More Gumption Needed – Metal Roof Hole
I need need to cut a hole in a roof too. I been procrastinating for a month now. I’m glad to see somebody else is in the same situation.
My roof is old corragated metal. The pitch is 6 in 12, not that it matters. I bought a piece of two inch pvc, same diameter as the rigid metal pipe I want to poke through. I cut the pvc 6 in 12 so as to be able to trace a line for the sabre saw. This all seems to be easy and comfortable.
My hang up comes on cutting the wings that stick out from the hole for the pipe collar. I’m thinking tin snips are going to bend up the metal. I’m thinking a corabundum blade in the cicrle saw is going to go flying off the roof me attached. I think the dremel tool is going to eat bits like nobody’s business.
Do I need to remove the corragated sheet from the building? Is there a better way?
Replies
The pipe will have to stick through a flashing. The flashing will have to be installed properly so it does not leak. That is the tricky part.
There are special rubber flashings that conform to corrugated roofs, screws are used to attach them to the roof. A sealant is built in. http://www.portalsplus.com/search.pl
Traditional metal flashings are more difficult to install properly on a corrugated metal roof, and someone else will have to explain or attach a picture/drawing.
Cutting the hole is the easy part. Just use a reciprocating saw and a metal blade (watch out for those rafters...). The opening at the bottom of the flashing makes a good pattern.
Edited 1/26/2005 7:21 pm ET by danski0224
The URLs from portal plus do not show up after a search. Did you find something like this?
Deck-Mates- for watertight flashing of metal roof & wall systems. Deck-Mates are designed in a multitude of sizes to accommodate penetrations from 1/8" to 26" round and work in conjunction with any configuration of metal roofing or siding panel. The Portals Plus Deck-Mate is engineered with an aluminum flanged base that can be bent by hand to conform to the roof profile, irregularities, or slopes. The aluminum flange is bonded to the flexible boot during the molding process and is completely isolated from the underside of the boot to prevent any potential galvanic corrosion such as happens with solid metal flashings. Deck-Mates are available in two flexible boot materials- EPDM, with a serviceable temperature range of -60F to +270F, and Silicone, for both extremely low and extremely high temperature applications, with a serviceable temperature range of -100F to +500F. Installation is quick, easy, and secure, requiring only an approved sealant on the underside and stainless fasteners.
http://www.portalsplus.com/m_810x1.htm
Big Macs - 99 cents
Yup, think that is it.
I called portal plus. They gave me local distributors names. They say I need to buy quantity 15. I need one. Who is your supplier, maybe they stock an 81026?
Big Macs - 99 cents
Can't help out with the quantity thing.
I can suggest calling roofing and commercial sheet metal shops. Someone might have one on hand to sell.
Another suggestion is Fastenal Corp. They sell similar items singly. You might have to order one by mail, and they sell retail over the counter.
http://www.fastenal.com
Other possible sources are sheet metal supply houses, or even Grainger. One in my area is Berkheimer, just ask the place in your area if they sell retail. Grainger may not sell retail, though.
http://www.gwberkheimer.com/
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml
Hope this helps........ I can get one if all else fails.
just use a hole saw in a drill and the rubber flashing from lowes.
Local supplier, Crown-C, talked Portal Plus into sending just one. The price went from $18 to $40.
The mast is to run up the exterior gable wall of the garage. So, rafters and access are not problems. The existing electric service drop is in the way, but that is just a detail.
There's a Fastenal store up the road in Rolla. I've only peared through the window. I remember seeing collated nails, lag screws and ladders. I guess I need to go in there and see what else they sell.
Some people think metal roofes are the greatest thing since sliced bread. This old 6 in 12 has been entertaining.
Big Macs - 99 cents
> There's a Fastenal store up the road in Rolla.
I've done business with Fastenal. The upside is that they can get all kinds of unusual stuff, they really know their stuff, and they take the time to understand your problem and make sure they get you the right stuff. The downside is that their prices are higher than most other places. I'll gladly pay for their competence and quality when I need it, but they're not the place to go to for commodity items.
-- J.S.
> Just use a reciprocating saw and a metal blade (watch out for those rafters...).
Do you have attic access under this? Working from below makes it easier to see where the rafters are, easier to make the hole line up with where the pipe needs to go inside, and harder to fall off the roof. ;-)
-- J.S.
Serious.. Do you know sombody with a TIG/MIG welder?..
Use metal pipe out of the roof..
Edited 2/9/2005 11:31 am ET by Will George
With out a doubt use the epdm gasket. Any buiding supplier carries it or get it from the place you bought the roofing. That gasket is a god send.