I’m curious—has anyone tried those spray-on leak sealers? I see them at the hardware store, but I’m skeptical about how well they work when everything’s soaked.
Honestly, I’d be careful with the spray-on stuff, especially if you’re dealing with an active leak during a storm. Those products are really meant for dry surfaces, and most of the time, if the roof’s already wet, they just don’t bond well. I’ve seen a few folks try to use them in a pinch, but the results are usually pretty hit or miss. Sometimes it’ll slow the drip for a bit, but it rarely holds up until you can get a real repair done.
The tarp method you mentioned is still the most reliable quick fix I’ve seen, even if it’s not pretty. Just make sure you’re not trapping water under the tarp—that can actually make things worse if it sits there too long. I’ve also seen people use roofing cement in emergencies, but again, it doesn’t really stick if things are soaked.
One thing I’d add: if you’re in a spot where you have to get up on the roof during a storm, be extra careful. Wet shingles are super slippery, and I’ve seen more than one person take a nasty spill trying to patch things up in the rain. Sometimes it’s safer to just contain the leak inside (buckets, towels, whatever you’ve got) and wait for things to dry out before tackling it.
If you’re dealing with an older roof or one that’s had a few patches already, sometimes these quick fixes just buy you a little time. But yeah, I wouldn’t count on any spray-on sealer as a miracle cure—at least not when things are already wet.
I’ve tested a few of those spray-on sealers during emergency calls, and honestly, they’re just not reliable when the roof’s already wet. If you’re in the middle of a downpour, that stuff tends to bead up or wash away before it can set. Tarping is still my go-to for a fast, temporary fix—especially if you can secure it over the ridge. I’ve seen people try to patch from inside the attic with mixed results, but usually it just buys you a little time. If you’re dealing with older shingles or a low slope, water finds its way in no matter what.
Tarping’s definitely saved my bacon a few times, but I always feel like I’m wrestling an angry octopus up there, especially if the wind’s howling. Ever tried those peel-and-stick roof patches? I grabbed a roll once thinking it’d be a miracle fix, but it barely stuck to my old asphalt shingles—probably because everything was soaked already. Maybe they work better on metal roofs or in drier weather?
I’ve also wondered if anyone’s had luck with those expanding foam sealants from inside the attic. Seems like it’d just trap moisture and make things worse, but maybe I’m missing something. For folks in colder climates—does ice damming make all these quick fixes pointless anyway? Sometimes feels like you’re just delaying the inevitable call to the roofer...
Peel-and-stick patches are hit or miss, honestly. They’re not really meant for wet surfaces—most adhesives just won’t bond right if there’s moisture. I’ve seen them hold up okay on metal in dry weather, but asphalt shingles when it’s raining? Not so much. As for foam sealants, I’d steer clear unless you’re desperate. They can trap moisture and actually make rot worse, especially in colder climates where ice damming is already a headache. Sometimes a good old tarp, even if it’s a pain, is still the safest bet until you can get a proper fix.
I’ve tried those peel-and-stick patches in a pinch, but yeah, if there’s any dampness, they just peel right off. For me, a heavy-duty tarp with some bricks or 2x4s to weigh it down has been the only thing that actually keeps water out until the roofer can get there. Anyone ever have luck with that roof cement stuff on wet shingles? I’ve heard mixed things.
