How Do You Maintain A Metal Roof

The steeper the metal roof the more you ll need to lean over.

How do you maintain a metal roof.

Remove all the rust possible and then rinse with clear water from a garden hose. In most cases all you need is pressurized water but sometimes you may need a chemical cleaner for especially tough spots. In very humid areas mildew may in areas of a metal roof despite the high mildew resistance of quality paints and protective coatings. Insulate and try to keep from reaching the dew point.

Look for loose flashings roof sheets fasteners or punctures from falling objects. On metal roofs it s a must to wear rubber soled shoes. Refer to our glossary. Inspect your roof paint for large scratches if you find some contact one of our team members immediately.

Not sure what those objects are. The following tips apply to most metal roofs whether exposed fastener standing seam or architecturally inspired types that look like slate cedar shakes or ceramic tile. These areas can expose your metal roofing to chemicals that will break down the paint system and can corrode the metal. Walk up a roof and lean your body over towards the roof to help maintain your balance.

Bend the flashing into a v shape to fit over the top roof ridge and the corners where the panels meet. Metal roofs will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike. If the rust has caused corrosion sand it lightly to remove the rust completely and then apply a metal primer to protect the roof from future rust. Most important though is to take some safety precautions before attempting to clean to reduce the chance of injury.

Metal roofs are thinner than other roofing materials and prone to getting bent or even punctured when you walk or stand on them. Crouch down slightly to walk down a metal roof safely. Inspect areas around chimneys heat vents oil condensers above cooking areas and air conditioners. Metal roofs are relatively easy to clean with patience.

Apply touch up paint to the metal primer for aesthetic purposes if you wish. Do not scrape the rust with a wire brush. However they should be inspected periodically to make sure no repairs are required. Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat which can reduce cooling costs by 10 25.

The flashing should overlap the edge of the roof by one inch to help direct water. It helps direct water away from the meeting points and keeps the roofing dry. The best shoes boots for metal roofs are the soft soled shoes usually made of a light pliable rubber. Flashing is metal trim that fits over joints where two sections of roof meet.

If you do find mildew has developed washing with a solution such as this should remove it. In addition metal roofs don t need the periodic costly maintenance that other roofing materials often require. 2 3 cup trisodium phosphate tsp 1 quart of common chlorine bleach 5 sodium hypochlorite solution. You should have the feeling that your shoes are sticking to the metal.

Add a preinstalled membrane to absorb and release the condensation as it forms with the natural weather cycle. Walk up or down a slightly inclined roof by walking as you would on the ground but slowly.