How Do You Repair A Metal Roof That Has Been Damaged By Galvanic Corrosion?
While metal roofs are durable and long-lasting, they're vulnerable to a form of damage that doesn't affect other types of roofs. Galvanic corrosion causes metal to disintegrate, and it occurs when two different types of metal are both submerged in water. When galvanic corrosion happens to a metal roof, it means that rain falling on the metal roof created a puddle that was in contact with two different types of metal at the same time, such as copper flashing and a galvanized steel roof panel.
Galvanic corrosion can rapidly cause damage to a metal roof as it eats away at the metal. Corroded fasteners can cause metal panels to detach, and corrosion can eat holes in the metal roof panels that allow rain to leak into your attic. If your metal roof is corroding, you'll need to have it repaired to prevent water damage to your home. To learn how a residential roofing contractor repairs a roof that's been damaged by galvanic corrosion, read on.
1. Replace Panels and Fasteners Affected by Corrosion
When repairing a corroded roof, the first step is to inspect all of the metal roof panels. Any panel that has experienced substantial corrosion will need to be replaced. Corrosion weakens metal panels, making them more likely to be torn apart when exposed to extremely high winds or large hailstones. Replacing all of the corroded roof panels will restore your roof's protection.
The fasteners used to attach the roof panels to your roof deck also need to be inspected for corrosion. If they corrode, they'll weaken, and they can break during a heavy storm.
2. Stop the Source of Galvanic Corrosion
Once all of the corroded parts of your roof have been replaced, the residential roofing contractor will need to find out the source of the galvanic corrosion on your roof. Galvanic corrosion can be caused by copper flashing, copper gutters, fasteners that aren't made from the same material as your roof, and your plumbing vent pipe that exits from your roof. Anything on your roof that's made from a different material than your roof panels and your fasteners will need to be replaced, if possible. For example, copper flashing can be replaced by galvanized steel flashing if you have a galvanized steel roof.
If your metal roof is starting to corrode, call a residential roofing contractor in your area and have it inspected. They'll be able to determine what's causing galvanic corrosion to occur on your roof, fix all the damage that's been done, and stop it from happening again. Repairing the damage done by galvanic corrosion will stop it from causing a leak in your roof that could lead to water damage to your home.
For more info about residential roofing, contact a local professional.