You can say a lot of things about roofs, and most of them might be true. But one thing that nobody can argue with is that roofs are tops. This statement can be taken in several ways. A roof does for the top of your home. It can also act like a "top" or lid for your home, keeping the rain out. Then, there's the third meaning, which is the one we happen to like the most: roofs are the best. (People say things are "tops" when they really like them.) Since we like roofs so much, we've decided to write about them, and you've discovered the blog where we do that.
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Roofs: They're Definitely at the Top!
Signs Your Architectural Sheet Metal Roof Needs To Be Replaced
Brian Riley
If you have an architectural sheet metal roof, you may be wondering how long it may last. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that can affect the lifespan of the roof, including the type of metal it is made from, the thickness of the metal, if you have seamed or unseamed panels, the expertise of the installation company, the weather elements the roof is exposed to, and how well maintained the roof is. While it can be hard to predict how long a roof will last, your sheet metal roof will give you signs that it is nearing the end of its lifetime. Here are three of those signs.
Oil Canning Is Occurring
Oil canning is not a term that most people are familiar with. However, if you have any type of sheet metal paneling on your roof or home, it is a term you should familiarize yourself with. Oil canning basically means that the metal is starting to wrinkle and become wavy. This can occur due to stress or age. If your architectural sheet metal panels start to become wavy, there is no way to fix the problem, and it can prevent water from flowing off of the roof as it should. Replacing the panel, or the entire roof depending on the extent of the oil canning, is needed.
Corrosion or Rusting
Depending on the metal your architectural sheet metal roof is composed of, you need to be on the lookout for rust or corrosion. Rust is usually orange, red, or brown in color, while corrosion is usually white, green, or brown in color. Rust and corrosion can weaken your metal panels, and if left for too long, it can lead to holes or cracks forming in your sheet metal panels. Small amounts of rust or corrosion can be removed, while large amounts may warrant panel or roof replacement.
Fasteners Aren't Holding the Roof Down
Architectural sheet metal panels are held in place by fasteners and screws. If the screws or fasteners are no longer holding the panel down, it may be time to tighten the screws. Unfortunately, over time, the fasteners that connect the screw and the metal panel can expand and will no longer be able to function. Upgrading to larger screws may temporarily solve the issue, but ultimately, fasteners that are expanded warrant entire panel replacement. And if one panel is damaged, odds are the others on your roof are too, which may mean that the entire roof needs replaced.
An architectural sheet metal roof has all of the benefits of a sheet metal roof, yet it is cut and designed to make the roof more aesthetically and architecturally pleasing. If you have one of these roofs, you will want to be on the lookout for oil canning, corrosion or rust, and fasteners that are not able to hold the roof down. These can all be indicators that your roof may be nearing the end of its lifespan and should be replaced.
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