Winter Preparation: 4 Metal Roof Problems to Look for and Repair
The cold season has set in, so many homeowners are busy with their winter preparation chores. Take the time to make sure your house is in tip-top shape before the snowy months. This way, you can snuggle in and enjoy the winter without worrying if your home can take the cold.
One thing you should include in your winter home maintenance checklist is metal roof repair. Metal roofs are often lauded for their durability, but they can still get damaged. You need to attend to these issues before the snow sticks around. Otherwise, your roof might leak and cause serious structural damage to your house.
Follow this guide on how to repair metal roofs to ensure reliable protection for your home against the elements this winter.
1. Leaks
Leaks are among the most common metal roof problems. In most cases, metal roof leaks are caused by extreme weather, such as when ice freezes then thaws quickly on gutters.
Improper installation may also cause leakage. The seams of the metal panels might not be aligned, creating gaps where moisture can pass through. Problems with your roof’s flashing can also result in leaks.
Identify the source of the leak before doing anything else. However, this may be difficult for untrained eyes. Call a professional metal roof repair contractor to make sure the problem is resolved promptly.
2. Damaged Flashing
The flashing is crucial in preventing water damage on roofs. Check for scratches, holes, or corroded spots in the flashing. You can plug these with roofing cement or patch them using the same material as the flashing.
If the flashing is badly damaged, you’ll have to replace it. Scrape the old caulking compound around the dormers, then use a stiff brush to remove the flashing. Apply urethane roofing cement between the flashing and the siding. Make sure to seal the seams to prevent leaks.
3. Scratches and Punctures
Falling debris from nearby trees and large amounts of snowfall can scuff and puncture your metal roof. These problems impact your roof’s integrity; scratches can chip away at the protective coating and small holes can lead to leaks.
Minor scuffs can easily be buffed with a touch-up pen or the right kind of paint. But if the scratch runs all the way down to the substrate, you need to bring it up with a contractor.
You can patch small holes on your metal roof by using the same sheet or panel. Apply a urethane sealant of the same color on the area you are repairing. Press the small patch onto the hole until the sealant squeezes out from the sides. Smooth over the excess sealant to completely seal the sides of the patch.
4. Oil Canning
Metal roofs sometimes develop wrinkles or waves on the panels. This is called oil canning or stress wrinkling. Oil canning is common for metal roofs, usually occurring when the metal system can’t hold its flat form anymore. Improper installation can also lead to wrinkles on the metal panels.
Sadly, there’s not much you can do to correct oil canning in metal roofing. If the wrinkling is extreme, you can replace the damaged panels. Choose a light-colored material with a matte finish that doesn’t reflect light too much to make imperfections less noticeable.
Most importantly, work with a metal roofing company that is careful and diligent during the installation process. They know how much tension and space to give each panel so that the roofing system won’t get deformed due to stress.
If you are not sure how to resolve your metal roof problem, your best bet is to call a trained professional. It is always good to schedule a maintenance check before the winter to prevent these issues from sprouting up in the first place.
High-Quality Metal Roofing Guaranteed
At Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters, we offer excellent metal roofing services for homeowners and commercial property owners. Our specialists make sure that roofing systems are installed correctly to maximize their function and durability.
We also offer speedy roof repair services. Our technicians will identify the root of the problem and apply the appropriate fix quickly so you can go back to your daily routine.
Call us at 877-594-7449 today to get a no-obligation quote.