Illinois Roofing Practice Exam

How does oil canning occur in a low slope metal system?

1. Due to improper installation techniques.

2. As a result of extreme weather conditions only.

3. As sheet metal roofing applied normally.

4. Due to the age of the roofing material.

The correct answer is: As sheet metal roofing applied normally.

Oil canning is a phenomenon that occurs in metal roofing systems, particularly in low slope applications, and is characterized by the distortion of flat metal sheets, leading to wavy or rippled appearances. The correct choice reflects that this issue can manifest regardless of installation techniques, environmental factors, or the age of the material. Oil canning is often influenced by the properties of the sheet metal itself during the manufacturing process, which can create stress points within the material. When these stress points react to temperature changes, physical movement, or the natural flexing of the metal, it can cause the visible warping known as oil canning. While improper installation techniques can contribute to the severity of oil canning, it is not the only way it can occur. Extreme weather conditions can also exacerbate or reveal the presence of oil canning, but oil canning is not limited to these factors alone. Age can also play a role in the development of issues with roofing materials, but again, the actual phenomenon of oil canning can occur in new materials as well. Thus, the occurrence of oil canning in a low slope metal system is a complex interplay of material characteristics and environmental impacts, and it is not solely dependent on how the metal was applied.