Metal Roof Repair [Solutions, Causes, Prices, and 3 Steps You Must Take to Ensure Your Metal Roof’s Top Shape]

So you’ve caught up with the inevitable.

Metal roofs, like any other, are obviously going to need upkeep. There’s a chance of rust, holes, corrosion damage, leaks, what have you.

Lucky for you, you came to the right place. Don’t worry though, it isn’t actually as hard, scary, or even expensive as you might think.

So, let’s go over a couple of ways to get that metal roof of yours fixed!

Can Metal Roofs Be Repaired?

Of course, they can!

Metal roof systems take a little bit of effort since the repair will depend on the ins and outs of your roof system and the overall damage to your roofing.

A lot of times, an industrial building will use metal roof systems as their waterproofing system or structural roof deck.

So, keeping your metal roof in top condition is in the best interest of you and your building.

But don’t worry, we’re taking you through the dos and dont’s so you know where to start!

3-Step Guide to Ensure Your Metal Roof Is in Great Condition (Includes How to Repair It)

Step 1: Inspect Your Metal Roof System

Before addressing the problem we need to find out what the problem is first right?

Any building with a metal roof system will undergo some kind of repair and it’s important they do.

Regardless of your metal roof system – if your metal roof is damaged or has leaks – it compromises the safety of the building and the people inside it.

As a result, ALWAYS perform regular roof checks on your metal roof’s condition so you know when and where to repair it.

Here’s a guide on what you should check: side laps, end laps, penetrations, transitions, J-rails, and seams and sealant for any rust, oxidation, or worn-out areas.

If any of these parts look like they could use renewing, start there.

Look for any structural issues in the metal roofing, maybe some fastener heads have gone loose in the roofing panel, or small leaks which could turn into bigger issues.

These smaller roof problems, if left unattended, turn into bigger issues in the future. Trust us, we’ve been there.

Step 2: Do a Maintenance Check

Now that you’ve done your necessary inspection let’s get into a couple of options you can do to start repairing your roof!

Metal Roofing Maintenance

Like we said before, hopefully, you’re already doing checkups on your metal roofing systems annually or at least every 2 years. It’s also good to know, in general, your metal roofing service life.

The concept of metal roof system maintenance is the same as maintaining any other part of your house or building.

If paint comes off the walls or there’s a creaky floor, you wouldn’t just leave and wait for it to get worse, would you?

Well, we certainly wouldn’t!

The condition of your roof marks the next step to take when performing a metal roof repair. Why?

Because if you tamper with an area that doesn’t require fixing, you might just create a bigger problem!

Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Roof coating can wear off over time, making it prone to roof leaks and water damage.
• Check the screws on your roof to see if they’ve come loose. It’s best to address this sooner rather than later.
• Metal roof sealant also doesn’t tend to last as long as the roof panels. Sealant needs to be refreshed every few months – use metal roof sealant! Yes, there are different types of sealant. Other types may not work well because they won’t stick to the roof as strongly.

Metal roofs go through a lot of expansion and contraction throughout the day – weather conditions, temperature, etc.

So you have to make sure the sealant you’re using holds up well against these environmental factors!

Step 3: Repair Your Metal Roof

If you’ve been maintaining the roofing in your building well, this is only half the story.

Ask your roofing contractors to perform a thorough check on your roof system to identify what type of damage you’re dealing with and the necessary repairs needed to get your roof back in tip-top shape.

Three things in life are sure: death, taxes, and metal roof repairs.

We kid, but honestly, expect that your roofing will need repairs regardless of what installation methods or design characteristics your metal roofing systems have.

Remember there is a difference between repairing and completely replacing a metal roof, which is why keeping an eye on it is key!

This is how to replace parts of your metal roofs if they can be done without professional help. These DIY roof repair projects are pretty easy to follow.

Here’s a couple of ways to repair or restore your metal roof:

Rust Removal

Some rust isn’t too big of an issue any corrosion could cause a leak. A quick sanding, or scrubbing with a wire brush will do the trick for the roof surface. Finish the whole surface with a good primer or rust inhibitor then recoat it and your metal roof will be good to go!

