There are three words that strike fear into the hearts of anyone involved in metal roofs… Cut Edge Corrosion, which, if left untreated, will lead to the exposed metal surface corroding and eventually perforating.

This is the opinion that’s most popular among roof sealant manufacturers.

Simply put, sealing the overlaps between metal roofing sheets will stop water from spreading between them.

It is often argued that a sealant prevents condensation from the cold roof from being released. This will help to prevent corrosion. Let’s look at an example of an old roof where two sheets of metal have been coated and sealed.

As you can see there is visible rust. However, it stops at the place where the seal was applied. This shows that the metal sheets are not being cooled by condensation.

What happens if the metal roof is coated but not sealed?

You can make it worse if you just coat the roof. Any movement between roof sheets on a roof with a coating only can cause cracks in the roof’s coating. Capillary action can cause water ingress and corrosion. Rainwater can also contain pollutants that will accelerate the process.

The treatment of cut-edge corrosion with the Right Sealant

Sealing under the roof overlap is only possible if the sealant used is high-quality. There are many ways to seal your lap, including using tapes or mastics. You can also embed a fleece or glass in a liquid. It is important to choose one that is easy to use and effective.

Lap sealing is often ineffective due to the weakness and flexibility of silicone mastics and tapes that lift at the profile corners, allowing water ingress and retention.

Sealant Application

It is possible for the product to not be installed according to the specification. This could lead to a smaller amount of sealant or insufficient coating. The product wouldn’t have the strength to withstand the roof sheet overlap movement.

Similarly, if too much sealant is used, you’ll end up with significant costly implications, which was explored in one of our recent articles .

This is a great example of the expression, “A product is only good if it’s installed properly.”

Conclusion

Seal or not seal? That is the question.

There are many factors to consider before you make a decision. As you will see, it is not a straightforward yes/no answer.

For you to remember…

You must select the correct product to seal sheets that overlap before applying coating. Also, ensure that your applicators have sufficient training.

This post was written by Ted Williams! Ted is the owner of A Old Time Roofing which is the premier Clearwater Roofing Contractor! Ted is a Master Elite Weather Stopper GAF Roofing Contractor, a double award winner of Best Steep-Slope Contractor from GAF and achiever of Master Elite Consumer Protection Excellence from GAF. He has been serving the Pinellas County area since 1978.  Old Time Roofing has a tradition of quality workmanship, servicing residential and commercial properties.…

Galvanized steel has been a popular choice for home plumbing lines for many years. But steel is prone to corrosion and rust, so after several decades, pipes within a home will need to be replaced completely. Copper was the preferred material due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Copper piping is now used in many homes across Florida and throughout the United States.

If you live in Florida, you might be able to get your water from reverse osmosis plants. While there are many benefits to drinking water that is clean, clear and free of mineral inclusions, there are also some drawbacks. Desalination and reverse osmosis water can cause corrosion to copper pipes, which could lead to eventual leaking.

Why R/O Water Corrodes Copper

Copper is supposed to be resistant to corrosion. But what could make it suddenly so vulnerable to falling apart? What happens to water during reverse-osmosis is the answer. Because of the salts and other substances found in water, south Florida’s water is naturally slightly alkaline. Alkaline water is less likely than corroded metal. The salts and other substances that provide alkalinity can be removed and water becomes more acidic. This makes it more likely to corrode and absorb other substances.

Reverse osmosis systems use the same water you would find in a municipal supply network to reduce the alkalinity. This makes it more aggressive on your plumbing, and can slowly eat away at copper lines in your house. You’ll see the effects of this over time in small plumbing leaks and pipe bursts.

Copper Pipe Corrosion: Solutions

What can you do if your house is supplied with water by a massive reverse osmosis plant? You don’t want to worry about your water quality. However, it is impossible to switch water providers or cancel this service unless you are able to move to another service area. There are several options.

You might first consider installing a Calcite filter on your main water supply. Calcite filters are basically blocks of calcium carbonate. They gradually dissolve, increasing the pH and making your water less aggressive to your plumbing lines. This may sound absurd as it would reverse all the hard work that was put into purifying the water. Calcite is not harmful and can be found in water all over the country. However, it can make water taste strange to some people. This means that you might want to filter the water once more to preserve the original taste.

You can also get rid of copper pipes and replace them with plastic ones that are completely free from corrosion. These plastic lines are extremely resistant to corrosion and can last for many decades. They are also extremely affordable. Although copper prices have risen over the years, these plastic plumbing lines are extremely affordable. They only cost a few cents per ft. and are very easy to install.

This post was written by Joey Denick. Joey is the Owner and Operator of Clog Kings. At Clog Kings, LLC, we …