NJ Metal Roofing Maintenance

Metal roofs are simple to maintain and understanding the basics of how to take care of your NJ metal roof properly will ensure its longevity. With proper maintenance metal roofing will last 30 plus years so it’s very important to know how to keep your NJ metal roof in great shape.

Proper care must be taken, however, to not damage metal roofing while handling simple tasks, so it is advisable to contact a roofing professional before performing any, even routine, maintenance.

Regular Metal Roofing Maintenance Tasks

Proper maintenance plans for metal roofing include regular inspections to check for any distress such as sealant failures or damage from snow, ice or hail.

• Have your fastener gaskets replaced when they reach the end of their expected service lives.
• Inspect and replace sealants at penetrations and perimeters as needed. Most sealants will not last more than 20 years, but some butyl sealants retain their bond and elasticity far longer.
• Do not let metals of different types touch each other. Chemical reactions between different materials can invite corrosion. Make sure that the different metals are separated – your metal roofing manufacturer will be able to suggest appropriate applications.
• Keep paint touched up so that rust cannot occur after rain and extreme weather.
• Repair holes and open seams as soon as possible. As your metal roof expands and shrinks with weather extremes, screws become loose, and seams may separate. If this issue is not quickly addressed, your roof’s underlying structure could be damaged by condensation and water buildup around stacks. In order to prevent damage due to seam leaks, remember to inspect your home’s roof at least twice a year and after severe storms. Watch for signs of loose hardware and obvious seam separation.
• Take special care to not scratch the surface as this can expose the steel sheet, creating the potential for corrosion.
• Watch out for rust/corrosion buildup. If your metal roof is not sealed with a non-corrosive agent, it could fall prey to rust after being exposed to regular moisture. Snow, rainfall, sleet and pooling water can cause severe, corrosive damage when left unmanaged. Instead of leaving your roof’s integrity to chance, consider having it sealed with a waterproof coating or retrofitted with a durable roofing shield to prevent weather and condensation damage. Your roofer can recommend the most efficient, budget-friendly way of rust-proofing your metal roof.
• Cover very small holes with roofing cement. Solder a patch of the same metal over larger holes.
• Only use screws made of the same metal as the roof.
• Always use screws with washers and install them in raised areas, not low areas where water can pool and leak.
• On steel metal roofing, use non-corrosive metal flux. On copper metal roofing, use acid flux.

Proper Maintenance Equals a Long Lasting Metal Roof

With proper care and maintenance, your metal roof can last for many decades, but it’s important to know that you may have to deal with occasional leaks, loose laps or rust problems.

If you notice an interior/exterior leak or rust spots, or require a metal roof repair, remember to call your local roofer. Our technicians will provide a thorough roof inspection, recommending cost-effective maintenance techniques that will save you money in the long run, and extend the life of your beautiful metal roof.