How to Get the Full 50+ Years Out of a Metal Roof

By Metal Sales.  

Low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance; here is how to keep a standing seam metal roof in top shape.  

As standing seam metal roofs grow in popularity across both residential and commercial buildings, making the maintenance and care of this kind of roof common knowledge only becomes more important. Metal roofs come with a long list of benefits, chief among them being how low maintenance they are compared to other roofing types. With a little routine cleaning and upkeep a standing seam metal roof will remain durable for many years. Here are a few tips from Metal Sales on how to ensure you are taking care of the metal on the roof. 

Why it’s important to keep up on standing seam roof maintenance 

Investing time in a little routine maintenance now can save the homeowner a lot of cash later on. Homeowners should pay close attention to their standing seam roofs in order to prevent major issues, prolong the life of the roof and preserve aesthetics. 

• Routine maintenance can prevent costly repairs. If you’re in the habit of thoroughly checking a roof, you’ll notice when things start to change. In most cases, early detection is the first step in preventing or stopping bigger issues that can lead to significant repairs and big associated costs. 

• Stay on top of aesthetics to keep curb appeal intact. If looks are important, maintenance should be important. Keeping a build-up of debris off the roof only helps to keep the home looking nice. And when the home looks good, the homeowner looks good. 

• Get the most life out of the standing seam roof. A typical standing seam roof is projected to last for 50+ years. You’ll be sure to get the full life out of the roof, and maybe even many more years, by investing in a little upkeep. However, stick with the manufacturer’s instructions.  

Trim trees and remove plant growth 

Most of the debris on the roof comes from surrounding trees and plants. You can protect the roof for years to come by trimming back tree branches and preventing the growth of invasive plants. Branches can damage the surface, and while most metal panels are designed to be self-healing, excessive wear and tear from rubbing branches can prematurely damage the standing seam roof. 

Trimming trees and removing plant growth protect the standing seam roof in two ways. First, you can rest easy knowing that a big storm isn’t going to bring a tree branch down on the home or commercial building; and, second, you can prevent the build-up of mold and bacteria caused by decaying biological materials. 

Clean gutters regularly 

Gutter systems are designed to collect and remove rainwater and ice melt so that it does not remain on the roof, where it can lead to damage. Gutters that are damaged, missing pieces, or full of debris cannot function properly. This allows a backup of water to erode the finish on the standing seam roof, which eventually may lead to corrosion and deterioration of an otherwise durable material. 

Traditional gutters should be professionally cleaned at least annually–more frequently if there is a lot of overhang from bushes and trees. However, modern gutter systems are designed to allow water in a while, keeping debris out. These gutter systems may need less frequent cleaning, but should still be checked annually to ensure proper function. 

Clean the roof 

A durable standing seam metal roof may be designed to last for 50 or more years. But that requires routine cleaning of the roof where leaves, seeds, and other natural debris tend to collect. As this material sits in the valleys of the standing seam roof, it is decaying and growing bacteria that looks dirty and compromises the integrity of the standing seam roofing panels. 

The trick is that cleaning the metal roof isn’t as easy as it seems. For one, not all metal roofing systems can be walked on without damaging the integrity of the panels. Fortunately, standing seam panels tend to be durable enough to allow modest foot traffic. Still, there is a significant safety risk. Given the risks, it’s best to leave the roof cleaning to the professionals.  

See something, say something, do something 

While standing seam metal roofs are notably less prone to failure compared to other types of metal roofing, things happen. A structural failure in the design of a panel can cause premature failure, leaving the home or business exposed to the elements. So, while the standing seam metal roof should last for years without repair, it’s a good idea to perform an annual inspection and ensure that there are no problems to address. 

If you notice a problem, don’t wait–get a reputable roofing company out to take a look right away. Most often, early detection and swift action can prevent the most significant roofing failure problems. We don’t want to see homeowners pay more for repairs down the road, so we recommend an annual visual inspection of their roof. 

The bottom line on maintaining a standing seam metal roof 

Taking care of a standing seam metal roof isn’t rocket science. In fact, it’s little more than routine cleaning. Tell your homeowners they should give their roof a once over at least once per year, taking care to remove debris and trim back trees to prevent excessive deterioration. 

Learn more about Metal Sales in the Directory or visit metalsales.us.com. 

Original article source: Metal Sales