How to Properly Maintain Commercial Metal Roofing

While more expensive than asphalt roofing, commercial metal roofing is a great investment for businesses due to its exceptional durability, energy efficiency, and pleasing aesthetic. Asphalt roofing can last from 7 to 14 years, while metal roofing can last from 40 to 80 years. When you get a metal roof, you’ll likely never have to replace it again.

This means metal roofing has a greater upfront cost, but it will make up for it and save you more money in the long run if you regularly maintain it to maximize its lifespan. Here’s a look at how you can properly maintain your metal roofing.

Surface Maintenance

Surface maintenance consists of tasks that don’t need a roof inspection to complete, like removing dirt, mildew, stains, snow, and other harmful elements. While it’s possible to do it yourself, it’s not advisable to do so.

Without proper training, working on a roof can be extremely dangerous, especially after rain or snow. Your best option is to hire a professional.

Your roof only needs surface maintenance once every year to once every 18 months, depending on your area’s climate. Structures in areas that experience more extreme weather changes may require it more often.

Optimal Maintenance Practices for Commercial Metal Roofing

Remove Debris From Your Metal Roofing

Debris such as leaves, branches, and seeds will scratch the paint if left on your roof. These should be removed as soon as possible. You can also minimize the debris by trimming the branches of nearby trees.

Paint warranties don’t usually cover scratches and scuffing from branches, and long branches can also give small animals access to your roof. Be sure to trim them regularly.

Remove Bird Droppings

Something else to watch out for is birds. Their droppings are highly corrosive and can cause extensive damage to your roof and other parts of your property.

Fortunately, they can simply be washed off with a garden hose. If your bird problem is severe, you may opt to use a dropping remover spray or hire a professional.

Gutters and Downspouts On Your Metal Roofing

Keep any gutters and downspouts unclogged. Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year because clogs will cause water to overflow and drench your roof and siding. Standing water in gutters contributes to corrosion in roofing materials.

Roof Flashing

Penetrations on your roof, such as air vents and skylights, need roof flashing. Roof flashing is a thin material that directs water away from where your roof and the penetrations meet. Water could seep into the crevices without flashing, causing a roof leak.

Winter Maintenance

Commercial metal roofing may need extra care during winter due to snow, rain, and windstorms. Be sure to remove excess snow after a heavy snowfall as the weight can strain your roofing beams. Ideally, you should have your roof inspected before the first snowfall.

Temperature differences in your roof can cause ice dams to form as the snow melts from the roof and then refreezes over the eaves or the gutter. This can damage your roofing and cause leaks.

If you didn’t clean your gutters during the fall, they may clog during the winter and give water more time to freeze along the roof’s edge, increasing the chance of ice dam formation.

High-Quality Commercial Metal Roofing

If your metal roof is nearing the end of its life, or you want to replace your current roof with a metal one, WaterTight Roofing provides high-quality commercial metal roofing replacements. We’ll equip you with a long-lasting metal roof and prevent leaks, rust, and other issues.

Call us at 888-809-9976 or fill out our contact form to get a free commercial roof assessment.