Help. Our eaves sheets got wet :(

[mjm]

could you stand them up, put plastic over the top but leave some gaps so air could still circulate and it doesn't trap the moisture? Is there power at the site? could you take something to dry it at the site? I just know what a pain in the arse it is to try and move these sheets, they are usually too long to just sit in the back of the ute...

[a-m]

this brings back memories of my house with no roof during a rainy period at the end of 2008. The roof was delayed due to the total incompetence of my site supervisor... be kind A-M, be kind.... and we had 3 solid weeks of rain on all my bracing and my floors, leaking to the 2 lower levels of course. The chip board flooring and the bracing warped big time... I was a nervous wreck... all came good in the end...only because I stood over them and got bits replaced. Can you cover in a tarp? so that air can still flow to dry them out. with moist air... will be a slow process. A-M xx

[stormy]

Hi thisisme,

My eaves got wet in places after they were installed, but before they were painted while the roof scaff was on and it rained. They were wet from the inside. They painted straight over the water stain, and a year down the track they are re-painting them as the stain has come through the paintwork. You will most definitely need to use a stain blocking primer, otherwise the water mark stains will seep through the paint and look terrible within a few months.

I can show you photos, but it probably wont be until later this afternoon!

[rosierose]

It has been bucketing down in Melbourne too..............no chance 4 us to begin out footings in this mess..............I imagine big building delays in SA & Vic.......

wish we could send some of it your way J-A

[thisisme]

mjm, we can't stand them up because they must be laid flat on a smooth level surface clear of the ground to avoid exposure to water, moisture, etc.

The rain has stopped, for now, hopefully it gives them enough time to dry

[Julie-Ann]

I liked the tarp idea Thisisme. It should keep the rain off (if it starts up again) but not trap the moisture in. After reading Stormy's comment I also think it might be a good idea to go to the Solver shop and talk to them about using a primer. I know from renovating when eaves have water marks on them you can't just paint over them because the mark shows up again very quickly. I have to use a very good quality (and expensive) primer called Blitz to cover the marks and then paint. This is one of those jobs you going to not want to repeat being up so high.

[thisisme]

OMG! I have just been informed that the eaves guys have started putting up the sheets
The roof is not even complete !!! The guard rail is still on the roof and there are holes on the sides where it is attached. If it rains, the sheets will most definitely get damaged even further

Even if they don't get damaged, painting them will require a lot of hard work... I was hoping we would get to paint them on the ground, and then an extra coat if they get damaged or dirtied up once fixed.

We are going to use a coat of maxi prep acrylic undercoat afterall. Hopefully it covers up the water stains ...

[Julie-Ann]

Oh no Thisisme. I am sure you agree being a Building Supervisor is a really tough job. Coordinating all these different tradesmen is like a juggling act.
Did the paint shop recommend the maxi prep acrylic undercoat?

[thisisme]

Super tough it really is. Especially when we both have full time jobs. Ahhh
I contacted a few Solver Paint shops, some said that 3 coats of Duraguard will be sufficient (no primer) and some said to use a primer as well. Don't sure whom I should trust so we will just go with the primer as well to make sure...
Yes, maxi prep acrylic undercoat is the one they recommended.

Hope it all works out...

[stormy]

Thisisme, make sure the maxi prep undercoat is a stain blocker. If it's not, then don't waste your time painting them with it. I have used Zinsser BIN shelac primer before for several things, and it's a stain blocker. It will stop the stains/watermarks from re-appearing within a couple of months. There is also Zinsser Bullseye 123, which is an acrylic primer, and also a stain blocker. I'd be going to your local paint shop (NOT Bunnings!) and asking them what is the best stain blocking primer to use on exterior eaves that have been wet.

Don't worry, it's not the end of the world, but use the correct primer on the sheets (only after they are dry) and it will avoid you doing them again in 12 months time!

EDIT: a couple of posts appeared while I was typing!