Why metal roof maintenance matters more than you think

By Colin Dowling, Elite Construction Solutions. 

Preserve your investment and peace of mind with regular roof maintenance. 

Metal roofs are prized for their durability and sleek look, but the secret to maximizing that investment lies in regular maintenance. While metal roofs can outlast traditional shingles by decades, neglecting routine care can lead to costly issues that undermine their longevity and aesthetic appeal. From minor scratches that evolve into rust patches to unseen leaks that threaten your home’s structure, maintenance isn’t just a good idea — it’s essential. With us at Elite Construction Solutions, discover why keeping your metal roof in top shape is crucial and learn the expert tips that will protect your home for years to come. 

Why is metal roof maintenance important?  

Homeowners usually purchase a metal roof because they are weary of replacing their old roof. Standard shingle roofs typically need to be replaced every 10 or 15 years. A well-maintained metal roof can look great and last for decades. That said, there are several reasons you should still have your metal roof maintained from time to time:  

To avoid problems 

Problems with your roof can lead to structural damage to your home and damage and destruction to personal property. A metal roof is still susceptible to problems that can lead to property damage over time. Common issues include:  

• Denting from hail 

• Scuffing 

• Leaking 

• Degradation 

• Scratching 

• Galvanic corrosion  

It is recommended that a licensed roofing company maintain your metal roof at least once per year. The roofing contractor should also perform an annual inspection and identify any trouble areas. This way, problem areas can be addressed before they become a more serious issue.  

Prolong roof life 

A metal roof can last up to 40 years. You want it to last as long as possible because metal roofs are expensive. The worst thing that can happen is avoiding maintenance to save money and then having to replace the whole roof again. Regular inspection and maintenance of your metal roof are critical to maximizing its life.  

As with any home system, a maintenance schedule will ensure that your metal roof has a long life, performs at its best and protects your home. However, certain elements can still affect a strong metal roof. So, it’s critical to understand roof maintenance so you can pinpoint potential issues and correct them before they get serious.  

Keep your metal roof beautiful  

Regular metal roof maintenance will ensure your roof stays as beautiful as it was on day one. No one wants their expensive metal roof to look dirty, rusty or damaged. After all, if you paid for a metal roof, you want to be sure its surface is free of dust, debris or dirt.  

How metal roof maintenance is performed 

Regular metal roof maintenance is vital to maximizing its life and beauty. Now, let’s review metal roof maintenance basics:  

Roof surface maintenance 

Metal roof surface maintenance involves tasks that don’t require inspecting the underlying roof structure. You may choose to perform surface metal roof maintenance on your own. However, you may consider hiring an experienced metal roof contracting company to handle this task. After all, the roofer is the expert in roof maintenance and safety.  

However, if you want to maintain the roof surface, consider safety first. This is even more important on a roof with a steep slope. A metal roof is slick when wet, so remember this when using any liquid to clean the roof surface.  

Industry experts have varying opinions on how often surface maintenance should be done. Typically, the maintenance interval depends on the area’s exterior environment. For instance, a home in a mild Midwest climate may only need surface maintenance every 12 or 18 months. A metal roof in a hotter and more humid environment, such as Florida, may need more surface maintenance. Your roof may also need more surface maintenance if it is underneath trees.  

Clean drains and gutters 

Drains and gutters are perfect spots for sticks and leaves to build up and cause clogging. Clogging accumulates water on your metal roof and that’s never good. Standing water on a metal roof will cause corrosion and leaks. So, clean out your drains and gutters at least annually.  

Remove dirt and stains 

Cleaning the metal roof of dirt and stains will also extend your roof’s life and beautiful appearance. This sounds straightforward but cleaning the roof safely and adequately is essential so no damage is done. A metal roofing contractor is an excellent option for this critical work.  

Remove sticks and branches 

Is your home underneath trees? Are there branches extending over the metal roof? You must ensure that no tree branches touch or scrap the roof surface. You don’t want scuffing or scratches on the roof paint.  

Also, check that no other materials or metals touch the roof’s surface. Various materials touching the metal surface can cause premature degradation, staining and even roof failure. For instance, certain types of metal roofing perform best when not touched by brick, iron, concrete or treated lumber. Contact with one of these could cause galvanic corrosion of the roof surface.  

Check for chipping, scuffs and scratches 

A metal roof can suffer scuffing, scratches and chipping that can shorten its life. Your roofing professional should check for these issues regularly to prevent potential problems.  

For example, a surface scratch on a metal roof may be due to a branch hitting the roof or an installation error. Fortunately, touch-up paint matching the roof color can address many minor scratches. However, you should make sure that you follow the paint manufacturer’s application instructions. Otherwise, the scratch could become more apparent.  

Contact the roofing manufacturer or a contractor for assistance if you spot excessive scratch and scuff damage.  

Metal roof structural maintenance 

Structural maintenance of metal roofs is also vital to the life of your roof. An experienced metal roofing contractor should perform this work. How often? The maintenance interval depends on the type of roof and the stresses it receives regularly. You should have the roof structural system inspected more frequently if the metal roof is often exposed to the following stressors:  

• Heavy wind 

• Hail 

• Driving rain or snow 

• Extreme cold or heat 

• Regular fluctuations in temperature 

Many roofing professionals recommend structural maintenance be performed at least every 24 months. However, some parts of the country may need longer or shorter intervals. Talk with your metal roofing professional and they can provide the optimal structural maintenance schedule for your roof.  

Some of the most essential structural maintenance on a metal roof include:  

Repairing screws, rivets and fasteners 

Screws, rivets and fasteners attach the metal panels to the underlying roof structure. They are designed to last for many years on your metal roof. But it’s still critical to ensure they are not damaged, loose or missing. There is even more crucial maintenance for a roof system with exposed fasteners. This type of roof should have its screws, rivets and fasteners checked every year; they could become loose from roof panel expansion and contraction over months and years.  

Checking panel seams 

The condition of the roof panels and seams is critical to the longevity of the roof. Your roofing professional should check that the metal panels aren’t loose and moving too much. All the roof panel seams should be undamaged and tight. The roofer should also make sure that sufficient space is available for the roof to contract and expand as the temperature fluctuates.  

Checking flashing materials 

Roof leaks often occur because of damaged flashing materials. Ensure all flashing materials on the metal roof are well-sealed and in good shape to prevent leaks.  

Checking sealant 

Sealant is critical to keeping out water, wind, dirt and other contaminants that can work their way into small crevices and seams. Ensuring that all sealant is in good condition will ensure that your metal roof is as weather-proof as possible. Many sealants can last for many years, but others may require a touch-up or replacement more often.  

Checking penetration points 

Penetration points in the metal roof, like solar panels, chimneys and skylights, use specific types of flashing materials. You or your roofing contractor should see if any rubber flashing around these penetration points has degraded; strong UV rays in Florida and other sunny areas will damage rubber over time. Also, flashing materials should be maintained, so the contractor should ensure that this special flashing wasn’t exposed to paint that could lead to degradation.  

Regular maintenance of your metal roof is vital to protect and preserve this critical investment in your home. It also ensures that your roof will last and stay beautiful for decades. Following the steps mentioned in this article will lead to years of trouble-free performance by your metal roof.  

Original article and photo source: Elite Construction Solutions