Georgia Roof Guide

How do you fix or replace a damaged metal roofing sheet?

Short answer. A loose metal roofing sheet is fixed by refastening it into the purlins or deck with new gasketed screws in the panel's fastening pattern, resealing the laps as you go. A dented, torn or rusted-through sheet is replaced by removing its fasteners and those along the overlapping neighbors, sliding in a new panel of the same profile, gauge and finish, sealing the laps and refastening.

Re-securing a loose sheet

  1. Find out why it loosened: stripped screw holes, rotted wood below, missing fasteners, or wind getting under an unsealed edge.
  2. Replace stripped screws with the next diameter up, or move into fresh wood beside the old hole and seal the old hole.
  3. Follow the manufacturer's fastening pattern, usually in the flat of the panel beside the ribs, into purlins or the deck.
  4. Reseal side and end laps with butyl tape before refastening.
  5. Check the eave and ridge closures, the foam strips that block wind-driven rain and insects.

Replacing a damaged sheet

  1. Match the panel. Measure the profile, rib spacing and height, and match gauge and color. A mismatched profile will not lap and seal.
  2. Remove fasteners from the damaged sheet and along the laps of the sheets on either side, and loosen the ridge cap or trim above if the panel runs under it.
  3. Swap the sheet, keeping side laps facing away from the prevailing wind and the upslope sheet over the downslope one at end laps.
  4. Seal and fasten with butyl tape in the laps and new gasketed screws.
  5. Reinstall trims and closures, and sweep off all metal shavings so they do not leave rust stains on the finish.

When a sheet cannot be swapped easily

Standing seam panels lock into each other and often run continuously from eave to ridge, so replacing one may mean unseaming its neighbors with the manufacturer's tools and parts. Older panels may also be discontinued. In those cases, a patch of matching metal or replacement of a full section can make more sense.

See metal roofing in Georgia and wind damage to roofs in Georgia.

In depth

Should you replace skylights when you replace the roof?Why a roof replacement is the best time to replace or reflash skylights, what warranties require, energy criteWhat causes most roof leaks?Where roof leaks really start: pipe boots, wall and chimney flashing, nails, valleys and lifted shingles, plusWhy do chimneys leak, and when does a chimney need a cricket?How chimneys leak through flashing, brick and crowns, what Georgia's code says about crickets on wide chimneys

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