London ON Metal Roofing: How to Extend the Life of a Roof Made of Metal

Every London ON homeowner will definitely want this question answered: "How to extend the life of a roof made of metal?" On its own, metal roofs are one of the most durable yet highly expensive roofing materials in the market.

Steel roofs dipped in zinc or aluminum (galvanized and galvalumed roof respectively) deliver extensive lifespan and protection from 50-70 years. However, homeowners must always expect the roofing quality to become poor as the metal roof approaches its last five years.

In any case, you can extend the lifespan and capability of metal roofs effectively with regular roof inspections and nipping problems in the bud. Atlantic Roofing Company has an excellent list that will help you know how to extend the life of a roof made of metal.

How to Extend the Lifespan of a Roof Made of Metal

Inspect your roof regularly

Performing regular inspections of your roof can help you identify minor issues before they become big problems.

One thing to monitor about your roof is how well it drains. Is water pooling up in certain spots after a hard rain? Are your gutters redistributing water efficiently? Standing water can weaken the integrity of your roof and shorten its lifespan. In addition to regular inspections, always inspect your roof after any severe weather.

Another thing to look for during an inspection are the seams and fasteners, which can come loose due to the expansion or contraction of the metal as it’s exposed to the elements.

Finally, be sure to check any mechanical units, vents, or heat stacks as any buildup of residue resulting from a faulty unit can compromise your roof.

Clean the gutters

A clogged or backed up gutter can create an ice dam during cold temperatures. And an ice dam can wreak havoc on a metal roof in the form of separated seams, bent roof flashes, and damaged rooftop pipes.

In addition to cleaning the gutters, be sure to keep your roof clear of any debris such as leaves or trash as these can cause your gutters to become clogged and deter water from draining properly. (Continued)

Both zinc and aluminum layers rust initially and end corrosion at the protective layer before rust can even reach the steel core. How to extend the life of a roof made of metal? Manufacturers can choose to give steel roofs a thick layer of zinc and aluminum. However, this is counter-productive because it will give the metal roof more density and make it heavy for most properties.

Therefore, a better choice is to apply a protective metal roof coating to protect both the zinc/aluminum coats and the steel core itself. Both acrylic and elastomeric paints can do so much in terms of preserving the lifespan and capability of metal roofs. Each one has its respective pros and cons. Commercial Energy Systems has an excellent list of both paints' capabilities. Learn more here.

How to Extend the Lifespan of a Roof Made of Metal: Roof Coatings Guide

Acrylic Elastomeric

• A viscous, water soluble (latex is a technical term for the suspension of polymer microparticles in water) product used in various paint and coating products.
• Additives are required to enhance longevity from discoloration and reduce chalking (breaking down).
• Requires multiple layer application for increased dry film millage. 1 dry mil is equal to 1000th of 1 inch or (.8 dry mils is .0008").
• Does not meet the National Roofing Contractors Association requirements as an elastomeric, or as a single-component, high-solid, monolithic waterproofing product for roofing applications.
• Has no "elongation" or increased tensile strength benefit as defined as an elastomeric due to the chemical nature of the material.
• Requires continued re-coating due to the chemical failure related to weathering effects of UV and water.
• Product warranty excludes ponding and standing water due to complete failure under hydrostatic pressure and has poor chemical resistance due to the hydrophilic properties.
• Requires multiple processes incorporated into the application to ensure any waterproofing benefits such as added fiberglass matting, caulking for seams, and flashing or other chemical additions to make the application a "system."
• Is a cheap and economic choice to sell for contractors because it is water soluble.

Silicone Elastomeric- high solid (96%) (Continued)

How to extend the life of a roof made of metal? It can be quite challenging but not impossible. Rust is the biggest problem metal roof property owners have to face. It occurs when metal roofing comes in contact with moisture. This natural chemical reaction leads to the fast corrosion of your metal roof with oxidizatio turning the material brittle. It is for this reason metal roof paint and galvanization/galvalumation exists.

Is there any way to avoid rust? Strong Guard has an excellent list of procedures to help you avoid rust on your roof. You can do this on your own. However, you can save more time and money by having top-tier and experienced roofing companies in London ON work with you.

What should I do if I notice rust?

If you happen to notice spots or stains on your roof, there are a couple of ways to remove rust yourself, particularly if they’re swarf stains. Swarf refers to debris left over from cutting or piercing steel, and is made up of abrasives mixed with fine steel particles. If left on the surface of a metal roof, they can corrode and create rust-life stains. Swarf stains are often mistaken for the early deterioration of the metal roofing product itself, however they are primarily due to a bad clean-up job by your past installer (and we assure you, that wouldn’t be us!)If you notice spots or stains due to swarf deposits, you should brush your roof with a stiff bristled brush (not steel wool) to dislodge the particles, and then wash your roof with a mild detergent mixed with water. Rinse thoroughly!

If you notice minor scratches on your roof, the experts recommend that you refrain from performing any touch-ups yourself, particularly if they’re not visible from the street. This is because the colour durability of touch-up paint is often different from many modern-day steel roofs, so in a short period of time the colour will look different anyway. (Continued)

How to extend the life of a roof made of metal? While metal roofing materials have defined lifespans and performance, you can still improve and retain their consistency by performing everything listed in this post. If you'd like to work with the best roofers in London ON, you can count on Cub Roofing to help you. Learn more about what we can do for you today -- call now!

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352 Talbot St
London, ON N6A 2R6
226-779-3531