how to repair aluminum roof

1. Put on gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Cut aluminum often has sharp edges, so protective gear is necessary.
2. Climb a ladder to the roof. Make the repairs from the ladder if possible. ...
3. Cut around the edges of the hole to make them straight instead of jagged using tin snips. Measure the size of the new hole.
4. Cut a piece of replacement aluminum with tin snips to 3 inches longer on all sides than the hole. ...
5. Follow the inside of the marked area around the hole with butyl tape. Add two rows of tape, or enough rows to make the taped area 2 inches wide.
Place the patch on top of the butyl tape. Drive aluminum screws every 2 inches around the perimeter of the patch with a power screwdriver.
Apply roofing caulk around the seams of the patch and over the screws. Allow the caulk to dry.
Paint aluminum roof coating over the patch with a paintbrush, overlapping the seams by at least 2 inches.

Full Answer

What is the best roof repair product?

• BEST OVERALL: LR Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant – Multi-Surface
• BEST VALUE: Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape
• BEST FOR LEAKS: LR Liquid Rubber Peel and Stick Seam Tape
• BEST FOR RV ROOFS: LR Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating – Solar Reflective
• BEST FOR FLAT ROOFS: Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing Coating

More items...

What materials are used to repair roof?

• Acrylic. The most common variety, acrylic roof sealants are specifically made to deflect ultraviolet (UV) rays. ...
• Polyurethane. Polyurethane sealants are resilient against moisture but are not very resilient against UV rays. ...
• Silicone. ...
• Rubber. ...
• Sealant Tape. ...

Does my roof need repair?

If your roof has been properly installed and is younger than 15 or 20 years old, it may get by with repairs rather than a full replacement. When in doubt, contact a licensed roofing contractor to get a professional opinion. For more... Get free, no-commitment estimates from professional roofing contractors near you.

What to look for with roof repair?

• From this distance, look for dark spots, missing shingles or sagging
• See if the exterior paint is blistering or peeling
• If you live in an area with icy or snowy winters, keep an eye out for ice dams — ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof ...

Can you patch an aluminum roof?

Cut a piece of replacement aluminum with tin snips to 3 inches longer on all sides than the hole. Lay the replacement piece over the hole, then trace the edges with a grease pencil. Lift up the patch to make sure it's centered over the hole.

How do you repair an aluminum porch roof?

1:228:29How to Fix a Flat Patio Roof Leak - 4 Step Process - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt actually will eat through the paint. So some metal has painted. It's gonna eat through the paintMoreIt actually will eat through the paint. So some metal has painted. It's gonna eat through the paint to make sure you only spray it on the areas you're wanting to seal.

What is the best way to seal a leaking metal roof?

For metal roofs, a high-solids polyether or silicone sealant is best. Many of these are pigmented to match popular roof colors so they blend in and form a solid seal.

How do you repair an old metal roof?

0:101:02How to repair old coating on a metal roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWire brush wipe the area down with a rag with some 799 wash and prep roof cleaner and water. AndMoreWire brush wipe the area down with a rag with some 799 wash and prep roof cleaner and water. And then i will apply a dollop carniflex. Over top of it to seal that faster.

How do you fix a small hole in an aluminum roof?

0:392:21How To Fix a Hole in a Tin Roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPress down firmly on it using that cement kind of like glue. Now I'm gonna push it out feeling forMorePress down firmly on it using that cement kind of like glue. Now I'm gonna push it out feeling for it to squeeze out around the edges. Just see it squeezing out around it.

How do you seal an aluminum roof?

0:181:11How to Apply Aluminum Roof Coatings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThem using black Jack neoprene cement. And universal patching fabric finally apply black JackMoreThem using black Jack neoprene cement. And universal patching fabric finally apply black Jack aluminum roof coating from one edge of the roof to the other.

Does Flex Seal work on metal roofs?

2. Nova Flex Metal Roof Sealant. Nova flex is another great sealant for metal roof leaks.

Is Flex Seal good for roof leaks?

