Interesting you mentioned the reusable rubber patches—did you notice any issues with them in really heavy rain or snow? I’ve tried a couple brands and sometimes they seem to lose grip after a freeze-thaw cycle. Wondering if there’s a trick to making them last longer.
Yeah, those rubber patches are a bit of a gamble once winter hits. I’ve slapped a few on our flat roof sections and, sure enough, after a couple freeze-thaw cycles they started peeling up at the edges. I tried heating them up with a hair dryer before sticking them down—didn’t seem to help much. Maybe it’s just our Midwest weather being extra rude. Has anyone had better luck with those spray-on sealants? I’m tempted to try that next time, but I’m half convinced it’ll just end up all over my shoes.
I’m right there with you on the Midwest weather—seems like nothing really sticks once we get those wild temperature swings. I tried the spray-on sealant last fall after a patch job failed, and honestly, it was a mixed bag. It went on easy enough, but I underestimated how much it would run if the surface wasn’t bone dry. Ended up with more on my hands than the roof, and by spring, the leak was back, just a bit smaller.
I’ve heard some folks swear by those thicker, brush-on elastomeric coatings, but I haven’t tried them yet. Not sure if they’re any better, but at least you can see where you’re putting it. At this point, I’m starting to think quick fixes just buy a little time until you can get a proper repair done when the weather’s more forgiving. If anyone’s found something that actually survives a full winter, I’d love to know… because I’m tired of dragging buckets into the attic every time it rains.
I’ve tried just about every “miracle” patch out there—spray, tape, caulk, you name it. In my experience, those brush-on elastomeric coatings are a step up from the spray stuff, but only if you can get the surface prepped and dry (which is a joke in November around here). They’ll buy you a season if you’re lucky, but nothing beats pulling up the shingles and replacing the felt when the weather finally cooperates. I used to think I could outsmart Midwest weather with a can of goo... turns out, Mother Nature always wins eventually.
I used to think I could outsmart Midwest weather with a can of goo... turns out, Mother Nature always wins eventually.
That line hits home. I’ve had the same thought every fall—standing on a frosty roof, brush in one hand, can of “miracle” sealant in the other, hoping for just one more dry day. You’re right, surface prep is everything, but when you’re racing against freezing rain or that first snow, it’s almost impossible.
I’ve tried those peel-and-stick patches too, and they’re only as good as the surface underneath. If there’s any moisture trapped, it just bubbles up or peels off by spring. The elastomeric stuff did buy me a little time once, but I still ended up replacing the underlayment when things warmed up.
Ever mess with those temporary roof tarps? They’re ugly and a pain to secure, but in a pinch, they kept water out until I could do a full tear-off. Not ideal, but sometimes you just need to stop the drip until you can do it right. Midwest roofs really don’t give us much slack...