Signs of a metal roof leak
- Ceiling stains that grow after heavy or windy rain
- Rust streaks around screws or along panel edges
- Screws that are loose, backed out or missing
- Bent or lifted panels or trim after a storm
- Drips along the walls of a warehouse or shop
Where metal roofs leak
Screws and washers. A metal roof can have thousands of screws. Each rubber washer slowly breaks down in the sun. When enough fail, water gets in at many small spots.
Seams and laps. Where panels overlap, sealant can dry out and gaps can open as the metal moves with the heat.
Trim and ridge caps. Wind can lift trim at the edges and the ridge, and rain blows in underneath.
Penetrations. Vents, pipes and HVAC units cut through the panels. The boots and flashing around them are common leak points. See flashing and vent leak repair.
Rust. Scratches, standing water and salt air all start rust. Left alone, it eats through the metal.
How we fix metal roof leaks
We check every likely spot near the leak, not just the one you can see. Then we replace failed screws, reseal seams and laps, refasten trim and patch rusted areas. For roofs with widespread screw wear, we can re-screw the whole roof for a fraction of the cost of new panels.
Managing a warehouse or shop? See our commercial roof leak repair services. Can’t tell where the water is getting in? Start with roof leak detection.