When installing a hardie on a new metal roof, how do I protect it?

If you are wondering how to protect a new metal roof during the Hardie install process, this guide is for you.

We are here to solve the mystery and give you a clear way out. You can do this with a few steps.

You will be puncturing your metal roof when installing the Hardie siding on top of it. The Hardie will require you to fix nails inside the roofing to attach it properly.

This means that your roof will have small perforations that may cause water or wind to seep inside.

You may be creating an environment for mold, rust, or mildew. Obviously, this is not a great feeling, so here’s how to handle it.

If you unknowingly create such conditions, you may create problems for yourself that will soon emerge.

You may even need a complete replacement, interior paint job, or reconstruction of some parts, which means more time and money.

Top tips to protect metal roofs:

So, how do you do it right the first time? The steps are simple. Here are some of the top recommendations:

1. You must invest in metallic putty and rubber coating. Wherever you perforate the nails, add the nails, then fill the surroundings with the putty.

2. Secondly, wherever you see or add another top layer, seal it. There should be no gaps to store water or retain moisture.

3. The metal roof can entirely get a rubber coating before you start. This way, when you install your roof siding, you will have a clear surface to stick it on rather than piercing the metal roof itself.

The rubber coating will also prevent the roof from getting rust and sun exposure, reflecting a lot of sun and not retaining any water.

4. The Hardie installation is a one-week process minimum. During this time, if you receive snow or wind, you will notice the condensation and water gather on the roof.

This can make the holes in the nails and fixtures unstable, corrosive, and problematic.

Cover it with a sheet large enough to keep the entire roof covered or seal it before such weather.

Extend the life of your metal roofing:

You can extend the life of your metal roofing with the help of rubber coatings.

That, paired with proper finishing with sealant, will protect your roof, its integrity for the coming years, and the walls inside.

If you insulate your roof with roofing rubber sheets, you can also keep your roof secure.

Additionally, you should keep your roof clear of any leaves or collection of dirt because these would trap further gunk and moisture, causing problems for the finished roof.

If you try to seal a dirty roof, you will cause damage by leaving some spots uncovered with the sealants or sealing some dirt or dust. This will result in a leaky roof with heavy chances of corrosion and rust.

You can paint it before installing the Hardie. What this will do for you is give you a rust-protected layer to work with.

You can cover all the perforations you make on top of it with some sealant as you work through them.

New roofs will not have any corrosion or weathering. But, if your metal is worn out, you may notice accelerated wind and water exposure damage.

Sun rays falling onto the roof will make it worse. Giving it a layer of insulation or paint can help prevent this acceleration.

What to do first?

Before installing your Hardie, protect your roof with at least one layer, which will help you keep it safe and strong.

You should ensure any previous screws are properly tightened and torched to merge or weld into each other. In addition to this, you can add a top layer of sealant.

Then, when you are ready to install the Hardie, you can start it. Remember to seal the holes and keep the pieces together during the installation, preventing any gaps or pockets for water from being stored inside.

Another important thing is that you do not drop hard materials on top of the roof to avoid bends or breakage.

Although the metal roof’s strength will be a lot, you do not want any damage to it anyway. This is why prevent pilling and materials on top of it that can cause the roof to shatter, bend, or get damaged.