"keep a small magnet in your tool belt or pocket."
Wish I'd thought of this sooner... would've saved me from crawling through bushes chasing runaway screws. And silicone lube is definitely the MVP—WD-40's good for hinges, but roofs? Learned that lesson quick.
Never thought about silicone lube for roofing... interesting. I've mostly stuck with WD-40 out of habit, but now you've got me wondering—does silicone hold up better against weathering or something? Curious if anyone's noticed a real difference in durability over time. Might have to test it out myself next time I'm patching things up.
I've got to chime in here—WD-40 on roofing? Honestly, never even crossed my mind. I've used that stuff for squeaky hinges, bike chains, and even stubborn sticker residue, but roofing... that's a new one for me.
From personal experience though, silicone-based products are specifically designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. They're water-resistant, don't break down easily under UV exposure, and generally last longer outdoors compared to petroleum-based sprays like WD-40. WD-40 tends to evaporate or wash away pretty quickly—it’s great for temporary fixes or loosening rusty bolts, but it isn't exactly built for long-term exposure to rain, sun, and temperature fluctuations.
A few years ago, I had a leak around the flashing near my chimney. I tried a couple of quick-fix sprays first (yeah, guilty of cutting corners too), but eventually bit the bullet and went with a proper silicone sealant recommended by a friend who works in construction. The difference was night and day. Even after several seasons of heavy rainstorms and harsh summer heat waves, that silicone sealant held up impressively. No leaks since then—knock on wood.
If you're patching things up anyway, I'd seriously suggest giving silicone-based products a shot. It's probably going to save you headaches down the line. Plus, it's not like WD-40 is exactly cheap these days... might as well spend that money on something that'll last longer than a few weeks.
Just my two cents—but hey, if you do try it out, let us know how it goes. Always curious about how others' DIY experiments turn out...
I can see your point about silicone sealants—they're definitely designed for more heavy-duty, long-term outdoor applications. WD-40 on roofing is an interesting idea, but honestly, I wouldn't trust it beyond a quick emergency fix. Have you ever seen how quickly WD-40 evaporates or washes off after a good rainstorm? It might get you through a weekend if you're desperate, but that's about it.
Speaking of silicone though, have you tried polyurethane-based sealants? I've found them to be even tougher in some situations, especially when you're dealing with areas that expand and contract a lot due to temperature swings. Silicone is great for waterproofing, no doubt, but sometimes it doesn't bond as strongly to certain materials or surfaces as polyurethane does. A buddy of mine had persistent leaks around his skylight, and silicone kept eventually peeling away after a couple of seasons. He switched to polyurethane-based caulk—problem solved. It's been holding tight for years now.
Also, just a heads-up—if you're patching around flashing or chimneys, it's not always just about the sealant itself. Sometimes the flashing wasn't installed properly to begin with, or it's corroded and needs replacing altogether. Sealants can only do so much if the underlying issue isn't addressed. I've seen plenty of cases where people keep reapplying sealant every year or two because they're treating the symptom instead of the cause.
Anyway, it's cool hearing about others' DIY adventures (and misadventures). Roofing can be tricky—there's always something new to learn or try out. Glad you finally found a roofing company that treated you right; good contractors are worth their weight in gold these days.
"Sealants can only do so much if the underlying issue isn't addressed."
Haha, ain't that the truth... learned that one the hard way myself. Kept slapping silicone around my chimney flashing every spring, thinking I was saving money. Turns out the flashing itself was shot—rusted right through. Glad you found a solid roofing company though; good ones really are rare gems these days. DIY roofing adventures are fun until they're not, lol.
