TV shows make DIY roofing work seem so fun and effortless. But don’t be fooled—it’s a lot harder than it looks. One tiny installation error is all it takes to leave a gap through which water can infiltrate your roof. In particular, extra care is needed when handling the seams of a metal roof.
Seaming is especially tricky, even for professional contractors. Read on as the residential roof installation experts at State Roofing gives you an overview of the process below.
Setting the Panels in Place
Contractors will first lay the metal roof panels against each other, using metal clips to keep them in place. Keep in mind that these clips need to be spaced evenly. Otherwise, the roof panels can collapse on top of each other.
Sealing the Overlap
The contractors will then use a pair of hand crimpers to manually form seams around the clips and the roof’s end laps. They’ll then fully close the gaps using an electrical seamer, a portable roll-forming machine that runs along your roof.
The Caveat for DIYers
However, only a trained technician can operate the seamer. Handling specialized equipment would naturally be more difficult than using a run-of-the-mill power till. Plus, there are risks that come from operating heavy equipment on an elevated point.
If you’re still considering installing a metal roof yourself, we strongly recommend leaving roofing installation work to the professionals. Remember, the point where the roof panels meet is your roof’s most vulnerable point. As such, it’s extremely important that you do the seaming work right.
Given how complex installing a metal roof is, make sure to vet your contractor. Ideally, they should have extensive experience in the industry.
Looking for experienced contractors in your neighborhood? State Roofing, a contractor with more than five decades’ worth of experience, offers professional roofing services, including the installation of metal roofing. To get a free estimate, call us at [company_phone] or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Seattle, WA.