Your metal roof can last decades, but that doesn't mean it will never need any repairs. Instead, keeping up with repairing holes and leaks prolongs the life of your roof. Holes may not appear very often, but they might start showing up when the surface coating on the metal roof starts to fade and the steel is exposed to rain that leads to rusting. A metal roof might also be punctured or develop gaps due to the expansion and contraction of the metal panels. No matter the cause, holes in a metal roof need urgent roof repairs. Here's how the repairs might be done.

Clean The Area Around The Hole

Repairing a hole in a metal roof involves patching the hole and using a sealant. This requires the area to be clean so the sealant adheres well. The roofer might use a chemical cleaner that gets rid of grime and dirt. They may also scrub the area with a wire brush to get rid of any traces of rust and to help the sealant stick better.

Make The Patch

The roofer can make a metal patch out of sheet metal. It's important to use the same type of metal as the roof. The color doesn't have to match because the patch can be painted later. The patch is cut large enough so there is a border around the hole a few inches wide. In addition, a metal patch is usually cut in a circle rather than a square to reduce the risk of water getting under an edge of the patch.

Apply The Patch

The roofer will probably apply sealant around the hole and then press the patch into it. By watching for sealant to ooze out around the patch, the roofer can tell the entire edge is sealed. Screws are also added to attach the patch to the metal panel more securely.

Once the patch is in place and the sealant has cured, the leak should be stopped. When you or the roofer makes periodic checks of your roof for signs of new damage, it's good to check on old patches to make sure the sealant hasn't worn out. If so, the patch may need to be replaced so the roof doesn't start leaking again.

Since metal roof panels are often difficult to remove, your roofer will repair them when possible rather than replace a panel. Fortunately, it's fairly easy to patch up holes and tears in a metal roof, and the roof repairs last a long time when done properly.

For more information about roof repair, contact a company like Roofers of Minnesota Co.

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