Clearlite roof patch

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Clearlite roof patch

jonherries

1396 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#132263 15-Oct-2013 09:38

Have a 20c hole in the clearlite roof in the garage from last nights wind where the roof has popped around a screw. How do reckon I should patch it?

It is on the apex of the convex curve, so it appears no rain has come in (or only the direct drips which I can't see). I would prefer not to replace as it is a 3.6m length.

I was thinking a small patch of galv iron which I can silicon around for a seal, but wonder if anyone would sell a piece that small. Was wondering if there was anything else that I might buy which would do the trick. I would prefer metal rather than plastic I reckon.

Jon

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#915253 15-Oct-2013 10:00

For a hole that small, then yeah - cut a piece out of some galv corrugated iron offcut from somewhere, or just buy a large flat washer that you can bend to the profile.
A hardware store should also sell roofing screws with seals - or sell the rubber seals separately - which have the curved profile of corrugated iron shaped in to them, which should hold the "patch" down evenly. Use some neutral-cure silicone between the patch and the roofing sheet.
You might want to add some extra roofing screws on the sheet - to reduce the chance of it happening again.

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#915286 15-Oct-2013 10:57

Where are you? If in Wellington I can give you a piece to fit

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#915380 15-Oct-2013 13:17

Sounds like the material has broken down from the sun for that to occur, as it should be able to cope with the wind, unless there weren't enough fixings installed. I believe they are supposed to have a flexible rubber grommet over them to prevent the roof cracking form movement.

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#915620 15-Oct-2013 17:53

Metal roofing and plastic roofing is similar, but not the same profile.

You can never have enough Volvos!

jonherries

1396 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#915861 16-Oct-2013 07:45

Thanks for the help guys, I have a piece I can use, was just wondering about technique.

Jon

Jaxson

8042 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#915863 16-Oct-2013 08:12

Aren't the full sheets fairly cheap?

How did this bit break, as in is it worth replacing the whole thing instead if it's all potentially on the way out?

jonherries

1396 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#915975 16-Oct-2013 12:26

Jaxson: Aren't the full sheets fairly cheap?

How did this bit break, as in is it worth replacing the whole thing instead if it's all potentially on the way out?

Not worth replacing the whole sheet, it literally popped this one bolt in the storm the other night. As mentioned above it probably hasn't been fixed in enough places, that will be resolved along with the hole using the classic DIY overkill approach in the next few hours.

Jon

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Bung

6487 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#915985 16-Oct-2013 12:42

Jaxson: Aren't the full sheets fairly cheap?

PVC is cheap and doesn't last long, polycarbonate is approx $80 for 3.6m from memory.

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#916005 16-Oct-2013 13:28

Bung:
Jaxson: Aren't the full sheets fairly cheap?

PVC is cheap and doesn't last long, polycarbonate is approx $80 for 3.6m from memory.

I wouldn't exactly say that is cheap, as building materials in NZ are very expensive, but that cost would probably be cheaper than getting a roofer in to fix the hole. Otherwise you are going to need a very big washer over the hole and possibily have to rely on sealants which may leak after a few years.

Bung

6487 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#916025 16-Oct-2013 13:53

I don't think a repair would be too difficult. I'd check whether the original job had the recommended number of screws.

RickW

298 posts

Ultimate Geek

#917176 18-Oct-2013 19:17

Hi, yes the galv patch will work fine. if you haven't already patched it I would recommend using a tube of bostik ms, it's the best poo for roofing applications. Give the clear a wipe to remove and dust/dirt around the whole. place the patch over the hole and trace around it with a pencil. apply the poo roughly 10mm inside the line. With your finger smear the poo using small circular rotations as you go it should look like a tidy weld, This will make the poo stick better by mixing any air bubbles/dust/residue that may be trapped under it. Put the patch on and fix it In place wiping any excess poo off and your good to go.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#917192 18-Oct-2013 19:58

Check the hole area for adajacent cracking.... and make sure your patch covers an area well outside that to minimise crack migration. If the iron is an identical profile I'd also put a (smaller) iron patch on the inside. This would spread the loading away from the damaged area, which having been previously stressed may be a weak point to pop again.

Just my tupence worth......

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#917808 20-Oct-2013 17:15

Also wash the clear roofing with soap while you are there, polycarb cracks over time from some otherwise safe chemicals like oil.

You can never have enough Volvos!