Your new metal roof is designed to provide years of protection with little maintenance. However, it is important to remember that no roof is immune to severe weather or maintenance-free. To keep your roof performing as it should, a maintenance program should be implemented.

Safety Precautions

Walking on any roof is dangerous. This is why we emphasize the importance of consistently utilizing the fall protection and personal safety equipment that is required by OSHA and other regulatory agencies. Failure to follow these regulations can result in serious injury or death. You may also be subject to substantial fines for noncompliance.

When performing roof maintenance or inspections, always remember the following:

• All maintenance personnel must be adequately trained in safety procedures
• Verification is required to ensure that safety equipment is in proper working order
• Do not walk on roof flashings (gutter, rake, hip or ridge)
• Do not walk on skylights or Light Transmitting Panels (LTPs)
• Use extreme caution on steep slopes or near edges, where the roof is wet or covered with ice/snow

Annual Roof Check

Check the joints in roof panels and associated trims for proper seals and loose fasteners. For repairs, contact the original installation contractor or MBCI for the names of qualified contractors in your area.

Gutter And Downspouts

Clear all debris (leaves, dirt, etc.) from gutters and downspouts as required. At the minimum, this cleaning should be done twice per year.

Check Drainage 

Proper drainage is critical to roof performance:

• Keep the roof free of debris and obstructions
• Do not install anything on the roof that holds moisture or causes water to pond
• Do not use wood to support rooftop equipment or pipes, etc. Wood may impede water flow and contains salts or copper sulfate which deteriorates the roof and voids the warranty coverage. Instead, use a proper metal roof clamping system such as S-5! or similar
• Do not allow water to cascade onto the roof from an adjacent roof. Use gutters and downspouts as necessary to properly channel water
• Do not allow rooftop air conditioning units or evaporative coolers to drain onto the roof. Use PVC pipe to carry condensate to gutters

Roof Inspection

Inspect your roof in the event of:

• Fire, vandalism, or known damage to an adjacent roof area
• Exposure to severe weather
• High winds: debris, loose panels/trims/fasteners/closures and punctures
• Hailstorms: damaged trim and loose fasteners
• Heavy rains: ponding water at roof laps, roof curbs/penetrations, gutters, and all trims
• Sliding snow/ice: perimeter trims, plumbing pipes/roof penetrations etc. – check for loose fasteners at trim and panel endlaps

Trade Notifications

Notify all trades that they must adhere to the following before allowing them on the roof panels:

• Protect against foot traffic damage, roof scratches, and dents by using appropriate roof covers in work areas
• Make advance arrangements with roofing contractors to ensure that all penetrations are professionally designed and installed
• Remove all construction debris including metal shavings, sealants, wood scraps, fasteners, etc.
• Protect the roof with fire cloth wherever welding equipment or cutoff saws are used
• Clean up spilled chemicals/solvents on the roof immediately – thoroughly rinse affected areas with water

Foot Traffic

Foot traffic must be effectively managed to reduce damage to metal roof systems. The following safety precautions should be considered by tradesmen when walking or standing on roof panels:

• Install roof walkway systems for areas of regular foot traffic
• Minimize unnecessary traffic – limit access to roof, roof hatches, and access ladders
• Post signs at access points and ensure that authorized personnel are the only people allowed on the roof
• Keep a logbook of all visits to the roof and the reason for visits

Ice and Snow Removal 

To prevent damage, excess snow and ice should be removed from the roof as soon as it is safely possible. Pay attention to gutter areas (eaves and valleys), areas sheltered from the wind (behind facades, step roof conditions, etc.). Use extreme caution with removal and follow all roof safety procedures.

• Do not use metal tools to remove the ice or snow as this can damage the paint and/or Galvalume coatings
• Do not disturb plumbing pipes and flashings
• Be aware of skylights and light transmitting panels (LTPs). These types of roof accents are not designed to support a person’s weight and are difficult to locate if covered with ice and snow
• Remove snow at an equal rate from both sides of a gabled roof to avoid unbalanced loads

Regular roof maintenance and consistent use of fall protection and personal safety equipment should always be prioritized. By implementing the precautions discussed in this blog post, tradesmen can ensure the safety of their team during routine roof maintenance and inspections and increase the lifespan of their roofs overall – saving valuable time and money.

Learn more about MBCI’s warranties to ensure that your installs can weather the toughest storms.