Plastic sheeting inside is underrated, though—saved a client’s hardwood floors once when we couldn’t get up on a steep roof during an ice storm.
I’ve used plastic sheeting too, but I always worry about mold if it traps moisture for more than a day or two. Anyone tried those spray-on rubber sealants as a temporary fix? I’m skeptical about how well they actually hold up, especially in freezing temps.
Those spray-on rubber sealants—like the stuff from the infomercials where the guy makes a boat out of a screen door? I tried it on a little leak by my chimney last winter. It slowed things down, but honestly, after a couple of freezes and thaws, it started to peel. Maybe I just didn’t prep the surface right... Has anyone actually had it last through a whole season, or is it just a band-aid for a week or two?
Tried that spray-on stuff on my porch roof a couple summers back. Looked like magic in the commercials, right? I even did the “super thorough” prep—wire brush, cleaned it up, all that jazz. It held through a few rainstorms but once we hit our first big freeze (I’m up in Michigan), it started to crack and peel just like you said. Maybe it’s better for spots that don’t get hammered by weather swings?
Honestly, I’ve had better luck with those sticky roofing tapes for temporary fixes. Still not a forever solution, but at least they didn’t peel off in chunks after a cold snap. Anyone ever tried a green roof patch? I keep wondering if living moss would do better than these “miracle” sprays... Or is that just my wishful thinking talking?
I hear you on those miracle sprays—they look great on TV, but Michigan winters are a whole different beast. I’ve tried the sticky tapes too, and honestly, they held up better for me than the spray. Haven’t tried moss, but with my luck, the squirrels would just move in… If you ever find a budget-friendly fix that survives a freeze-thaw cycle, let me know.
Quick fixes for sudden roof leaks—what actually works?
Those miracle sprays are basically the duct tape of the roof world—fun to watch in commercials, but in reality? I’ve had more luck with a tarp and a couple bricks than with any of those “as seen on TV” cans. The sticky tapes you mentioned (I’m guessing Flex Tape or something similar) actually got me through last February when we had that nasty ice dam. I slapped it on over a cracked shingle and, to my surprise, it held until spring. Not perfect, but better than the spray, which just flaked off after the first freeze.
I get what you mean about the squirrels too. I swear, if you put anything remotely soft or mossy up there, they treat it like a luxury condo. One year I tried using some leftover foam insulation to patch a gap, and by March, the local wildlife had chewed it into confetti. Lesson learned.
Honestly, the only thing that’s lasted more than a season for me is good old-fashioned roofing cement. It’s messy, and it smells like a tire fire, but if you press it into the crack and cover with a piece of shingle or flashing, it’ll usually survive a Michigan winter. Not pretty, but it beats waking up to a drip in the middle of the night.
I’ve heard some folks swear by peel-and-stick flashing tape, especially for flat spots or around chimneys. Haven’t tried it myself yet, but it’s on my list for next time something goes sideways. Just wish there was a real budget fix that didn’t involve climbing up there in the snow or risking frostbite.
If you find anything that actually works long-term and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, I’m all ears. Until then, I’ll keep a bucket handy and hope for the best...