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I've been reading that metal roofs require very little mainternance. What does that mean exactly?
Randy Randy

5/21/2003
Good question. Well a roof system is stuck up there facing the elements all year long. Imagine if you bought a new car and parked it without washing and waxing it once in a while. An uncoated Galvalume roof properly installed to manufacturers instructions with long life fasteners should provide a lifetime of protection. There are coated roof systems in long life paint or granular that come with up to 30 year coating warranties. At some point you will have to refinish it if you wish to maintain the colour and the more aggressive the environment you live in the faster the coating will chalk and fade. The base steel will still however provide many more years of service alone. The more penetrations one puts in a roof the more attention to detail one needs. Some chimneys and skylights are not meant to last as long as the roof. One should use a high quality caulking at roof differentials and have it checked every 10 years. Do it right and do it once and check the roof each spring with binoculars for limb damage and building movement, and the caulking very 10 years is all the maintenace you should have to do. Like everything else the more corners one cuts the higher the maintenace price down the road.
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.

5/21/2003
I don't know what a Galvalume roof is, but if I were to get that type, are you saying that I wouldn't have to worry about painting it...... What would be long life fasteners?... zinc screws ............. Would darker colors fade faster than lighter colors?
Guest User

5/22/2003
I bought a log home with an existing metal roof with exposed fasteners. I was told that I would have to retorque the fasteners every couple of years and replace the felt washers every six years. How true is this?
Guest User

6/6/2003
There are a number of factors however if the roof was installed correctly the screws should be fine. First is the length of the sheets. The longer the sheets the more thermal movement however this should not be a facto in house roofs. Do not overtighten screws as they need to allow the sheets to move. Last is the scews normally have a rubber washer not felt. It is best to inspect any roof every couple of years, to check the flashings, caulkings and fasteners. If they used the correct size of fastener, then any shrinking of the lumber as it dries will be minimal and not affect the seal.
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.

6/9/2003
My roof is 19 years old and has scratches due to falling branches, corrosion at the leading edges of bends, screws which I tightened three years ago but whose gaskets are compressed, and some dents from falling branches. The roof need restorative and preventive maintenance. What options do I have?
Guest User

7/29/2003
Could you recommend a brochure or book that discusses vertical panel sheet metal roofs. I have such a roof and am interested in learning about maintenance and repair techniques to carrry out myself or discuss with a contractor.
Guest User

7/29/2003
I am sorry but I do not know of anything like this. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

7/29/2003
Hi Charlie. A few thoughts... To repaint, the roof should first be cleaned. Try pressure washing or scurbbing with a mixture of water, detergent (like Tide) and TSP (like Soilax). The screws could be replaced with larger screws which have neoprene washers and metal caps over the washers. The screws should be pre-painted. Before painting the roof, clean any rust as best as possible and apply a rust inhibiting primer to those areas. I hope this helps. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

7/29/2003