Sometimes spending a bit more now saves you from doing the same work twice... or three times.
Ain’t that the truth. I’ve seen folks try to “seal” their way out of a leaky tile roof, but it’s like putting a Band-Aid on a busted pipe. Underlayment’s your real defense—especially synthetic. Costs more, but you’re not crawling up there every couple years cursing your past self.
I get what you’re saying about underlayment being the real MVP. I’ve been reading up on the differences between traditional felt and synthetic, and it seems like synthetics hold up better over time, especially in places with heavy rain or big temp swings. But I’m curious—has anyone actually seen a sealant job last more than a couple years? Or is it just always a short-term fix no matter what product you use?
Sealant’s like that friend who promises to help you move but bails after an hour—good for a quick fix, but don’t count on it for the long haul. I tried a “10-year” roof sealant on a couple cracked tiles, and by year three, it was flaking off like old paint. Maybe it’s our crazy freeze-thaw cycles, but I’ve never seen sealant outlast a solid underlayment. Still, I get the temptation... it’s cheap and easy, but I’d rather spend the money once on decent synthetic underlayment than keep climbing up there every couple years. Anyone else have better luck with sealants, or is it just me?
Underlayment’s always been my go-to for long-term peace of mind, especially with tile roofs. I’ve patched a few leaks with sealant over the years, but it’s never held up more than a couple seasons—especially after a rough winter. The freeze-thaw cycle just eats that stuff alive. I get why folks try it, though... quick, cheap, and you feel like you’re doing something. But yeah, I’d rather deal with the mess once and put down a solid synthetic underlayment. Less stress, fewer surprises when the next storm rolls through.
I keep going back and forth on this. On one hand, underlayment sounds like the “do it once, forget about it” option, but man, the price tag makes me sweat a little.
—that’s exactly why I keep reaching for the sealant when I spot a drip. But is there any kind of sealant that actually survives more than a couple winters? Or is it just wishful thinking? I’m in the Midwest, so freeze-thaw is brutal here too. Just trying to figure out if biting the bullet on underlayment now saves me money (and headaches) down the road...“quick, cheap, and you feel like you’re doing something”
