How to Pop a Tin Roof

Tin roofs have been around for centuries. The tin roof at Monticello, Jefferson's home, is still in good condition, despite being the one originally placed on the house when it was first built in the 1800s. Occasionally, it is necessary to pop one or more of the shingles when it or they become damaged or corroded. Read on to learn how to pop a tin roof.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Examine the roof to see how the roof shingles are laid. The roof is formed of large shingles with overlapping seams.

2. Look for any damaged shingles. If you are fortunate, the damage is confined to a small section, rather than the entire roof.

3. Check what metal the "tin" roof is made of. Tim roofs are rarely made of tin, but teme or temeplate, copper, aluminum and galvanized steel. When you make your repair, you must replace the damaged section with the same material. If you use different metals, when they are together, they can have an electrolytic reaction. Rapid corrosion of the metal roof is the result.

4. Remove the damaged shingle or shingles with a pry bar. Be very careful to not damage any of the shingles near the damaged ones that are intact.

5. Use neoprene-gasket nails to attach the new, replacement tin roof shingles. Nail only through the high points of the shingles and not the low points or valleys.

Resources

• Do It Yourself Website Tin Roofs Forum
• JNK Products for Materials