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Quality is at the heart of our Austin roofing company in every project we take on. Contact our experienced Central Texas roofers for a same-day, pressure-free inspection. Call 512-375-3654 to book your free inspection.

If you need a new roof installed, LOA is the roofing company to call! Our roofing experts are known for providing quality workmanship at a fair price. If you own a house or business in Central Texas you can't afford to work with another roofer.

Find out how much roof replacement will cost in Austin, Texas and the surrounding areas.

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What to Do When Metal Roofing Starts Corroding

There are a lot of benefits to having a metal roof, and longevity is one of them. Metal roofs can last 40-80 years, which is very impressive when you consider that roofing material is exposed to the elements 24/7/365.

One of the top questions we get asked about metal roofing is if it will corrode or rust over time. The truth is, it's possible. Metal roofing systems are extremely durable, but they aren't indestructible. And some types of metal are more resistant to corrosion than others. Although galvanized steel and aluminum roofs are corrosion resistant, rusting can occur and needs to be corrected quickly.


Have you noticed corrosion on the metal surfaces of your roof?

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What Causes Metal Roofs to Corrode

Over time metal roofing will corrode. The worst form of corrosion is rust. Iron alloy metals like steel can rust if they're exposed to moisture, which can be a serious problem for roofs that are out in the rain.

Steel metal roofs rust because of chemical reactions. Rust is an iron oxide that forms when iron and oxygen from water or air moisture are combined. The atoms in the iron are oxidized, which weakens the metal and actually causes the metal to slowly dissolve. Iron alloys may seem much tougher than water, but in the long run they aren't. They appear solid, when in actuality they have microscopic scratches and pits that are porous.

Other types of metals that are used for roofing undergo chemical corrosion when they're exposed to moisture, but damaging rust won't develop. For example, copper oxide will form on the surface of copper roofs and turn to patina, but it's actually protective.

While understanding the exact chemical process isn't necessary, property owners should know what causes detrimental corrosion on metal roofs so they can prevent it if possible.

  • Issues When the Roofer is Installing Underlayment Material

    A roofer must install underlayment properly or there could be major problems even if the surface materials are in perfect condition. It's crucial that the roofers roll out the underlayment smooth so that it lies perfectly flat when it's installed. The underlayment also needs to be snug but not too tight in order to function properly.

    The underlayment might not be properly sealed during the installation, which leads to other problems. Without good sealing, the underlayment won't be a waterproof layer. However, there still needs to be adequate ventilation with synthetic underlayment or moisture can get trapped underneath.

    One other issue to watch out for with roofing underlayment installation is how the material is stored and handled. If the underlayment is exposed to the heat prior to installation it can degrade the material and increase the risk of cracking and blistering after it's installed.


  • Corrosion is Common When the Roof's Protective Coating Has Worn Away or Become Damaged

    Steel metal roofs have protective coatings that are added to prevent the corrosion process from occurring. If the protective coating becomes damaged or wears away corrosion can happen. No protective coating can last forever, but it will wear away quickly if branches are rubbing the roof surface or there's a lot of foot traffic.


  • Corrosion is More Likely If the Metal Roof is Exposed to Salt or Acids

    Moisture is bad enough, but if you add salt or an acid to the mix it can make corrosion much worse. Salt is an electrolyte that causes metal to lose its electrons, which speeds up chemical reactions of the corrosion process. Acidic pollutants in the air also accelerate rusting by breaking down the oxide layer of the metal surface.


  • The Metal Roofing is Touching Another Metal

    There's something called dissimilar metal corrosion that property owners should know about before installing a metal roof. When dissimilar metals come in contact with one another it isn't a problem - unless moisture is present. If it is, it will cause a chemical reaction known as galvanic corrosion that accelerates rusting where the metals meet.


  • Scratches and Damage to the Metal Surface

    If the surface of a metal roof is damaged corrosion will soon follow. Scratches and holes allow moisture to penetrate deeply into the metal beyond the surface.


  • Storm Damage

    Hail and high winds can do a lot of damage to roofs, even below the surface. If the top layer suffers storm damage or is torn off, the underlayment is exposed and can be damaged as well.


  • Stress Cracking From High Winds

    High winds can also cause issues that increase the likelihood of rust and corrosion on a metal roof. If strong winds happen frequently it can create tiny stress cracks on the roof surface. Moisture can get into the cracks and corrode the roofing material.


  • Improper Installation

    Like virtually any other roofing issue, rusting roof materials could be the result of a roofer that didn't know what they were doing. One of the most common errors that leads to rusting is when a roofer cuts the metal panels and doesn't protect the exposed edges. They may also install the metal panels incorrectly so that the roofing isn't watertight.

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How to Repair Corroded Metal Roofing Materials

Rust and corrosion is something that can't be ignored. If corrosion isn't addressed it will eventually compromise the roofing system and roof replacement will be necessary. Here are the steps to take to prevent a worst case scenario.

  • Get a Roof Inspection

    The first thing that needs to happen is a roof inspection. You'll need to know the extent of the corrosion and identify the cause to properly address the problem.


  • Replace the Corroded Metal Panels

    If the damage is limited to one area, the corroded metal panels can be replaced. However, it's important to work with an experienced roofer that knows how to install the panels properly to avoid even worse problems down the road. You'll also want to replace the corroded parts with a durable metal material. Consider replacing galvanized steel panels with galvalume steel that has an aluminum and zinc coating for extra durability.