Replace Your Corroded Or Missing Fasteners

Another thing to look out for during inspection is missing or corroded fasteners. Your fasteners should be replaced with a rubber washer, covered with the proper sealant, then recoated.

Fasteners are there to make sure your roof stays structurally sound and helps against water intrusion and any leak!

Patch Up Any Holes 

Like rust, small holes can be dealt with no problem! Stop any leak before it even starts!

1. Clean the surrounding area of the hole – no debris or dirt on the surface!
2. Use a putty knife to scrape off old metal roof coating – if it’s loose or flaky, it’s gone!
3. Get one or two-inch strips of butyl tape sealant and cover around the damaged area.
4. Use galvanized metal to cover the hole – it should overlap the seams of the hole by at least 2 inches.
5. You can also use a metal fiber membrane: just evenly apply adhesive underneath and over the top of it.
6. Make sure to pre-drill holes into the patch and the metal roofing before using screws.
7. Place the screws in and BE SURE that they go through the patch, the tape, and the existing metal roofing. Note: The screws should be secured against the metal roof panel NOT TOO TIGHTLY – this damages the roof more. DO NOT screw anything into rafters or trusses!
8. Screw-in every two inches of the patch. If the patch isn’t completely flat against the surface of the metal roofing, screw in every inch.
9. Seal the seams of the patch! This keeps any water and leaks from entering through any uncovered areas.
10. Let the seams dry. Cover the entire metal roofing surface with a fresh roof coating.

Membrane the Seam

A seam could come up if you’ve screwed a patch into the metal roof. Fixing this needs a couple of steps so let’s go over them, shall we?

1. Clean the surrounding area of the seam – NO dirt or debris on the metal roof before starting.
2. Cover both sides of the seam. Before the seal dries cover the split with asphalt-saturated glass fabric. Place the membrane on the seam area and it should overlap the hole by at least two inches.
3. Coat your metal roof to cover the membrane for a lasting repair.

Replacing a Whole Section or Panel

If your roof has substantial panel damage be it from water or a leak – it’s time to get those panels replaced!

1. Start by inspecting the rafters and the areas under the roof for any additional damage.
2. Remove the screws to loosen your J-rail. This keeps the area where you put the new metal roof panel clear and accessible. The J-rail just needs to be loose not removed so that the new roofing panel will slip on easily.
3. Slide the new metal panel onto the roof – keeping it the same length as the other metal roofing panels and at least A FOOT WIDER on both sides!
4. Cover the bottom of the edges of the new metal sheet with tape sealant and fix with screws. The screws need to GO THROUGH the J-rail, the tape, and the new metal panels!
5. Finish the sides in the same way as the bottom until the new panels are flat against your metal roof.
6. Seal all the seams and top off your repaired metal roof with a new layer of roof coating! Defending it from any leak or water damage.
7. DO NOT screw the roof to the rafters. A metal roof should be fixed around the edges so that there’s space for contraction and expansion.

Causes of Metal Roof Problems

Of ALL the number of reasons that metal roof systems need to be repaired, the biggest issue of them all is leaks. Metal roof leaks happen because of a lot of different factors like:

• Poor installation
• Weather or water damage
• Aging
• Oxidation
• Headwall Flashing (This is when the installer doesn’t put closure strips by the roof flashing to seal the edges of the panels, meaning you’ll easily get a leak in your roof systems).
• Roof Penetrations (Since metal contracts and expands, some of the roof penetrations become stressed. The result? It destroys the roof flashing giving way to leaks).

Whatever the case, be it design characteristic or type of metal used it doesn’t take away from how vulnerable metal roofs are to the environment.

For the sake of your building, it’s good to know in what way your metal roof is affected by your location.

Price of Metal Roof Repair

Minor metal roof repairs for buildings range anywhere from $200-$600 – price including time spent, and equipment and products used.

Conclusion

Whatever type of metal roofing system you have, we’re sure you’ve come across a couple of these issues with your own building.

Now, hopefully, these tips have shown you metal roof repairs are pretty simple and straightforward.

When working on your roof, remember safety and care are your first priority! Happy sealing!