Following a long, exhausting day of work, you want to relax. The last thing you want is to hear about your metal roof suffering from a water leak.
Despite arguably being the most durable option on the market, metal roofing systems are by no means immune to water leaks or other weather-related elements. Even when installed by the best commercial roofers in Indianapolis, no system is perfect. However, there are ways your commercial roofing contractors in Indiana can further strengthen your system to keep you as protected as possible from water damage.
Learn more about what you can do to keep water out and your metal sealed.
Butyl Tape
The first step towards shoring up a leak on your metal roofing system is to seek professional help – it’s as simple as searching for commercial roof repair in Indianapolis online.
A leak on your Indianapolis metal roofing can occur for several reasons. Commercial roofing contractors in Indiana will tell you that the most common culprits are improper installation and metal’s notoriously elevated degree of expansion.
As a product that has been around forever, butyl tape will do an excellent job sealing your metal roof. Roofing tape is commonplace in commercial warehouses, where the damage might be extensive. It’s most effective in gutters, lower slope metal roofs, and offset cleats. Here, using a sealant – more on those later – might be a little more time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Prioritize finding a roll that contains polyester scrim, as the material enhances its flexibility and allows the user to make seals at the strangest of angles and shapes.
Proper steps to prepare the area you’re going to repair must be taken before applying the tape. This includes cleaning the surface, setting the tape with a roller, and ensuring there are no loose screws or heads.
Sealant
Commercial roofing contractors in Indianapolis will tell you that cheaping out on installation can lead to issues with your metal roof down the line. These common problems include:
- Crooked screws
- Underdriven screws
- Misplaced screws
- Missing sealants
- Overlapping seams
However, some problems may just be a result of the material. Unintended movement with curb flashings and stack flashings can usually be attributed to metal expansion and contraction. These issues can be exacerbated if you live in an area with severe temperature swings like Indianapolis.
As far as polyether-based or silicone gun-caulking sealants go, you can’t go wrong with applying them to Indianapolis metal roofing systems to remedy these malfunctions. It’s arguably the most fashionable choice, too, as you can often find a color match to your metal. Compared to sealants of the past, these have excellent adhesion to metal and can better manage the elements; they excel in metal expansion management.
Ideal for shoring up gaps caused by mechanical fastener heads being out of regular position, the same steps must be taken before sealing as with butyl tape; being forced to remove sealant post-installation is never a pleasant activity.
Protect Your Property Against Leaks
Both gun-caulking sealants and butyl tape offer excellent durability and protection; it’s just a matter of deciding which you prefer for your metal roof in Indianapolis. Ask your contractors about which choice may be best for your property.