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Reasons Your Metal Roof Might Leak
Installing a metal roof is a smart investment, given its numerous benefits. It is eco-friendly, can last for generations, and requires minimal maintenance compared to other roofing solutions. Unfortunately, we sometimes come across cases of leaking metal roofs which are a serious problem that can be very expensive to fix. Working with a trusted metal roofing company ensures that you receive the highest quality metal roof installation and have ongoing support should an issue arise in the future. Below are the key reasons why metal roofs leak and how to avoid them so your metal roof can last a lifetime.
The Slope of the Roof
The roof slope is crucial since most roof leakages are usually attributed to water pooling and inefficient drainage. As such, it is vital to get the roofing profile measurements right – ideally four inches of rise for every foot of run. This equates to 4:12, which is the recommended slope for roof metal shingles. Anything less than 3:12 will most likely leak.
Missing or Poorly Secured Roof Panels
The quality of the metal roofing supplies is crucial, especially when paired with the skill of the installers. It is vital to partner with a metal roofing supply company with skilled professionals who have extensive experience. A properly installed metal roof can withstand strong winds without failing. Metal roof installation that is not correctly done is more likely to shift or get blown away in a storm due to being improperly secured.
Improper Flashing
Vulnerable sections of the roof need to be secured properly. This is where flashing will be installed around areas such as the chimney and the skylight. If the flashing is not properly sealed or installed, these areas are most likely to be the origin of leaks. You should also check other critical areas such as the end walls, sidewalls, and the roof valley since these can be leakage points, especially if the other areas look ok.
Another area very prone to leaks on a metal roof is the area around stack flashings. Stack flashings are the flashings around pipes that come out of the metal roof. HVAC vents, air vents, and plumbing pipes all have to vent and come through the metal roof. The stack flashing is how the pipe is waterproofed. Most stack flashings are rubber or rubberized material that sits flat on the metal roof and forms a seal but also “squeezes” around the pipe to form another seal. The movement in the metal roofing from expansion and contraction is always testing these seals. The sun also degrades the rubber flashings which last only about half the time of the metal roof. The more caulking, sealant, or tar that is placed behind and around the stack the more they seem to pond water. Plan on replacing worn or rotten stack flashings in order to keep your building dry.
Preventing Leaks in Metal Roofs
Finding a reputable metal roofing supplier and a skillful installation team is vital to avoid any possibility of leakage. It is in your best interest to work with experienced contractors who use high-quality metal roofing supplies and have a highly skilled and experienced team. Check what their policies for repairs and emergency work are to ensure you are covered should anything happen.
Missing sealants
Metal roof sealants that are installed in conjunction with a metal roof rarely last as long as the metal roofing panels do and need to be replaced with regular roof maintenance. Sealants under trims such as metal ridge caps and Z flashings, around roof transitions, counter flashings, reglets, and pitch pans will all need to be “topped off” from time to time as they wear. Use a metal roof sealant specifically made for metal roofing. Other types of silicone caulkings may not adhere to the paint on the roofing panel and trims. Metal roofing goes through a daily expansion – contraction cycle and if any sealants are to last they must be able to remain flexible and stretch with metal without breaking their seal.
Seams and overlaps
Seams where 2 pieces of metal roofing over lap each other often leak because of a condition called capillary draw. Capillary Draw is when water can actually travel up hill between two tightly joined pieces of metal. Sealant or butyl tape between the two pieces of metal can break the capillary draw but if not used correctly can actually make leaks worse than if none had been used at all.
