Routine Maintenance Requirements For Architectural Sheet Metal Roofs In Snowy Environments
Posted on: 4 January 2022
If your home is in an area with harsh winters, then an architectural sheet metal roof is a necessity. Not only are sheet metal roofs longer-lasting in snowy areas than those made of asphalt shingles, but they also:
- weigh less than asphalt roofs
- allow melting snow to easily slide off
- reduce summer cooling costs
- enhance the look of your home
In addition, metal roofing materials are both fire- and insect-resistant. While many homeowners believe their architectural metal roofs are maintenance-free, this just isn't the case.
To ensure your home's sheet metal roof stays looking great and keeps protecting your home for decades, it requires the following routine maintenance:
Regular Professional Roofing Inspections
The least expensive way to maintain a metal roof over its long lifespan is to have it regularly inspected by a licensed roofing contractor. Roof inspections are designed to catch problems when they are still minor and inexpensive to repair. Some things the roofing contractor will look for during an inspection are dents, scratches, leaks, damaged flashing, rust, and corrosion.
In addition, a thorough inspection will identify loose fasteners. Loose or missing roofing hardware will lead to future leaks if not tightened or replaced in a timely manner.
Remove Snow and Ice from the Roof and Rain Gutters
While it may look pretty to see your home's roof covered in thick snow, it is really bad for the roof to let it stay there. Although it doesn't look like it, the snow is very heavy. And, all that weight is not good for the structure of your roof or its metal panels.
As the snow melts on the roof, it exposes the roofing materials to standing water. This will eventually lead to rusting and corrosion problems - especially for the fasteners and flashing. When there's a lull between storms, make sure you use a snow rake and pull all of the snow off your home's roof.
Clean All Raingutters and Drains
It's important you clean all of the rain gutters and drains each fall after the leaves are done falling. Rain gutters that are full of tree litter don't allow water to flow freely and this causes extra stress on the roof.
Remove Overhanging Tree Branches
Finally, if you have tree branches overhanging your roof, then you should have them removed. Overhanging branches not only deposit their leaves and twigs onto the roof, but the branches can break during storms and cause extensive damage.
For more insight, contact companies that work with architectural sheet metal.
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