Metal Roof Question

[powerpace]

I agree with Eddiewalker. I had a 36X48 metal roof barn built 6 years ago no problems. I had bids and went with someone I knew, not the low bid. Great job. I've talked to others around Douglas County, Or., and there are some smooth talking roofers but they can't come up with the quality.

On January, 20th we had a wind storm come through and take some 3 tab shingles off a five year old roof. The General contactor that built the house was here in 20 minutes after being called. Temporary patch done. Repair will be done on Monday the 23rd. Trust the installer, but ask for references anyway.

Years ago I worked for a Metal building manufacturer in the Willamette Valley they had been in business for years and never had to replace screws. It was always installed on metal purlins. I've installed metal roofing on various buildings and screw placement is vital to doing it for the long haul.

I 1962 the Columbus Day Storm ripped through part of the Northwest. I vividly remember dodging metal roofing and other objects ripped from structures. To this day I overengineer everything I build.

 

[Sterff]

You could rent a man lift, buy the screws, and replace them yourself for much less than $2000.

 

[EddieWalker]

You could rent a man lift, buy the screws, and replace them yourself for much less than $2000.

Maybe, but then who provides the warranty and how many hours will it take?

Faster and easier to be on the roof itself with a rope harness. The manlift really isn't very fast for getting to everything.

Eddie

 

[Sterff]

Maybe, but then who provides the warrentee and how many hours will it take?

Faster and easier to be on the roof itself with a rope harness. The manlift really isn't very fast for getting to everything.

Eddie

Well obviously you would use a harness as well as the lift. My point is, this wouldn't be hard, or expensive to do yourself. Id much rather do things myself (to my standards) then pay someone else. If your replacing the screws, by the time they rust out again, the roof will be junk. I wouldn't be concerned about a warranty. It shouldn't take more than a few hours with the help of a friend.

 

[yelbike]

Well obviously you would use a harness as well as the lift. My point is, this wouldn't be hard, or expensive to do yourself. Id much rather do things myself (to my standards) then pay someone else. If your replacing the screws, by the time they rust out again, the roof will be junk. I wouldn't be concerned about a warranty. It shouldn't take more than a few hours with the help of a friend.

I wouldn't be worried about warranty per say. I want someone who shows up as soon as possible. Someone who cares about his customers. If the job costs a little more but he stands behind his work. Thats worth its weight in gold. IMHO as a contractor and as a home owner.

 

[clemsonfor]

I see your point here Eddie. It the guy is a total incompatant person yes paying a Pro would make sense. Now a days many folks have more time than $$. If he gets a rope and a harness and anchors to the peak or something on the other side and works the roof from one side to the other i would not worry. If he tightens them as the instructions say, not to loose or to tight he will be fine. He could save close to $1500. Thats not just pocket change thats close to 2 weeks of take home pay for me.

Its the same way with buying a used vs new tracor implement. If it breaks you took a gamble vs the 2-3x the price of a new one. Or same as paying a pro to cut your grass, you can do it for way less but if you kill it by cutting to short or you gas cap falls off and you kill grass as you slosh fuel all over your yard its your fault, but you did not pay hundreds or thousands all year for it.

Sounds like he is gonna pay a pro but after all this roof was installed by a pro the first time. Where is the warrenty there? Why did they fail? Did the crew of drunks and meth heads overtighten them till the washers bugged out and split, or was it just a bad lot of screws?? This is a firly straight foward job, hes not cutting the tin and installing it just removing one screw at a time. Yes i would borrow a harnes or rent one and tie off to the peak or by truck bumper on the other side of the house over the peak and use a rope lock device as i moved down or up the slope.

 

[treman]

I have 2 tidbits of advise. If your going to tie off to the bumper of a vehicle be sure you have the keys ( every set of em) in your pocket or locked up. there have been instances when a quick run to the store is needed and someone was dragged behind them after being pulled off of a roof. not pretty. The other has been said already. not a very hard job but if you were to do it yourself be sure to follow the installation requirments. Our 120x200 shop at work just got re-screwed and we had a half a dozen leaks that had to be rechecked and re-screwed. The guy doing it said it took him almost an hour to find just one screw so be sure to do it right the first time or its gonna take forever to find the problem.
either way good luck and be safe

 

[forgeblast]

I was thinking too, where you would tie in on a metal roof, you would need to tie to some type of secure anchor point. I am guessing a decender stop would be helpful too like the kind they use for caving.
Does this sort of thing happen with the metal roofs that have the hidden fastners?

 

[clemsonfor]

I have 2 tidbits of advise. If your going to tie off to the bumper of a vehicle be sure you have the keys ( every set of em) in your pocket or locked up. there have been instances when a quick run to the store is needed and someone was dragged behind them after being pulled off of a roof. not pretty. The other has been said already. not a very hard job but if you were to do it yourself be sure to follow the installation requirments. Our 120x200 shop at work just got re-screwed and we had a half a dozen leaks that had to be rechecked and re-screwed. The guy doing it said it took him almost an hour to find just one screw so be sure to do it right the first time or its gonna take forever to find the problem.
either way good luck and be safe

Yieks! Thats funny but awful pictoring it in your head. I would not thought of hiding the keys but i would be sure i would, that or they would be in my toolbelt!!

 

[yelbike]

Just a thought. Has anyone actually inspected the roof/screws? Do they actually need replacing? Again just a thought. I'm not a roofer. When they say it needs to be replaced every ten years, thats a blanket statement. Possibly yours don't need it.

On a safety note, please don't use a car bumper. First off its really ol'skool. Secondly dangerous for obvious reasons. If nothing else I'm sure you could lag an attachment point near the peak, seal it good and leave it there for the next time.

Again its just a thought! Anyways good luck with your endeavor.