The edges still peeled up after a couple months. Maybe it’s just not meant for our winters.
That’s been my experience too—those peel-and-stick patches just don’t hold up once the deep freeze hits. I tried one of those black tar-based sealants last year, and it actually held better than the tape, but it was a pain to clean up in spring. Has anyone had luck with those spray-on rubber sealers? I keep seeing ads but haven’t tried them yet.
Has anyone had luck with those spray-on rubber sealers? I keep seeing ads but haven’t tried them yet.
Tried the spray-on stuff on a small section of my garage roof last winter—honestly, it was better than the tape but still not a miracle fix. It sealed up for a few weeks, but once we got a real cold snap, it started cracking and flaking off. I think the constant freeze/thaw just kills most of these quick fixes. For what it’s worth, the tar-based sealant was messy but at least it didn’t fail until spring. If you’re dealing with asphalt shingles in a cold climate, nothing really beats a proper patch job, even if it’s more work.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a bit more luck with the spray-on rubber stuff, at least as a short-term patch. Used it on a cracked vent boot last fall (asphalt shingles, Midwest winters), and it held up through a couple of freeze/thaw cycles before I could do a proper repair in spring. It definitely isn’t a permanent solution, but for $10–$15 a can, it bought me some time and kept water out of the attic.
Tar-based sealants are solid, but I’ve found them harder to work with in cold temps—they get stiff and don’t always adhere well unless you really prep the area. If you’re in a pinch or just need to stop the drip until you can get materials or help, spray-on can be worth it. Just don’t expect miracles or longevity. Long-term, yeah, nothing beats actually replacing damaged shingles or flashing... but sometimes you just need to buy yourself a few weeks.
I get the appeal of spray-on rubber, especially when you’re staring at a growing water spot on your ceiling and it’s sleeting sideways outside. But honestly, every time I’ve used that stuff, it’s felt like putting a Band-Aid on a busted dam. Maybe it’s just my luck (or the fact that my roof is steeper than a ski jump), but I’ve had better luck with those sticky roofing tapes for emergency patches. They’re messy and awkward, but they actually held through a couple of wild storms last spring—unlike the spray, which peeled off like sunburned skin after one good freeze. Maybe I’m cursed or just too impatient to let things dry properly...
That’s not just your luck—spray-on rubber is one of those things that sounds way better in the commercials than it usually works out in real life, especially if you’re dealing with a steep roof and cold weather. I’ve seen it peel or crack after a freeze more times than I can count. It’s like, yeah, it’ll stop a drip for a minute, but as soon as the temps swing or there’s any movement, it just gives up.
Sticky roofing tape is messy for sure (I still have some stuck to my work boots from last fall), but honestly, I’d pick it over spray for an emergency patch any day. The stuff actually bonds to the shingle or metal and doesn’t care as much if things are a little damp or cold. I’ve patched up a few leaks with that tape during storms and had it hold for months until we could do a proper repair.
Letting things dry properly is always the advice, but when water’s coming through your ceiling and you’re on a ladder in sleet, “properly” goes out the window pretty fast. You do what you can, right? I think most folks underestimate how much the slope of the roof matters too—steep pitches make everything harder to stick and seal. Gravity’s not your friend there.
If it makes you feel any better, even pros end up with temporary fixes that don’t last sometimes. Weather just doesn’t cooperate half the time. If you’re getting through wild storms with tape patches, you’re doing better than most. Just keep an eye on those spots when things warm up—sometimes the tape will start to curl at the edges after a few months of sun.
Anyway, nothing wrong with being impatient about drying time when water’s coming in. Sometimes you just need something that works *now* and deal with the rest later...