Wind is hurting my carport

super99 · Apr 30, 2017

The wind is tearing up my carport that I bought in Dec. of 2012. Today I had to go out and tighten most of the screws on the braces and uprights. There were 5 missing screws out of the lower edge of the roof sheeting. They are a #12x3/4" self tapping screw. Some will not hold anymore and I have had to replace them with larger screws. I have to do this about 4 times a year. I had longer end braces made and replaced the short ones on the corners with the longer ones and it seemed to help, but they still work loose. Is there a better fastener to use than the self tapers? Am I going to have to buy whatever it is I need to be able to weld aluminum with my mig welder and weld all the joints? Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me?? Chris

3000OH · Apr 30, 2017

the threads of steel screws in aluminum will always gouge out the aluminum because of the vibrations - you'll keep going larger & larger. yes, you "might" be able to weld it but not with a small mig, and prob not if you have no experience doing it. you might consider steel brace plates fastened with pop rivets; would be best if you could get to the back side of each rivet & put a backing washer on before cinching. given the vibrations & loading, even pop rivets might pull through if they don't have washers. hope this helps.

Russ from MN · Apr 30, 2017

My first thought is to drill all the way through and use bolts with locknuts. Self taping screws will not stand any movement as you have found out. If it is flexing that much in the wind sooner or later it will probably fatigue and start cracking.

kcm.MN · Apr 30, 2017

Yes, that was my question. I know Chicago is supposed to be "The Windy City" and all, but it's pretty windy up here as well. I don't think I've yet to find a building up here that has that much flex in it.

When your carport was build, who built it and how? You might end up needing to reinforce the perpendicular joints with steel bracing, as well as anchoring the structure better to the ground.

Another thing you might do if you have the room is add on a storage shed to the back end of the carport. This would serve to keep some of the air from getting through, add weight to the structure, and adding rigidity to the carport. Not sure what your setup is like right now, so just throwin' out a few ideas.

jon f mn · Apr 30, 2017

Post some pics of what you have and where it's breaking ao that 8t 8s easier to offer advice. Welding aluminum as thin as you have with a mig will be tough unless it is a good welder that has spool gun capability, even then mig is tough.

Steve@Advance · Apr 30, 2017

I agree with Russ, through bolt, and stop the flexing.

If it was properly assembled, and is coming apart, it may be a loosing battle.

May want to start looking for something more likely to withstand the wind. Those can be destructive if they go flying!

glennster · Apr 30, 2017

google nutserts, they are a threaded barrel you set with a special rivet gun to accept a bolt.

mj · Apr 30, 2017

(quoted from post at 19:19:31 04/30/17) I agree with Russ, through bolt, and stop the flexing.

If it was properly assembled, and is coming apart, it may be a loosing battle.

May want to start looking for something more likely to withstand the wind. Those can be destructive if they go flying!

Bolts clear through is my choice too! I have a steel 'Coast to Coast' carport that's been subjected to winds of 60-70 mph and it's handled them with nary a whimper. I think that the aluminum used is the problem, as others said.

kcm.MN · May 1, 2017

After re-reading this, I believe I had gotten the wrong idea in my head before. Was thinking the aluminum was used as the roofing, when it would make more sense that it would be used for siding instead. If this is the case, then I have to ask if there is anything used as a backer behind the aluminum? Can you add a pic of your problem area?

big tee · May 1, 2017

99, Is this what you have for a carport? I want to put one of these up out to the pond for a shelter house, but am having second thoughts after reading your post.---Tee

BobReeves · May 1, 2017

I have two of the carports like Tee posted on my property and we really get the wind. 40 to 50 MPH isn't unusual around here. The OP mentioned aluminum and that would make a big difference on how well the screws will hold. What Tee posted is all steel like what I have.

big tee · May 1, 2017

Bob---My Mom bought one of these for a memorial for my Dad for the tractor pull site in town. Buy it is almost sheltered. I am a little worried about how they would stand up to Iowa winters standing all by themselves out by my pond. How long have you had yours and is it the same company? I reread 99"s post and saw that his was aluminum.---Tee

john *.?-!.* cub owner · May 1, 2017

My neighbor has one like Big Tee posted, and she had trouble after it was several years old trying to lean to the side. I used my loader to hold it straight and added some galvanized angle iron braces about 2 feet long to every upright. That was about 5 years ago and it is still ok. I mounted the angle braces with self drilling screws like or used to hold the panels on it.

I have one about the same age, that is installed north and south, which leaves one side facing the west wind. It also has 2 panels on the west side to reduce the snow blowing under it. It is about the same age, but has never had anything done but going over it and tightening a few screws. I think the big difference is I took the option of getting the heavier gauge uprights, so the screw holes do not work out as bad. I also went with the option of the screw in mobile home anchors.

Wind is hurting my carport

super99

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3000OH

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Russ from MN

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kcm.MN

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jon f mn

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Steve@Advance

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glennster

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mj

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kcm.MN

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big tee

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BobReeves

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big tee

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john .?-!. cub owner

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