- Tried the spray stuff too—total waste of money for me. Lasted maybe two weeks, tops, before it started dripping again.
- Flashing tape held up a bit better, but only after I dried everything out like you said. If there’s any moisture, forget it.
- For quick fixes, I’ve used roofing cement under loose shingles. Messy, but it got me through until spring.
- Honestly, unless you’re dealing with a tiny crack, these patches just buy you time. Midwest winters are brutal on temp repairs.
- If you can swing it, getting a pro to do a proper patch is worth it. Otherwise, just keep the buckets handy...
- Totally agree on the spray—
sums it up. I’ve seen that stuff peel right off in a freeze/thaw cycle.“total waste of money for me”
- Flashing tape only sticks if it’s bone dry. Even a little dampness, and you’re back to square one.
- Roofing cement can get you through, but it’s really just a stopgap. Messy, but sometimes it’s all you’ve got in a pinch.
- Midwest winters are rough on everything. Temporary fixes are just that—temporary. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re patching more than once.
- Calling a pro for a real repair is always the best call if you can swing it. But honestly, sometimes buckets are just part of the winter toolkit.
Yeah, I’ve had the same issues with spray-on sealants—looks great at first, but once we hit a couple freeze/thaw cycles here in Minnesota, it just flakes off or starts bubbling. I’ve had slightly better luck with flashing tape if I really dry the area with a heat gun, but that’s not always realistic during a storm. Roofing cement is messy, but it actually survived a whole winter for me on a small shingle tear. Still, nothing beats a real fix when the weather allows... buckets and towels are just part of life some years.
Buckets and towels—yep, that’s the winter roof life around here too. I tried that spray-on stuff last year and it peeled off in sheets by March. Honestly, I’ve had better luck just jamming some roofing cement under the shingle with a putty knife. It’s ugly but holds up until spring.
I tried that spray-on stuff last year and it peeled off in sheets by March.
That’s a common issue with most aerosol sealants, especially in freeze-thaw cycles. Roofing cement under the shingle is definitely more reliable short-term, but have you noticed any shingle curling or further damage after using it? I’ve seen some cases where repeated cement use made things worse over time. Curious if anyone’s tried those self-adhesive flashing tapes for winter patches—do they actually stick in cold temps?