Metal roof restoration.
Rust treatment, screw replacement (stainless within 5km of the coast), seam re-sealing, Colorbond-spec repaint. The economical alternative to a full replacement on a metal roof that’s aged but not structurally compromised.
Five metal restoration steps — in failure order.
1. Rust assessment + treatment
We thumb-pressure every suspect spot and probe corrosion holes with a screwdriver. Surface rust gets a wire-brush back-to-bare-metal, a phosphoric-acid converter (Penetrol or equivalent), then a zinc-rich epoxy primer. Rust-through holes smaller than 30mm get a galv patch; bigger holes get a sheet replacement.
2. Screw replacement
Type-17 self-drilling screws have a lifespan of around 25 years inland and 10–15 years coastal. When the rubber EPDM washer perishes the screw weeps and the head rusts through. Inland Geelong: replacement Class 4 galv. Coastal Geelong (Lara West, Corio waterfront, Bellarine, Surf Coast): stainless steel 304 with EPDM washer — non-negotiable, even at twice the cost.
3. Seam & flashing re-seal
Roof-to-wall flashing, ridge cap seams, and side-lap junctions all crack along the silicone bead within 12–18 years. We strip the old bead, clean back to metal, and apply a tri-polymer roofing sealant (Sika 11FC or Selleys Roof & Gutter Silicone in coastal grade). Two-stage application, not a one-pass smear.
4. Cut-edge protection
Where Colorbond or Zincalume sheet has been cut on site (around penetrations, flue collars, eave returns), the cut edge is unprotected zinc — first point to rust. We touch up every cut edge with a cold-galv zinc-rich primer before topcoating.
5. Full Colorbond-spec repaint
Two-coat application of a roof-grade acrylic in any Colorbond colour. We lock in colour matches by spraying a sample onto a hidden offcut first — Manor Red, Surfmist, Monument and Woodland Grey are the most common Geelong choices.
Pricing
- Standard 150–200m² metal roof, inland: $3,800–$6,200
- Same roof, coastal (stainless screws + marine paint): $5,400–$9,500
- Heavy rust treatment / sheet patches: add $400–$1,800
- Full re-screw of the roof: $1,200–$2,800 standalone
When metal restoration isn’t enough — replacement.
If the sheet is rust-perforated across more than 20% of the surface, or the battens and trusses are compromised, restoration is throwing good money at a rotten foundation. We’ll tell you straight at the inspection — full replacement is sometimes cheaper than 5 years of patching. Replacement requires a building permit under the VBA framework; we lodge it with City of Greater Geelong or Surf Coast Shire as appropriate.
Free metal roof inspection.
Honest assessment — restore or replace? Written quote within 48 hours.