How to perform corrugated iron roof maintenance?

[KateBerry]

Hi, I'd like to fix my roof rather than replace it. I have cleaned out the gutters before and it's reasonably easy, though the pitch is fairly steep. but I need a harness and some kind of anchor to attach the harness to. I understand there's something I screw to the spine of the roof?

I'm wondering how I can learn more about the skills needed to fix the roof properly. Paying someone to do the lot isn't feasible right now. 

I have moss and mould killer and rust and roof wash down, ready to go, I'm hoping I can just clean the lichen off, rust-treat the bits that need it and repaint it. 

But I also need to find out if these nails are ok, or if they need to be sealed as I can see cracks in the pain around them. 

I was told by a builder that I could just replace the nails with screws and shouldn't have to replace the whole roof. 

I'm not sure how much strength that requires. They're pretty well sealed still, so I'm not sure if I should give them another coat of some kind of sealant? Or pop them out with a claw hammer. 

 

 

 

I have an angle grinder and most of the tools I need. I was considering getting a roofer to come and spend a day teaching me how to do it, but I feel they'd not be very keen on that idea. 

All ideas welcome. 

I have renovated a previous property - so I'm not completely clueless. I'm just in my 50's now and my hands aren't as strong as they used to be. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @KateBerry,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

Cracking paint around the nails does not necessarily mean there is a major issue, as the seal on the nail may be fine beneath. Have you been experiencing any leaks in your roof cavity?

Unfortunately, due to the risks involved with restoration work on roofs, I would not advise you to carry out the work yourself. The risk of injury from falls and the potential to turn a small issue into a large one are too great for me to advise you to do it yourself. Having worked in construction myself, in all honesty, I would not be confident doing this kind of work.

A roof restoration business would be required to install edge protection, which is essentially scaffolding that creates a barrier around the full perimeter of the house. This in itself would be quite an expense.

You might like to start by contacting someone to pressure clean your roof to remove the lichen. 

Allow me to tag @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their thoughts.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @KateBerry 

I was looking at your question yesterday and thinking of the steps involved I have it placed into the catorgory "hard" basket, Mainly because of the height, water pressure cleaning and then straight into being up there on a slippery roof. Without the protection of safety gear or the rails that @JacobZ has mentioned I would be reluctant on getting up on the roof to clean. If your roof has cracks in paint once the roof has been clean you will be able to see the state of the roof and any rust more so. That is when I would be figuring out the next step. 

Maybe find out how much scaffolding would cost to place around half the house, then clean and repair if neccasary then switch to the other half? If you have the protection it brings it back into a realm of doable. With the age of your roof, I would be wearing breathing apparatus in case the pain has lead in it.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @KateBerry 

I think when you consider the extent of the work thats going to be required added to the dangers of conducting that on a roof your not 100% on its condition, I would seriously consider have the restoration work done by a professional. If @JacobZ has concerns being an experienced construction worker then that confirms my fears for you.

Regards Nailbag.