!!!Need help, roof is leaking!!!

[pen1124]

So i have a small coop for 4 hens and our coop is all wood, the roof opens to access the coop. We've had a lot of rain here and the roof has always had a crack in it but it now started to leak a little. Does anyone know what roofing material we should put on it that is light but doesn't look bad... i really wanted shingles but they can get a little to heavy. Just wanted to know any thing i can use

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[Mac in Wisco]

Roll roofing. It is asphalt impregnated felt that is nailed in place. It's perfect for sheds and other small structures. You can get it any home improvement store.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Ditto, I agree. It's even reasonably priced. Where the crack is, at the roof opening? Give a couple inches of overlap on one side.

I did once get some 8' panels of corrugated plastic panels on sale- they are keeping my runs a bit drier right now.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Brown tarp for a quick, temp fix?

 

[Manok-Tao]

Quote:
I agree, it is a perfect product for such a thing. You'll find it at Lowe's or Home Depot in the roofing aisle, next to the rolls of roofing felt. Nail it on with a roofing nail, for added leak-proof protection you can put a dab of roof sealer (in a tube much like caulk or liquid nails) on each nail head, smooth it out a little and presto.
Tarp it till you can accomplish a permanant fix, even lawn/leaf bags cut open for more coverage on your small coop might work.

 

[Manok-Tao]

Not sure where you are but this winter has been WET for most of us. If your coops roof is wood and not "used to getting wet"....think about a material that will both go with the look you desire and eliminate the leaking issue. Walk through your local home improvement store and check out your options. Most HI stores have a wide choice of corrugated roofing (colors/texture) maybe that's something you can easily slave onto your existing wood roof and both increase appearance and eliminate a wet hen house.

 

[chicks4kids]

If you know someone who has an awning they don't use, that'll work too.

 

[Intheswamp]

The only thing with roll roofing is...ya gotta buy a whole roll usually. Maybe call a local roofer and see if they have a piece of roll you could buy from them (be sure and check the price of a whole roll at Lowe's or somewhere so you can keep them honest.

). Roll roofing is going to be similar to shingle roofing in regards to weight, though it should be a bit lighter due to not having so many laps in it.

There are other things that can work also, corrugated metal roofing (Lowe's will cut it to dimension for you) and some gasketed screws will put on a good roof but watch screw penetration into the coop. Of course you need to watch nail penetration when you put any type of roofing on a low-roofed coop. Watch out for sharp edges and corners.

Lowe's has some 4x8 foot plastic board that would be completely water-proof and you could put it down straight onto your framework without any backing. I'm not sure of it's weight. The only thing is I'm not sure how it would handle the sun....cover it with paint, though, and the sun may not be an issue.

As was mentioned, leave some overhang.

With whatever roof you put on you might want to install some "drip edge"... L-shaped metal strips to put over the edge of the wood...one leg laying on top of the wood and the other leg hanging straight down...roof material goes over this. It helps keep water from infilitrating under the edge of the roofing material.

You might could even find an old metal sign to use. Slap some paint on it and there ya go.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[kota1369]

Can you post a picture of what it currantly looks like.

the lady with the 4 dogs and 4 city chickens

 

[Cornychick]

Agreed. Picture would really give us a way to offer appropriate suggestions.