Metal roofs are one of the most durable roofing materials. They resist high wind speeds, mildew, moisture, fire, and heavy rainstorms, making them ideal for residents in Union County who, besides frequent rainfall, also face risks of hurricanes and tropical storms. However, metal roofs are not invincible, and they require maintenance at least yearly. When searching for metal roofing solutions in your location, you must also look for maintenance and repair services for metal roofing.
Although there are several metal roofing benefits, these roofs are not immune to leaks. Improper installations and lack of maintenance can result in water entering your roof and property, which can be inconvenient in rainy weather. Thus, knowing the most common leak causes in metal roofing becomes crucial to maintaining and sealing your roof.
4 most common leak causes in metal roofs
Flashings:
When vents or pipes poke out the roof, roofers place flashings around the union to seal it. Stack flashings are one of the most common places where roofs start leaking. They typically last half less than the roof, and the thermal expansion of metal roofing can put these flashings under constant pressure, breaking and leaking.
When this happens, the best course of action is to have a professional metal roof installation and repair company to replace the flashings.
Exposed screws:
This issue is more common in exposed fastener roofs than in hidden ones, and it happens when the screws are not correctly installed, or they wall out due to thermal expansion and contraction in the roof.
Usually, roofers put a rubber washer on the screw’s base to keep water out when installing the metal panels. However, if the screws are skewed, overdriven, or underdriven, the rubber washers are misplaced and result in leaks through the roof.
Also, an exposed fastener metal roofing requires you to replace the screws every 5 or 10 years since heat-induced expansion can cause them to poke out, leaving spaces for the water to enter your roofing. Thus, although these roofs can be more affordable to install, they demand maintenance more frequently than other types, which can add to the ongoing metal roofing costs.
Missing or worn-out sealants:
Experts use sealants to waterproof different parts of the roof during the metal roof installation. However, they’re not as durable as the metal panels and demand frequent inspection and replacement to prevent leaks.
When maintaining your metal roof, you should ask your roofer to pay special attention to the sealants and flashings used at the points where the roof transitions to walls, where two slopes converged (ridge caps), or to the horizontal connections between shedding panels (Z-flashings) as they have higher risk to lose their sealants over time.
Taking care of your flashing and sealants will allow you to enjoy all the metal roofing benefits—durability, versatility, and energy efficiency—without stressing about unexpected leaks.
Seams and overlaps:
A metal roofing installation will have gaps and overlaps between the panels. That’s why professionals seal these areas once they finish the installation to prevent water from leaking. However, these seams can start leaking due to a condition called “capillary draw.” This occurs when water moves through the tiny gaps between the metal sheets, causing the seams to deteriorate over time and resulting in roof leaks.
So, to ensure your metal roof is durable and meets its lifespan, it’s always best to check on the seams and guarantee they’re sealed through the years.
Find comprehensive metal roofing solutions in Union County with Atlantic Roofing!
At Atlantic Roofing, we are not only experts in metal roof installation, we can also assist you with roof repairs, maintenance, coating, and painting throughout Union County. With over 19 years of experience, our dedicated team will help you with any metal roofing project, so you don’t have to worry about finding a different roofing contractor for every little thing.
If leaks concern you, we’re the only contractor in the area that offers Water-Sealed Roofing Systems, developed through years of experience and research in water protection. We also use water-sealed roofing materials to ensure water doesn’t find its way into your property.
If you wish to eliminate those leaks and ensure they don’t appear again anytime soon, contact Atlantic Roofing & Exteriors now!