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TOPIC: I Have An Existing Metal Roof and Have A Question

Oil canning or poor installation or both?

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We had a standing seam metal roof installed on our new home which is nearing the end of construction. 3/4 of the roof looks perfect. However slightly more than 1/4 has a problem being blamed on oil canning. The roof section in question was installed on the last day of installation. It was very, very hot and there was a different person on the crew who crimped the center of the panels. The denting was visible immediately before the was even complete. The opposite side of the roof and the dormer area are perfect.

The contractor believes that it is oil canning and may resolve if left over a winter and evaluated in the spring.

In your opinion is what visible oil canning or faulty crimping and have you seen oil canning of this magnitude resolve after cold temperatures?

IMG_4363.jpegIMG_4362.jpeg

Barbara Zuhlke
Frustrated

9/12/2021
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This appears to me to be oilcanning caused by an uneven roof deck. Is this installed over solid decking?

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/12/2021
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Yes, it is solid, 3/4" plywood.

Barbara Zuhlke
Frustrated

9/13/2021
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Do you know if anyone tried pulling a string across the deck before the roof was installed? Again, this really looks to me like an uneven roof deck -- it doesn't have to be all that unlevel to result in this.

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/13/2021
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Don't know that answer, but the owner of the roofing company felt it was because the person doing the center crimp was different than had done the rest of the roof.

I guess my main question is have you seen this level of oil canning resolve over a year's time?

Barbara Zuhlke
Frustrated

9/13/2021
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I am not sure exactly what type of panel this is but normally the crimping is done all at once by running an electric seamer down the ribs. Did they crimp it by hand I take it? That still confuses me a bit to be honest. I'd be surprised if the rippling goes away but ultimately the contractor, there on the job, may have a far better answer to that question that I do. I am sorry.

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/13/2021
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It was hand crimped and a different person did the center than the rest of the roof.

I appreciate your efforts to answer. Thanks.

The contractor has agreed to replace this section of roof, but we also want to be fair to him and give it a chance to settle down if there is a chance of that.

Barbara Zuhlke
Frustrated

9/13/2021
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Interesting. I am not sure what to think, to be honest. This still looks typical of an uneven deck to me but I suppose the crimping thing makes sense as well. If those panels have been over crimped and the thought is the metal will "loosen" over time so the ripples will go away, that seems a little overly optimistic to me. Maybe you can have some sort of agreement in place if that doesn't happen over time? Just a thought of a possible discussion point.

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/13/2021
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An update. The installer removed the unsatisfactory section of roofing and replaced it with new. It is now beautiful with no "oilcanning". Indeed this was poor hand crimping by the person doing the center section.

We are happy to have it resolved, but wish we hadn't have had to spend so much energy to get the roofing subcontractor to replace the section. Fortunately our builder had a lot of clout and got it done to our and their satisfaction.

The new standing seam roof is beautiful!

Barbara Zuhlke
Frustrated

11/21/2021
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