Metal Roofing

  • How To Spot Leaks In Your Metal Roof

    BlackstarreviewMetal Roofing, Roof Maintenance, Roof Repair

    How to detect a leak in a metal roof?

    Nobody wants an ineffective roof. While we might love and enjoy the rainy season for several reasons, the last thing you want is a leaky roof that lets rainwater ruin books, clothes, and appliances in your home. So it makes sense to find a solution to your leaky roof while you are in the middle of the rainy season or any other bad climate.

    What is the effect of heavy rain on your roof?

    When roof maintenance is subpar, no roof is impenetrable to rain. You need consistent, effective maintenance to ensure that there is no avenue for water leakage of any kind. As we’ve stated, these water leakages are terrible for your property as they could lead to dangerous cases of mold, wood rot, and electrical hazards. However, the wood rot begins from the roof. When rainwater gets underneath the metal roof, it will soak up the wood underneath and since it has nowhere else to go to, with no direct sunlight to dry it up, the wood will begin to rot after a while.

    When this happens, the integrity of the entire roof is significantly affected which leads to even further damage, and then a need for a total roof replacement. Apart from the expensive nature of roof replacement, it also could be time-consuming leaving you to find temporary accommodation while it is being fixed. To avoid this, you must take roof maintenance very seriously. First, you have to know just exactly how water gets under your roof to be able to draft preventive measures.

    How do you get water under your metal roof?

    Metal roofs are usually impenetrable, that’s the whole point. And so, when you find out your metal roof is leaking, it is because water got underneath. But, how does this happen? There are several ways water can get through your metal roof and damage the wood underneath it.

    1. The first way this could happen is if the roof was not installed properly and there are gaps in the seams, then you would probably get a roof leakage.
    2. When your roof gutters are blocked and water accumulates in the gutters with nowhere else to go, chances are that water will overflow and get through the gutter system onto the wood structure underneath and begin causing damage till it starts leaking.

    Metal roofs typically are waterproof and provide the first line of defense against a heavy downpour. However, if water gets underneath the roof, the underlying system helps to redirect the water from the roof to the surrounding. Without this underlay structure function maximally, there will be an accumulation of water which will lead to roof leakage. In some cases, the underlay may begin to decay or gaps and spaces may begin forming in the underlay as a result of poor installation.

    How to detect a leak in your metal roof

    Now you have been briefed on the possibility of your metal roof leaking, you need to be able to easily find a leak when the time comes. This will help you mitigate damage and protect your property.

    1. Dark spots on the ceiling

    The first and perhaps easiest way to locate a leak is by examining the ceiling for dark spots which usually indicate the beginning of a leak. When you notice this, you still will be required to climb into your attic to determine where exactly the source of the water is located. However, dark spots do not always indicate a leaking roof. The nature of ventilation is another huge factor to consider when you first see dark spots. Poor ventilation could also lead to dark spot formation through a process called condensation.

    2. Go outside to inspect your ceiling

    In the case where there is proper ventilation, regular roof maintenance and inspection will reveal any roof leakage you may have. Look for any tell-tale signs of roof leakage by paying close attention to the cracks and crevices on the outside. This will not only help you determine if there is a roof leakage but also the origin of the leakage.

    Often, roof leaks are a result of poor installation or installation with inferior materials. If this is the case, there are a few things you will see.

    • Poor sealant
    • Poorly constructed and installed seams and flashing
    • Poorly installed screws

    If any of the above is present, there will be roof leakage. Additionally, you may notice spots that have been damaged by animals or corrosion, which could let in water.

    3. Inspect the attic

    By inspecting the attic, you can learn a lot about your roof. All you need to do is look around for any damage, holes, or dents that may allow in water. This damage could be a result of rot, mold, or pest infestation.

    4. Carry out a simple water test

    If after performing all the activities listed above, you still do not know where the leak is coming from, you can simply carry out a water test. This will require two people and a water hose. While one person stands in the attic and shines a flashlight, the other person stands outside directing the water hose to the roof. The person inside should begin to see where the water escapes from and can simply mark it with chalk to easily identify when it’s time for repair.

    What can you do when you spot a leak?

    After finding a leak, here are some things you can do to ensure the leak is properly fixed in the shortest time possible.

    •     Flashing

    If you notice that the sealant or flashing is the cause of the roof leak, you will need to replace the flashing. It’s one of two things, either you fix it yourself or you employ the services of a professional. If you are clueless as to how to effectively change the flashing, you can easily call a professional roofer to remove the flashing completely and replace it for you. This will effectively ensure that you do not suffer any more leaks.

    •     Handling the water damage

    After identifying the point of the leak and effectively fixing it, you will need to handle the damage caused by the water leakage. In most cases, the wood in the roof will need to be removed totally and then replaced either by a professional or with the help of a friend.

