat of more compound.

My favorite brand of roof coating is Henry’s but any brand that tells you to use mineral spirits for cleaning your tools will work.

 

[mike93lx]

Learn something new everyday. I'd never heard of Zip Tape and I could have used some a couple years ago.

Its great stuff.

Be careful, home depot carries a competing product from GP called forcefield. The panels are OK (I've used both and feel that zip is better) but the tape is hot garbage. Zip tape is far, far better

 

[Bert_]

Tin patch and caulk, blackjack, above mentioned zip tape, whatever you want, just to keep most of the water out.

 

[jbfab]

Eterna Bond

 

[finn]

I’ve used the still the late Scotty Mays, RIP, used to peddle on tv. I think it’s called Flex seal. It was the butyl tape, not the spray or liquid.

Used it to temporarily repaint tears on the metal roof ribs from ice sliding down and gashing the ribs wide open.

Did I ever tell you how much disdain I have for metal roofs?

 

[NUTTSGT]

How big are these holes ? Nickel, dime sized or big enough for your fist ?

 

[scotty95]

Some holes maybe 6 to 8 inches diameter and a couple 2' x 2'. Going to use some matching roof metal with screws and tape for a temp. fix. Thanks

 

[mike93lx]

If you are installing patch panels, I think I'd use a thick bead of silicone instead of tape.

 

[Model A Fan]

Could you cut a patch big enough to cover the hole and then run a bead of Henry's sealant around the hole like a gasket and push the patch onto the bead of sealant instead of putting more holes in your roof? Just really build up the bead on the uphill side of the patch so no water gets in.

 

[dcg9381]

Fiberglass and resin is what I use when I've punched a hole in R-panel.

 

[no704]

Metal patch and auto body sealer or windshield urethane.

 

[sjvicker]

Eterna Bond

100% Eternabond tape. Clean the area and slap it on. It's commonly used for RV roof repair. If your holes are small, just tape over. If they're big put a patch panel of metal over the area and tape it down.

With eternabond, your patch will likely outlast your gasketed fasteners.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Holes that big and a temp fix. I would probably rivet/screw some sheet metal over the holes. Put a bead of RTV around the hole, sheet metal and fasten than caulk the edges with more RTV.

 

[larry4406]

Holes that big and a temp fix. I would probably rivet/screw some sheet metal over the holes. Put a bead of RTV around the hole, sheet metal and fasten than caulk the edges with more RTV.

And then roll Henry’s roofing cement over the whole abortion.

 

[zendriver]

Honestly, I think I just use duct tape. Unless the contractors won’t be there till next year. It holds up for a while outdoors.

For a more permanent patch, I would just use fabric strips and aluminize or black roof coating as others had suggested

 

[MikeC55]

Flex Seal! (just kidding)...

 

[Beauregard]

This is Garage Journal, and no one mentions using a wire feed welder.