Dec 06, 2021
Metal roofs are chosen by homeowners for their roofs. Even in the Philippines, you’ll see many houses being protected by metal roofs. With its durability and strength to withstand harsh weather, a metal roof seems like a great choice. However, just like with all things, it can have issues as you use it over a period of time. Thankfully, these problems did not come without a fix. Here are four of the most common metal roof problems that interrupt your roof’s aesthetic.
Corrosion or rust is something that we all know. It is this distinct orange coloration on any metals, thus our metal roofs are not exempted. This is due to the deterioration of the metal that occurs as the material interacts with its environment. Mainly, corrosion is caused by excess humidity as the water vapor condenses on metal surfaces. Other causes are exposure of metal to corrosive gases like chlorine, hydrogen, and oxygen, too much stress, long-time exposure to electrical currents, and even to dirt and bacteria that have the ability to cause corrosion in metals.
All these said factors can cause corrosion on your metal roof. Luckily, there’s a simple fix to remove this. Oxalic acid is a colorless solution that can remove rust. What you’ll need is a concentrated solution of it mixed with water. Once you have the mixture, spray it with a spray bottle to the rusted part of your metal roof. When the oxalic acid reacts with the rust, the rust should go away. Rinse it with water until the solution is gone. If there is tough rust that won’t leave, use a steel brush to lightly scrub the affected area to remove the rust.
To prevent corrosion, there are some ways that you can do as well. First, give your metal roof a new paint job. Using a zinc-rich primer can help prevent rusting on metal roofs. Make sure, however, that you’ve already removed old rust and dirt. Maintenance tip from AllHome: repainting your metal roof every three years can help maintain its function and aesthetic.
Second, make sure that you’ve chosen high-quality metal panels. They should be rich in zinc as zinc is the one that protects the cut edges. Third, using elastomeric coatings can help prevent corrosion. The elastomeric coating works as a sealing system that forms a barrier on your roof protecting it against corrosion. Again, before application, make sure that your metal roof is clean. Finally, galvanizing your metal roof will not only protect it from corrosion but will also extend its longevity as the liquified zinc that you treat your metal roof with will strengthen the roof and protect it.
If you’ve seen what seems like waves or wrinkles on the flat surface of a metal roof, that is what we call an oil canning. It is a wavy distortion that affects cold-rolled metal products and is visible to the eye. Some causes of oil canning are the following: first is the natural expansion and contraction of metals depending on the temperature. Under high temperatures, it expands, while under low temperatures, it contracts. When we install metal roofs, we pin them at the edges so they won’t move, thus also limiting the expansion and contraction movement of the metal causing some parts to wrinkle. The second cause is overtightened fasteners, this is a common error when installing a metal roof and also places uneven stress on your metal panel. The third is the uneven surface of where you’re placing your metal roof. This, again, causes stress on your metal roof causing it to wrinkle.
Sadly, there’s no repair that you can do for oil canning, however, we can do some tricks so that they won’t be very visible. One thing that you can do is use light-colored panels that will help make wrinkles appear less obvious compared to when they’re on darker-colored ones. Choosing metal roofs that are matte-finished is also better and will appear to be smoother than their glossy counterpart. Third, choose a metal roof panel that is corrugated. Since these panels are already designed corrugated, oil canning will be less obvious.
Fading is when the pigment on the metal roof starts to break down causing a color change to either darker or lighter shade depending on the original color. This happens because environmental factors like water, pollution, and chemicals interact with the pigment of pint causing them to break down. This change of colors does not occur to the whole panel, there can be spots on your metal roof where it occurred only.
Another problem with the color of the metal roof is chalking. This one is a white coloration on your metal roof that becomes visible over time as the metal roof gets exposed to the UV rays coming from the sun. Similar to fading, the particles of the metal roof lose their adhesion to the surface and that’s when they begin to turn white. If you swipe the area with your finger, you can see the chalky residue on your skin.
Both fading and chalking can be repaired by repainting your metal roof. Use acrylic latex paint or oil-based alkyd paint, and don’t forget to use a primer to allow a much more effective bonding of the paint to the metal roof.
If you’re experiencing these problems with your metal roofs, then the tips above will hopefully help you restore their beauty back to its original state. Instead of replacing your metal roof with another material, try these fixes and you might find yourself saved from spending more than you would by just fixing the problems.
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