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How to Repair leaking metal roof?

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Jane Parrish
5/20/2017
I noticed my inside ceiling insulation was wet in a strip on both sides of the ceiling where it appears that the screws were put in in the metal roofing. Since I know nothing about roofing, I am 80, I started to put silver tar on the roof, but only put it on half of the roof because someone told me that I needed to calk around each screw because you could see where some of the screws were crooked. What kind of calk is the best to use? Have I ruined the metal roof with the tar I put on? Thank you for your help.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
5/20/2017
Thanks. There is a chance that what you're seeing in the attic is due to condensation forming on the screws. The condensation would be the result of moisture inside the home reaching the attic and not being properly vented out. The condensation forms on the screw tips because they are transmitting cold from the outside. One thing you might do is wait for a rain on a warmer day and, while it's still warm outside, check and see if the screws seem to be leaking. If not, then I am guessing this is actually condensation. If it is condensation, try to increase the attic ventilation. If you do decide to seal the screws (keeping in mind that one option is to replace the screws with new, larger diameter screws), I would suggest some sort of quality butyl or co-ether sealant. You should still be able to seal over the screws you have coated. Good luck and be careful!

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