No product is flawless, regardless of its cost or the care it's given. There’s a good chance you could face occasional issues with even the best materials, and this is true of metal roofing in Hingham and Marshfield as well. From leaks to scuffing, there are some situations that are beyond control. One thing remains clear: metal roofing has fewer long-term problems compared with asphalt shingles and other materials.
Most Common Metal Roofing Issues
1. Oil Canning
The Metal Construction Association defines oil canning as: “Visible waviness in the flat areas of metal roofing and wall panels, often referred to as elastic buckling or stress wrinkling. This can happen with any metal panel, including steel, aluminum, zinc, and copper.”
A common characteristic of metal roofs, particularly with standing seam systems, this condition occurs when the metal is overstressed and unable to maintain a flat shape. This results in visible waves. Many things can cause oil canning, such as:
- Frequent stress from cutting and roll-forming the panels
- Excessive pressure during the coiling process
- Improper installation or handling of panels
- Insufficient allowance for thermal expansion and contraction
- Structural changes that put tension on the panels
To reduce the risk of oil canning, you can choose a thicker metal, use ribbed panels, go with low-gloss finishes, and work with an experienced metal roofer in Duxbury.
2. Leaks
Leaks can be a nightmare to deal with and can damage other parts of your property, posing additional repair costs. Metal roofs can leak due to factors such as:
- Heavy rainfall
- Ice dams
- Snow accumulation and melting
- Wind
- Structural damage
- Installation errors such as improper fasteners, incorrectly installed seams, or faulty flashing
3. Scuffing & Scratching
Metal roofs can fall victim to scuffing or scratching during installation or later. Causes include:
- Lack of edge guards during shipping
- Improper coiling or recoiling of the metal
- Inadequate lifting devices for handling coil
- Malfunctions during the roll-forming process
While common on the surface, scuffs and scratches can usually be fixed with touch-up paint pens.
4. Corrosion
Corrosion resistance is a big perk of choosing metal roofing. Most metal roofs are coated to resist corrosion; however, rusting can occur due to:
- Improper coating of panel undersides, trapping water
- Exposure to saltwater in coastal areas
- Incompatible metals causing galvanic corrosion
- Rusting along the cut edges of steel panels
While corrosion may be inevitable over time, choosing the right metal materials, coatings, and installation techniques can prevent or delay it.
5. Dissimilar Metals & Materials
Combining different metals can result in degradation and early failure due to galvanic corrosion. To prevent this, you need to use compatible materials, especially in areas such as:
- Flashing
- Gutters
- Fasteners
- Chimneys
- Trim
- Siding
6. Chalking & Fading
Chalking is a whitish residue caused by UV breakdown of metal roof paint, while fading occurs when UV rays or other elements degrade the color. Both are inevitable over time, but the extent will vary depending on the type of coating and the environment.
Contact Revered Metal Roofing
We do our best to ensure these problems don’t happen, and it all starts with careful, proper metal roofing installation in Buzzards Bay. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at 781-536-4589.
Bob and his Crew of Tremendous workers put a new Metal roof on our home and it Looks Fantastic , But also a 50 Year Warranty. This Company is Absolutely the Best Metal Roofing Company I have had the Experience of hiring to do this Job.