Good advice overall, but I'd caution against relying too heavily on sealants—even premium ones. Sealants are great for minor touch-ups, but they're ultimately a temporary fix. If you're noticing repeated issues around vents or flashing, it might be worth considering a mechanical solution like properly installed metal flashing or vent boots instead. In my experience, those hold up better long-term than even the best sealants, especially in harsh climates or areas with heavy UV exposure.
"Sealants are great for minor touch-ups, but they're ultimately a temporary fix."
Totally agree here. Learned the hard way after chasing leaks around my vents with tubes of sealant... felt like playing whack-a-mole on my roof. Switched to proper metal flashing and vent boots last year—no more midnight drip mysteries since. Sealants have their place, but for recurring issues, mechanical solutions are definitely the way to go.
Couldn't agree more about sealants being a short-term fix. They're handy for emergency patches or minor cracks, but relying on them long-term usually means you're just postponing a bigger headache. Proper flashing and vent boots aren't just about stopping leaks—they also help protect the roof decking underneath. Once moisture gets trapped there, you're looking at rot and mold issues... and that's a whole different nightmare. Better to tackle it properly upfront than deal with costly repairs later.
"Once moisture gets trapped there, you're looking at rot and mold issues... and that's a whole different nightmare."
Exactly. Had a client once who kept patching leaks around his vents with sealant every rainy season. Worked fine... until it didn't. By the time he called me, half the decking was mush. Proper flashing would've saved him thousands.
Yeah, patching leaks is tempting when you're tight on cash—I get it—but it's a short-term fix at best. Learned that the hard way myself. Thought I was saving money until I had to rip out a bunch of soggy insulation and plywood. Flashing and proper vent installation are definitely worth the upfront cost. Better to bite the bullet early than deal with a bigger mess later...
