Metal Roof Repair and Leak Repair in Dothan, AL

Metal roofs last a long time, but they are not maintenance free. Most leaks come from a short list of causes: worn screw washers, failed sealant, loose flashing and storm damage. Call (334) 432-8483 and we will connect you with an independent local contractor who repairs metal roofs in Dothan and the Wiregrass. We are a referral service, not the roofing company.

Common metal roof problems

• Worn fastener washers. The rubber washer under each screw dries and cracks in the sun. Water follows the screw into the deck.
• Backed-out or loose screws. Expansion and contraction, or screws that missed the purlin, let screws loosen over time.
• Failed sealant. Caulk and tape at laps, ridges and penetrations break down and pull away.
• Flashing problems. Leaks at chimneys, walls, skylights and valleys are often flashing that was short-cut or has come loose.
• Pipe boots. Rubber boots around plumbing vents crack in high UV.
• Storm damage. Lifted panels, bent trim, hail dents and punctures from falling limbs.
• Rust. Scratches, cut edges and areas where debris sits can rust, especially on older panels.

Signs you need a repair

Water stains on ceilings, drips in the attic after a storm, rust streaks below screws, panels that rattle in wind, or daylight showing through a barn roof all point to a problem. Do not wait: in Dothan's humidity a small leak can rot decking and grow mold quickly.

How a metal roof repair is done

1. Find the source. Water travels along panels and purlins before it drips, so the leak often is not right above the stain. A good contractor checks the attic and the roof.
2. Fix the cause. Replace worn screws with oversized or new screws with fresh washers, re-seal laps with proper butyl tape or sealant, re-flash penetrations, or replace damaged panels.
3. Check the rest. If one area of fasteners is failing, others are likely close behind. Ask about a full fastener inspection.
4. Document. Photos before and after help you and your insurer if it was storm damage.

Typical repair costs

Typical national-guide ranges. Get a written price before work starts.

What drives the cost

Access, roof pitch and the number of problem spots matter most. Matching panels on an older roof can be hard if the profile or color is discontinued. Standing seam repairs often cost more per area than exposed-fastener repairs because panels must be unseamed. Interior damage to drywall or insulation is a separate cost.

Repair or replace?

If the panels are sound and the problem is fasteners, sealant or flashing, repair almost always makes sense. If rust has eaten through many panels, the deck is rotting, or the roof leaks in many places, replacement or a restoration coating may be the better value. A good contractor will lay out the options.

How long it takes

Most leak repairs take a few hours to one day. A full fastener replacement on a house may take one to three days. After big storms, contractors get busy fast, so ask about temporary tarping if you have an active leak.

What to do while you wait

Put a bucket under the drip, move furniture and electronics, and poke a small hole in a bulging ceiling stain to let water drain into the bucket. Do not climb on a wet metal roof; it is extremely slippery. Take photos for your insurer.

Dothan weather and repairs

Summer heat in the Wiregrass drives large daily temperature swings on metal, which loosens fasteners over time. High UV breaks down washers, boots and sealants faster than in milder climates. Afternoon thunderstorms and wind-driven rain find weak flashing quickly, and tropical systems like Hurricane Michael showed how easily loose trim and panels can peel. After any major storm, have the roof checked, even if nothing is dripping yet.

Alabama generally requires residential home improvement contractors to be licensed by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board for larger jobs, and a metal roof on a house is almost always a larger job. Ask any contractor for the license and a current certificate of insurance (general liability and workers' compensation), and check the license yourself. Inside the city limits, ask whether a City of Dothan building permit is required and who pulls it; outside the city, ask about Houston County or your town's rules.

Simple maintenance

• Look over the roof from the ground once or twice a year and after storms.
• Keep gutters and valleys clear of pine straw and leaves.
• Trim branches that touch or hang over the roof.
• Avoid walking on the roof; step only where the installer says it is safe.

Got a leak? Call (334) 432-8483.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We connect callers across Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Headland and the Wiregrass of southeast Alabama, including:

• Dothan
• Enterprise
• Ozark
• Headland
• Taylor
• Kinsey
• Cowarts
• Ashford
• Webb
• Rehobeth
• Newton
• Daleville
• Abbeville
• Houston County
• Dale County

Local pages: Enterprise, Ozark, Headland.

Related services

• Standing Seam Metal Roofs
• Metal Roof Replacement
• Exposed-Fastener, Corrugated & 5V
• Barns, Shops & Commercial
• Metal Roof Coatings & Restoration