
Colourbond roofs are almost maintenance-free. However, they could degrade faster than usual if not properly installed or exposed to severe weather. Some of the damages are noticeable while others are not.
While abnormalities like leaky roofs, corrosive sheets, rust etcetera are unavoidable during the lifespan of the roof, noticing them early on would mean it is high time you contact a roofing installation and maintenance professional.
If you are not quite sure about whether or not your Colourbond roof needs repair, continue reading so you save your roof in time.
Sign number one: Leaks and punctures
No one likes a leaky roof, leaks definitely mean something is wrong really up there. Ensure you inspect the roof and find out the cause of the leak. Leaks can generally be traced to punctures as well as poor installation of the roofing sheets.
Punctures are caused by a variety of things which could be falling trees, hail, sharp object been blown onto the roof by the wind. Whichever the case may be, make sure you contact your agency for emergency repairs as soon as you notice any sign of leakage. This could save you a lot of time and money.
Sign number two: Rust or Decoloration
Rust is the bane of any metal roof. Rust leaves the metal sheets vulnerable to fractures and is generally caused by dents on the roof. A straight roof allows for easy passage of water during and after rain.
Dents in roofs hold in moisture on your roofs exposing the metal to a chemical reaction that leads to rust formation. Cleaning the surface by washing with a mild household detergent and water and cleaning with fresh water to get rid of the rust.
Sign number three: Loose nails
Improper installation is the major cause of loose nails on your roofs. A telltale sign your roof has this problem is the louder noise you hear during heavy winds and rainstorms. This is as a result of the loose metal sheets clanking against one another. If you have this problem, you should contact a roof repair professional to help you with the necessary repairs.
Sign number four: Lifted fasteners
Fasteners are materials that are useful for temporarily joining two or more roof joints together. Lifted fasteners are also caused by poor installation of the roofing material. To combat this problem, you can get your drill and hex driver finish and fasten the screws in place. Contacting a professional can also solve the problem.
NOTE: Leaving this problem unattended can cause serious leaks later in the future.
Sign number five: Corroded sheets
Homeowners choose metal roofing because of its high resistance against corrosion and degradation. This is because the sheets are coated in protective paints specifically manufactured to resist corrosion. Here are some special circumstances of corrosion that might occur. Including:
● Underside corrosion: If the metals’ underside is poorly coated, trapped water molecules could cause the metal to weaken from the inside out causing total corrosion of the metal sheet.
● Saltwater corrosion: Coastal homes may suffer early corrosion of their metal roofs due to their closeness to the oceans. This is why they don’t enjoy warranties on paints and substrates. Ensure you analyze the warranty for your area.
Sign number six: Roof looking worn and torn
Metal roofs have a very long life span of up to 60 years. You might want to consider getting them replaced when getting to their useful life. If you notice your roofs are getting old and worn out or all maintenance practices you have tried on them are seeming useless, you might want to consider replacement as an option.
Persistent rust stains on your metal roof obviously show signs of expiration. The only solution, in this case, is the replacement of the roof.
Sign number seven: Oil canning
Oil canning simply means waviness in flat areas of the metal roofing and metal wall panels. Another way to refer to oil canning is stress wrinkling. This is a major problem that affects any type of metal used in making the roof.
Oil canning is in a way similar to dents being formed in the roofs. The only difference is that the roofs are wavy in the case of canning and more visible in the case of denting. To reduce the chances of getting oil canning, you can do the following:
● Purchase a thicker metal.
● Install the roof over a flat “in-place” roof deck.
● Choose a low-gloss or matte finish to reduce reflectivity.
● Buying tension-levelled metal. This makes it impossible for the metal to stretch further.
● Choose an experienced professional roof installer to reduce and installation errors minimizing the chances of oil canning.
Looking out for damages in roofs is essential in prolonging the lifespan of your Colourbond steel roof. Don’t forget to contact your colorbond roof maintenance specialist in situations where DIY repairs don’t seem to work.