Metal roofs are a gorgeous addition to any home. But if you expect to keep them beautiful, a certain level of upkeep is required. You may be wondering what maintaining your metal roofing materials will entail.
Moreover, you’re likely pondering whether the right kind of care will make that much of a difference. Luckily, we’ve put together a shortlist of the most crucial maintenance tasks for metal roofing tasks and how they protect your roof from damage.
Trim Trees
One of the most important maintenance tips for metal roofing materials is ensuring that your trees are trimmed. Keeping branches at bay will prevent a whole host of issues with your metal roof. To start, well-trimmed trees won’t cause your roof to take on extra wear from thick branches scratching up against it.
You see, when trees brush up against materials like aluminum—for example—over time, it accelerates corrosion. And it shouldn’t come as a shock that this will effectively ruin the finish of your lovely metal roof. Plus, when your trees are trimmed, you won’t have to worry about flyaway branches or the structural damages they can cause.
Keep Things Clean
Perhaps even more crucial than regular tree trimming is making a point to keep your roof and its surrounding features tidy. This means ensuring that it is completely clear of dirt and debris. This is because when these things are left to fester, it causes:
- – Moisture buildup
- – Pest infestations
- – Accelerated wear on your roof
With metal roofs, the best cleaning methods typically involve attaching a window cleaning brush or similar tool to a long pole. Then, ideally, the makeshift device would help you scrape dirt and debris off of your roof. Of course, each roof is unique.
If you’re cleaning a painted metal roof or any other type of unique metal roofing, look into the best strategies for your specific materials. Finally, keeping your metal roof free of debris also entails ensuring that your gutters and downspouts are unclogged so that they can drain properly. For this reason, it is wise to cut time out of your schedule for regular cleanings like this.
Fix Your Fasteners
We can’t discuss important maintenance tips for metal roofing materials without mentioning the all-essential sealant checks and fastener fixes. Metal roofs are a bit different than your typical asphalt or slate installations. This is because they’re secured to the top of your home with screws and other fastening materials.
Thus, if you want your metal roof to remain in pristine condition, it’s crucial to check for dislodged or loose screws occasionally. If you find any, work quickly to replace or tighten them. Keep in mind that this type of work can be dangerous.
For this reason, it’s usually better to leave it to a professional rather than trying to do it yourself. In any case, ensuring that your screws are tight and in place will keep your roof’s structure from becoming compromised. That’s why you should always add this task to your metal roof maintenance checklist.
Common Roof Problems You Will Likely Encounter
