A metal roof was supposed to be the last roof you’d ever worry about. Now there’s a drip in the garage after every heavy rain, a few screws have worked loose, or the last hailstorm left the panels dimpled. You need metal roof repair in Denver from someone who’ll tell you whether it’s a simple fix, not assume the whole roof has to go.
Most metal roof problems are repairable. The hard part is knowing which ones, and finding a roofer who works on metal regularly instead of treating it like a shingle roof.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified roofing contractor, licensed and insured, and in business since 2017. We repair standing seam, exposed-fastener, corrugated and stone-coated steel roofs on homes, garages, shops and barns around the Denver metro. Your inspection and estimate are free. Call 720-902-6940 to set one up.
Why metal roofs leak
Metal panels themselves rarely fail. The leaks almost always come from the parts that hold them together and seal the gaps.
Fasteners. On exposed-fastener roofs, every screw has a rubber washer that keeps water out. The strong sun at Denver’s altitude dries those washers out until they crack. Meanwhile the metal expands on warm afternoons and shrinks on cold nights, and over the years that movement works screws loose and wallows out the holes.
Laps and seams. Where panels overlap, sealant tape or caulk keeps water from wicking in. When that sealant ages out, wind-driven rain gets pushed sideways through the lap.
Flashing and pipe boots. The joints at walls, chimneys and pipes are where the roof is most likely to leak. Rubber pipe boots crack in the sun, and flashing that wasn’t hemmed or sealed properly lets water in along its edge.
Trim and ridge caps. Edge trim and ridge caps take the most wind. If they lift or lose their closures, rain and snow blow in underneath.
Rust. Scratches from foot traffic, cut edges and contact with copper or certain treated lumber can let rust start. Caught early, it’s a spot repair.
Metal roof repair in Denver after hail and wind
Hail is the reason a lot of people choose metal, and it’s also the reason a lot of metal roofs get looked at. Most hail dents are cosmetic: the panel is dimpled, but the paint finish is intact and the roof still sheds water. Sometimes, though, large hail cracks the paint, dents a seam or punctures thin panels, and that’s where rust and leaks start.
A careful inspection separates the two. Every dented area gets photographed and measured, along with gutters, vents and trim, so you know exactly what’s cosmetic and what needs fixing.
Wind is the other common culprit. Strong gusts off the mountains can lift trim and ridge caps, bend panel edges and pull fasteners. Our wind damage roof repair page covers what to look for after a big blow.
If you decide to file an insurance claim for storm damage, you file it yourself and pay your own deductible. APC Roofing documents the damage, provides a written estimate and works with your adjuster.
Snow, ice and metal roofs
Snow slides off metal, and a big sheet of it can tear gutters loose, bend trim or damage whatever is below. Adding or repairing snow guards keeps snow in place so it melts off gradually.
On low-pitch metal roofs, ice can build at the eaves and back meltwater up into the laps. A repair there may mean resealing the laps or adding an ice barrier at the edge when panels are reset.
Repairs by roof type
Exposed-fastener and corrugated roofs are usually the most straightforward. Common fixes are new screws with fresh washers (often one size up where the holes have widened), resealed laps, new pipe boots and replacement of a damaged panel.
Standing seam roofs take more care. The fasteners are hidden under the seams, so replacing a damaged panel can mean opening the seams around it. Leaks on standing seam roofs usually trace back to flashing, ridge details or a damaged seam.
Stone-coated steel roofs can usually be repaired by lifting and replacing individual damaged panels.
When repair isn’t enough
Repairs stop making sense when rust has eaten through panels in many places, when the panels are thin and dented across the whole roof, or when leaks keep showing up in new spots no matter how many get fixed. At that point, metal roof installation or another roofing option may be the better use of your money. You’ll see the photos and get a straight answer before any decision is made.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 720-902-6940 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of each problem, hear what can be repaired and get a written estimate.
- The repair gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew makes the repairs and cleans up before leaving.
If you’d like to spread out the cost, financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Metal roof repair questions
Can I just replace the screws on my metal roof?
Often that’s a big part of the fix. New screws with fresh washers solve many leaks on exposed-fastener roofs. If the holes have widened, a slightly larger screw is used, and any leaks at laps or flashing get repaired at the same time.
Do hail dents on a metal roof need to be repaired?
Not always. Dents that don’t crack the paint finish or damage a seam are usually cosmetic. Dents that break the paint, crease a seam or puncture the panel should be repaired.
Can a rusty metal roof be repaired?
Surface rust caught early can usually be cleaned, treated and sealed. Panels that have rusted through need to be replaced.
Why does my metal roof leak only in heavy rain?
That usually points to a lap, a seam or a flashing detail that lets wind-driven water in sideways. It’s one of the more common metal roof repairs. See our roof leak repair page for how leaks get traced.
Keep a metal roof doing its job
Small metal roof problems grow quietly. A loose screw lets water soak the wood under the panel, and a scratch left alone turns into rust. Fixing them early keeps a long-lasting roof doing its job.
Call 720-902-6940 to book your free metal roof inspection. The goal is a tight, dry roof, no surprise bill and the peace of mind you were looking for when you chose metal in the first place. You can see all our metal options on the Denver metro metal roofing page.
