Regular maintenance performed on both the surface and structural level of a metal roofing system is minimal when compared to other roof materials, but is still important in preserving and protecting your investment.
Many home and building owners ultimately decide to purchase a metal roof because it’s low maintenance, lasts 50+ years, and can be engineered to perform to high standards set forth by the industry.
Luckily, the level of upkeep needed to maintain a metal roof is generally minimal, especially if the roof was correctly installed. That being said, performing regular maintenance on your metal roof shouldn’t be overlooked, as it could make or break a system, especially if a serious problem exists.
Here at VITINA ROOF, we know how valuable your time is, which is why we want to help you streamline the process for maintenance that should be performed on your metal roof. Expect to discover more about:
- Why it’s important to maintain your metal roof
- Performing surface-level metal roofing maintenance
- Performing structural metal roof maintenance
Why it’s Important to Maintain Your Metal Roof
To prevent potential problems
It’s a fear of every home or building owner: A problem originating on the roof. Not only can problems with a roof cause damage to the property and/or the items inside of a home or building, but it also results in unwanted and potentially high repair costs. Some of the potential problems with metal roofing are:
- Leaking
- Denting
- Scuffing
- Scratching
- Degradation
- Galvanic corrosion
Regular maintenance performed at least once a year, either by a roof maintenance service* or the home/building owner, can help identify potential problem spots. These areas can then be fixed to prevent the issue from becoming serious or creating a failure in the system.
To prolong the life of the roofing system
The worst situation you could run into is having to prematurely replace your entire metal roof. Regularly maintaining and caring for your roof is the best way to prevent this.
Like any product, a regular maintenance schedule will help maintain the integrity of the metal roof and its accessories, and ensure that it continues to perform well and provide protection. There are many scenarios where a metal roof could be subjected to harmful elements, which is why it’s important to be observant and educated on maintenance that should be performed so you can identify problems and take the necessary steps to correct them.
To keep your metal roof or wall system looking great
It’s most important to make sure your metal roof performs well, but you also want it to look great, right? Nobody wants a roof on their home or business that looks old, dirty, or damaged.
If you’ve paid the cost of a metal roof, it’s just as important to keep it maintained so you get your money’s worth. A big part of keeping it maintained revolves around keeping the surface clear of any dirt, dust, or debris that could make your roof look unsightly.
Metal Roof and Wall System Maintenance Basics
Surface Maintenance to Perform on a Metal Roof
Surface maintenance consists of tasks that can be done without a thorough inspection of the roofing structure. There are many home or building owners who might want to do this maintenance on their own, but keep in mind that there are also professional maintenance services available for hire who are well-trained in roof maintenance and safety. If you do 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 to use any kind of liquid to clean your metal roof.
There are varying opinions on the frequency that maintenance should be performed, but it’s typically dependent on the environment the roof is in. For example, a home in a milder climate, such as Pennsylvania or Indiana, might only need to do surface-level maintenance once a year or every 18 months. But a building in a more extreme climate, such as Florida or Texas, or one that is in the shade underneath trees might need maintenance more than once per year depending upon the severity of conditions. Additionally, some warranties even list required maintenance in order to keep the warranty valid.
To ensure the continued performance of your metal roof, perform the following surface-level maintenance tasks on your roof.
CLEAN OFF DIRT, MILDEW, STAINS, AND OTHER ELEMENTS
Cleaning your metal roof and removing the dirt and other potentially harmful elements that could get stuck on the surface helps extend the life and the look of the roof. This may seem like an easy task, but there are strict processes of how to clean your metal roof safely and correctly so no harm is done to the panels, the building, or yourself.
CLEAN OUT GUTTERS AND DRAINS
Gutters and drains are popular spots for leaves, sticks, and other debris to build up and lead to clogging, which creates pooling water accumulation. This standing water can facilitate premature corrosion on nearly every type of metal roof material. Make sure you clean out your gutters and drains at least once per year to prevent this situation.
REMOVE LEAVES OR DEBRIS STUCK IN VALLEYS AND OTHER DEAD SPOTS
Not only does debris stuck on a roof look unappealing, it can also stain or scratch the paint system on the metal. Check for leaves and branches that could get stuck in valleys or other spots with low slopes or horizontal planes, and remove promptly.
