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Get to know the details of surface & structural maintenance of your metal roof
Many home owners ultimately decide to purchase a metal roof because it requires little maintenance, lasts over 50 years, and can be designed to meet the high standards set by the industry.
Fortunately, the level of maintenance required to maintain a metal roof is generally minimal, especially if the roof has been installed correctly.
That said, regular maintenance on your metal roof should not be overlooked as it could make or break a system, especially if there is a serious problem.
*Why is it necessary to keep your metal roof in good shape?
1. To prevent potential problems
It's a fear of every home owner: a problem that originates from the roof. Problems with a roof can not only cause damage to property and/or items inside a home but also result in unwanted and potentially high repair costs. Some of the potential problems with metal roofs are:
• Leaks
• Dents
• Wear
• Scratching
• Degradation
• Galvanic corrosion
Regular maintenance performed at least once a year, either by a roofing service or by the home owner, can help identify potential trouble spots. These areas can then be repaired to prevent the problem from escalating or creating a system failure.
2. To extend the life of the roofing system
The worst situation you could find yourself in is having to prematurely replace your entire metal roof. Regular maintenance and care of your roof is the best way to prevent this.
3. To keep your metal roof or wall system in good shape
The most important thing is to make sure your metal roof works well, but you also want it to look great, right?
No one wants a roof on their home or business that looks old, dirty or damaged. If you pay for a metal roof, it's just as important to maintain it so you get your money's worth.
*Surface maintenance of a metal roof
Surface maintenance consists of tasks that can be accomplished without a thorough inspection of the roof structure. Many homeowners may wish to undertake this maintenance on their own, but keep in mind that professional maintenance services with deep expertise in roof care and safety are also available for hire.
If you decide to do the maintenance yourself, it is very important to consider your safety, especially on roofs with steeper slopes. Also, metal roofs are very slippery when wet, so keep this in mind if you plan on using any type of liquid to clean your metal roof.
1. Clean dirt, mold, stains, and other items
Cleaning your metal roof and removing dirt and other potentially damaging items that could get stuck on the surface help extend the life and appearance of the roof.
This may seem like an easy task, but there are strict processes on how to clean your metal roof safely and correctly so you don't damage the panels, the building, or harm yourself.
2. Cleaning of gutters and drains
Gutters and drains are popular places for leaves, sticks, and other debris to collect and clog, creating a buildup of standing water.
This standing water can facilitate premature corrosion in almost all types of metal roofing material. Make sure to clean your gutters and drains at least once a year to avoid this situation.
3. Remove trapped leaves or debris in valleys and other dead spots
Debris stuck on a roof not only looks unattractive, it can also stain or scratch the metal's paint system. Look for leaves and branches that can get stuck in valleys or other places with low slopes or horizontal planes, and remove them immediately.
4. Remove any branches or sticks that touch the roof surface
Houses or buildings under trees require special care to ensure that no branches touch or scratch the surface of the metal roof. This could lead to scratching of the paint system, which is not normally covered under a paint warranty.
5. Make sure no other metals or materials touch the roof
It may seem unlikely that metal or other materials will end up on your metal roof, but it is a potential cause for concern.
The different materials that come into contact with a metal roof can cause interactions that result in early degradation, staining, and potential failure of an entire system.
6. Look for scratches, wears, chips, flakes, or excess chalk/fading
Like anything that has a paint system applied, metal roofs can be subject to scratches, chafing, peeling or excessive scaling and discoloration at any time during their life cycle. It is important to check these so that you can immediately remedy the potential problem and prevent further damage.
Surface scratches can be the result of a number of things, such as installer error or a small branch hitting the roof during a storm.
Fortunately, many minor surface scratches can be covered with a touch-up paint pen that matches the color of the roof. The thing to remember when applying any type of touch-up paint is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
*Structural maintenance of a metal roof
Structural maintenance performed on a metal roof is more in-depth and generally requires a trained contractor or professional roof maintenance service. It's worth spending a couple of hundred dollars every two years to ensure your safety and the long-term performance of your roof.
How often you need to do structural maintenance is hard to predict because it really just depends on the type of metal roof and the stresses it's subjected to, such as:
• Wind
• Hail or other debris
• High humidity
• Extreme heat
• Extreme cold
• Frequent temperature fluctuations
It is common practice to perform professional structural maintenance at least once every two years. Some locations may have longer or shorter periods for regular maintenance, so be sure to have this discussion with your contractor and they should be able to give you a better idea of the timing for your specific roof.
1. Checking and/or fixing fasteners, rivets, and screws
The fasteners, rivets, and screws used to attach the panels to the frame are designed to last for years on a metal roofing system. That said, it's still important to get them checked to make sure they're not loose, crooked, angled, or missing.
2. Checking and/or fixing loose or separating panel seams
The integrity of the panels and the seams that hold the panels together will determine the durability of the entire metal roof system.
Therefore, it is important to check that the panels have not become loose, dislodged, or moved too much from their original position and that all seams are still tight and undamaged.
3. Check and/or repair loose or damaged flashing materials
Many roof leaks often originate from damaged, loose, or missing flashing materials. Making sure flashing materials are maintained, well-sealed, and in good condition will help prevent problems before they even start.
4. Checking and/or replacing the sealant
Sealants are used to seal out water, dirt, wind, and other substances that can get into small spaces, making the metal roof as airtight as possible.
Some sealants, such as non-cracking or UV-resistant options, last long periods of time, but there are other sealants that may need to be touched up or replaced in spots on the roof.
5. Looking for punctures from falling debris
If you reside in a place prone to heavy winds, tornadoes, or hurricanes, the maintenance contractor should further check for holes in the panels caused by falling debris.
6. Check areas around penetration points
Penetration points, such as those put around chimneys, vents, skylights, or solar panels, have their own flashing materials. These should be carefully checked.
At Dante Roofing, whether you're looking for a roof replacement or roof repair, we offer the best services. With years of experience in the metal roofing industry, Inglewood roofing by Dante Roofing is ready to answer your questions about the maintenance you need to perform on your metal roof.