Quonset roof leaks

TerryB
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Cambridge, MN, USA
Edited Date/Time 4/28/2012 12:44am
I have a steel quonset style building that I would like to seal against the elements. Originally, the sections were caulked between the overlapping ends. Replacing the original seal would not be possible without disassembling the building.

I'm planning on trying to seal the edges of the seams with a good roofing silicone, unless there is a better solution, like a rubber coating over the whole thing? I'm sure there are products out there that I don't even know exist, but some of you smarties can clue me in.
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txmxer
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1/18/2011 5:43pm
I did a bed liner coating on an old van and always thought that would be a great way to seal something like your hut.

It was 10 years ago, so I don't remember the company, but, it was good stuff. It wouldn't be cheap though.

I'll google and see if I can find the stuff I used.
Void Main
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1/18/2011 5:47pm
You could always build a bigger Quonset hut over it.
TerryB
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1/18/2011 6:05pm Edited Date/Time 1/18/2011 6:06pm
txmxer wrote:
I did a bed liner coating on an old van and always thought that would be a great way to seal something like your hut. It...
I did a bed liner coating on an old van and always thought that would be a great way to seal something like your hut.

It was 10 years ago, so I don't remember the company, but, it was good stuff. It wouldn't be cheap though.

I'll google and see if I can find the stuff I used.
Right. I was thinking of something along those lines, something like this:



http://www.epdmcoatings.com/



I've never worked with a product like this, and was wondering if it would set-up enough to apply without it running off, (like a bedliner adheres to the vertical sides of the truck bed), as the roof/wall arcs to near vertical at the bottom?

I'll contact these guys and see what they have to say.
TerryB
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1/18/2011 6:08pm
Void Main wrote:
You could always build a bigger Quonset hut over it.
Why I oughta...

The Shop

txmxer
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1/18/2011 6:28pm
That's the liquid EPDM according to the website. It's probably good stuff, but, it's not cheap! I'd almost think about just coating the seams with it if cost is an issue. You can tint it so it wouldn't look that bad.

If looks are important, then coating the whole thing would be a necessity.

I think the product I used on the inside of the van was Durabak. It was good stuff for sure and easy to apply with roller and brush. It's a urethane and it's pretty pricey.

You can probably do some research and find tech data on the materials...I'm sure you want this to be a long term solution. If the EPDM website is honest, it's going to last longer than a urethane product. I've had two spare in urethane liners in trucks and they always chipped due to contact damage.

If you do consider a urethane based product, I found lots of positive things about the line-x spray in liner. I know they are a bed liner installer, so I don't know if you can buy it off the shelf.

The other issue I see with a lot of these products is surface prep. I'm envisioning your hut as galvanized steel. Make sure the product will stick to that. Or if painted, it will probably have to buffed--lotta of work there!

Let us know what you find out.
TerryB
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1/18/2011 6:37pm
Will do. Thanks tx!
jmar
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1/18/2011 10:27pm
If your not worried about the looks this stuff will stick to anything and it's as good of material as it gets. Get the trowel grade, use a margin trowel and seal the joints. We use this to patch roofs, or seal up metal flashing.

HLM 5000

http://www.dhcsupplies.com/store/p/1401-SONOSHIELD-HLM-5000-Liquid-Cold…
txmxer
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1/19/2011 6:02am Edited Date/Time 1/19/2011 6:03am
jmar wrote:
If your not worried about the looks this stuff will stick to anything and it's as good of material as it gets. Get the trowel grade...
If your not worried about the looks this stuff will stick to anything and it's as good of material as it gets. Get the trowel grade, use a margin trowel and seal the joints. We use this to patch roofs, or seal up metal flashing.

HLM 5000

http://www.dhcsupplies.com/store/p/1401-SONOSHIELD-HLM-5000-Liquid-Cold…
that's got a few nasties in it:



http://www.dhcsupplies.com/...sds/hlm5000_msds.PDF


But it looks like good stuff for the job. Just need appropriate protection putting it on.

One of the key features for long term leak proofing is going to be flexibility at low temperatures. I'm no expert on that, but, that's an area I'd be looking at hard.



From what I see, all these products claim great UV durability, but that's a major cause of deterioration. The material in the van is 10 years old and looks new--but, it's not expose to sunlight.

Racer92
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1/19/2011 6:10am
Weld the seams with a mig.
1/19/2011 2:00pm
Topps Products is the best for metal roofs and have everything you need to seal or recoat a metal roof.

Just google thier name.
Linda_Ball
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Syracuse, NY, USA
10/9/2011 1:13pm
Hi Terry - stumbled on our post while searching for "roofing a quonset hut" through bing - joined this forum - all to talk to you about what you ended up doing about your quonset hut roof. I'm beginning to do some research - leaks are springing up all over on my 1946 qunset hut and rather than re-roof, I want to coat with something that will handle the Syracuse weather extremes (that might not be all that dissimilar from yours) and last for a good long while. Would you be kind enough to share what you found out?

