How to Get a Maintenance-Free Roof

Roof maintenance can be tough on a homeowner. There are so many important things to remember when maintaining and cleaning your roof. Depending on what type of roof you have and what material it uses, there could be specialty equipment needed to clean it properly.

Specialty equipment could mean having to purchase expensive items or call in professionals who have the equipment on hand. This process could get expensive and cause your wallet more damage than you’d like. How do you avoid these costs? By installing a maintenance free roof.

Metal Roofs

There are a lot of advantages to metal roofs. One advantage is their maintenance level. If you’ve been concerned with high maintenance roofing, this could be your solution. Metal roofs have a multitude of benefits and each one makes them a better choice in the long run. These benefits are top of the line in metal roofing:

• Energy efficient
• Safe
• Eco-friendly
• Warranty and lifespan
• Durable
• Maintenance

Each of these benefits of metal roofs are a step closer to more people choosing metal roofs over shingles and asphalt. It’s important to understand the benefits and qualities of a metal roof so you, too, can join the group.

Energy Efficient

Metal roofs are created from a reflective metal and, sometimes, coated with a reflective paint. This option provides less sun on the roof to heat up your home. Without the sun heating it up, your home can stay cooler and use less energy with air conditioning and fans. Energy efficiency is one reason a lot of people have turned to metal roofs.

Safe

Another reason people are choosing metal roofs is the safety. Metal roofs are fireproof and lightning repellant. They will not burn in the event of a fire or lightning strike and they are not a friend to lightning. When lightning strikes, it’s seeking a path to the ground. Metal roofs are electrical conductors and do not assist lightning in finding a path to the ground.

Eco-Friendly

Many people are turning to metal roofs for their eco-friendly aspect. These roofs are recyclable after their lifespan has ended. Once a metal roof has been replaced, the old one is taken away to be recycled and used for other metal projects. This makes many people lean more toward metal roofs because they’re good for the environment.

Warranty and Lifespan

The warranty for a metal roof has a minimum of 40 years available. These roofs generally last longer than most people own their home and, therefore, have a better lifespan than other types of roofing. The average lifespan of a metal roof is approximately 40-70 years. Many people turn to metal roofs because it could be the last roof they ever purchase.

Durability

Metal roofs can withstand a lot of pressure and damaging conditions. If installed properly, most metal roofs are able to withstand a hurricane. Depending on the area, the installation, and the type of metal roof many people have found these roofs to be the most durable option for a roof. This can also be a safety feature, as it protects your family during storms and horrid weather.

Maintenance

This is the main point. Maintenance of a metal roof is unnecessary. For those who wish to provide roof maintenance for their metal roof, they are welcome to do so and can follow simple instructions for caring for their metal roof. In most cases, rain will wash away any debris and most metal roofs are stain resistant.

Maintaining Your Metal Roof

For those who wish to have a regular maintenance schedule on your metal roof, here are a few tips for doing so:

• Annual inspections
• Washing
• Mildew removal
• Damages
• Don’t stand on it
• Debris removal
• Tighten/replace loose screws
• Inspect sealants
• Repair

Following these important steps is the best way to keep your roof in top condition and ensure the safety of your home and family. It’s important to make sure your roof is maintained and able to do everything it was designed for.

Annual Inspections

As the name says, you should inspect your roof once per year, minimum. This is a safety precaution and you shouldn’t expect to find anything wrong with your metal roof. During this inspection, you should remove any debris and tighten or repair any fasteners that may require attention. It’s also important during this inspection to inspect joints, penetrations or other sealant areas in case new sealant is required.

Washing

Should you find any dirt, dust, or stains while inspecting your roof here’s how to clean it properly. Washing with plain water will usually remove any tarnishing of the metal. If a stain or dirt spot is worse than water can fix, a soft bristle brush and a half-and-half mixture of water and detergent should work to remove any excess. Never use abrasive cleaners on your metal roof. This can harm the roof and force you to replace it down the road.

Mildew

Some areas have a problem with mildew and require additional assistance. For this area, it’s important to use the following solution to clean your roof and remove the mildew:

• 1/3 cup detergent
• 2/3 cup trisodium phosphate (TSP)
• 1 quart of common chlorine bleach
• 3 quarts of water

Remember to never use abrasive cleaners, wire brushes, or scouring pads to remove any dirt, stain, or mildew from your metal roof. These products will force you to repair or replace your roof sooner than you should.

Damages

Always inspect your roof for damaged panels or trim. In the event you find any, it’s important to have them repaired or replaced immediately. While it’s rare to find damaged panels and trim, it can be dangerous if left unresolved. It’s important to find them and fix them immediately to ensure your roof retains its safety rating.

Don’t Stand

When inspecting the roof, it’s important to avoid standing on it. Metal roofs are thinner and don’t tend to support as much weight as a wooden or asphalt roof. Standing on the metal roof could cause accidental damage or dents that could be detrimental to your roof in the long run. If you must walk across it for any reason, stay directly over joists and purlins to ensure maximum support.

Debris Removal

As the title says, remove all debris from your roof. You can use a soft broom, leaf blower, or your hands to remove the debris you’ll find. It’s also important to check your gutters while you’re up there as so many things can build up in gutters as on the roof. Be sure you’re checking everything while you’re able to see it. Missing something could mean a second trip to the roof and climbing that high can be dangerous if you’re not careful.

Tighten/Replace Loose Screws

This is a big concern. If you find any loose screws or fasteners, it’s important to tighten or replace them immediately. These hold your metal panels in place and a loss of any of them could cause damages or leaks to the roof decking or it could eventually lead to loss of that panel. It’s important to be certain all screws and fasteners are tightly secured or replaced if damaged.

Inspect Sealants

Making sure the sealants are covered is a huge part of roof maintenance. Especially with metal roofs, if the sealant isn’t as it should be, leaks and damages could occur. This is something you’ll want to avoid as best as possible without waiting too long to allow the damage to happen. If a damaged sealant is left for too long, you could have to replace everything from your roof decking up in that area. It could also spread to the full roof if not treated appropriately.

Repairs

It’s important to repair any holes or damaged seams you might find. If you find any damages or holes, be sure to contact a professional to inspect them before attempting to repair them yourself. Some are simple repair jobs that you can easily do, but others require more professional skills. It’s important to get the opinion of a professional to ensure you’re caring for your metal roof in the proper way.

Conclusion

Roof maintenance can be a difficult chore, but it doesn’t have to be. A lot of these tasks can be done with ease and others can be ignored entirely. It’s important to understand which maintenance rules you should follow daily and which you can avoid. If you avoid the proper ones, metal roofs are maintenance free.

For example, you can ignore the cleaning regimes, as most metal roofs can be easily cleaned when it rains. Mother Nature can save you a lot of time and effort with your roofs. The repairs and inspections are more important because you need to make sure your roof is still in good shape. Sometimes harsh winters or rough summer storms can cause damages that aren’t large enough to see from the ground.

Climbing up to check the seals and screw, at the very least, will help ensure your home is protected and your metal roof can live up to its end of the bargain. It’s important to follow through with routine checks to ensure you’ve got a great roof in top condition. If you don’t, you’ll need to repair it or call a professional immediately. It’s important to take care of your roof. Without it, you have no safe place to live.