Removing snow
Snow normally neither remains on a coated roof nor exceeds the roof’s load-bearing capacity. If snow does need to be removed, we recommend leaving a layer of roughly 100 mm on the roof to protect the coating while clearing.
Annual roof maintenance
A visual inspection of the coated surfaces should be carried out once a year as a general check. We recommend the first inspection as soon as the sheet has been installed, and further inspections at least once a year depending on the type and location of the building. Check the condition and tightness of the fastening elements. Damaged or partly loosened joints can cause leaks, deterioration and corrosion. If a fastener is damaged, it and/or the roof batten should be replaced with a stronger element.
Check the condition of the paint coating. Pay particular attention to the gutters and edges of the rainwater drainage system. Peeling paint, uneven fading, blistering, cracks and scratches are signs that the coating needs repair. Rainwater drainage systems must also be cleaned every year. Blocked, partly blocked or dirty drains can lead to ice formation and corrosion problems.
Cleaning
Rainwater is usually enough to keep a paint coating clean. However, dirt such as leaves from trees should be removed from the roof, gutters and rainwater drainage system once a year. Dirt and deposits can cause corrosion by holding moisture against the surface of the sheet. A dirty roof also detracts from the appearance of the building.
The coating should be cleaned with a soft brush and water, or with a pressure washer. More stubborn dirt can be removed with a cleaning agent suitable for painted surfaces. If the dirt is persistent, we recommend widely available washing products (car-washing products), prepared as a 10% solution, or follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rinse the roof from top to bottom after letting the cleaning agent act for a few minutes. Finally, the gutters and drains should be rinsed with water. It should be noted that using unsuitable or overly aggressive cleaning agents can damage the paint coating.
Painting
Any damage to the coating should be repaired as soon as possible. Only paints intended for restoring painted coatings should be used for repairs. The damaged area should be repainted with the smallest possible brush. If the damage reaches the primer, a single coat is enough. If the damage reaches the zinc, however, a second coat is recommended once the first has dried.
If a sheet metal detail needs repainting, surface painting is applied. The substrate must therefore be prepared for repainting by matting and degreasing, which amounts to damaging the original coating. Unfortunately, this results in the loss of the Alternativa d.o.o. warranty on the original coated finish. This type of painting should be carried out by an authorised, specialised company using suitable paints and under controlled conditions (temperature, wind, humidity, absence of dust, and so on).
Edge corrosion, where the cut edge of the sheet begins to rust, can occur, particularly on roofs with a shallow pitch. Painting the cut edges after the roof has been installed can prevent this problem, and is especially recommended in coastal areas.
