Metal Roofing: Three Essential Tips for Preventing Failure after Installation

If you are planning on replacing your worn-out residential roof, you should consider installing a metal roof. Metal roofing is favourable because it is resilient, durable and resistant to degradation in harsh climatic conditions. However, you should note that the performance of a metal roof will depend on the quality of installation. If the roofing is not installed correctly, it will perform poorly and fail prematurely. Here are crucial tips for preventing metal roof failure due to poor installation.

Consider the Slope

You should consider the slope when installing your metal roofing. In some cases, metal roofs fail after installation due to the damming of water during seasons of heavy rainfall. If the water pouring on the structure is not drained efficiently, the excess water could have an opportunity to seep into the house through the structural joints, seams, fastener points and other penetrations. Therefore, you should ensure that the roof will not experience damming. Under ideal circumstances, you should build a steep roof. If you already have a low-slope or flat roof, you should plan for waterproofing, particularly around areas of potential seepage.

Overlap the Panels

You should make sure that the panels of your metal roofing overlap sufficiently during installation. In simple terms, adjoining panels should not be joined edge to edge. Instead, there should be a significant overlap between the ends. This practice is crucial for preventing leakage of water into the home. In general, the area between two panels is a section of weakness. When you overlap the pieces, you create a more seamless roofing structure. Consequently, the risk of seepage will be low. You should check the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your specific roofing material for details on the level of overlap.

Purchase Ideal Fasteners

You should select the most appropriate fasteners for metal roof installation for your home improvement work. If an incorrect nail or screw is placed into the new metal panels, they could cause significant damage, making the roofing vulnerable to leaks. In addition, you could void your warranty by choosing your fasteners arbitrarily. You should only purchase the products approved for use by your metal roofing manufacturer. It is also important to opt for products which are not prone to rusting and corrosion. If a fastener rusts shortly after roofing installation, the deterioration could have a negative effect on the valuable roofing.

Finally, you should hire an experienced roofer to handle the installation of your metal roofing for the best long-term performance.