You chose a metal roof because it was supposed to be the one you didn’t have to worry about. Now there’s a drip in the garage after storms, a rust streak running down a panel or a piece of trim flapping since the last big wind. You need metal roof repair in Clermont from someone who knows how these roofs are put together and can fix the actual cause.
It’s unsettling when a roof you paid good money for starts leaking. You may be wondering whether it was installed wrong, whether one leak means more are coming, or whether someone’s going to tell you the whole thing needs replacing. You deserve a straight answer with photos.
APC Roofing has been roofing in Clermont since 2017. We’re GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and your inspection and estimate are free.
Why metal roofs leak
Metal panels themselves rarely fail. Leaks almost always come from the parts that hold the panels down or seal the gaps between them.
Screws and washers
On exposed-fastener and corrugated roofs, every screw has a rubber washer. Years of Florida sun harden those washers until they crack, and the daily heat cycle makes the metal expand and contract around each screw. Holes stretch, screws back out and water follows the threads inside.
Flashing at walls, chimneys and pipes
Anywhere the roof meets something else needs flashing. Pipe boots crack in the sun, sealant shrinks and wall flashing that wasn’t tucked in properly lets water run behind it. This is the most common leak on standing seam roofs.
Seams, laps and end joints
Where panels overlap, butyl tape or sealant keeps water out. When that sealant ages or a panel shifts, wind-driven rain from a summer storm can push water up and over the lap.
Rust
Steel panels are coated, but rust can start at cut edges, deep scratches and anywhere metal touches copper, pressure-treated wood or the wrong kind of screw. Surface rust is often a fix-and-protect job. Rust that’s eaten through the panel means that section needs replacing.
Storm damage
High winds in hurricane season can lift ridge caps, bend edge trim and loosen panels at the corners, where wind pulls hardest. Falling limbs can dent or puncture panels.
What a metal roof repair involves
The fix depends on what’s failing:
- Fastener leaks. Old screws come out and new ones go in, often a size larger to bite into fresh material, with new washers.
- Flashing leaks. Pipe boots get replaced, and wall or chimney flashing gets resealed or rebuilt.
- Seam and lap leaks. Laps get cleaned and resealed with the right tape or sealant for metal.
- Damaged panels. A bent, punctured or rusted-through panel gets replaced. Matching color is usually possible, though an older roof may have faded a bit.
- Loose trim. Ridge caps and edge trim get refastened or replaced.
Caulk smeared over a leak is not a repair. It might stop a drip for a season, but it hides the problem and usually fails in the next round of heat.
Metal roof repair in Clermont after a storm
After a big storm, look at your roof from the ground. Watch for lifted or missing ridge cap, bent trim at the edges, panels that look raised or out of line, and debris on the roof. Check your ceilings and the attic if you can get up there safely. Don’t climb on a wet metal roof; it’s very slippery.
If storm damage is the cause, you file the claim with your insurance company and pay your deductible. We document the damage with photos, give you a written estimate and work with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible.
Repair or replace?
Most metal roof problems are repairable. A full replacement starts to make sense when screws are failing across the whole roof, rust has gone through in multiple places or the panels were installed without proper underlayment. Even then, you’ll see photos and the reasoning before you decide.
If replacement is the better call, our metal roof installation in Clermont page explains what that process looks like.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request an estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of where the water is getting in and get a written repair estimate. If it’s a small fix, we’ll say so.
- The repair gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance for larger repairs.
A leak at one screw seems minor, but water that keeps getting in can rot the deck or the wood purlins underneath. Once the wood is soft, it won’t hold a new screw, and a small repair turns into a bigger one.
Metal roof repair questions
Can you repair a standing seam metal roof?
Yes. Most standing seam leaks are at flashing, pipe boots or end laps, not the seams themselves. Damaged panels can be replaced individually. See our standing seam metal roofing page for how those roofs are built.
Should I just reseal every screw on my roof?
Not usually. Adding sealant over old washers rarely lasts. Replacing worn fasteners is the more reliable fix.
Can you match the color of my metal panels?
Usually. Most panel colors are still made, though an older roof will have faded somewhat, so a new panel may look slightly brighter at first.
Is rust the end of my metal roof?
Not necessarily. Surface rust can often be cleaned and treated. Panels that have rusted through need to be replaced.
Book your metal roof repair inspection
Call 407-270-1129 or request your free estimate online. For everything else metal, visit our metal roofing in Clermont page.
Once it’s fixed, your metal roof can go back to being the roof you don’t think about: dry in the garage, quiet through the storms and right where it belongs.
