A metal roof is expected to last for more than 50 years. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. While metal is one of the most durable roofing and construction materials out there, it weakens with time due to temperature changes.

Strong winds and storms also flash the roof’s details, mostly when the roofing installation was weak. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many homeowners deal with the metal roof leaking at some point.

You can apply several solutions to a leaky roof. But before then, you must understand the extent of the roof damage to choose the best remedy.

Here’s is a guide of what you should do to your leaky metal roof.

Identify the Cause

The first step to solving an issue is to understand its cause. If your metal roof is leaking, there should be a good reason for that. For instance, old age could be the primary reason behind the leakage if the roof has served you for several decades. 

When the roof becomes old, the sealants start to peel, and the shingles become too weak to remain intact. You can, therefore, find a better solution when you know the source of the issue.

Here are other possible reasons as to why your roof could be leaking:

Missing or Broken Shingles

Heavy rains or winds can affect the arrangement of your shingles. You can always confirm the shingles’ condition by climbing to the roof with a ladder or using binoculars to check.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters get clogged by leaves, papers, and other solid materials. The clog slows down the movement of rainwater and creates a pool of water in the gutters. The stagnant water can start to cause leaks with time.

Chimney

Water can leak from the sides of your chimney. This is true when the chimney is old, or it was installed recently in the wrong way.

Roof Holes

Your metal roof can develop holes with or without your knowledge. For instance, the roof may have holes in the areas where the satellite or solar panel is located.

The exact cause of leakage will help you know what you should do. It will also help you see if you must seek a metal roofing expert’s help, or you can do the metal roof leaking repair on your own.

Use Fasteners

You can fasten the weak nails to solve the roof leaking issue. 

Use a ladder to inspect the weak shingles or nails. Some of the things you need for the fastening process include an extension ladder, a hammer and nail bar, screw nails, and fabric shears.

Use your hammer to fix all the nails that are raised above the average level. Also, replace the ones that look too old to offer maximum support to the roof.

Be warned that the nails fastening process requires a high level of expertise. Call metal roof contractors if you fear that you won’t accomplish the work well.

Use Sealants and Tapes

A sealant is the best option if the shingles have significant gaps between them. It is also applicable when the metal roofs’ joints are weak, or the installation was not done well.

There are many types of roofing sealants, but silicone and high-quality polyether sealants are the best. These sealants are not only known for their durability but also their versatility. 

They can blend well with different roof metal color, which means that your roof maintains its aesthetic look even after the sealing process. The silicone sealant works best in areas with high temperatures because of its ability to absorb UV lights.  

Roofing tapes are as good as the sealants, but they perform best in low pitch roofs. You can therefore choose to use a sealant or a tape according to your personal preferences. Just make sure the tape you use is thick and made of the best quality material.

Seal all the visible holes and gaps in the roof carefully. Be sure to use both the tape and the sealant for excellent results, if possible.

Caution: Scrap your roof well if it’s old or rusty. By scraping, you will make the shingles clean and smoother so that the sealant/tape can stick well. Be sure to reapply a roofing cement to enhance your roof’s strength once you are done with the sealing process.

Fix the Gutters

As mentioned, a damaged gutter is a possible reason why your roof leaks. You should fix it too when repairing the other parts of your roof.

Cleaning is the first step in fixing your gutter. Remove all the leaves and debris which could be blocking water. 

Ensure that the gutters’ joints are compact so that they don’t allow water to pass. You might reposition or replace it if the leakage issue is beyond metal roof repair.

Replace the Roof

Replacement is the last possible solution for dealing with the roof leaking. As mentioned, your metal roof may not serve you for more than five decades. If you have used it for a long, the chances are high that you have done many repairs, making replacement the best option.

You can either replace the leaking parts of your roof only or do a whole-roof replacement. 

Half replacement is ideal when you are on a budget, and the other parts of the roof are still looking great. The whole roof replacement is the best if you need a permanent solution for the leaks and you would like to maintain the curb appeal of your home.

The cost of metal roof replacement will depend on the metal materials you use, the labor, and your roof’s size. Do your research well on the best materials to buy and the professional roofers to hire.

Seek Professional Help for Metal Roof Leaking Today

You might not always protect your metal roof from leakage and other damages. But the good thing is that you can solve the issues with ease. Roofing experts can help you solve the metal roof leaking issues at affordable costs. 

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