How Much Does Metal Roof Repair Cost?

Cost to Repair Metal Roof

Repairing a metal roof costs anywhere from $1 to $5 per square foot. Replacement quickly doubles that price. Square foot pricing ranges depend heavily on the extent of damage and the type of repair you choose. For example, if you have corrosion and need to replace a section, you’ll likely spend closer to the $5 per square foot price. For small patches and resealing, you’ll end up on the lower end.

• Re-coating the Panels: $1,500–$2,500. Extend the lifespan of your aging metal roof with the application of an approved metal coating. Contractors use grinders, sanders, wire brushes, and high-pressure water blasting to thoroughly remove all loose paint, rust, dirt, and other contaminants.

• Resealing Seams: $100–$500. Reseal with newer caulks where older ones have shrunk or become brittle, which allows unwanted moisture to break through. You can use special rubberized tapes for some repairs.

• Fastener Repair and Replacement: $40–$60 per hour. Inspect, tighten, and replace fasteners with sealant or new hardware if rust is evident. Leaks often occur in spots with missing or corroded fasteners. The cost of fastener repairs consists primarily of labor costs.

• New Panels and Components: $2–$15+ per square foot. Replace entire sections with extensive corrosion or weather-related damage. Once repair prices exceed 50% of installing new panels or a roof, opt to replace rather than repair. Panels run $2–3 per square foot for thinner gauge steel to $3–5 per square foot for higher steel grades. Zinc alloys and copper materials are the most expensive at $10–15 per square foot.

Metal Roof Repair Cost by Type

Metal roof repairs vary in cost by the type of metal. Aluminum and tin are among the least expensive, with repairs starting at $6 per square foot, all in. Copper and steel are the most costly, with repairs costing as much as $20 per square foot, including labor.

Aluminum

To repair an aluminum roof, expect to pay between $6 and $16 per square foot, with most repairs costing around $11 per square foot. Aluminum is a popular metal roofing option because it's affordable and represents a good balance between durability and cost. 

While it's very strong and corrosion-resistant, it's at risk of contracting and expanding in rapid or extreme temperature changes, which can lead to homeowners paying for crack, fastener, and leak repairs.

Tin

Like aluminum, tin roofs cost an average of $11 per square foot to repair, with homeowners typically paying between $6 and $16 per square foot. Tin roofs are popular because of their ready availability and affordability. However, tin does corrode, so you'll eventually need to have rusty sections patched or replaced. It's also worth noting that tin roofs are prone to denting from impact damage from storms, which can lead to damage that requires you to call a local metal roofing specialist to fix.

Zinc 

Zinc roof repair costs around $12 per square foot, ranging from $7 to $17 per square foot. It’s a popular mid-range roofing material because it's corrosion-resistant, long-lasting, and can essentially heal itself from minor scratches and dents, requiring minimal maintenance. However, like all metal, zinc can eventually corrode or suffer from cracks and leaks.

Steel

To repair a steel roof, expect to pay in the region of $14 per square foot, or somewhere between $9 and $19 per square foot. Steel roofs, including galvanized options, can last for decades with minimal maintenance. This type of metal roof is exceptionally strong and long-lasting. However, they do expand and contract, so they may develop loose fasteners or cracks and gaps that need repair.

Copper

At an average cost of $16 per square foot, and with most people paying between $12 and $20 per square foot, copper roof repair is the most costly. Copper is super-durable and has a unique look that changes over time, as the copper oxidizes and develops a unique patina with a blue-green hue. 

You can, however, have the roof cleaned and restored to bring back the original copper shine. Copper is durable and lasts for decades, but, like any metal roof, it can suffer from dents and loose fasteners.

Metal Roof Repair Costs by Issue

Many issues require repair when it comes to metal roofs, and costs vary based on complexity and the size of the repair. Fixing a few loose fasteners can cost as little as $100, while extensive hailstorm damage can cost $4,000 to correct.

Splits, Cracks, and Gaps

Repairing splits, cracks, and gaps costs $200 to $1,000. The process involves cleaning and applying a metal adhesive with a fiber or rubberized membrane. You can repair more minor cracks and splits with special rubberized tapes.

Leak Repair 

Repairing leaks in a metal roof costs $400 to $1,000 for most projects. You may pay up to double that if the cause of the issue isn't apparent or requires more time to fix. Early detection of roof leaks may cut down on repair costs.

