Interlocking Metal Panels are coming unclipped and sliding. This is caused by improper fastening. They are designed to be fastened in a specific area, increasing wind resistance and ensuring that both sides of the panel are attached to the roof....
As a roof expands and contracts the roof system moves. This is a daily occurrence and is associated with Thermal Shock. During movement the metal panels bind against each other. Sometimes a tree branch or flying debris may impact the...
We do not recommend recovering any roof system. Often roofers will advise consumers to simply install wood strips over the existing roof and install the new system on the wood batons as seen on this Sanibel Island roof. This causes...
Metal panels are not a waterproofing material. When installed correctly, they do “shed” water. However, if installed on a flat roof, they would allow massive seepage. The way metal panels work is by their overlapping design. As the previous layer...
Metal is designed to be installed using special self-sealing screws. Each metal panel has a designated uplift and manufactures specify exactly how many fasteners per square foot are required. If metal panels are fastened outside the specifications the manufacturer’s warranty...
It is important that all fasteners are installed perpendicular to the roof’s surface and driven in at a perfect 90 degree angle. On this Bonita Springs roof are areas where the fasteners were not driven straight in and the fastener...
When two different types of metals come in contact a chemical reaction occurs: Electrolysis uses moisture as catalysis at a molecular level to pass ions from one metal to the other. The process causes a deterioration of both metals similar...
“High fasteners” are a serious problem. During roof installation it’s easy for installers to forget about proper pressure setting on their screw guns. In most cases too many drills were hooked up to a single electrical line that was not...
The junction between your pitch roof and the flat roof is called the “tie-in”. This area is specifically important because there are two different roofing materials joining. A Marcos Island roof shows evidence that the tie-in area is not sealed...
When installing a roof system it is important to always start at the lowest point and proceed upward toward the roof’s peak. This ensures that each layer of materials overlaps the previous. Even on flat roofs, this principle is important....
Steel metal flashings exposed to the elements can rust over time. Today’s flashings are made of galvanized metal, a process that protects the steel core from rusting. Rust cannot be simply sealed over, as it will continue to grow. The...
Although flashings bridge transitions in the roof, when not sealed properly they are ineffective. Flashing is designed to turn corners and breaks in a roof, which tend to have more movement than other areas. If not sealed properly, these flashings...
Valley metal is installed by crimping the valley center, fastening the entire length of both edges and then applying mastic to cover the valley metal edge and fasteners. When valley metal is not properly pressed, fastened and/or sealed it causes...
Gable ends are where a valley terminates into a roof’s surface, rather than running the entire length to the roof’s edge. They are quite common and add to the roof’s design. However, if not correctly detailed with flashings and sealants,...
Steel metal flashings exposed to the elements can rust over time. Today’s flashings are made of galvanized metal, a process that protects the steel core from rusting. I found rusted flashings on this Fort Myers Beach roof. Rust cannot be...
As with all rooftop objects it is important that proper water flow and installation are considered. Flashing that is not layered correctly and sealant applied in the right junction areas allow water seepage. The vent flange on this roof was...
As you know, plastic typically dries out rather quickly in our environment. The sun’s UV rays cause oil migration much the same as it does to exposed asphalt. On this Estero roof a plastic stack flashing was used to seal...
Ell flashing bridges the transition from the roof’s surface and a wall or upright surface such as a curb. On this Captiva Island roof the ell flashing has not been sealed properly and the shingles are pealing back from the...
Whenever a roof surface meets a vertical surface ell flashing is needed to bridge the transition and protect from seepage. On an Immokalee roof I found no ell flashing was installed at this detail. Although sealant may have helped avoid...
Ell flashing should be nailed every six inches on center. Not enough fasteners were used and the sealant has deteriorated. We suggest sealing the underside of the ell flashing and installing the correct number of fasteners as specified by code....
Ell flashing is designed to bridge the roof to wall transition and allow for protection against water intrusion. Water which runs down the roof and wall is caught by the ell flashing and channeled to the roof’s edge. It is...
Since a valley is designed to channel water between two pitch areas a valley receives more water flow than any other part of the roof. A standard installation guideline on all roof systems is to never install fasteners in the...
Flashing seams must be overlapped correctly and an adequate amount of sealant placed in between the overlap area to ensure proper waterproofing at the ell flashing transition area. The correct way to repair this area is to replace the flashing...
Separation firewalls are designed to extend past the roof level and protect against spreading flames in the unlikely event of a fire. Many times these walls are simply stuccoed and painted. Over time the paint deteriorates, often at rates faster...
Vents are installed on the roof to allow for attic airflow. These vents should not be longer than four feet in length and should be installed at an angle. As water flows down the roof it often is blocked behind...
Whenever two different roof pitches transition a specially designed flashing is needed to bridge the slope change. Over time the sealant will deteriorate and allow leaks. The pitch transition on your roof does not have any flashing in it. Eventually...
Counter flashing is metal flashing installed into the wall to protect the roof membrane from coming loose from the wall as it transitions from the roof area. Counter flashing can also be used in conjunction with ell flashing at the...
When two different types of metals, fair and unfair as they are called, come in contact a chemical reaction occurs. Electrolysis uses moisture as catalysis at a molecular level to pass ions from one metal to the other. The process...
Vents are installed on the roof to allow for attic airflow. These vents should not be longer than four feet in length and should be installed at an angle. As water flows down the roof it often is blocked behind...
Often associated with gutter installation and plumb fascia boards, perimeter drip edge flashings can create a shelf or ledge about three inches from the roofs edge. This shelf creates a flat roof area at the roof’s perimeter. Since this roof...
As a roof expands and contracts the roof system moves. This is a daily occurrence and is associated with Thermal Shock. During movement the metal panels bind against each other. Sometimes a tree branch or flying debris may impact the...
Van Martin Roofing can fix your metal roof!