Resealing older metal roof. Vinyl?

[CliffordK]

We built our barn with a wood frame and painted corrugated steel 40 years ago. Constructed with nails and neoprene washers (which likely are mighty old by now). Overall the metal is in pretty good shape, although we lost a couple of pieces of fiberglass a couple of years ago.

Anyway, for many years there have been quite a few drips. I really don't remember how bad it was 40 years ago, although at that time we had a full loft so the main floor was fairly protected.

I assume there is a component of condensation, but also drips around the nails.

Mom got the idea that the roof could be covered with vinyl. I hadn't heard of that process. Anybody?

If it is like applying car wrap, then I can't imagine it could last more than 5 years or so, especially on the south side.

Closed Cell Spray Foam might be an option from inside. It would help with sealing, but it could also hide huge problems.

 

[jyoutz]

I have seen old corrugated metal roofs coated with a thick aluminum paint coating. The aluminum roof paint has fiberglass fibers. It goes on thick and fills small holes and cracks. This should do the trick.

Rust-Oleum 5 Gal. 7-Year Fibered Aluminum Reflective Roof Coating 301997 - The Home Depot

Rust-Oleum 7-year Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating is a metallic pigmented coating used for rustproofing and weatherproofing metal roofs and sidewalls. It can be used as a reflective coating for Built-Up,

www.homedepot.com

They also have longer lasting coatings.

 

[riptides]

I have had really good luck with the Henry line of products. Both the fiber and regular aluminum paints. But, I painstakingly sealed each nail or screw hole with a dab of roofing sealer before I applied the Henry products.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Personally I would replace each nail with sheet metal roofing screws.

 

[Streetcar]

I have seen old corrugated metal roofs coated with a thick aluminum paint coating. The aluminum roof paint has fiberglass fibers. It goes on thick and fills small holes and cracks. This should do the trick.

Rust-Oleum 5 Gal. 7-Year Fibered Aluminum Reflective Roof Coating 301997 - The Home Depot

Rust-Oleum 7-year Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating is a metallic pigmented coating used for rustproofing and weatherproofing metal roofs and sidewalls. It can be used as a reflective coating for Built-Up,

www.homedepot.com

They also have longer lasting coatings.

I did this and roof was leak free until I sold property after about fifteen years

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I am currently replacing all the nails in my old barn.

Theres roughly 1000 iirc

Been doing it little by little for the last 3 years.

In the heat of the summer, when the metal pops them loose it's really easy

 

[riptides]

I am currently replacing all the nails in my old barn.

Theres roughly 1000 iirc

Been doing it little by little for the last 3 years.

In the heat of the summer, when the metal pops them loose it's really easy

My roof had to be worked on in the early AM. And I needed sun glasses because of the silver paint reflection.

It was a job....

 

[drizler]

Even at 40 years old, it shouldn’t even be close to beginning to start the leak with the exception of your nail holes. having used both I wouldn’t go near nails again if you gave them to me. I just took a garage roof 6 years ago that I built in 1990 roughly. The seals under those common seal washered galvanized screws were all in perfect condition. Of course the sun can’t get at the edges of them like a nail head seal because the washer has a cap shape.
For the quick and easy you might just try using that mobile home roof sealer in the 5 gallon pail. It’s aluminum colored or was and has the consistency of roof ceiling tar or driveway patch. I use that on an old mobile home years ago and it seem to work just fine. It seemed the last at least 10 years with no issues that I could see all you really have to do is plaster the nail heads to put that stuff on.
The other alternative is wherever you think you have leaks, just pull the nails and replace with seal head screws and perhaps a dollop of sealer if there’s a bit of a wrinkle in the tin from pulling the nail. It’s slow, but it should do the job for you quite well.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

I did the pull the nail and rtv trick at first

I did it a few times and it was hit or miss. Plus some of the holes are worn out and nails are corroded

Pulling the nails and doing screws fixes it 100%

 

[newbury]

I did similar to what rip did, and probably need to redo it.
CRITICAL FACTORS
Mississippi
Very gently sloping metal roof
Screws w/ rubber washers
BAD BACK AND POOR KNEES

I'd take:
A big push broom (lot's of leaves and pine needles)
my $5 walmart plastic lawn chair (now $15)
a bucket of suds w/ bristle brush and two squirt bottles, one with suds, one w/clean water
an old towel
Either:
a. a gallon of Henry roofing sealant with a pointed trowel
or
b. A caulking gun with said sealant

Lot's of cold lemonade (save adult beverages for OFF roof)
Radio/MP3 player

Procedure was:
In reasonable weather get all the stuff on the roof
Turn on the sound
Brush off large section of roof
Sit in the chair,
Squirt screws I could easily reach w/ suds
Bend over and scrub clean w/ scrub brush and suds, squirt clean
move on to let dry
Be sure to sip some lemonade
repeat

Do as many screws as I felt like, then go back and start sealing, staying hydrated.

It was about 50:50 as to which was more efficient, daubing with the trowel or squirting with the caulk gun.

Took a lot of time, but great view, great weather, pleasant tunes, no major hassles, only big cost was my time.