Brian inspected a century-old standing seam metal roof, well aware he was looking at a piece of local history. Classic metal roofs were built to handle the heavy coastal rain and humid summers of Hampton Roads for generations. However, a previous repair attempt introduced a major vulnerability that compromised the entire structure.

The Problem

During his walk-through, he spotted exposed screws driven straight through the face of the metal panels. What was meant to be a quick fix turned into a primary source of water intrusion. Instead of allowing the historic metal to expand and contract naturally with our seasonal weather changes, the rigid exposed fasteners began backing out and tearing into the metal surface.

The Technical Why

Standing seam metal roofs rely on concealed fasteners—hidden clips beneath the metal panels—which allow the metal to slide back and forth as temperatures rise and fall. When someone drives a screw directly through the top of the panel, it locks the metal in place. Think of it like wearing a tight pair of shoes that don't stretch; as your feet swell throughout the day, something has to give. In the roofing world, that thermal movement causes exposed screws (fasteners you can see) to loosen, backing out over time and leaving open hole pathways for rainwater to leak onto the wood decking underneath.

Professional Advice

Protecting a classic roof takes the right approach to ensure long-term peace of mind during heavy coastal storms.

  • Use Concealed Fasteners: Always insist on hidden clip systems for standing-seam metal to accommodate thermal expansion.

  • Inspect Neoprene Washers: If exposed fasteners are already present, check the rubber washers annually as coastal salt air degrades them quickly.

  • Avoid Surface Piercing: Never drive screws directly through historical metal panels during quick patch jobs.

If you're ever in doubt about a historic roof or just want a second pair of eyes on your home, give us a shout at 757-867-6600 or fill out the form on this page.