Metal roof panels can last a long time, but it’s important to take care of them. After all, your roof protects the rest of your home from the elements, which means you need to ensure it’s properly cleaned and protected from various forms of damage, like scratches or rust.
Unsure how to do that? Learn everything you need to know about taking care of your metal roof panels.
How Often Do You Need to Clean Metal Roof Panels?
Proper cleaning is important for preventing metal from rusting. Luckily, metal is a durable, low-maintenance material, which means it doesn’t require deep cleaning every year. Instead, we recommend cleaning your roof panels once every two to three years.
Lighter cleanings can be done throughout the year, as you notice your panels getting dirty. Your gutters may need to be cleaned more often than the panels, depending on the trees in your area.
Can Metal Roof Panels Rust?
Yes, metal roof panels rust. Given the amount of humidity in Florida, it’s especially important to ensure you’re following all recommended guidelines against rust. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to protect against this possibility:
- Buying High-Quality Metal Panels – Trustworthy metal panel suppliers ensure that the metal they use is less prone to rusting.
- Painting the Roof – Paint has zinc, which can protect against the moisture that causes rust.
- Galvanization – Galvanization is the process of directly applying zinc to the metal.
- Coating – Elastomeric coatings are watertight and designed to repel moisture.
What If My Metal Roof Is Scratched, Dented, or Rusted?
If a metal panel has been damaged, it doesn’t necessarily need to be replaced. Instead, it’s often possible to repair it. Minor scratches, for instance, can be buffed out and then painted over.
Dents also aren’t as big a problem in Florida as they are in some areas of the country, since we don’t get hail. Still, debris can sometimes dent a metal roof. If this happens, panels can often be fixed by spot-patching. This allows you to remove and replace sections of the panel, without replacing all of it.
While it’s best to prevent rust in the first place, there are many rust removal products that you can buy which are designed to help you remove rust.
Of course, if panels do get damaged to the point that they can’t be repaired, it’s also possible to replace some of them without replacing all of them.
What Causes Metal Roof Panel Damage?
Working with a trustworthy contractor is one of the most important actions you can take to ensure the integrity of your metal roof panels. They’ll provide you with high-quality roofing materials designed to withstand the elements.
Down here in South Florida, it’s also essential to make sure you’re taking all necessary safety precautions in the event of a hurricane.
This mainly entails ensuring that there aren’t any objects nearby likely to smash into your roof. The two biggest culprits here are:
- Large Trees
- Flying Objects
How to Prevent Metal Roof Damage
Experts recommend planting a tree at least 15 feet from your property, though particularly large trees may need 20 feet of space. If they’re closer to your property, you may need to have them removed to protect your home.
It’s also important to get your trees trimmed regularly. This ensures that an errant branch doesn’t break off and hit your home.
Preventing flying objects is largely a matter of common sense: you need to ensure there’s nothing near your home that could be picked up by the wind and tossed at your home. This may require the cooperation of your neighbors.
While you still need to perform the necessary preparations, metal roofs are a fantastic choice for hurricane-prone areas, since they typically hold up against gusts of up to 140 mph and up. This means they should be able to withstand most Category 4 winds.
If you need a roof that can withstand Category 5 winds, speak with your metal roof supplier so they can ensure they’re providing you with all the information and materials you need.
How Long Should Your Metal Roof Last?
Over time, everything degrades. Thankfully, metal is one of the sturdiest roofing materials. It typically lasts anywhere from 20-40 years, which means you shouldn’t have to worry about needing to replace it for a long time.
Looking for Roof Panels in Florida?
You’ve come to the right place! Miami Metal Deck is committed to ensuring all our clients have the absolute best roof panels available on the market today. We’re proud to say that we’ve been doing this for more than 40 years.
Have any questions about what we can do for you? Want to call to schedule a same-day pickup for metal decks or Corrugated Metal Roofing? Our representatives speak both English and Spanish! Please don’t hesitate to call us today via the information on our contact page.
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