    Conclusion 

    Finding out that the metal roof that you treasure has begun leaking can be a stressful and frustrating experience. You must ensure that you act proactively to mitigate the damages. Now you can easily find any leak on your metal roof, and you are informed on what to do once you have found the leak, you must ensure that you carry out constant maintenance and inspection to reduce the effect. If you are not qualified to repair any part of your roof, ensure you contact a professional and do not take matters into your hands.

  • Standing Seam Metal Roofs Pros & Cons

    BlackstarreviewMetal Roofing

    The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Standing Seam Metal Roof

    With more homeowners opting for standing seam metal roofs, more attention has been drawn to this roofing option. Which then begs an important question; Is the standing seam metal roof the best fit for every home? It sadly is not. While many homeowners were more than satisfied with this metal roof, it does not fully satisfy the needs of some homeowners. Now the question is, how do you know the category you fall in? Knowing both the good and bad sides of installing a standing seam metal roof will help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

    The Advantages of a Standing seam metal roof

    1. Standing seam metal roofs have an impressive lifespan 

    This is perhaps the biggest and most beneficial advantage of installing a standing seam metal roof. On average, these roofs can last up to 30 years as long as the installation process is done smoothly, and proper ventilation is allowed into the attic. In the best-case scenario, you could use this roof for as long as 50 years without having any leaks. However, if the metal panel scratches at any time, corrosion could begin as a result of its reaction with air. This could then reduce its overall lifespan by a significant number of years.

    2. You do not have to worry about extreme maintenance measures 

    Most types of roofs on the market require extreme maintenance measures that often become an inconvenience to the homeowner. This is why the standing seam metal roof is a great choice to get. It requires very little to no maintenance in order to remain effective. After installation, you may only need to do a general assessment from time to time to ensure everything is in order. Besides that, periodically cleaning the roof in order to maintain its aesthetic is all that is needed. Unlike with other roof types, you do not need to repair holes or cracks as this roof is not only efficient but is also durable.

    3. Installing a standing seam metal roof improves the overall appeal of your home

    No doubt installing this metal roof over your home improves its appeal significantly. A standard seam metal roof will give your home a better general look from a beauty standpoint than asphalt shingles or a standard-3 tab would. This is the reason why most modern homeowners decide to use a standing seam metal roof to cover areas like bay windows, side porches, front porches, and many more, as opposed to other conventional options. This roof brings out the beauty of the overall design and improves the value of your home’s curb.

    The Disadvantages of installing a Standing seam metal roof 

    Now we have covered the advantages, we must also discuss why this may not be a great fit for your home. These disadvantages are the most obvious reasons why most homeowners pass up on this roof.

    1. Buying and installing a new standing seam metal roof is expensive

    The first and perhaps most discouraging reason why most homeowners pass up this roof is as a result of its high price tag. This roof costs around three times the price of asphalt shingles which is a commonly used roofing material.

    What this means is that the cost to cover a two-story home with average roofing material, including a little complexity, improved accessibility, and also architectural asphalt shingles can be anywhere from $4.76 to $5 per square foot. In comparison, you would most likely spend around $15.00 per square foot for the exact same home.

    This massive price jump is unacceptable to many homeowners who may appreciate the value of a standing seam metal roof, but not enough to pay 3 times the amount for it. However, if you are not on a budget, buying and installing this roof is still a great option.

    2. The sound of rain could be noisy with a standing seam metal roof

    The next disadvantage is a rather common observation of using this roof. Many people complain of loud noise every time it rains as a result of the reverberation on the roof. This echo that results from the rain hitting the top of the standing seam metal roof is often a deal-breaker to many homeowners who would rather have peace and quiet when it rains. However, properly constructing a roof decking will go a long way to curb some of the noise to the point where it gets lost in the background.

    Also, adding wood fiber insulation boards in the space between your metal panel and the roof’s decking will also go a long way to numb the sound of rain. During a heavy downpour, however, you may still be disturbed by the loud echo despite these added boards. There is almost no way to escape the harsh reality that installing a standing seam metal roof will leave you with loud echo noises whenever it rains. In some cases, homeowners get used to the echo and it does not bother them as much as when the roof was newly installed.

    3. Oil canning is a possibility with standing seam metal roof panels

    Many homeowners who have installed the standing seam metal roof have complained of oil canning. This usually happens when roof installers go overboard and tighten the standing seam metal panels a little too much, resulting in oil canning.

    When these metal panels expand, they only do so lengthwise, only seeing as there is not enough space for them to expand sideways. As a result of this, the metal roof panels begin showing signs of oil canning just soon after. The first sign is a bubbling look on the surface which then turns wavy after a period of time.

    It is important to note that while this oil-canning may not have any adverse effect on the functionality of the roof, its aesthetics take a big hit. And so, if aesthetics are a big deal to you, you may need to think twice as oil canning is a real possibility.