How to fix holes in tin roofs

My contracting company specializes in saving old metal roofs, call 610-941-1051
Over 100 pages of photos and articles Search this website

For do-it-yourselfers, check this page: Do-it-yourself fixit

Permanent porch roof fix
Inside gutter solution
Restored roof costs less than new metal roof

Acrylic and mesh:  a proven approach

The photos below demonstrate a small area repair that will outlast any caulking or other short term method.  The work area is coated, mesh is embedded into the wet acrylic.  The crew member smoothes the mesh into the profile, neither too tight or too loose. Finally he coats the mesh with acrylic insuring all mesh is covered and adhered.

Corner work Mesh in the corner work
Placing mesh Acrylic and mesh
Finishing corner work Onto next area

Less serious side to tin roof restoration
The lineup
Thin red line
Ghost story
Which one?

Long term prevention against leaks

In the photos below, the crew illustrates the long-term solution to preventing leaks in tin roofing. Any holes in your tin roofs are thereby repaired and you receive a ten year warranty against leakage. For a more detailed series of photos of this solution, click here for a project in Cape May. In the example below, we used a white primer since we performed this project during the hot summer days.

start with acrylic Embed mesh

Apply base acrylic over roof to begin leak repair. Note that the wet acrylic is approximately the same width as the mesh.

Before the acrylic dries, embed mesh into the acrylic basecoat.  Immediately, remove wrinkles gently, avoiding any stretching of the stitchbond mesh.

Allow basecoat of acrylic and mesh to bond Maryland tin roof

The mesh has settled into the basecoat acrylic. The lines of the tin roofing are clearly visible.  Indeed, the system fits over the roof like a skin.  All holes are repaired.

This base of fully reinforced restoration system is ready for the three additional coats--one base coat and two top coats

In reality, my crew, with its 25 year plus experience using acrylics on metal roofs, encounter few problem resolving leaks. Both the crew and I are oriented toward resolving leak problems first, then addressing rust and appearances. In my 20 plus years of working on metal roof restoration, my observation is that after leaks are resolved, then the roof's appearance emerges as the most important issue. For that reason, there are numerous pages here on tints and other techniques to improve a vintage roof's facade.

With scarfs, jackets and boots, the crew can perform the work in below freezing temperatures: Winter metal roof restoration project in Pennsylvania's coldest winter

Are you looking for a tin roof contractor?

If you are seeking an experienced company to offer an estimate to preserve your existing roof, one of us would be delighted to visit your residence, discuss the alternatives available and, if requested, submit a quote for restoring your tin roofs. For a residential tin roofing contractor, click here for a map of our geographical work area.

Beyond information about our contracting services, this site is designed for individuals interested in tin roofs--photos, technical tidbits and history. These web pages are prepared by the same contractor that specializes in the restoration of these tin roofs.  She enjoys dabbling in website construction, therefore photos and articles are simply presented.   All pictures are from Roof Menders projects, the same contractor.  If you have questions, just call 610-941-1051 for a chat.



610-941-1051
Roof Menders, Inc
316 West 6th Ave.
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(In PA, R.Menders Inc )
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Roof Menders, Inc