5 Common Metal Roofing Problems

When it’s done right, metal roofing is a fantastic investment for a property.

In recent years, the popularity of metal roofing has skyrocketed, and it’s easy to see why. These roofs are renowned for their exceptional durability, weather resistance, long lifespan, chic designs and striking visual impression.

But, when it’s poorly or ineffectively installed, these high performance qualities can be compromised.

If you don’t choose a company with the right experience or accreditations, then you run the risk of your metal roof developing problems over time.

The 5 Most Common Metal Roof Problems

Below, we’ve listed the most common metal roofing problems, what causes them, and how you can minimise the risk of these problems occurring.

1. Corrosion

When installed correctly, metal roofing is exceptionally weather resistant. It is more than capable of withstanding corrosion for more than half a century.

So, if your metal roof doesn’t last you for a lifetime, you know there’s something wrong. Find out more in our article: does metal roofing rust?

Common causes of corrosion occurring in metal roofs include:

• Incomplete underside coating

Metal roofs usually come with a protective coating, designed to prevent corrosion. But, if the underside of the panel isn’t fully coated, then corrosion can occur in the exposed area.

• A cut edge

Most steel roofs use hemmed edges or folds, to protect cut edges. But, if there is an exposed cut edge, edge creep can occur.

• High levels of saltwater

For those living in a coastal area, corrosion will be a common cause of metal roofing problems. If you live in a high-saltwater area, we recommend opting for a zinc or aluminium roof, as these are the most corrosion-resistant types of metal roofing.

• Mismatched materials (more on this below).

2. Fading

Fading metal roofing is when the paint on the metal roof fades away. This could cause the roof to change colour, or fade in its intensity. This could happen consistently across the roof, or unevenly across different panels (depending on whether the panels are evenly or unevenly exposed to the elements).

Fading is caused when the paint beaks down, which could be caused by water, chemicals, air pollution, UV light, or a combination of the above.

Fading metal roofing may be unavoidable. but it will take a while to occur. Plus, if you opt for a roof with a paint warranty, you can be compensated for this fault if it arises in the future.

3. Mismatched materials

Although metal roofs are inert and durable on their own, different types of metals can react very badly if set alongside each other.

In fact, if the metals in your roof are mismatched, then corrosion and degradation can occur, causing a metal roof to fail well before the end of its life expectancy.

Areas where mismatched metals are often positioned together include:

• Panels
• Fasteners
• Rivets
• Gutters
• Chimneys
• Trims
• Air conditioners
• Copper drain pipes
• Sidings
• Additional roofing systems
• Drip edges
• Facias

If you are considering adding extra roofing systems to your metal roof, check with your contractor that the two metal types can sit alongside each other without reaction.

Any experienced metal roofing contractor will know what metals can and can’t be used alongside each other. So, the best way to avoid this problem is to choose a reputable installer.

4. Leaks

Obviously, leaks in the roof are a serious problem. But, this is an issue that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to occur in metal roofs.

Leaks can be caused by a number of different factors, some natural and unavoidable, others due to faulty installation. Depending on what caused it, the leak could be occurring at one of the seams or joints of the roof, or it could be coming through a hole in one of the metal panels.

Common causes of metal roof leaks include:

• Heavy, constant rain
• Strong winds
• Heavy snow
• Ice damming

Which is when ice repeatedly thaws and freezes, again and again.

• Structural damage

Most commonly caused by extreme weather.

• If the flashing fails

This is one of the most common causes of a leaking metal roof. Flashing is added to protect roof joints and additional features from being exposed to moisture.  So, if these were incorrectly installed, a leak can quickly occur.

• If the seam fails

This could be because the seam has not been joined fully, or if the connection was inaccurately made.

• If the fasteners fail

This could be because the screws are either incorrectly fitted, or were screwed in off-centre.

• If the sealant is damaged or incorrectly fixed

This can cause debris and water to seep through, and cause a leak.

• If the added details don’t match the manufacturer’s recommendations

If the installation details don’t match up to the recommendations, faults can quickly arise.

5. Scratches & Damage

Scratches are an easy mistake to make, so it’s vital that your roof installer takes care throughout the process. Otherwise, they could seriously compromise the visual effect of your brand new roof.

Having said that, metal roof scratches are relatively easy to fix. A professional roofing company should be able to remove the scratch with a bit of paint, or a colour-match touch-up pen.

However, if the scratch or damage is major, there is a risk that this will develop into a much bigger (and more costly) problem. So, if the scratch is deep enough, you might need to replace the affected panel.

Common causes of metal roof scratches and damage include:

• If the metal was improperly coiled
• If the metal recoiled
• If the sheet edges were exposed during shipping
• If the sheet was scratched by machinery during its manufacture
• If tools or machinery scratched the panel during installation
• If a ladder scratched the panel during installation

How to Prevent Common Metal Roof Problems

To prevent metal roofing problems caused by nature:

• Schedule regular maintenance and servicing, as this will prevent any problems from escalating.
• Double check that your chosen metal roof comes with a protective coating.
• You might also want to prioritise a roof manufacturer that offers a long warranty, to give you peace of mind.

To prevent other common metal roofing problems:

Choose a metal roofing installer with a good reputation, a full set of industry accreditations, and extensive industry experience.

In order to prevent incorrect installation from causing costly problems, choose an installation company that you can trust.

At Salmon Solutions, we conduct a thorough survey and receive job spec prior to installation. This ensures that we can approach the task with care, consideration and precision. Furthermore, our expert team of fully qualified roofing fitters means that we deliver the very highest standard of service.

To find out more about how we prevent common metal roofing problems, or to enlist Salmon Solutions as your metal roofing installer, contact our team today.