Discovering a leaking roof is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can experience. Water damage can wreak havoc with the structural integrity of a home, in addition to putting it at risk of developing mold and mildew.
Plus, a leaking roof can be an indication that you need a costly roof repair or replacement.
What kind of roofs leak most?
The benefits of metal roofing far outweigh those of traditional shingle roofing systems. They’re more resilient to weather conditions, they last for decades longer, and they’re energy-efficient. But can metal roofs still leak?
The answer is yes. Metal roofs still have the potential to develop leaks– but the risk of leakage for a shingle roofing system is exponentially higher.
Why would a metal roof leak?
Metal roofs are designed to be watertight. They’re meant to keep the elements out of your home and keep your energy costs down. Leaks and water damage are definitely not part of your plan when choosing to invest in a metal roof!
However, just like virtually anything that’s repeatedly exposed to water, the possibility of leakage is still present. The good news: it all comes down to materials and installation.
Although metal roofing is typically made from smooth panels that have far fewer gaps than a shingle roof, it still requires screws for installation– and screw holes can potentially compromise the seal of the roof.
A metal roofing expert will be able to install screws straight, avoiding under- or over-driving the screw into the roofing material.
But if your metal roof is installed by an inexperienced roofer, or someone who isn’t accustomed to installing metal roofs, the screws could be installed at an improper angle, or overdriven so that the screw places too much pressure on the surface of the roofing material.
How can I prevent my metal roof from leaking?
The first, and most important, step you can take: hiring an expert to do the initial installation. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s especially true for roofing.
A roof that’s correctly installed by a licensed and experienced roofing contractor is much less likely to cause you problems further down the line– which means that you’ll be able to enjoy your metal roof for decades!
Other potential causes for roof leaks include improper flashing around things like HVAC pipes that protrude from your roof. The seal around these should be very carefully applied so that it stays intact even when weather changes cause it to expand or contract.
Your roof installer should also pay extra attention to any seams in the metal. Although metal roofing systems don’t contain nearly as many seams as a shingle roof, any seam has the potential to allow water leakage if it’s not carefully installed.
Finally, maintenance is your best friend. Although a metal roof is meant to last for decades, having a roofing professional take a look at it roughly once a year can help you eliminate the need for major repairs in the future.
Got questions about metal roofing?
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of metal roofing, or if you want to know what type of metal roofing system is perfect for your home, give us a call today! We’d be happy to help with any questions you might have.