Is Your Metal Roof Sweating?

Posted on: 21 April 2022

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Metal roofing remains a favourite among Australian homeowners, and this can be credited to several reasons. To begin with, this material is ideally suited for Australia's tropical climate, as it is highly reflective. Thus, if you want to enhance the energy efficiency of your home, you likely will choose a light-coloured metal roof to deflect the sun's sweltering rays. Secondly, metal roofing supplies are available in varying fire ratings, which is great for individuals living in locations vulnerable to occasional bush fires. Thirdly, metal roofing supplies come in a selection of materials and colours, so you can rest assured that your roof will complement the aesthetic of your home. Nevertheless, metal roofs are not indestructible. And one element that is destructive to this material is moisture. While your metal roof can survive intermittent exposure to water, prolonged subjection can lead to corrosion, and this can cause irreparable damage to your roof. Bearing that in mind, you must mitigate roof sweating, as this means this structure is continually exposed to condensation. So what can you do when your metal roof is sweating?

Invest in ventilation solutions

While Australia's primarily tropical climatic conditions tend to be favourable for most of the year, most people can agree that the temperatures can become scorching for several months at a time. And although this weather is perfect for outdoor activities, it can be detrimental to your roofing since the hot and humid air rises, which causes condensation to form on this structure. To mitigate prolonged exposure to moisture, it is advisable to invest in ventilation solutions for your roof. One of the first things you can do is hire roofing contractors to install vents along the ridges and below the eaves of the roof. These vents allow air to circulate, and this, in turn, limits condensation. Another measure you can take is to hire roofing contractors to install roof exhaust fans that will eliminate warm air from your home.

Invest in a roof vapour barrier

Although your roofing's insulation works to limit thermal changes in your home, you should know that insulation is not invulnerable to moisture ingress. When your metal roofing starts to sweat, the moisture can make its way into the insulation. This will not only lead to water damage to the roofing structure, but you will eventually have to replace the insulation too. To prevent this from happening, you may want to consider investing in a vapour barrier. Also known as vapour retarders, these sheets are a great damp proofing solution for your metal roof since they function to reduce the risk of condensate forming.

Contact a roofing company to learn more.