Galvalume metal roofing offers many benefits. Galvalume is manufactured from steel coil and then coated with a metal alloy made from aluminum and zinc. It is the aluminum and zinc alloy coating that provides many of Galvalume’s benefits as a roofing material. The alloy provides the metal roofing with anti-corrosion properties, heat resistance, and reliable protection from the elements. But to ensure that your Galvalume metal roofing continues to deliver these benefits, you need to maintain it.
Why You Need to Seal Your Galvalume Metal Roofing
Sealing your Galvalume metal roofing is something you will need to do when you first install it. It’s also wise to check your metal roof regularly to see if it needs to be re-sealed. Sealing the roof is one of the most important ways to maintain it. Your Galvalume metal roof should last for many, many years. But this will only happen if you maintain it correctly.
Here’s why you need to seal your Galvalume metal roofing:
- Cut edge corrosion is a major issue that can arise when a metal roof isn’t sealed. Sealing the cut edge helps to prevent rainwater from spreading under the overlap between the two sheets of metal roofing.
- Small cracks in the metal roof’s coating can become much worse if they’re not dealt with fast. Sealing these small cracks in the roof will help to prevent them from becoming worse.
- Using the sealant properly when needed will ensure that leaks can be repaired fast. Sealing your Galvalume metal roofing will also help prevent leaks from occurring in the first place.
- In areas where sun damage can be an issue for roofs, choosing a sealant that’s designed to deflect UV rays is helpful.
- Side lap sealant on low-slope roofs is often overlooked when the roof is first installed. But this can be an easy ingress for water and can cause a lot of damage. This is why sealing the side laps is so crucial.
Which Areas of the Galvalume Metal Roof Should Be Sealed?
Leakage issues are the most common issue for all roofs. If there is a part of the roof that water can penetrate, this needs to dealt with right away. Sealing the problem area immediately is a must.
Here are some of the most vulnerable areas of a metal roof that may benefit from you sealing them:
- Under overlaps between two sheets of metal roofing.
- Side laps – but usually only on low-slope roofs.
- On cut edges, as these are vulnerable to rainwater.
- On fasteners to prevent corrosion.
- Across joints in the roof.
- End laps on roofs that have a low slope.
- Around downspouts.
- Along the roof trim.
- Along the gutters.
- On any gaps in the roof to prevent water from penetrating them.
- Around skylight windows in the roof.
If the sealant is applied correctly to these areas, it should last for many years. However, be vigilant for any cracks or shrinkage in the sealant. If this happens, the roof may not remain watertight.
Types of Metal Roof Sealing Materials
Once you’ve identified the areas of the roof that require sealant, it’s time to source your materials. There are many different metal roof sealant products available. But it pays to choose your sealant with care. Choose the wrong sealant, and you could end up wasting your time and money applying it. So, which metal roof sealing materials should you choose?
Here are the main types of roof sealing materials used to seal Galvalume metal roofing:
Butyl Tape
Butyl Tape, also known as Tacky Tape, is a strong, asbestos-free tape. It provides effective sealing properties in temperatures from -40 Degrees F to +180 Degrees F, making it suitable for metal roofs in all climates.
Tubular Sealant
Tubular sealant is an essential item for your Galvalume metal roof. But there is a wide range of options to choose from. Choosing a liquid rubber-type sealant, such as Geocell 2300 Construction Tripolymer sealant is really helpful as it is so flexible and easy to apply.
Prepare Your Metal Roof for Sealing
Preparing your metal roof for sealing is essential. Your roof needs to be clean and dry before you start to apply the sealant.
To prepare your roof, start by washing it down. This will remove any debris and dirt that may be settling on the roof’s surface. Washing it down gives you the perfect opportunity to inspect the roof more closely. This will help you spot any extra areas that need to be repaired with sealant. Now, allow the roof to dry before you begin applying sealant.
When to Apply the Sealant
Timing is everything when you’re sealing your Galvalume metal roofing. You need to ensure that the weather conditions are right for the task. It’s best to pick a day when there is no rain forecast for at least 24 hours. But it’s also essential to pick a day when the temperatures are mild rather than too hot.
The weather conditions can really impact how well the sealant adheres to the metal roof surface. This means how well the sealant works and how long it keeps your roof watertight are impacted.
How to Apply the Sealant
Applying the sealant products to your Galvalume metal roof correctly is essential. Here are some application tips to help you seal your metal roofing effectively:
Applying Butyl Tape
Butyl tape can be applied to the end laps, side laps, gutters, skylights, pipe flashings, and vents on your metal roof.
To apply Butyl Tape, place the tape over the area you want to seal. Start by using six-inch Butyl Tape on the horizontal seams. Next, remove the tape from its backing at a 45-degree angle and press it down as you keep pulling.
If you spot wrinkles or bubbles in the tape, use a seam roller to smooth them out. Now it’s time to repeat this process on the vertical lapping seams using three-inch Butyl Tape. Ensure you don’t overlap the tape on the horizontal seams.
Apply tubular sealant
When applying tubular sealant, it’s best to use a caulking gun. This will provide you with maximum control over the sealant and will make the job a lot less messy!
The sealant can be applied to small areas, such as cracks or thin gaps. While you are using the sealant, be sure to smooth it down as you go. This will help to provide a neater finish.
It is essential to let the sealant cure (dry) properly between applications. This will provide maximum adhesion and help it to provide an effective seal for longer.
Key Points
- Galvalume metal roofing is designed to provide approximately 50 years of reliable use.
- Ensuring that the Galvalume metal roofing is installed correctly and sealed at the time of installation is vital.
- The metal roof should be sealed periodically to ensure it remains watertight.
- Sealant should be applied as soon as possible to any areas that show signs of gaps or cracks.
- Sealant should be used on any area of the roof that could be vulnerable to water penetration.
- Applying the sealant correctly is essential for it to perform its task. This means using the correct amount of sealant to ensure it can provide a waterproof seal.
- Don’t forget to choose the correct sealant products for your roof. You need to be sure that the sealant will adhere to your roof’s surface effectively.
When you’ve invested your money in a Galvalume metal roof, you can enjoy all the benefits that this increasingly popular roofing material brings. However, ensuring that the metal roof is installed correctly and then maintained regularly is a must.
A high-quality Galvalume metal roof has a life span of between 40 and 70 years, much longer than a shingle roof. So, a Galvalume metal roof makes for a cost-effective and high-performance roofing choice. But to ensure that your metal roof provides decades of reliable use, you need to ensure it is sealed correctly.
Choosing the best sealing products, taking care to seal your roof carefully during installation, and then routinely inspecting and maintaining it is essential.