Waterproofing Your Metal Shed Roof

What You'll Need
Ladder
Water
Broom
Caulk (silicone variety)
Caulking gun
Paint-roller
Roofing paint
What You'll Need
Ladder
Water
Broom
Caulk (silicone variety)
Caulking gun
Paint-roller
Roofing paint

Waterproofing a metal shed roof combines two basic forms of weather protection—sealing and painting. Many people recommend that waterproofing should be done immediately after installing a metal shed roof. However, most of the metal shed rood manufacturers tend to include some coatings of weatherproofing. This includes coatings of moisture-resistant oils and moisture-repellents. These waterproofing compounds take some time to gradually, wear-off. Thus, the waterproofing can be put on hold for about 3 to 4 months after installing the roof. Waiting any longer creates the risk of moisture seeping under the upper surface of the metal roof. This creates the problem of internal corrosion that cannot be solved through waterproofing also. For waterproofing your metal shed roof, you can use the following information.

Step 1—Getting Started

Choose a day with dry, climatic conditions. Waterproofing is best completed in a single session. Intermittent rainfall can disrupt your waterproofing project. Similarly, humid conditions create the risk of moisture seeping under the applied coatings. This can compromise the overall effectiveness of the waterproofing. Dry conditions also speed-up the drying of the caulk. Secure a ladder against the wall. For accessing various parts of the metal shed roof, you might need additional, extension ladders. After securing yourself atop a ladder, clean the metal shed roof surface. The presence of any debris can weaken the bonding of the caulking material. Use a broom for brushing-off the debris.

Step 2—Caulking Metal Shed Roof

After cleaning the roof, examine it for any kind of holes. You can identify the hard-to-detect voids by pouring some water over the shed’s surface. The presence of any bubbles means that there is a hidden fissure. Caulking is a method of sealing such holes in a durable manner. Silicone caulking ensures that the seal is moisture-resistant and sturdy. Using the caulking gun, seal all such roofing holes. Metal roofing seams are very hard-to-repair. Thus, waterproofing them with caulk is recommended. Further, pat some of the silicone caulk along the nail-fasteners and screws of the roofing structure. Such sites are more susceptible to corrosion. Allow the caulk to cure according to packaged instructions.

Step 3—Painting Metal Shed Roof

Use roofing paint that is retailed for the specific purpose of waterproofing. Metal roof paints contain acrylic particles in a suspension form. These particles are able to bond with the roofing surface to form a water-proof layer. Excessive dilution of the paint can compromise the water-resistance of the applied coatings. Thus, you should blend the roofing paint and the primer according to packaged instructions. Using the paint-roller, apply the first coating of the waterproofing paint. Ideally, you should paint downwards. This means starting along the upper edge of the metal roof and progressing towards the lower end. This also ensures that the excess paint drips-off. Some waterproofing paint manufacturers might recommend a single coat. However, applying 2 coatings is the norm. Allow the paint to dry for at least a day. Re-coat any spots where the paint is peeling-away.