Repairing Dented Metal Shingles: Familiarize Yourself with Causes and Possible Repair Instructions

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In estimation, 95% of all commercial buildings in Australia possess low-slope metal roofing. Metal shingles offer character, durability and resistance to numerous environmental and elemental conditions in comparison to other roofing alternatives making it a very popular option. They can also last anywhere from 100 to 150 years. Metal shingles should be inspected regularly for damages from wear and tear as they can become easily dented. This article will focus on the causes of dented shingles, and how to repair them.

Why Do Metal Shingles Dent? 

Although metal shingles have been known to stand the test of time and been known to possess incredible durability, they are incredibly light, and this property can lead to them being easily dented. Metal shingles have been found to dent in several circumstances. They include:

  • Exposure to severe weather conditions. Hail, in particular, can cause a lot of damages, especially dents, to metal shingles.
  • Accidents related to environmental factors. If you have any overhanging trees above the roofing structure, tree limbs can easily dent the metal shingles if they fall onto them or if they sway onto the roofing.
  • Damage from trying to do it yourself. If you are not an experienced roofing contractor, you may end up damaging the roofing shingles when you get onto the roofing just by simply using too much force when walking around. 

How Can Dented Shingles Be Repaired?

Luckily for you, if the metal shingles have been dented, then you can easily repair only a localised area rather than having to replace the entire roofing structure. As long as the metal shingles are vented and not cracked or ripped, a professional roofing contractor can pull the dented section out with a stud welder for repairs. To repair the dented shingles, a roofing contractor will:

  • Sand the surface of the dented shingle to remove signs of paint and rust.
  • Place a handle in the middle of the dented surface using a piece of equipment known as the stud welder. It will literally weld a stud, or a small handle, for you to pull the dent out.
  • Place a slide hammer on top of the stud that you have already attached, and pull. The slide hammer will grab onto the stud, and get the dent to pop out.
  • Remove the slide hammer from the stud.
  • Cut through the stud that has been attached with a reciprocating saw with a carbide blade.
  • Grind down the remaining end of the stud with a metal grinder, so that it is completely even with the metal shingle.
  • Apply a thin layer of metal putty over the repaired area. The metal putty will help seal the dented area and protect the metal surface from the weather, such as from rain and snow. 

Keep in mind that working on roofing can be quite dangerous. Data shows that from 2010 to 2011, 7730 reported injuries were due to falling from a high height. It is crucial that the professional roofing contractors wear proper safety attire, such as safety glasses and rubber soled work boots for better traction. It is also crucial that roofing contractors have proper insurance coverage that will provide them with the protection that they need in unfortunate circumstances.

Conclusion

Metal shingles are a great option to choose. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also durable. You should consider getting the metal roofing inspected yearly so that small dents can be easily repaired before they worsen with time. Repairing dented shingles can be quite easy, and is typically an inexpensive procedure. While you should consider hiring a professional roofing contractor to complete this roofing repair, you can also likely attempt the job yourself if you have some experience in this field. 

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16 October 2014

How I Constructed My New Home

Hello and welcome to my construction blog. My name is David and I would like to tell you about the process of designing and building a new home from the ground up. I had always dreamed of building my own home and last year, that dream became a reality. I had been saving money for many years so I could afford to buy the materials and employ the contractors needed to construct my home. I learnt so much during the process, I decided to start this blog. It was a wonderful day when the final piece of my home was put into place and I am now very happy.