If you have detected rust on your metal roof, then it needs to be removed and then you need to protect your roof so that the rust does not reappear. You can do this yourself or call a professional roofing contractor to perform the work. Obviously, professional will be able to remove the rust and create an attractive, lasting solution for your rusty metal roof. However, if you do it yourself, you’ll save money. Regardless of who does it, it’s important that it gets done before the problem worsens.
Getting Rid of the Rust
Generally, every little speck of rust does not need to be removed prior to recoating the roof. A heavy power washer can be used to ensure all the loose rust is removed. The water will also remove any mildew, dirt and flaking paint. For stubborn rust, you may need to try a special solution, such as Trisodium Phosphate. You may find the job to be too difficult and dangerous for you to do on your own, so if you hire a professional, make sure that they use some type of chemical solution to remove and block roof mildew.
Preventing Rust from Coming Back
If you don’t place a protective coat on your metal roof, the rust will likely be back in just a few months. Again, you can turn this into a DIY job or hire a professional. If you do it yourself, thoroughly wash and rinse your roof and let it completely dry before anything else. You’ll want to use a zinc primer when you begin painting, as it is known to help in the prevention of rust on metal roofs. You can find a special paint that is made for metal roofs when you are ready to apply the top coat. However, if you do not use an acrylic coating, which is known to block rust for as many as 10 years, you may need to repaint your roof every several years to keep the rust from returning.
Regardless of whether you choose to do the work yourself, with a few friends or hire a professional roofing contractor, don’t let your metal roof sit rusty. Get rid of it and put measures in place to prevent the rust from returning in the future.
If you need someone to take a look, give us a call 256-325-2277, or email us for a free roof inspection.