Flex seal for rooftops is the ideal product to manage roof leaks. The sealant can be placed on the roof when it is leaking or has a leaking problem. Flex seal comes in a liquid form, making it easier to apply and works superbly. It protects the roof from rust stains, UV rays, and mildew growth.

Does aluminum roof coating stop leaks?

Unlike acrylic coatings, aluminum coatings do not provide any waterproofing properties. They do increase reflectivity and UV protection to the roof substrate but do not improve appreciable mil thickness to the roof.

What do you use to repair a metal roof?

7:3917:39Repair Metal Roof Leaks | 3 methods shown Learn How to DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut when it's just put it and there's some holes and stuff like that i did it with a turbo pie sealMoreBut when it's just put it and there's some holes and stuff like that i did it with a turbo pie seal i think that's a better repair. Because it will prevent it from rusting again.

Can you use roof cement on a metal roof?

4:569:47Your Metal Roof can have this problem. Fixed with tar or caulk ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou need to have reinforcement you cannot just put tar. The tar will crack. And so anything you useMoreYou need to have reinforcement you cannot just put tar. The tar will crack. And so anything you use has to have reinforcements you put tar with a mesh.

Can you put new metal roofing over old metal roofing?

As long as the original metal roof panels are not deteriorated from environmental conditions, a metal-over-metal retrofit can put virtually any type of metal panel over any type of existing metal panel.

How do you repair a flat porch roof?

0:496:06How to Patch a Flat Roof (Easy DIY) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is Henry wet patch. And this is real good for doing the type of repairs that I'm doing also youMoreThis is Henry wet patch. And this is real good for doing the type of repairs that I'm doing also you're gonna want to have a flathead screwdriver.

How do you repair a porch ceiling?

0:007:18How do I remove and repair my falling ceiling, Learn to DIY fix failing ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat we're gonna do is we're gonna yank this light off to remove the low ceiling. I'm going to hitMoreWhat we're gonna do is we're gonna yank this light off to remove the low ceiling. I'm going to hit the wood with weld Creek to get rid of the dust.

How do I fix my aluminum awning?

Wash the leaking area and after it dries, apply a line of polyether sealant to cracks or gaps in the awning. Use a sealant that is UV resistant, exterior grade and designed for seams and metal. The sealant will fill the crack as it dries and plug the leak.

How do I stop my patio roof from leaking?

Fill a caulking gun with a watertight polyurethane or oil-based sealant and hold it at an angle to insert the product directly into the gap. For a gap of 1 inch or less, caulking or sealant is the best method of repair.

What to do if you don't have aluminum left over from a roof?

If you don't have aluminum left over from the original roof installation, buy a sheet of roofing that has the same corrugation as the existing roofing to ensure a secure, leak-free fit of the patch.

Why do aluminum roofs get rusted?

Usually long-lasting aluminum roofs can become damaged during severe weather, such as heavy winds and hail, or when tree branches fall. If the roof wasn't sealed correctly, rust can develop and cause a hole in the roof. Regardless of the reason for the damage, holes in aluminum roofs should be patched immediately to keep water from leaking in and damaging the interior of the building and its contents

What to wear when cutting aluminum?

Put on gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Cut aluminum often has sharp edges, so protective gear is necessary.

How to make a hole straight instead of jagged?

Cut around the edges of the hole to make them straight instead of jagged using tin snips. Measure the size of the new hole.

Why is my aluminum pan roof damaged?

Your aluminum pan roof can be damaged by wind uptake, expanding winter ice conditions or the nesting of wild animals. Any of those situations can cause the roof panels to pull away from the flashing, which channels rainwater into the surfaces below.

Can aluminum pan roofs be leaking?

A modern aluminum pan roof can provide many years of maintenance-free service, but older roofing may eventually show signs of leaking or corrosion. In addition, exposure to years of direct sunlight can fade or damage painted finishes and lead to unsightly peeling or flaking.

Can metal roofing be corroded?

Metal Corrosion. If the roof was installed using old-fashioned lead washers or non-galvanized nails or screws, those fasteners will corrode over time and that corrosion may spread beyond the initial hole. If that's the case, you should plan on replacing the original fasteners to prevent widespread corrosion.