REMOVE BRANCHES OR STICKS TOUCHING THE ROOF SURFACE
Homes or buildings underneath trees require extra care to ensure no branches are touching or scraping the surface of the metal roof. This could lead to scratching or scuffing of the paint system, which is typically not covered by a paint warranty.
ENSURE NO OTHER METALS OR MATERIALS ARE TOUCHING THE ROOF
It may seem unlikely that metal or other materials could end up on your metal roof, but it’s a possible cause for concern. Different materials coming into contact with a metal roof could lead to interactions resulting in early degradation, staining, and potential failure of a system altogether.
For example, Galvalume roofing performs best when not in contact with copper, bricks, treated lumber, iron, and concrete. If Galvalume is in contact with one of these and is then introduced to an electrolyte, such as water, it could lead to galvanic corrosion of the anode (the more active material that has its electrons taken away by the less active material and ultimately leads to corrosion). The same goes for dissimilar roofing systems. Confirm with manufacturers of other roofing products, such as treated wood shingles or rubber/cement roofing systems, that their products will not adversely react with a metal roof.
Structural Maintenance to Perform on a Metal Roof
Structural maintenance performed on a metal roof is more in-depth and typically requires a trained contractor or professional roof maintenance service. Spending a couple hundred dollars every other year is well worth ensuring your safety and your roof’s long-term performance.
How often you should do structural maintenance is difficult 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 moisture (snow, driving rain, coastal)
- Extreme heat
- Extreme cold
- Frequent temperature fluctuations
CHECKING AND/OR FIXING FASTENERS, RIVETS, AND SCREWS
Fasteners, rivets, and screws used to attach the panels to the structure are engineered to withstand years on a metal roofing system. That being said, it’s still important to have them checked to ensure they aren’t loose, crooked, angled, or missing. This is especially important for exposed fastener roof systems, which should have the fasteners, rivets, and screws checked annually due to the possibility of them backing out from expansion and contraction over time.
Similarly, gasket head fasteners often have an EPDM washer that will corrode from UV exposure over time, which could lead to a potential leak zone. The best fix may just be to replace the fastener altogether.
CHECKING AND/OR FIXING LOOSE OR SEPARATING PANEL SEAMS
The integrity of the panels and the seams that hold the panels together will make or break a metal roof system. So it’s important to check that the panels haven’t loosened, dislodged, or moved too much from their original position and that all of the seams are still tight and undamaged. The contractors should also ensure that enough space has been allotted for thermal movement for expansion and contraction.
CHECKING AND/OR FIXING LOOSE OR DAMAGED FLASHING MATERIALS
Many roof leaks often originate from flashing materials that are damaged, loosened, or missing. Checking to ensure the flashing materials are maintained, sealed well, and in good condition will help prevent problems before they even start.
CHECKING AND/OR REPLACING SEALANT
Sealants are used to seal out water, dirt, wind, and other substances that can get into small spaces, making the metal roof as weather-tight as possible. Some sealants, such as non-cracking or UV-resistant options, last for long periods of time, but there are other sealants that may need touched up or replaced in some spots on the roof.
CHECKING AREAS AROUND PENETRATION POINTS
Penetration points also have their own specific flashing materials, such as those installed around chimneys, air vents, skylights, or solar panels. It’s especially important to check the degradation of rubber flashings, such as vent pipe boots, because UV rays will break the material down over time. In addition to checking that the flashing materials are maintained, the maintenance contractor should make sure these roof add-ons haven’t exposed the paint or the metal on the roof to potentially degrading materials, such as chemicals or dissimilar metals.
LOOKING FOR PUNCTURES FROM FALLING DEBRIS
The maintenance contractor should also ensure that there aren’t punctures in any of the panels from falling debris, especially if you live in an area prone to high winds, tornadoes, or hurricanes.
Regular maintenance performed on your metal roof is an important part of preserving and protecting your investment. Not only does it save you time and make sure your roof continues to look and perform well, it also ensures that you don’t have to spend the money for costly repairs in the future.
We are ready to answer your questions about the maintenance you should be performing on your metal roof. Any questions contact us now！
