The Effects of Hard Water on Your Body

If you have a metal roof, you probably chose it at least in part because of its reputation for durability and longevity. But if you want your roof to last a long time, it's important to take good care of it. While metal roofing requires far less maintenance than materials like asphalt shingles or slate, there are still a few things to keep in mind to keep your roof in good shape for a long time.

Clear Debris

If you live in an area where debris like leaves, pine needles, or other material accumulates on your roof, it's important to keep your gutters and drains clear. Small amounts of debris may be cleared when it rains, but large quantities of debris or a dry climate – especially on a flatter roof – might necessitate clearing the roof yourself.

You can clear off debris by hosing off the roof, sweeping it, or blowing it off – whatever method is most convenient. If you do need to clean anything difficult off the roof, such as pine sap, use a stiff brush with water; don't use steel wool or abrasive cleaners, or you may damage your roof's coating.

Inspect Sealants/Coating

Different sealants and coatings have different life expectancies, and many won't last as long as the roof itself. If you notice any rust on your roof or surface wear, it can often be touched up in the damaged area – but if you know you are nearing the end of your sealant's lifetime, it may be time to completely recoat your roof.

Fix Storm Damage

While a roof with serious storm damage is not something people put off fixing, it's important to take care of smaller issues as well. If metals from different parts of your roof have been shifted by high winds, for example, they may react with each other and corrode. So after bad weather, inspect your roof and make sure to take care of any problems you notice.

Avoid Excessive Traffic

You won't fall through your metal roof – after all, people were standing on it during installation. And it's no problem to stand or walk across it when making an inspection or cleaning it. But try not to walk across your roof more often than necessary; you don't want to dent any of the panels or leave scuff or scratch marks.

If you do need work done on your roof, a professional should know where the joists are; walking over them prevents the metal panels from being damaged. If you know where the joists are (or remember where the professionals walked last time they were on your roof), try to stick to those areas when you're up on the roof.