metal roof inspection Archives

As with any kind of roof, proper maintenance is integral to protecting against hurricane damage. In part 1 of this series, we reviewed how choosing metal roofing can help prevent wind damage to homes and businesses. And while choosing metal panels as a roofing solution is the first step to damage prevention and increasing roof longevity, there are additional precautions your customers can take to protect their investment.

Professional inspection

Prevention is key. To maintain the strength and durability of metal roofs, your customers should have a licensed metal roofing professional inspect it regularly. While your customers can manually inspect their roof themselves, a qualified roofing inspector can thoroughly examine it, identify areas of concern and provide a detailed report including roof life expectancy, photos and repair estimates. Professional inspectors can also make hurricane preparedness recommendations based on your customer’s roof type.

Ensure all fasteners are secure

Fasteners are the key to preventing roof uplift as a result of high winds. Be certain the roof is properly fastened to the truss and that the correct fastener type, diameter, length and thickness are used. Consider the thickness of the panel, substrate and any other materials between the panel and truss to when selecting fastener length to ensure roof panels are secure. (Screws often need to be triple the length to accommodate the thickness of what’s being screwed down.) Additionally, although placement of fasteners may seem like a minor detail, screw pattern can actually be a major factor in a roof’s structural integrity. Be sure to follow the panels manufacturer’s instructions to the letter during installation.

Check for rust, loose screws and flaking paint

When rust develops on metal, it can accelerate degradation, compromising the integrity of your customer’s structure and leaving it vulnerable—particularly in inclement weather. While ABC offers Galvalume^® metal panels that prevent rust from occurring, standing water and heat from direct exposure to the sun can degrade this protection over time. Therefore, it is important that customers regularly check for rusty and loose screws as well as flaking paint which can also cause rust development. If rust is found, advise your customer to contact their roofing contractor for repair options.

Install hurricane straps

An added layer of protection from high winds, hurricane straps (or roof tie-downs) securely tie rafters to load-bearing walls. Made of galvanized metal, they can attach to most roof types, protecting it and the structure beneath. Hurricane straps can also help keep a roof from detaching and causing damage to nearby structures and objects. Many homes already have them (depending on how old the roof is), but even structures with hurricane straps should be checked to make sure they were installed properly.

Add roof reinforcements

Although most metal roofing is resistant to wind-related damage, adding reinforcements can decrease the likelihood of damage. This is particularly true if your customer’s building project is located in a hurricane-prone area. To reinforce their metal roof, your customers can add sturdy overlapping materials on top such as heavier metal panels or two-by-fours. A professional roofing contractor can advise your customer on the best reinforcement option for their structure.

Brace gable ends

Gable ends experience a lot of exposure to high winds, making them vulnerable to wind damage. If your customer’s structure has a gable end, they should ensure that it has been solidly built and appropriately braced.

Trim your trees

Trees that hang over your customer’s roof can be dangerous any time of year, but particularly during a hurricane. Falling tree limbs can cause severe roof damage, allow water into the structure, cause electrical issues or even injure someone inside. Trimming trees to is an easy way to prevent damage and injury.

Perform an interior inspection

If your customer is experiencing issues with their roof, chances are that they will also see damage inside their structure. Your customers should be aware of any spots, stains, peeling paint and daylight seeping in. These are all serious indicators of a compromised roof and should be addressed immediately.

Secure the Yard

Unsecured items around your customers’ property can become a major threat to your customer’s home or business during a hurricane. With strong winds, patio furniture, trampolines, grills and even potted plants can become dangerous projectiles. If these objects strike your customers roof, they could cause severe damage. Customers should move small items inside and secure larger items with rope or zip ties.

Choosing metal panels as a roofing solution is the first step to preventing building damage during hurricane season. There are, however, extra precautions your customers can take to prevent damage and protect their investment.

For additional information on metal roof performance during hurricane season, read part one of our blog series. For additional tips on how to storm-proof your roof, reach out to your local ABC representative today.

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Note: This post was updated from a previously-published version.

Understanding the maintenance requirements of your metal panels is essential to maximizing the longevity of your investment with the least amount of hassle. While metal panels have been engineered to provide decades of trouble-free protection, they can suffer damage from the build-up of debris as well as storm-related traumas like hail stones, falling branches and ice dams. To extend the lifespan and strength of metal panels, maintenance consists mostly of preventing and correcting these issues.

The importance of regular inspections

Regular inspections are critical to identifying damaged panels and accumulated debris that can trap moisture, causing corrosion over time. To prevent this, a visual inspection should be performed in the spring and the fall of each year, as well as after major weather events to identify issues. Take a walk around the structure and look for leaves, branches and other debris piled up on the roof, including in valleys, gutters and downspouts, as well as behind chimneys and/or other protrusions. While you can perform this type of inspection yourself, please keep in mind that metal panels—particularly metal roofs—should be professionally inspected every four to five years depending on your geographic location. If you live in a coastal or humid area more prone to corrosion and rust, professional inspections should be done more frequently to prevent the rust from spreading and causing structural damage to the panels.

In addition to debris, keep an eye out for scratched or dented areas, as well as for loose screws and seams that look like they are separating. (If you can’t make out the details from the ground, try using a pair of binoculars.). Use the manufacturer’s recommended touch-up paint to correct scratches as they can quickly degrade the surface protection and jeopardize the longevity of metal panels. If the panels have separating seams or holes, first check to see if the repair is partly or fully covered by your warranty. Unless you are experienced in metal roof repair and possess a thorough knowledge of the products and techniques that can be used without voiding the warranty, it is recommended that you engage a metal panel repair specialist to make the repairs. If you decide to undertake the work yourself, it is also important to remember that these fixes are, at best, temporary and should be addressed by a professional recommended by the metal panel manufacturer.

Cleaning metal panels

Keeping metal panels clean is one of the best ways to ensure they last as long as possible. When cleaning metal roofs and walls, using a non-pressure cleaning method with detergents recommended by the metal panel manufacturer is ideal. It is not advisable to use metal tools such as rakes to remove debris. This is likely to scratch the paint, reducing the panels protection from the elements and other damaging factors. Using a leaf blower to remove debris is a common choice, but a long-handled push-broom or a telescoping pole with a window cleaning brush will also do the job. Ideally, the tool should be one that lets you do the removal from the ground, but if you absolutely must walk on the roof then only step on the flat areas. If there are areas you can’t access yourself—particularly slanted areas that have been made slippery with cleaning solutions—hiring a professional service to do this once or twice a year is the safest option.

To reduce the chance of further damage and keep your panels cleaner over longer periods of time, trim tree branches as far back from the building as possible. This is especially important for large, unhealthy branches that could break off during high winds and cause damage.

Proper snow removal

There are—of course—considerations that must be made for metal buildings located in colder climates. After a winter storm, it’s a good idea to remove standing snow from the roof. This is doubly important on older homes where poor attic insulation can lead to ice dams. An ice dam forms when heat escaping from inside the attic warms the roof and melts the bottom layer of snow. The snowmelt then re-freezes, creating a dam that traps water which can work its way into seams between panels and around flashings.

Warranty considerations

It’s always smart to reference the metal panel manufacturer’s warranty to be sure you don’t use any products or tools that will void your warranty. They should also provide instructions and advice specific to the panels and application(s) you’ve selected to ensure you get the most out of their products with the least hassle.

For more information on metal panels, check out ABC’s FAQ page. For more on our metal panels and accessories, please visit our product pages or contact your local representative today.

Tag: metal roof inspection

Metal Roofing & Hurricane Season Part 2: Tips to Help Your Customers Protect Their Metal Roof