A metal roof is supposed to be the one you don’t worry about. So when water shows up on the ceiling, or drips onto the floor of the shop, it’s confusing and a little irritating. You’re left guessing whether it’s the screws, a seam or something the last storm did, and whether one leak means the whole roof is finished.
It usually doesn’t. Most metal roof repair in Republic, MO comes down to a handful of small parts that wear out long before the panels do. Find the right one, fix it properly and the roof has years left in it.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, and your inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 to have your metal roof checked.
Where metal roofs usually leak
Worn screw washers
On corrugated and ribbed roofs, every screw has a rubber washer that seals the hole. Sun and heat dry those washers out until they crack. The leak often shows up as a line of drips or rust stains under one row of screws.
Screws that have backed out
Metal grows in the afternoon heat and shrinks overnight. Over many seasons, that movement can work screws loose or stretch the holes into ovals the washer can no longer cover. Screws near the ridge and along the edges tend to go first.
Flashing and pipe boots
Anywhere something comes through the roof, like a plumbing vent or a chimney, the seal depends on flashing made for metal panels. Rubber pipe boots crack with age. Sealant used in place of real flashing pulls away as the metal moves.
Laps and seams
Where panels overlap, sealant between the layers keeps water from wicking through. When that sealant dries out, or the lap was too short to begin with, wind-driven rain gets in. On standing seam roofs, a seam bent or pried open by a storm can leak along its length.
Trim and edges
Rake trim, eave trim and ridge caps hold the edges of the roof down. A strong wind can loosen or tear a piece off, and once wind gets under one edge, it can lift more.
Rust at cuts and scratches
The factory coating protects steel from rust. Cut edges, deep scratches and spots where two different metals touch, such as copper flashing or the wrong type of screw, are where rust gets started.
How metal roof repair in Republic, MO gets done
The fix depends on what failed, and a good repair matches the cause.
- Re-screwing. Old fasteners come out and new ones go in, often a size larger so they bite into fresh material. On a roof with hundreds of aging washers, doing the whole roof at once usually beats chasing one drip at a time.
- Resealing laps. Old sealant gets cleaned out, new sealant goes between the layers and the lap is fastened tight again.
- Replacing panels. A panel that’s torn, rusted through or badly dented can usually be swapped on its own. New metal may look brighter than the weathered panels beside it for a while.
- New flashing and boots. Penetrations get boots and flashing made for metal roofs, set so water runs around them instead of into them.
- Re-securing trim. Loose or torn trim gets refastened or replaced so wind has nothing to pry at.
Caulk alone is rarely a lasting fix on a metal roof. It’s a backup to good flashing, not a substitute for it.
Hail and wind damage on a metal roof
Southwest Missouri spring storms are hard on any roof. Hail can dent panels, crack the paint and flatten ribs. A dent that breaks the finish can let rust start, and a crushed rib or lifted seam can leak. Straight-line winds loosen trim and lift panel edges.
If a storm damaged your roof, you file your claim with your insurance company and pay your deductible. We photograph and measure the damage, give you a written estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible. Storm damage on shingle roofs is covered on our hail damage roof repair in Republic page.
Repair or replace?
Repair is the right call when the panels are sound and the trouble is in the screws, seams, trim or flashing. Replacement starts to make sense when rust has eaten through panels across the roof, when the metal is too thin to hold new screws, or when the roof was installed at a slope too low for its panel type. You’ll hear which one you’re looking at, and why. If it’s time for new metal, our metal roof installation in Republic page explains what’s involved.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We identify the panel system, check the fasteners, laps, flashing and trim, and look for stains or soft decking from inside. You get photos and a written estimate.
- The repair gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew makes the repair and cleans up before leaving.
For larger repairs, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Metal roof repair questions
Can I just caulk the leaking screws?
It might stop the drip for a season, but caulk over a failed washer usually lets go again. Replacing the screw and washer is the lasting fix.
Is a dented metal roof a leaking roof?
Not always. Many hail dents are cosmetic. A dent that cracked the finish, or crushed a rib or seam, is the kind that can lead to rust or leaks.
Why does my metal roof pop and tick?
That’s usually the metal expanding and shrinking as it heats and cools, and it’s normal on many roofs. If the noise is new or getting louder, have the fasteners checked.
Can you repair standing seam roofs too?
Yes. Standing seam repairs usually involve seams, clips, trim or flashing rather than exposed screws. Our standing seam metal roofing page explains how those roofs are built.
Get your metal roof back to quiet and dry
A small leak in a metal roof is usually a small fix, as long as it’s found before water soaks the decking or insulation. Call 913-398-5020 or book your free inspection online, and get back to a roof that keeps the weather out. You can also see all our Republic metal roofing services.
