Tried one of those spray-on rubber sealants a couple winters back when I had a small leak near the chimney. Honestly, it didn’t last long once the temps dropped below zero—started cracking and peeling after a week or two. Temporary fix at best, in my experience. I still trust the old plastic-and-tape method more for emergencies.
I hear you on those spray-on rubber sealants. They’re everywhere now, but honestly, I’ve seen them disappoint in cold climates more often than not. They just don’t have the flexibility to cope with real winter—especially when we’re talking below zero. Cracking and peeling is pretty much what I’d expect once the temps tank, so you’re not alone there.
Plastic-and-tape has its place for quick patch jobs, especially if you’re just trying to keep water out until you can get a real repair done. It’s not pretty, but sometimes it’s the only thing that’ll hold up through a nasty storm or until the weather warms up enough to do proper work. I’ve even seen folks use old tarps and bricks just to keep the attic dry for a few days. Not ideal, but hey—whatever gets you through the night, right?
If you’re dealing with leaks near a chimney, that’s almost always a flashing issue. Those spots are notorious for letting in water, especially as houses settle and materials expand and contract with temperature swings. I’m a big believer in doing a thorough inspection once things dry out, because what looks like a “small leak” can hide a lot of damage underneath if it’s been going on for a while.
Not knocking those store-bought fixes entirely—they can buy you time. But I wouldn’t rely on them for anything long-term, especially up north. It’s worth spending a weekend checking your flashing and maybe adding some proper ice and water shield if you’re able. That’s saved me (and my clients) a ton of headaches over the years.
You did the right thing by patching it up in a pinch. Sometimes that’s all you can do until spring rolls around. Just don’t let the quick fix become the permanent solution, or you’ll end up chasing leaks every winter.
Couldn’t agree more about spray-on sealants not holding up in real winter. Tried one last year on a low-slope shed roof—looked fine at first, but after a couple deep freezes, the stuff just cracked and flaked off. Ended up switching to that plastic-and-tape trick you mentioned. Not pretty, but it kept the water out until I could do a proper patch in spring. Quick fixes are just that… quick. You did what you had to. Sometimes that’s all you can do when the weather’s brutal.
Quick fixes are just that… quick. You did what you had to. Sometimes that’s all you can do when the weather’s brutal.
That really sums it up. When winter hits hard, there’s only so much anyone can do, especially with a low-slope roof. I’ve seen spray-on sealants fail in cold snaps more times than I can count—once that stuff gets brittle, it’s game over. The freeze-thaw cycle just destroys most of those “miracle” products, no matter what the label promises.
Honestly, using plastic and tape isn’t glamorous, but it’s practical. I’ve patched up my own garage roof with a tarp and some heavy-duty tape during a January storm—looked like a mess from the street, but it kept everything dry until I could get up there safely in March. Sometimes you just need something that’ll buy you time.
I know some folks swear by those rubberized tapes or peel-and-stick patches for emergencies, and they can work if you get them on dry and the temps aren’t too low. But nothing really beats a proper repair once the weather lets up. It’s frustrating how many “quick fix” products are marketed as permanent solutions—especially in places where winter is more than just a light frost.
If it helps, you’re not alone in this. Most people I talk to have at least one story about scrambling to stop a leak with whatever they had on hand—old shower curtains, duct tape, even trash bags in a pinch. It’s not ideal, but sometimes survival mode is all you’ve got.
You did exactly what was needed to protect your shed until spring. That’s what matters most when the forecast is working against you.
You did what you had to—sometimes that’s all you can do when the weather’s working against you. I’ve seen plenty of “miracle” sealants and tapes fail once the temps drop below freezing, especially on low-slope roofs. The freeze-thaw cycle just eats those products alive. Honestly, a tarp and some heavy tape might not look great, but it’ll keep things dry until you can get up there safely.
I’ve patched leaks with everything from old vinyl banners to contractor bags when storms hit and there’s no time for a proper fix. It’s not pretty, but it works in a pinch. Anyone who says they’ve never had to improvise during a winter leak probably hasn’t owned a roof long enough.
You’re right about those rubberized tapes—they’re only as good as the surface prep and the weather lets them be. Once spring rolls around, that’s when you can really address the problem for good. Until then, keeping water out is the win. No shame in survival mode—sometimes that’s just reality.