Corrugated Metal Roofing Maintenance and Upkeep

Corrugated metal has long been used as roofing material, but is becoming more and more popular as homeowners are realizing the value that this material provides to their homes. It tends to cost about the same per square foot as an asphalt shingle roof, but corrugated metal offers a combination of durability, energy efficiency, and a diminished need for maintenance. No other roofing material can offer all of these values at a similar price point.

These values can be maximized by proper upkeep. Although the need for maintenance is low, there are steps you can take to ensure that your metal roof lasts as long as possible.

First Thing’s First: The Type of Corrugated Metal to Choose

While different types of metal roofing may look the same, there are different metals to choose from. We won’t focus on this factor but, as a general rule, the higher quality metal you purchase, the more costly materials and installation will be.

Most people opt for something middle-of-the-road, with a standard gauge: not too heavy but not too light. Luckily, with corrugated metal roofing, you’ll still get a long-lasting roof material, even if you go with a more cost-effective option.

Corrugated metal roofing panels are typically made from galvanized steel to create the perfect combination of low weight and durability. Some corrugated metal roofing material comes with a zinc or aluminum coating — this may cost more, but it will protect the surface of your roof for longer.

From here comes the hard part – choosing a color. Corrugated metal panels are available in a variety of colors depending on the metal choice. Many people love the rough and minimal look of a basic metal, while others prefer a more modern look with red or blue roof. 

Corrugated Roofing Maintenance

Let’s imagine that you’ve chosen the specific metal, seam type, gauge, and color for your roofing material, and that it was installed onto your home correctly. There are additional issues that metal roofs may face when they aren’t installed right, ensure the installation is done by trusted professionals, whether the job is commercial or residential.

Congratulations! You have yourself a brand-new roof, made from one of the most durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance materials on the market. No material is completely free from upkeep though, and while corrugated metal roofing is about as close as they come, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible.

Things to look out for:

• Surface damage like cracks, scuffs, scratches and corrosion
• Structural damage like leaks, loose screws, and weak spots

These issues are rare, but may still occur, even with the most high-quality metal roofing materials. With some mild regular maintenance, you can avoid having to replace your roof prematurely.

Surface Maintenance

Many of the things you can do more frequently to ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible fall in the category of “surface upkeep”.

Keep Your Corrugated Metal Roof Clean

Roofing of any material need regular upkeep on the surface, if for no other reason than making sure it looks its best. This means keeping the roof free of dirt, grime, and other debris.

While metal roofing isn’t susceptible to water damage from regular weather such as rain and snow, in certain environmental conditions however, it can develop mold, algae and other, similar issues. If you go too long without cleaning your roof, risk of premature corrosion and surface damage can increase.

Luckily, since metal roofing is smoother than the textured shingles of other materials, dirt and mold is easier to clean off with a hose turned up to a high-pressure setting or a residential pressure washer.

Keep Your Gutters Free of Leaves and Debris

Most people know the importance of keeping your gutters clean: it keeps leaves, sticks, and other debris from clogging up the gutters and downspouts, and preventing rainwater from pouring out the sides of your gutters.

Clogged gutters can also cause water to pool on and around the bottom of the roofing material as well. While corrugated metal roofing isn’t susceptible to damage from rain and snow, prolonged contact with standing and freezing water is a different story. It will still take a long time to cause noticeable damage, but there’s a chance it will shorten the lifespan of your metal roof.

Check for Dents

This part of corrugated roofing maintenance is the bridge between surface and structural damage. Many people don’t inspect their roofs for dents on a regular basis. Instead, they choose to have a professional inspection every 2 years or so to ensure there’s no new damage to the roof.

While it’s important to have your roof looked at by a professional, it’s also important to make sure you know about any dents that may exist. If there’s a factor (proximity to tree limbs, for example) causing dents in your roof, no matter the material, it can mean an increased risk for weak spots in the roof, which means that there may be structural damage.

Structural Upkeep

Structural maintenance is the less frequent form of roofing upkeep, especially considering the longevity rating of metal roofs. Still, intervention into a developing problem with a corrugated metal roof will make sure it lasts as long as possible.

It is recommended that if your roof is exposed to harsh conditions like high winds and extreme hot or cold temperatures, that you should have a professional inspection done every 2 years or so. Here are some of the structural issues that an inspection may uncover:

• Loose rivets or fasteners
• Leaky panel seals
• Loose flashing connections
• Degraded sealants

Some of these may occur regardless of the material that your roof is made of. For example, if the sealant on components attached to the roof is especially old, it may weaken and cause leaks. Luckily, asphalt, vinyl, and wood shingles are all smaller than metal panels, creating more opportunities for leaks to occur, so it’s more common for structural breakdowns to happen with these materials than with corrugated metal roofing.

Corrugated Roofing Maintenance = A Long-Lasting Roof

When equipped with well-made seams, corrugated metal is graded to last longer than most other roofing materials, but low maintenance doesn’t always mean no maintenance. Keep these tips in mind if you want to get the most value of your high-quality corrugated metal roof.