Metal roofing can change the look, energy efficiency, and lifespan of your home! What’s not to love? Making the swap to a metal roof comes with a ton of benefits, as long as you maintain it properly. In this article, we’ll discuss why it’s so important to keep your metal roof in tip-top shape, as well as how to do it!
Why is it important to maintain metal roofs?
Avoid Expensive Repairs
The upfront cost of a metal roof installation can be more expensive than installing a shingled roof, but since they last up to 60 years (or more), you save money in the long run by not having to do regular full roof replacements. To ensure you reap those cost-saving benefits, it’s important to keep up with appropriate metal roof maintenance. Metal roof damage and repairs can be easily avoided, as long as you are attentive!
Make It Last!
Like we mentioned, your metal roof could last you upwards of seven or eight decades! People love metal roofing because it very rarely needs to be fully replaced. Making sure you give your roof the maintenance attention it needs is essential to having a roof that stands the test of time.
Keep Your Metal Roof Looking Good
Other than making sure you don’t have to shell out money for costly roof repairs and ensuring your roof lasts a lifetime, doing regular maintenance on your metal roof will keep it looking good. Aside from the monetary and energy efficiency benefits, many people also choose metal roofing for the aesthetics! Carrying out regular cleanings and other maintenance duties will make sure you can keep enjoying that stunning metal-roof look.
How to maintain your metal roof
Keep It Clean And Clear
A quick way to accrue some damage to your metal roof is to let debris and dirt accumulate on its surfaces. One great way to maintain your roof’s integrity is to make sure it stays completely clear of all clutter. Your metal roof will naturally have valleys which can collect all kinds of things. Making sure these valleys stay free of debris is crucial to enjoying your roof for decades to come.
Another great way to keep your roof clean is to make sure all trees and other foliage are always trimmed back away from the edges of the roof. Having any overhanging plants can lead to build up of branches and leaves that will deteriorate your metal roof.
If your metal roof has gutters and drains, of course, be sure to clear them on a regular basis. If you don’t, it can affect your roof’s ability to drain properly, which can lead to damages.
Check for damage, corrosion, and rust
Performing regular checks of your metal roof can alert you to issues before they develop into something major. For instance, always do a roof check after any extreme weather.
When checking your roof, you want to look for any paint scratching, scraping, flaking, fading, or rusting. These types of imperfections can lead to worsening damage over time if left unattended. Common places to see signs of corrosion in your metal roof are near the HVAC systems, air vents, chimneys, skylights, and solar panels.
Performing a roof check should also include keeping an eye out for panels that are separating at their seams – seam separation can lead to leaks! While you’re at it, you should also check the roof’s flashing (material that makes sure water properly flows off of the roof). Damaged flashing materials can also lead to leaks and water damage.
Regular inspection from the pros!
Honestly, roofing isn’t one of those home-improvement things that’s easy to D.I.Y. You really should trust the pros, at least once a year, to get up there and thoroughly inspect the metal roof for any issues that could potentially be disastrous.
By trusting a professional, you avoid the danger of walking around on your roof without the proper safety equipment, as well as avoiding the potentially expensive damage that can come from overlooking a damaged area due to having an untrained eye. Don’t take it personally, our Metal Roof Pros have years and years of experience under their belt.
Give our team of experts a call, and let’s talk about getting an inspection scheduled!