  • Apply a Protective Coating

    A protective coating should be applied to steel panels every 5 to 12 years. It's also important to reapply the right type of coating that contains aluminum, zinc or a combination of the two.


  • Perform Regular Roof Maintenance

    Catching corrosion quickly is key to preventing major issues. Make it a point to have annual roof inspection that looks for scratches in the protective coating, dents and damage to the metal roofing material, gaps in the panels and tree limbs that need to be cut back away from the roof line.

    The team at LOA regularly corrects corrosion issues on all types of metal roofs. We even provide free roof inspections to assess the situation. Take the first step in getting corrosion under control by scheduling an inspection with one of our roofing professionals.

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We're One of the Highest Rated
Roofers in Austin for a Reason

"I got three inspections and decided to use LOA Construction for a new roof. LOA’s Dan Harvey worked with my insurance inspector to make sure all the hail/wind damage was accounted for, gave us a good choice of shingle colors, and was great at communicating. The workers did quality work, found and repaired rotted wood and cleaned up. Highly recommend!"

— Brian McFarlin, 5-Star Google Review

"Brandon at LOA construction made replacement of our roof very easy. He was the only roofing contractor that I could find that would work directly with our insurance company. They showed up on time and made the whole process very easy. And we have a great looking high quality roof! I Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new roof. Give them a call if you need a roof or think you might have wind or hail damage. I had several other bids that were higher cost and didn't think our insurance would cover it. Our insurance did cover it, I think they were just unwilling to work with the insurance company. Not Brandon, not only was he will to work with our insurance he met with the adjuster and made the whole thing a breeze. Thanks again LOA and Brandon!!!!"

— Mike A., 5-Star Google Review

LOA Construction has exceeded my expectations again. This is the second roof installation with them and I couldn't be happier. Specifically, Tyler Griffiths is professional, attentive, and made the entire process of working with my insurance company effortless. My tenant sent a glowing account of their experience as well. Knowing it was a rental, they still diligently protected all property and plants. They were on time every time and went out of their way to not inconvenience the residents. LOA Construction has integrity and takes pride in their work. I couldn't recommend them more.

— Sheri Moran

"Worked with Zac and his team. Zac did an outstanding job working with the insurance company to ensure all damage was covered. Roof and gutters installed each were on time and all work was top of the line. This is a company that really does put the customer first. With out question I would recommend loa construction and roofing."

— Tony Smith, 5-Star Google Review

From the very start, I knew I was in good hands. The professionalism was top-notch, but most important, was the caring attitude of the project manager, Dan Harvey, the roofing supervisor, Ambrocio, and the roofing crew. They made sure every detail was covered. They are definitely an asset to LOA Construction. I highly recommend them. Dennis and Suzy S

— Dennis Sanger

Andrew was very great at getting myself and my wife all the information and getting us started from start to completion. His workers were friendly and professional. If ever I had to contact him, he was quick to respond back. We are very happy with the finished product. Yes, I would and have recommended him and his company to get their work by LOA Construction and Austin. Andrew made sure my wife would be satisfied with whatever roof she liked. Can't thank you enough Andrew and LOA Construction.

— Paul Coleman

As a first time home owner with no experience in how to make claims and start the process of getting a new roof I was scared to the point of avoiding what needed to get done after the bad hail storm. August Walker did an amazing job walking me through each step along the way. He answered all my questions and calmed my concerns. They inspected my roof and drove from Austin to Belton just to be there with the ins inspector, and followed up with me in person after the roof was installed. He also made a special trip back to drop off samples! I’m grateful to August and LOA construction for being highly professional and friendly!

— Angela Baker

From start to finish Lee and his team took great care of us. He made us feel comfortable during the process and answered any and all questions we had. I would definitely them recommend to anyone.

— Taneisha Jones

Arthur Harris and his team with LOA Construction did an excellent job on our roof. They finished it in one day. Arthur was very good in explaining all the information to us.

— Crystal Hill

Will, has been so awesome and easy to work with he gets everything we want done the way we want it and also keeps us updated as we are over the road truck drivers !!! Hands down to LOA Construction for their great service and great customer service !!!

— Tanya Dudkiewicz

Dan Harvey is Very Knowledgeable and directed me straight to the products that will save us money in the next 3 years the savings on energy costs alone will pay for the installation itself. I highly recommend LOA Construction and Dan Harvey! Actual Customer Jefferson Fara

— Jefferson Fara

Mark from LOA roofing was very professional from the git, the initial estimate process, he quickly identified all the issues that needed to be addressed. The company was very prompt, to coordinate the crew, and for a very reasonable price, got my roof repaired without any hassle. They also took care of all the cleaning, so that it all looked like nothing happened. I would recommend Mark from LOA to anyone needing a roof repair, with no kind of hesitation.

— Ale León

Loa Construction provides quality services in installing roof and related repairs. I’ll recommend it to my friends and family.

— Peijie Li

Thanks to Landon Wells of LOA Construction for the beautiful new roof! It was all completed in one day including a meticulous clean up job afterwards. The workers were all polite and professional. Landon made sure everything went smoothly and that all of our questions were answered. I am thrilled with our new roof. I would definitely recommend Landon and LOA Construction to all of my friends and family. Thank you Landon!

— Renee Johnson

Choose quality roofing for a lasting investment in your home.

Request an Inspection

Dedicated to excellence, our Austin roofing company ensures quality in every project. Contact our skilled Central Texas roofers for a same-day, hassle-free inspection. Call +1 (512) 375-3654 to book your free inspection.

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