METAL ROOFS AND RUST – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

METAL ROOFS AND RUST

Do Metal Roofs Rust?

The answer depends on which type of metal and finish you choose for your roof.  If you choose an option that is supposed to rust, then yes, your roof will rust up to a certain point in order to reach the desired aesthetic.  Other than that, your metal roof should resist rusting for decades.  With advances in paint systems, finishes, and other technologies, metal roofs will withstand oxidation and rusting for most of its lifetime.  However, there can be factors that affect whether or not your roof rusts.  If you have plain, bare steel for example, it will rust.  Or, if the edges of your panels aren’t cut cleanly, there’s a risk for rust.

Rust-Resistant Technologies

The panels that are used for metal roofing are manufactured, coated with advanced paint systems and finishes, and are tested in order to prevent rusting for as long as possible.  Below are a few most popular coatings and types of steel that are rust-resistant:

  • Galvalume Steel:  Galvalume is a coating used over top of steel that’s composed of aluminum, zinc, and silicone for corrosion and rusting resistance.  If you live in a high-temperature, high-precipitation, or marine environment, this is an ideal coating to help your roof resist corrosion.  Galvalume provides a more matte-looking final appearance.

  • Galvanized Steel:   Galvanized steel is a carbon steel with a protective alloy made of zinc oxide.  The zinc coating helps protect the panels and keep them intact for decades.  Galvanized steel is then finished with a resin coating, which gives the final look a smooth, shiny finish and helps it to resist scuffing and scratching.

  • Weathering Steel:  Designed to rust up to a certain point, Weathered Steel is an unbelievably strong option for steel roofs.  The finish is created with a coat of copper, phosphorus, and silicon that’s designed to begin rusting once exposed to the elements.  However, once the top coating is gone, the steel ionizes.  This makes it so the steel does not continue to rust and you won’t have to worry about the panel being rusted all the way through.  This is an option that is designed to rust for aesthetic purposes, and lasts just a long as other finishes.

Correct Installation is Crucial

When your metal roof is being installed, whether by yourself or by a hired contractor, ensuring the panels are installed correctly is crucial to preventing rust.  Here are a few things to remember during installation:

  • Edges should be cut crisply and cleanly

  • Any scratches that occurred should be touched up with a paint pen or other type of sealant

  • Fasteners should be driven in correctly, as overdriving, underdriving, and driving them in at the wrong angle can put your panels at risk for rust

After your metal roof is installed, it’s important to give it a thorough inspection at least once a year.  You should keep your eye out for any exposed edges, deep cuts or scratches, and any other issues that could expose the panels and lead to rusting.  Unfortunately, while metal roofs are among the strongest and most durable models on the market, even they can suffer some form of damage.  Often times, this is rust.  Rust develops as a result of a chemical reaction between oxidized iron, water, and air.  With enough time, susceptible components can become fully engulfed and weakened by rust, preventing them from working effectively. But rust isn’t uncorrectable, and there are several things to do if your metal roof rusted that can help get it back into peak condition.

Identify All Areas Where Rust Is Present

Spotting rust on a metal roof isn’t always as easy as many of us want to believe.  In fact, combined with dirt and debris from storms, rust blends in very well.  This is why it takes performing regular roof inspections to catch rust deposits before they can grow into larger problems.  So, before starting any maintenance efforts, search thoroughly and identify all afflicted spots. You may need to pressure wash the roof first to reveal some hidden areas.

Remove Rust and Rusted Components

The next thing you should do is remove any parts of the roof that have rust on them. This could mean taking out things as small as a few screws or as large as an entire section of plating.  Since rust has the potential to spread once it’s taken hold, getting rid of all overrun components is crucial to preventing it in the future.  As such, you may need to hire a professional to ensure everything is detached in a safe and effective way.

Have the Roof Professionally Repaired

But the job doesn’t stop there.  After all, while you’ve removed the damaged parts, those parts will still need to be replaced or repaired for your roof to function as it did before.  This is the most important part of what to do if your metal roof rusted.  If you didn’t already, always hire a professional for this task.  Not only will they know the best approach to take, but they’ll also have better insight into where your roof can be made stronger.  Because of this, they’re definitely a resource you want to take advantage of.

Apply a Protective Coating

Then, finally, ask your roofers if they can apply a protective coating to the roof after the work is finished.  Often made from acrylic or silicone, these sealants form a protective barrier over your roof to help block out moisture and other elements that could trigger the rusting process.  For this reason, it’s recommended you get your roof recoated every few years to increase its overall lifespan.

Overall, you can expect your metal roof to stay intact for decades to come without fear of rusting.  Each element that makes up a metal panel helps protect it from rusting.  Metal roofs are durable and high-performing and are a great option for those looking for a low maintenance and long-lasting roofing solution.