Metal Roof Maintenance

Metal roofing is a great investment. It will last a lifetime, especially when well maintained. Metal roofing can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions, especially those brought on by the long winter months. Metal roofing is also fire-resistant, making it an excellent choice for overall safety. When properly installed and maintained, metal roofing is also a great option for energy efficiency. It doesn’t require a lot of TLC, but it is important to do annual checks to ensure that everything is looking good and functioning at its best to protect your investment.

Why Do Roof Maintenance?

Your roof is an investment, and you should do all that you can to protect that investment. By checking your roof annually, you are helping to prevent expensive problems. With any roofing material, there comes the risk of damage over time. These damages include leaks, dents, scratches, degradation, and corrosion. Maintenance also helps to ensure the long lifespan of your roof. Metal roofing can easily last at least 50 years with proper maintenance. Harsh weather and other exposures can all impact the long life of your roofing material. Maintenance helps you be able to repair any damages before having to consider a total replacement. Regular maintenance also helps make sure that your roof looks good. You want the roof to look great because it is one of the many elements involved in your overall curb appeal. Ultimately, you want to protect your investment.

How to Maintain Your Metal Roof

• Keep it clean—Over time, dirt, pollen, mildew, and other environmental unpleasantries can build up on your roof. With metal roofing, this could create a situation where the metal could begin to rust or become water stained. When it comes to proper cleaning, you’ll want to use more than just plain water. You may even need a cleaning tool such as a microfiber cloth to get the tough stains out. When using a cleaning agent, you want to make sure that it is correctly diluted so it doesn’t negatively affect your roof. Dish soap can even work. When cleaning your roof, always consider your level of comfort. It’s never a bad idea to call in a professional for any aspect of roofing maintenance. A professional will know the proper way to walk on your roof without risking damages. They will also be better at noting areas of rust, corrosion, or other potential compromises.

• Remove leaves and branches—While there is no set time when you should do your roof maintenance, fall is a great time to clear unwanted leaves and branches from its surface. You’ll also want to ensure leaves and branches are removed from your gutters before the winter months. Clearing debris helps to ensure that snow will properly slide off of the roof—one of the many benefits of choosing a metal roof in the first place. If you have trees on your property, be sure to trim any branches that hang over the roof to minimize the likelihood of leaf buildup. Tree branches can cause damage to your roof, especially in a storm. In addition, branches can scratch at the paint, leading to unnecessary repairs or a need to paint more often.

• Get rid of snow and ice—The winter months can be long and brutal to any roofing material. Snow and ice accumulation can pose a risk to the longevity of your roof in time. If possible, it helps to sweep snow off with a brush or a long-handled broom. No matter what maintenance you’re performing, you need to avoid any metal tools that could scrape off the roof’s protective coating.

• Perform paint touch-ups—The initial paint job on your metal roof can last up to a decade. If your roof is hitting this age, or you’ve noticed chips, paint touch-ups can be a great addition to your maintenance routine. Not only does it improve the look of your roof by removing blemishes, but it also helps to remove corrosion or fill in small holes.

• Check the panel seams—During your assessment, take the time to check all the panels of the roofing material. In addition, you’ll want to keep an eye out for any panel seems that seem loose or appear to be separating, because they’ll need repairs. When panel seams are loose or slip out of place, any water can leak into these gaps and into your house, risking further damage.

• Make sure roof screws are secure—When checking your paneling, also check the security of the screws. There are numerous reasons that screws can loosen over time. This includes thermal expansion, which is caused by everyday and seasonal changes in the weather; compression, which is most often caused by heavy snow or ice; gaskets, which can deteriorate over time; and water damage, which can impact the life of the screws.

• Trust a professional—It never hurts to have a professional come and assess the condition of your roof. A professional will be able to easily identify potential problems such as scratches, corrosion, leaks, dents, and other environmental issues that can impact your roof’s overall quality and longevity.

Annual Maintenance Is the Key to Your Roof’s Longevity

Metal roofing is meant to last. It is durable and can withstand weather extremes. While metal roofing doesn’t require much maintenance, it is still essential to do an annual check to make sure that your roof is at its best. This can include cleaning the surface of your roof, clearing gutters and valleys of your roof, and ensuring that no debris such as branches and leaves dwell too long on the surface of your roof. Investing in a metal roof is a wise investment. With proper maintenance, a metal roof will easily last a lifetime. With all these maintenance tips, do only what you are comfortable doing. Using the services of a roofing professional is a worthwhile investment. They will have the proper training to stay safe and keep your roof safe as well. They will know exactly what to look for when it comes to the health of your roof.