| Creating a watertight metal roof, whether a DIY | | | | Flashings |
| standing seam roofing project, or any other kind of | | | | Depending of the layout of your roof, you may |
| metal roof, can be a far more complex process that | | | | require any one, or a combination of sidewall, |
| initially contemplated - particularly if using pre colored | | | | headwall, ridge, hip or apron flashings, or perhaps |
| sheeting, where painting over waterproofing is not a | | | | another specialized flashing altogether. Flashings are |
| viable option. Here are a few of the basics you need | | | | generally affixed after the metal roof sheeting is |
| to consider to make sure you have a leak proof | | | | completely laid and trimmed, and affixed using |
| metal roof. | | | | stainless steel or aluminum rivets. These rivets should |
| When undertaking a DIY standing seam roof, or | | | | then be sealed with silicone or mastic. Careful planning |
| another metal roofing project, investigating these | | | | when deciding how to install a metal roof will mean |
| waterproofing tips will certainly offer a roof with a | | | | that you have all of these, and other accessories on |
| much longer lifespan! | | | | hand, and don't experience any delays! |
| Metal Sheet Fixings | | | | Where chimneys are fitted lower on a pitched roof, a |
| Choosing the right fixing for your new metal roofing | | | | special flashing is generally manufactured. Called a |
| is critical. Factors to be considered are the base | | | | soaker sheet, they are designed to channel all water |
| structure - is it timber or wood? The type of | | | | that would accumulate behind a chimney around the |
| sheeting also plays a role, with regards to the length | | | | chimney and off the roof, thereby preventing water |
| of fixing, as does the sheet finish - galvanized | | | | from damming up behind chimneys and damaging the |
| sheeting requires galvanized screws or nails, while | | | | metal sheeting. |
| zincalume requires a zincalume screw or nail. | | | | Laps |
| Most important, choose a fixing with a built in cap. | | | | Roof sheeting is always laid lengthways, so that the |
| These are both weatherproof, being plastic, and help | | | | pan, or channels, can divert water off the roof. The |
| coordinate with color sheeting - the cap being | | | | sheets always overlap, known as a side lap, usually |
| available in a range of colors. DIY standing seam | | | | by one rib. However, on very low pitches, particularly |
| roofing projects in particular can be made much | | | | when using a poor water channeller such as |
| easier by using the right fixings! | | | | corrugated sheeting, double laps (two rib overlaps) |
| Sealant | | | | may be a good idea. |
| There are a variety of sealants around, the two | | | | It is also never a good idea to end lap a sheet. This |
| major groups being silicone or mastic. Silicone has the | | | | means to overlap the sheet lengthways with another |
| benefit of being available in a clear variant, therefore | | | | sheet. While it may save money in the short term, |
| being invisible once applied. Mastic however, often | | | | the overlap will almost always be the site of rust, |
| offers a much longer lifespan, since it does not dry | | | | since water will seep between the two sheets and |
| out or shrink. | | | | accumulate there. Asking a roofing professional for |
| Polyclosures | | | | metal roof installation instructions can certainly help |
| Polyclosures are die cut polyester foam rubber strips, | | | | avoid this kind of mistake! |
| cut to follow the contour of the sheet profile. Fitted | | | | When in doubt with regards to waterproofing |
| under flashings, and secured with silicone or mastic, | | | | accessories for your metal roof, whether a DIY |
| they prevent wind driven moisture from entering the | | | | standing seam roofing project, or otherwise, it would |
| roof space under the flashings. Most companies | | | | be advisable to seek out a roofing professional or |
| offering wholesale metal roof materials will also offer | | | | sheeting manufacturer for advice. Many offer free |
| a specifically designed polyclosure for the profile you | | | | advisory, or even estimating services, to help you |
| choose. | | | | make the right choices for you roof. |