There are a number of reasons why people choose to install metal roofs as opposed to roofs made of different types of materials. For one thing, metal roofs are often considered more aesthetically appealing than other types of roofs. For another, they offer the benefit of reflecting UV rays, especially after older roofs have been restored. It’s estimated that a metal roof restoration system can reflect up to 85% of all harmful UV rays. Metal roofs are also remarkably durable, but that doesn’t mean that they can go without proper roof maintenance.
Maintenance might be tedious, and indeed something that you put off taking care of because you don’t want to pay for it. But in fact, putting off roof maintenance means that you may have to work on metal roof repairs down the road. And you don’t want to have to bother with that; after all, roof repairs are usually much more expensive than repairs, especially since they’re often done last-minute.
With that being said, let’s look into what is necessary concerning commercial roof maintenance, and specifically what you need to do to maintain metal commercial roofing. The more you stay on top of maintenance, the less you’ll need to pay for repairs in the long term.
1. Regular Cleanings
This might seem obvious at first, but a lot of people don’t connect preventing the need for metal roof repairs with regular cleanings. Cleaning your roof is about much more than simply ensuring that it looks good, though that itself is important, especially for commercial roofs. Dirt and other debris can cake up on a roof, which can eventually cause erosion or undue pressure on the roof itself.
Clogged gutters and drains are particularly problematic, as they can cause water to pool in different areas around the roof. This will almost certainly lead to the metal suffering from corrosion, and in the long term could lead to roof leaks. It’s important to employ professionals to clean your roof, drains, and gutters; amateur attempts at these services are surprisingly dangerous.
2. Ensure That The Roof Is Not Being Touched By Metal
Why would metal touching your roof lead to the need for metal roof repairs? Well, the fact is that metals actually interact with one another when they touch. These chemical interactions could lead to your roof degrading prematurely, or otherwise being scratched or damaged. Though it may seem unlikely that any metal would be touching your roof, debris can come in contact with roofing in a variety of different ways.
For that matter, you should keep this in mind when people are working on your roof, as certain tools can cause undue damage to metal roofing. This is why it’s so important to employ people who know exactly what they’re doing regarding metal roofing.
3. Checking For Loose Screws And Panels
Again, this is something that you might not want to handle directly on your own, but you nonetheless need to make sure that it’s taken care of. One of the issues that come up with metal roofing is a looseness of the screws, fixing fasteners, and rivets. Sometimes this is caused by extreme weather, while sometimes it occurs due to the passage of time.
Panels can also be dislodged or loosened over time, and gradually this will lead to the roof degrading. For that matter, if the panels themselves are not properly put in place, it’s possible that they expand or contract in response to thermal pressure. The last thing anyone would want is for a metal roof repair to be necessary simply because there was something loose that could easily be tightened.
4. Replacing Sealant
Metal roofs are usually coated with a sealant, which ensures that they can reflect UV rays while the same time remaining durable enough to withstand other outside pressures. Though some choose to skip sealing their roofs, this can be catastrophic for their longevity in the long term. However, just because a roof is sealed doesn’t mean it will stay sealed. This means that roof sealants must be regular check up on and maintained.
While this may seem like a lot of work, it’s just a part of regular maintenance. Keep up with it, and your roof will last much longer!