How to Repair a Hole in Your Metal Roof

As you can imagine, having a metal roof installed is one of the most durable options homeowners have out there. But, regardless of their robust composition, nothing is built to last forever, which means that over time and in certain conditions, your trusty metal roofing may experience a hole or two and need to be repaired. But how exactly do you go about repairing a hole in your metal roof? You could either hire someone, or do it yourself, but here is a simple guide to help you.

1. Ask yourself if you’re up for the job

Before you gather tools and materials, assess the situation and determine whether you can fix it yourself. There are various factors that you’ll need to consider, like if you have the right tools to do the repair. It might end up costing you more to repair it yourself than hiring a professional to handle your metal roofing restoration work. 

Another thing you need to look at is if you’re comfortable with working from a height. Working on your roof comes with the risk of falling off, and you need to have the right safety gear and precautions in place, or else you could get seriously injured. Hiring a company to fix your roof means they should have all the necessary safety gear and insurance in case anything goes wrong. 

2. Gather your materials and equipment 

Once you’ve decided if you’re capable and willing to fix your own roof, the next step would be to get everything you need together. This way, you won’t have to constantly be climbing up and down to fetch what you need. Here is what you need to have: 

Tools:

• Metal file

• Pencil

• Putty knife

• Wire brush

• Caulk gun

• Cordless drill

• Metal snips

• Paintbrush

• Tape measure

Materials:

• Pan-head sheet metal screws

• Colour-matched urethane sealant

• Sheet metal (matched to the same metal used for your roof)

• Asphalt-impregnated patching membrane

• A cleaner that does not leave residue

• Colour-matched paint

3. Clean the area

Next up, and a very important part of the repairation process, you need to clean the roof surface of the area you intend to repair. So, get out the surface cleaner and ensure that the area is free of dirt, algae growth and film, and if there’s any sign of residue left over, then go ahead and wipe it away. 

4. Scuff up the metal

Using the wire brush, you’ll need to scuff up the surface area you need to repair in order to help the sealant bond to the metal. When scuffing up the area, ensure you’ll only do it where the repair needs to be done or else you might damage the protective coating on other parts of the roof and cause further deterioration on other spots. 

5. Measure and cut precisely

Measure up the size of the hole and then the size of the sheet metal patch you need to adequately cover the hole. The sheet should overlap the metal panel with a minimum of 5cm past the edges of the hole. After the metal sheet has been cut to size, you can use the metal file to round off the corners to ensure it does not become a catching spot for precipitation. Place the patch over the hole and outline it so you know exactly where it needs to be placed.

6. Install the repair patch

Apply the colour-matched urethane sealant to the damaged area, ensuring it stays just within the outline of where the patch will go. Apply the sealant generously to avoid gaps at the leading edge. Then go ahead and press the metal patch into place on the marked-out surface area — you should see some of the sealant squeeze out under the edge of the patch along all sides. Should you notice that there are areas where there is no sealant oozing out, then apply some more to ensure you’ve eliminated any gaps. 

7. Secure the patch

You now need to secure the sealed patch to the roof. Space the screws about 8cm to 10cm around the perimeter (roughly within 2.5cm of the edge of the patch) so you can apply pressure uniformly. It’s important to note that you should never screw through the roofing panels into the rafters or roof decking — make sure the screws are only long enough to secure the patch to the underlying roof panel.

8. Paint to make it match

Painting the patch is completely optional but is beneficial both for the aesthetic and protection of your roof. You’ll need to wait for the sealant to dry completely and then wire-brush the patch lightly and paint over it. You must ensure that the paint you have chosen is compatible with the sealant.  

Final Thoughts

Repairing a hole in your metal roof is not the most extensive or expensive procedure, which means if you’ve got the skills and tools, you’re more than welcome to do it yourself. However, working from a high height can be dangerous, and if you want to ensure that your roof remains uniform and is properly repaired with quality materials, it’s better to get a professional to take care of your metal roofing repairs. 

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