Sealing metal building?

[Kody302]

Hey guys,

I've been trying for a while to seal my 30x50 metal shop. I've tried silicone multiple times in spot that I can physically see where it leaks but it never seems to help. Anybody have any suggestions to a half way cost effective way to seal it up?

Thanks
Kody


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[Spareparts]

May not be as cost effective but spray foam is a sure way of sealing it up, and will pay for it's self in reduced heat/cooling costs in a few years.

 

[Kody302]

Spray foam on the inside?

We had a quote along time ago to have the building foamed but the guy said the roof had to be sealed or it would just seep through the foam and cause even more problems.


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[volleyball]

It will seep through low density foam but not hi density over 2" thick.
Why is it leaking? Panels are suppose to overlap and fit together so that is minimized.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I figured out the general location of the persistent leaks on my roof then I climbed up the roof and looked at them from the outside. In one spot it was a screw that had lost it's neoprene washer. In another a tree branch had fallen denting an overlapping seam just right, caulk and re-bending the metal fixed that one. In another spot the screw was driven into nothing so it was just flopping around in the hole.

I'd just go at it from the outside as a first step. It has always worked for me...

 

[cbacres]

On the roof, a sealing tape is used on the overlap ribs, such as on PBR panels.
On the walls, usually nothing on the ribs, a polyurethane caulk around window/ door trims.

For the most part, the metal is put together by continuous overlapping each piece/component , with minimum use of sealers.

The tape and caulk can be bought wherever the metal is sold.

The rubber gaskets as mentioned are usually the problem. Metal is simple.

 

[joe_padavano]

Hey guys,

I've been trying for a while to seal my 30x50 metal shop. I've tried silicone multiple times in spot that I can physically see where it leaks but it never seems to help. Anybody have any suggestions to a half way cost effective way to seal it up?

Thanks
Kody

Well, the fact that multiple applications of silicone haven't fixed the problem begs the question, are you SURE that's where the leak is coming from? It isn't running down from someplace else? Can you see daylight at the suspected leak point?

Is this at a seam or screw? Is it the roof, side, or trim?

 

[Kody302]

I've checked several of the screws and they all seem fine. And it's the roof that is causing the biggest problems.


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[volleyball]

What kind of metal is it, style wise? standing seam, panels, solid runs or overlaps and if overlaps, how many inches?
How old and what condition?
It may just be time to redo it. Got pics?