Metal roofs may be more vulnerable to leaks along seams and where protrusions occur, like skylights and vents. Leaks sometimes develop in the valleys and along the ridges where different planes of the roof meet.

In addition, certain installation errors can also lead to roof leaks, such as:

• Leaving off required sealants at roof penetrations and joints

• Failure to install tape sealant under screw heads

• Failure to add an extra sealant strip at the eave connections and where panels meet

• Incorrectly applying or failing to apply required sealants along longitudinal seams

• Lack of caulking between any extra trim and the underside of panels

Buckling or Wrinkling

Buckling and wrinkling, also known as oil canning, costs between $500 and $3,000 to repair. Caused by stress, rapid temperature changes, or a loss of elasticity, stress wrinkling or elastic buckling can only effectively be repaired by replacing the affected metal sheets.

Rust and Corrosion

Rust and corrosion repair services cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 or more. Material costs make up 50% or more of this type of repair. You'll sometimes find pitting on older metal roofs, which is the start of surface corrosion. Your pro will sand and scrape the affected area before applying a rust-inhibiting primer coat. They’ll follow that with a final coat of sealant. Remove and replace severely corroded panels.

Storm Damage

Storm damage can cost anywhere from $700 to $4,000 to repair. Homeowners insurance covers most functional damage caused by hail, high winds, or other severe weather. However, most policies won’t cover cosmetic damage, or the insurer only pays a percentage of the total replacement cost—usually 50% or less. Metal roofs are typically considered the most storm and hail-resistant material for your home. However, it is still possible for large hail to distort interlocking seams or flashings.

Metal Roof Maintenance Costs

Although high-quality metal roofs outlast most other types, they still require periodic inspections and maintenance. Maintenance includes cleaning, removing debris, and trimming trees back from the roof.

• Pressure washing your roof costs $30–$50 per hour. It generally includes a complete cleaning and sometimes an inspection for sealant issues, corrosion, and leaks. Regular pressure washing maintains its appearance.

• Tree trimming services cost $200–$760 on average. Ensure that trees and bushes aren’t rubbing against the roof's surface. Tree and shrub growth can initiate a cycle of constant friction that may compromise coatings or damage panels.

Annual Inspection Fees for Metal Roofs

Annual metal roof inspections cost $100 to $400. Schedule an inspection every 1 to 3 years, after a severe storm or if you notice any signs of water damage.

Certified roof inspectors look for evidence of:

• Cracks, holes, and other damage

• Deteriorating gaskets

• Movement/stress of panels

• Ice and snow damage

• Storm damage

• Compromised surface coatings

• Debris clogging drains and gutters

Metal Roof Advantages

Metal offers multiple advantages with the higher price tag, including durability, lifespan, and environmental friendliness.

• Durable: The highest-quality metal roof systems offer decades of durability—some copper roofs date back to the 19th century. They offer much of the longevity of tile and slate roofs, but often at a lower cost.

• Lightweight: Metal roofs are much lighter compared to many residential roof alternatives. Steel panels may weigh as little as 1/20 of the weight of tile or slate.

• Reduces HVAC Costs: Some installations reduce your heating and cooling costs by 7% to 15% throughout the year.

• Wind-Resistant: Interlocking metal roof panels are more resistant to high winds than traditional asphalt shingles and cedar shakes.

• Stylish: From steel to copper, modern metal fabrication methods mimic the look of almost any other type of roof system. You’ll find any type of metal to match your aesthetic and budget, including aluminum, zinc alloy (weathering steel), and stainless steel.

• Fire-Resistant: It’s one of the most fire-resistant materials you can put on your home, so much so that some insurance companies offer discounts.

• Environmentally Friendly: Metal roofs are also environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Metal roofs can be made from recycled materials and, at the end of their useful life, can be recycled again.

Full Metal Roof Replacement

A full metal roof replacement costs $5,000 to $45,000, depending on the size, style, and material you choose. That’s $7 to $20 per square foot. You'll want to consider a complete replacement when it nears the end of its life or when repair prices exceed 50% of a new roof. A standing seam metal roof costs more than many other types, but it’s more durable and easier to repair.

DIY vs. Hiring a Metal Roof Repair Professional

When it comes to roofs, it’s always a good idea to consult a roofing contractor or local metal roof repair professional. Some repairs are hard to diagnose, and others may look simple but require specialized knowledge, experience, and tools. At the least, hire a roof inspector near you to help you fully diagnose the problem.