Water wicking under metal roof.

[meatness]

I bought a place with a pole building on the property. I am in the slow process of bringing it up to the task of being a shop but there are a few things that definitely need to be tackled.

In the corners I have been getting moister wicking under the metal roof and being soaked up the the insulation. Today I started pulling down the insulation in the corners because it was starting to smell a little moldy and I wanted to assess the situation.

Here is what I found to be the issue. There isn't any kind of splash guard or flashing to stop water from being blown into the gaps that the metal roofing makes. I have no idea if there is a product out there that would solve this issue or if there is a best practice way of dealing with this. So please, if you know how to fix this, I would appreciate a point in the right direction.

BTW pulling down wet insulation full of ants is not fun.....

Pictures are clickable.

 

[cyamaha2007]

The product is available. My barn came with them i believe they are called gap guards. Any metal roofing supply should have them. What kind of insulation do you have?

 

[meatness]

I am not sure what type of insulation it is. Fiberglass about .75 of in inch thick and white plastic backing. Thanks I will check the hardware store nearby.

 

[nehog]

1. That foam strip is in sideways! The 'bump' that is facing out, should face up to fill the corresponding shape in the metal roof!

2. The foam strip is not compressed properly. It should be compressed to provide a seal.

I suppose you could figure a way to fix that, either new foam that is taller (to take up the extra space because it seems the metal is too high from the wall) or cut something and fill in the space with some caulking to seal it...

I have to wonder what other flaws are in that roof, as I don't see that as a major moisture intrusion (wicking) and suspect the moisture is coming in somewhere else.

 

[mitusa]

1. That foam strip is in sideways! The 'bump' that is facing out, should face up to fill the corresponding shape in the metal roof!

2. The foam strip is not compressed properly. It should be compressed to provide a seal.

I suppose you could figure a way to fix that, either new foam that is taller (to take up the extra space because it seems the metal is too high from the wall) or cut something and fill in the space with some caulking to seal it...

I have to wonder what other flaws are in that roof, as I don't see that as a major moisture intrusion (wicking) and suspect the moisture is coming in somewhere else.

I agree...the product is in sideways....but it doesn't look like the correct product. I've always called these things "enclosures", but they should fit the contour of the metal exactly, or a little too big so that when the metal is tightened to the barn, they compress and fit snugly.

Good luck, most metal building places will have the enclosures, just find the one that fits your sheet metal.

 

[djkeev]

That incorrectly installed seal us a problem but probably not your leak. Water has a tough time flowing up hill!

Look at the ridge cap. Should have a seal there to the roof as well, if not installed or installed incorrectly, water can and does ge blown into the crack under the cap and will flow down. Also check your screws for damaged or missing sealing rings, possibly loose screws as well. One bad screw will let in a lot of water!

Dave

 

[Sureshot]

Spray foam may be the easy answer.

 

[timewarp]

1. That foam strip is in sideways! The 'bump' that is facing out, should face up to fill the corresponding shape in the metal roof!

2. The foam strip is not compressed properly. It should be compressed to provide a seal.

There is no foam strip that I see, I think you are seeing the fiber glass siding above the gutter up under the roof edge, I can't see any seal in any of the pictures. As has been stated you should be able to get a seal or maybe even easier would be to use some expanding foam in the holes to seal it. To install a rubber seal you would need to unscrew the roof at the bottom, slide the seal in and then retighten the screws.

 

[dirttracker18]

Not sure where you are, not in your profile, but metal roofs condensate pretty heavy in some areas. This is especially true if heated in the winter with inadequate insulation and or venting.

Our time this results in wet insulation as the condensate runs down the underside of the roof. Most insulation acts like a sponge and does not release water.

 

[911mike]

looks like that is the drain side of the gutter and your getting back up from a clogged gutter. I have seen this on several homes over the years. I notice you don't have a down spout now which would eliminate the clog. Was the insulation still wet when you removed it?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is there a foam strip ? Some think it's in sideways while another thinks that is the siding we are looking at, myself included. If it happens to be a foam strip, it's the same color (or close) as the metal siding.

Like Dave said, I'd check the roof screws for seals. Looking at the bottom picture, it almost appears as if the water stain has a pattern.

Follow the leak to the highest spot to find the source.

 

[Outlawmws]

looks like that is the drain side of the gutter and your getting back up from a clogged gutter. I have seen this on several homes over the years. I notice you don't have a down spout now which would eliminate the clog. Was the insulation still wet when you removed it?

The down spot outlet can still be plugged with leaves and the gutter fill with water, however I suspect condensate or a leak at the ridge cap as mentioned.

 

[nehog]

There is no foam strip that I see, I think you are seeing the fiber glass siding above the gutter up under the roof edge,...

If that is not a foam strip (maybe it is not, but the OP will have to confirm it) then the foam is missing, and there is (IMHO) little reason to try to insulate a building with those big holes every foot. Personally I don't think this is source of the water either, fastening screws or nails are probably the fault, but one also needs to check the seal between sheets to ensure that is still good (assuming he's in the snow belt, those sheets need to be sealed along the overlap.)

 

[Farres]

That roof just looks wrong, and I think it is. To me, it looks like the foam seal is installed incorrectly. That bump that's facing out, should be facing up and nestled in to the ridge on the roof sheeting. If that was done, the roof would have a much lower and better profile. I'd get out a screw gun, take off a few sheets and have a look. It's got to be fixed, might as well start with an investigation.

 

[KnurledNut]

I believe the clear fiberglass panels are being mistaken as "foam seals" that are properly called "closures".

It dont think the water is coming from your eave, or a leak. There's too much water damage.
While they wont hurt, i dont think closures would do much to help either.

On a typical metal building, if insulated, it will be totally encapsulated. (Walls and ceiling.) I dont see it on your walls. This might be creating a problem with air density.
As others have said, and with the amount of moisture present, it appears to be condensation related.

 

[meatness]

Sorry it took me a while to get back. Thank you guys for all the feedback. Let me clear a few things up.

That isn't a foam "blocker " that is installed improperly. It is fiberglass siding.
I don't think the roof is leaking at a screw because it only gets wet when it is really storming. I am in the Seattle area and as I am sure you have heard, it rains a bit. Only when we get the wind withthe rain do I get wet.

The insulation was wet when I pulled it down but it was stormy a couple of days before.

The insulation was very close to the edge of the roof panels and I think it was just soaking up the rain that was blown against it and getting inside. I believe at this point that I have to find a source for some of those "blocker " things to close the gaps.

Thanks again.

 

[NUTTSGT]

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[nehog]

... Only when we get the wind withthe rain do I get wet.

The insulation was wet when I pulled it down but it was stormy a couple of days before.

... I believe at this point that I have to find a source for some of those "blocker " things to close the gaps.

Thanks again.

1. Did you confirm that there was a seal along the seams of the roofing panels? This is critical, and could easily be the problem.

2. If you are going to heat or AC this building, I think you really do need those blocker strips. If the roof's profile is standard, they will be easy to find. (Most roof panels do follow a standard profile with ridges every 12 inches.)

 

[1320stang]

I believe at this point that I have to find a source for some of those "blocker " things to close the gaps.

I've seen them at both Home Depot and Lowes.

You should be able to loosen the lower screws on the roof deck (I'd replace them with new and new rubber washers) and lift the edge up to install the foam.