Damaged Galvalume Standing Seam Roof

tinner666 · Dec 11, 2008

I just remembered something. In the metal shop next door, they're always building electrial chases and after welding and grinding, they spray with canned galvanized.
I'm sure it won't match, but after all the cleaning, etc, spraying it with that won't hurt if nobody complains about any mismatch. It would be a protectant. Better than paint possibly. Sure couldn't hurt.

Bodger · Dec 12, 2008

rustyjames said:
It probably wouldn't be a big deal but the fact that the panels are right in your face with it being a roof-top deck makes it so.

That's the problem. The welding occurred on the railings at the top of the stairs leading to the roof deck, which is sunken into and surrounded by the
Galvalume roof.
Otherwise, it would have been an annoyance, but not a big deal. Well, I would still have certainly addressed it with the welder, but it wouldn't have been something that would have been noticeable.

buildpinnacle · Dec 12, 2008

roof-lover said:
I think you can figure something out on getting the rust off.
The manufactuer will also sell you their paint for the panel.
They also sell magic marker pens that have the paint in them.
I try to buy them for every metal roof if its available.
Every panel gets scratched somewhere.

After you get the paint,pens. Have your roofer go paint the scratches over the whole roof, not just where the welder worked.

Will everyone please note the the OP said the roof was GALVALUME!!!

Galvalume is an aluminum-zinc alloy coated over a steel sheet. It is not painted. Without wanting to go into the entire process, think about how galvinization is done. (not the same, but you'll get the jist). NOTHING will remove the rust. Yes, I suppose you could try to paint the rust areas with a very small artistic brush with some type of DTM (direct to metal) industrial/marine coating that matches....but it will be a band-aide to get paid.

Not sure if you are on a new const project with other subs and a prime GC or what....but if that's the case and the GC did, in fact, hire the welders w/o insurance then he was most likely trying to shave a buck and I have no sympathy. Regardless of whether or not they are idiots or illegals...no insurance, no workie.

Insofar as the illegals in SoCal. A very good friend of mine who lives in the LA area as well as here in TX always through me a loop when we first met with how much he HATED illegals (wets...don't mind the slur b/c if they are wet, they don't have rights and I don't have to be respectful) b/c they were taking over SoCal. I argured and argued b/c we use a ton of hispanic labor (insured and legal, mind you), but he wouldn't even go that route out here b/c he had been burned so bad. We are starting to see that a little bit in my part of TX (where they are acutally competing with me and not wanting to sub) but I am certain it will get worse. The problem will be when SR's fully non-broken english, better looking son, grows up and competes with us and still hires the illegal brothers and cousins for cheap labor but can go toe to toe with us on appearance and salesmanship. BEWARE, it IS coming.

Bodger · Dec 12, 2008

buildpinnacle said:
Will everyone please note the the OP said the roof was GALVALUME!!!

Galvalume is an aluminum-zinc alloy coated over a steel sheet. It is not painted. Without wanting to go into the entire process, think about how galvinization is done. (not the same, but you'll get the jist). NOTHING will remove the rust. Yes, I suppose you could try to paint the rust areas with a very small artistic brush with some type of DTM (direct to metal) industrial/marine coating that matches....but it will be a band-aide to get paid.

Not sure if you are on a new const project with other subs and a prime GC or what....but if that's the case and the GC did, in fact, hire the welders w/o insurance then he was most likely trying to shave a buck and I have no sympathy. Regardless of whether or not they are idiots or illegals...no insurance, no workie.

Insofar as the illegals in SoCal. A very good friend of mine who lives in the LA area as well as here in TX always through me a loop when we first met with how much he HATED illegals (wets...don't mind the slur b/c if they are wet, they don't have rights and I don't have to be respectful) b/c they were taking over SoCal. I argured and argued b/c we use a ton of hispanic labor (insured and legal, mind you), but he wouldn't even go that route out here b/c he had been burned so bad. We are starting to see that a little bit in my part of TX (where they are acutally competing with me and not wanting to sub) but I am certain it will get worse. The problem will be when SR's fully non-broken english, better looking son, grows up and competes with us and still hires the illegal brothers and cousins for cheap labor but can go toe to toe with us on appearance and salesmanship. BEWARE, it IS coming.

THANK YOU! For clearing that up about Galvalume and paint.
I'm the primary contractor on the project, I'm a licensed GC and I only hire licensed, bonded sub-contractors with general liability and worker's comp. This welder was no exception.

Problem was, I did not notice he had left the job in the hands of "wet" employees who screwed up. The rust isn't that bad, paint thinner and a soft cotton brush is making it disappear for the most part.
In any case, I have photos and will hold the welder responsible for any damage that he cannot correct.

And yes, I too get a lot of flak about my attitude regarding illegals. And I agree, they literally have no right to be here because they are here illegally. If they want to immigrate, fine, go through legal channels, otherwise, they should get out.

Your friend in So CA obviously reached the same level of frustration that I have come to. And not just this roof problem, I can name a dozen other damage instances on this job alone that were caused by illegals. They have absolutely overrun the business, and way too many of them don't have the experience to do the work they are given by their sub bosses.

apehangeralfy · Dec 13, 2008

Once the rust (oxidation) has started on a Galvalume roof panel the "seal" has been broken. You can hide it, band-aid it, paint it... etc. but the end result is it will prematurely fail...

This is one of those deals that you can fix now or fix later. Hears my version of what will happen in the future... the welder will deny or move on, the manufacture will reject the warranty, you will be left holding the bag... I could be wrong, I have been before, but you know that if they don't want to pay up to fix it right now do you think they will be more inclined to step up 3 years or so from now????

Bodger · Dec 16, 2008

Just thought I would post the final (I hope) outcome on this problem I had:
The welder sent the same guys who had made the mistake to my job site to clean up their mess. We took paint thinner and soft cotton rags and test cleaned an area that was less visible. It worked.
The thinner and polishing did the trick. The rust was only on the surface of the Galvalume where the metal debris had landed, had not been there long.
Two guys, eight hours, hands and knees with rags, polishing. All under the watchful eye of a fuming boss who harangued them every time they missed a spot.
The welding contractor was very apologetic and assured me that if anything further resulted, any rust re-appearing or any pitting that gets worse, he will take full responsibility.
That roof looked like the fuselage of a fighter plane when those dudes got finished. I doubt they will make that mistake again.
Hopefully, this is the end of it.

rustyjames · Dec 16, 2008

"I doubt they will make that mistake again."

Education is expensive! Glad it worked out, it would have been ashame to have to go back and replace panels.

Damaged Galvalume Standing Seam Roof

tinner666

Bodger

buildpinnacle

Bodger

apehangeralfy

Bodger

rustyjames

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