How do you care for a metal roof?
Short answer. Caring for a metal roof mostly means protecting its finish: keep leaves and pine needles off, clean it gently with low-pressure water and a mild cleaner when needed, avoid walking on it, and keep incompatible metals and abrasive tools away. Touch up scratches promptly with the manufacturer's paint and keep gutters flowing so water never sits at the eaves.
Cleaning without damage
- Use a garden hose or low-pressure rinse, working from the top down.
- For dirt or mildew, use a mild detergent or a cleaner approved by the panel maker, then rinse well.
- Avoid close-range pressure washing, wire brushes, abrasive pads and harsh solvents, which scratch or strip the paint.
- Avoid strong bleach solutions, which can harm some finishes and the plants below.
Leave anything that requires being on the roof to a professional; metal is slippery, especially when wet or dusted with spring pollen.
Keep debris off
Pine needles and wet leaves trapped behind chimneys, in valleys and at panel ends hold moisture against the finish and can start corrosion. Trim branches back so they do not scrape panels in the wind.
Protect the finish
- Touch up scratches with the manufacturer's matching paint, small and neat.
- Do not let copper flashing or runoff from copper or treated lumber drain onto steel or Galvalume panels.
- Have satellite dishes, solar mounts and other add-ons attached with compatible fasteners and proper flashing.
Walking
If someone must walk the roof, they should step only where the manufacturer directs, usually over supports or near seams, wearing soft soles. Stepping in the middle of a flat pan can dent it or leave permanent waviness.
Watch the small parts
Most metal roof leaks start at fasteners, sealant, boots and trims, not the panels. For a scheduled checklist, see the Georgia roof maintenance checklist and metal roofing in Georgia.