If you own or manage an industrial building with a profiled metal roof, you may have noticed rust creeping along the edges and overlaps of the sheets. That is cut-edge corrosion, and left untreated it spreads and shortens the life of the whole roof.
Why it happens
Metal roof and wall sheets are coated for protection, but when they are cut to length during manufacture the raw edge is exposed. Over years of weather, that exposed steel rusts — and the corrosion then creeps back underneath the coating along the laps and fixings.
Why you cannot ignore it
Cut-edge corrosion does not stay still. As it spreads it lifts the coating, lets water in and can eventually perforate the sheet. Catch it early and treatment is straightforward; leave it and you move towards costly re-sheeting.
How treatment works
- Affected edges are mechanically cleaned and de-rusted
- The corrosion is treated and stabilised
- A flexible, weatherproof edge-sealing coating is applied
- Laps and fixings are sealed to keep water out
Done properly, cut-edge corrosion treatment encapsulates the edges and stops further rust, commonly protecting for 10 years or more.
A fraction of the cost of re-sheeting
Treating and sealing the edges is far cheaper than replacing sheets, and it can be combined with full roof recoating to extend the life of the whole roof. The building stays in use throughout.
Next step
Send us photos of the affected roof or elevation and we will advise whether edge treatment, recoating or a combination is the most cost-effective fix.
