Welding and Metalworking - soldering wire to roof vents
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Stumped1
01-20-09, 11:15 AM
I need to solder some wire meshing to the openings of my roof vents to prevent critters from entering my attic. What type of soldering iron and what type of solder would I use?
The wire mesh (chicken wire) I bought is the grid type you get in a roll at Home Depot.
The wire mesh (chicken wire) I bought is the grid type you get in a roll at Home Depot.
Gunguy45
01-20-09, 11:19 AM
I'd probably use pop-rivets or self tapping sheet metal screws and washers.
Did you get chicken wire (large oval openings) or hardware cloth (small square openings)? Squirrels and such can fit or chew through regular chicken wire.
Did you get chicken wire (large oval openings) or hardware cloth (small square openings)? Squirrels and such can fit or chew through regular chicken wire.
Stumped1
01-20-09, 11:52 AM
Hardware cloth. I would use rivets or screws, but I was hoping, for aesthetics, to put the hardware cloth inside the openings.
I don't want the wire dome look with the mesh on the exterior.
This is why I thought soldering would be best.
I don't want the wire dome look with the mesh on the exterior.
This is why I thought soldering would be best.
Gunguy45
01-20-09, 12:34 PM
Hmmm problem is, most vents are going to pull a ton of heat away if you try and solder.
Maybe you could fasten small tabs to the mesh, then slip it down in the opening and then drill and screw through them. That would just leave the screw heads exposed
Maybe you could fasten small tabs to the mesh, then slip it down in the opening and then drill and screw through them. That would just leave the screw heads exposed
Stumped1
01-20-09, 02:04 PM
I think you're onto something. I could mold some sheet metal strips to the shape of the vent and soder the mesh to sheet metal, then use sheet metal screws. I might be able to find an epoxy that would work instead of soldering.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Pilot Dane
01-20-09, 03:38 PM
What type of vent are you trying to seal? Is this a gabel vent, ridge vent...? What material is your roof vent: aluminum, galvanized steel, painted steel?
Stumped1
01-20-09, 04:48 PM
One kitchen exhaust vent, one water heater exhaust vent, and a couple sewer vents. I think they are painted steel.
Pilot Dane
01-21-09, 05:23 PM
I'm with Gunguy45. Form the hardware cloth to fit snugly inside the vents with flanges on the sides that are flat up against the sides of the vent so you can easily screw through the side of the vent to pin them in place. I don't know if you need to secure them too well. If they fit well into the vents a couple screws or rivets will keep them from coming out.