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TOPIC: I Have An Existing Metal Roof and Have A Question

Potential metal roof leak

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We have a metal roof as our porch roof with rain water dripping down in front of windows beneath this roof. This has happened 4 times since we moved into the house in July 2019 (new construction). The general contractor doesn’t think the issue is the window above the metal roof. We had several metal roof panels replaced in the spring of this year due to damage during installation of a missing kickout flashing. It was suspected that the roof flashing didn’t go up high enough to overlap with the window flashing so wind driven rain could allow water to enter and this was the cause of our previous water issues (separate issue from missing kickout flashing). We hadn’t had any issues that we knew of from April of this year until earlier this month during a big rain storm. This issue happened again. The roofer came out and supposedly sealed up some areas around the z channel flashings (I think this is what they’re called) so now no longer thinks the roof is the issue. I’m wondering if someone can weigh in on this issue and if the areas were sealed properly. It doesn’t look very cleanly done to us, but we are not experts.

I have added pictures of where the rain water is seen dripping down, what the front of the house looked like in the spring during replacement of the metal panels, what the new panels looked like during installation and a view of the window above the roof and flashing, what the roof looks like now after the roofer has been back out, and a view of what the water looks like coming down the window beneath the metal roof (view from inside the house)

B8B150DC-2300-4D26-9FA7-69F211C56510.jpegC5452528-9C93-48BF-909A-FF093C38BD73.jpeg9BFEB543-6A2E-4EA1-9093-2D3F05F3E45E.jpeg939E1070-C759-49ED-A3AA-C51B2CBE6F12.jpegE10E6FB2-291A-45D5-90E4-83F79BA817FC.jpegD7F22E97-2F78-4276-8B0D-704292F28E4F.jpeg5A232371-3E07-46AC-8F61-02BDC8C8AC1B.jpeg1CDC8859-2908-4D07-948C-E215F81E0212.jpeg

Ashley Freeman

9/21/2021
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Thank you. The concern I have is that the top wall flashing coming off the house is not locked over the leading edge of the Z Cleat. Any idea why they would not have made sure those parts were locked together?

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/22/2021
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This may be a dumb question, but can you clarify what the Z cleat is? It is my understanding that they installed that Zip system flashing to seal the metal roof flashing and the butyl flashing and then reapplied the window trim board. What you're saying is the butyl flashing should go over the metal roof flashing?

Ashley Freeman

9/22/2021
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Thanks. Sorry about that The Z Cleat, aka Z Channel (or sometimes a C Channel) is the metal piece that closes off the open uphill ends of the panels. If it is a Z, it is cut into small sections between the ribs. If it is a C, it caps off the ends of the panels. The flashing coming off of the wall should lock over the downhill facing edge of the Z or C, but it does not look like it does.

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/22/2021
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Todd-- am I able to email you to ask you more questions? Thanks.

Ashley Freeman

9/22/2021
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Certainly, my email is [email protected]

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/22/2021
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Is this what you’re referencing, the circled area? This is from the installation guide I was able to find. We have see where the side wall trim doesn’t fold over the zee panel in spots and this is directly above where the rain water has been seen dripping down

9E27F38A-DF1A-427A-AB32-77917AD54FCB.jpeg

Ashley Freeman

9/22/2021
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This is what I meant to post—the end wall trim instead of the sidewall trim, highlighting what should be overlapping.

CB8E886F-8751-4F58-B5AD-386008BB4D1B.jpeg

Ashley Freeman

9/22/2021
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That is a good diagram.

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/22/2021
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Is the circled area where you're referencing things aren't overlapping or locked as they should be?

Ashley Freeman

9/22/2021
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It looks to me like the hook on the flashing is sitting on top of the Z Channel rather than hooked over it. Perhaps I am mistaken.

Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/22/2021
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Thank you for your insight. I'm suspecting poor installation as I am not sure why they wouldn't hook the end wall flashing over the z channel. It is hooked over in some spots but not all.

Ashley Freeman

9/22/2021
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