Many thanks,
Linda
Void Main
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10/9/2011 1:47pm
Linda_Ball wrote:
Hi Terry - stumbled on our post while searching for "roofing a quonset hut" through bing - joined this forum - all to talk to you...
Hi Terry - stumbled on our post while searching for "roofing a quonset hut" through bing - joined this forum - all to talk to you about what you ended up doing about your quonset hut roof. I'm beginning to do some research - leaks are springing up all over on my 1946 qunset hut and rather than re-roof, I want to coat with something that will handle the Syracuse weather extremes (that might not be all that dissimilar from yours) and last for a good long while. Would you be kind enough to share what you found out?

Many thanks,
Linda
Boobie pic?
10/9/2011 1:59pm
Linda_Ball wrote:
Hi Terry - stumbled on our post while searching for "roofing a quonset hut" through bing - joined this forum - all to talk to you...
Hi Terry - stumbled on our post while searching for "roofing a quonset hut" through bing - joined this forum - all to talk to you about what you ended up doing about your quonset hut roof. I'm beginning to do some research - leaks are springing up all over on my 1946 qunset hut and rather than re-roof, I want to coat with something that will handle the Syracuse weather extremes (that might not be all that dissimilar from yours) and last for a good long while. Would you be kind enough to share what you found out?

Many thanks,
Linda
Linda,

I've got plenty of advice for you. First, I'd like to hear more about you.

What is your favorite month?
DirtyFilter75
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Evansville, IN, USA
10/9/2011 2:18pm
TerryB wrote:
I have a steel quonset style building that I would like to seal against the elements. Originally, the sections were caulked between the overlapping ends. Replacing...
I have a steel quonset style building that I would like to seal against the elements. Originally, the sections were caulked between the overlapping ends. Replacing the original seal would not be possible without disassembling the building.

I'm planning on trying to seal the edges of the seams with a good roofing silicone, unless there is a better solution, like a rubber coating over the whole thing? I'm sure there are products out there that I don't even know exist, but some of you smarties can clue me in.
There are a out a million spray on products that will fix your problem. Just google it. If you are going to caulk it use sikaflex. We use that to build bolted water tanks. It holds water in large vessels for years.
wildbill
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Christmas Valley, OR, USA
10/10/2011 12:13am
Racer92 wrote:
Weld the seams with a mig.
bad idea, too much zinc.
ctalltree
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Snohomish, WA, USA
4/27/2012 12:14am
I have the same problem with my quonset hut. I've tried everything, but either the UV or the cold/heat expansion knocks it off after just a few years. But then....

I was also looking at insulating it, and then came up with a unique idea:

Don't worry about the seam leaks, just spray-foam the whole top of it. That will fill in the grooves, and make it about three inches above the grooves so that the high spots will also have at least 3" of insulation. When dry, I'll cover with a waterproof membrane. Then felt, then another liner. Lastly, I plan on planting a green roof on it. There are new materials out there that can make it quite thin (so I don't need a ton of dirt on it). Just look up "green walls" on google to get an idea.

It'll look great when done! No more leakage, fully insulated OUTSIDE without taking up any room inside, and green at the same time. Just an idea....
SteveS
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4/27/2012 5:52am Edited Date/Time 4/27/2012 5:53am
I think you were good until you got to planting. Roots are the best destroyer of water sealing known to man. And how is it that ancient posts keep getting resurrected?
borg
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Long Beach, CA, USA
4/27/2012 6:00am
Void Main wrote:
You could always build a bigger Quonset hut over it.
Glad you're back void.
kcadrenalin
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Turney, MO, USA
4/27/2012 7:07am
ctalltree wrote:
I have the same problem with my quonset hut. I've tried everything, but either the UV or the cold/heat expansion knocks it off after just a...
I have the same problem with my quonset hut. I've tried everything, but either the UV or the cold/heat expansion knocks it off after just a few years. But then....

I was also looking at insulating it, and then came up with a unique idea:

Don't worry about the seam leaks, just spray-foam the whole top of it. That will fill in the grooves, and make it about three inches above the grooves so that the high spots will also have at least 3" of insulation. When dry, I'll cover with a waterproof membrane. Then felt, then another liner. Lastly, I plan on planting a green roof on it. There are new materials out there that can make it quite thin (so I don't need a ton of dirt on it). Just look up "green walls" on google to get an idea.

It'll look great when done! No more leakage, fully insulated OUTSIDE without taking up any room inside, and green at the same time. Just an idea....
you sound like some sort of hippie lunatic
TerryB
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4/28/2012 12:34am
Update: Problem solved! Sold for scrap!
SEEMEFIRST
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4/28/2012 12:43am
TerryB wrote:
Update: Problem solved! Sold for scrap!
Hahaha!!!

Those poor unsuspecting souls had no idea what they were in for when they jumped in here.
SEEMEFIRST
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4/28/2012 12:44am
Void Main wrote:
You could always build a bigger Quonset hut over it.
borg wrote:
Glad you're back void.
Check the date of his post, Borg.

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