When considering the benefits of metal roofing for your business or home, you’ll notice that its durability is one of the most discussed advantages. Metal roofing is known for its natural resistance to high moisture levels, high temperatures, fires, and heavy rains, which are familiar to Goldsboro, NC residents. However, their remarkable durability doesn’t mean they’re indestructible, and you should still perform maintenance every year or two.
Though metal roofs are more resistant to foot traffic and weather hardships than materials like asphalt shingles or tiles, which are more prone to brittle and cracking under weight and heavy storms, they are still susceptible to wear and tear and mistakes that can affect their functionality and compromise the energy-saving benefits of metal roofs.
Hence, it’s still recommended that you inspect your metal roof at least every two years, if it’s newly installed, or every year for older roofs to correct problems and ensure you get metal roofing solutions for long-lasting protection.
Ensure your roofing contractors perform a final inspection before the handover. Look for any of the following signs that indicate your metal roof needs repairs before they become a more significant problem.
Even the most durable and stylish metal roofing options are susceptible to oil canning, especially if you choose metal panels. Oil canning occurs when the metal is over-stressed and can’t hold its flat form, forming visible waves on the surface. Although oil canning doesn’t compromise your roof’s safety, it diminishes its curb appeal.
This aesthetic issue can occur due to various factors; sometimes, it is just natural wear and tear of metal. Oil canning can happen due to over-stressing during manufacturing, inadequate space allotted for thermal expansion, or improper usage, handling, and installation. Though you can’t repair it, there are multiple ways to reduce the chances of oil canning and ensure you get metal roofing solutions for long-lasting protection.
You can reduce the likelihood of oil canning in your metal roof by:
- Purchasing thicker metals. In the U.S., the most common gauges (how metal thickness is measured) are 22, 24, 26, and 29. The lower the gauge, the thicker the metal. Hence, consider buying metal panels with gauges 22 or 24 to enjoy the appealing benefits of metal roofing.
- Buying tension leveled metal.
- Use a rib roller profile to break up the flat spaces in the metal panels.
- Hire experienced and licensed contractors knowledgeable about industry-standard installation practices to avoid mishandling and improper installation of metal panels, ensuring you get durable and stylish metal roofing options.
Although loose fasteners are a most concerning problem in roofs with exposed fasteners, they can arise in any roof, regardless of the material. In metal roofing, loose fasteners occur due to the metal’s expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, which can cause fasteners to go out or pop through the roof, compromising the sealant around them and the benefits of metal roofing you can get over time.
Loose and missing fasteners are among the most common causes of leaks in metal roofs. They leave gaps for water to enter, compromising the condition of the entire roof system. Likewise, since the panels are not securely attached, they may shift or blow out of the roof during heavy storms, exposing your insulation and underlayment and damaging even the best metal roofing solutions for long-lasting protection.
If you notice leaks or can see fasteners popping out on your roof, look for reliable roofing contractors to inspect your metal roof and secure, replace, and re-seal any loose or missing fasteners to ensure you get a durable metal roof.
Metal roofs with painted finishes are susceptible to scratching or scuffing at any point in their lifecycle. Even when manufacturers and contractors carefully handle the panels during slitting, recoiling, transportation, and installation, they’re still human and are not exempt from mistakes. Hence, checking the metal panels once they arrive is good practice to ensure they’re spotless and you get durable and stylish metal roofing options.
Scuffs can occur due to improper coiling, which causes the coating to grind against the others, a lack of edge guards when shipping the panels, and tools and equipment that rub or drop on them. Luckily, most scratches are superficial, and your installers can fix them with paint or a touch-up pen. However, it is better to replace the panels if they go to the metal’s core so that you can reap all the benefits of metal roofing.
When you sign with Advanced Building, you get a meticulous and dependable partner who will care for your roof all year round. From the moment we install it to annual maintenance, we’ll ensure metal roofing solutions for long-lasting protection that truly lasts without causing headaches due to unexpected repairs.
We’ll ensure that every fastener is secured, every flashing sealed, and every layer of roofing material expands and contracts without breaking havoc on your roof.
Contact us for your quote today!
