The global roofing market reached a value of $102.4 billion in 2020.

Metal roofing has become very popular over the years, but like all types of roofing, it has its drawbacks. There are various ways a metal roof can become damaged, so to keep yours in the best possible state it’s important to know how to prevent this.

For some of the best tips on avoiding damage to metal roofing, keep reading.

Corrosion

While metal roofs are generally stronger and more durable than other materials, they can also be more susceptible to corrosion. Roofs are fully exposed to air and rain, so if corrosion-resistant materials aren’t used it will quickly become a problem.

If a roof becomes corroded it will be more likely to leak or get punctures, so this is something you want to avoid. Beyond just standard exposure, damage to the external surface of the metal, as well as water puddles that sit for a long time can increase the risk of corrosion.

To avoid corrosion you want to keep your roof as clean as possible as debris can cause a build-up of moisture. Ensure you have proper drainage to get rid of rainwater, stopping it from pooling. You should also make sure that the metal used for your roof has a protective coating that will stop it from rusting.

Punctures/Tears

Overall metal is generally stronger than other roofing materials, but it can be more prone to punctures and tears. There’s a range of things that can cause this:

• Too much foot traffic
• Mistakes in DIY repair
• Parts of trees falling onto the roof
• Damage from roof installations such as antennas and vents
• Debris during a storm or high winds

To avoid these you should keep foot traffic on your roof to a minimum, and maintain surrounding trees to avoid the risk of falling branches. Any installations or roof repairs should only be carried out by professionals.

This kind of roof damage needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Not properly maintaining a roof will almost certainly lead to leaks which, if left, will cause further damage

Fading

Fading can occur on all types of roofs, but it can be more noticeable with metal roofing. This is due to the paints/coatings that are used to protect the roof and give it a desired look. Fading is most noticeable with bright colors as it’s easier to see the difference in color.

The amount a metal roof fades will depend on factors such as exposure to sunlight, exposure to moisture (rain, sea spray, etc.), and pollutants in the air.

While fading might just seem like an aesthetic issue, after a while it can leave the metal more exposed to the elements. This can lead to corrosion as mentioned above. To avoid this you may need to re-coat your roof after some time to ensure the protective layer holds up.

Maintaining Metal Roofing

While there are some small metal roofing jobs people can often manage themselves, any big tasks and general roof maintenance should be handled by professionals. This will ensure things are done properly and will prevent the risk of further issues.

If you’re interested in more homeowner tips check out some of our other blog posts.