Totally agree with you—ventilation's important, but it's definitely not the only thing that matters. Had something similar happen at my place.
Yeah, good point about the flashing—people overlook it way too often. Did you end up fixing it yourself or hire someone? Curious if it's a DIY-friendly fix or better left to pros...
Flashing can be tricky—I've done it myself, and it's doable if you're comfortable with ladders and basic roofing work. But honestly, if you're unsure or it's a bigger area, hiring someone might save you headaches later... speaking from experience here.
Totally agree with your take on flashing being tricky. I've done a fair bit of DIY roofing myself, and honestly, flashing is one area you don't wanna mess around with. I remember thinking I'd nailed it (literally and figuratively) only to find leaks popping up after the next big storm. Turns out even a tiny mistake can lead to water seeping in where you least expect it.
Now, I'm skeptical by nature, especially when pros say "leave it to us," but roofing is one place I've learned the hard way they're probably right. If you're confident and it's just a small repair, sure, give it a shot—just double-check everything twice (three times even). But if you're dealing with something bigger or complicated angles around chimneys or skylights...you might sleep better paying someone who does this day in and day out.
Yeah, flashing can definitely trip you up. I tackled a chimney flashing job a few years back—thought I had it sealed tight, but ended up chasing leaks for months afterward. Eventually had to bite the bullet and call in a pro. Curious though, has anyone here tried those newer flexible flashing tapes? Seen them around but haven't given them a shot yet...wondering if they're as reliable as traditional metal flashing.
I've actually used those flexible flashing tapes on a shed roof project last summer. Honestly, I was skeptical at first—I'm usually a traditionalist when it comes to roofing materials—but the price difference was tempting enough to give it a shot. Installation-wise, they're pretty straightforward; you just peel and stick, and they mold nicely around tricky corners or uneven surfaces. Definitely easier than wrestling with metal flashing and tin snips.
But here's the catch: prep work is everything. If your surface isn't clean and dry, or if you rush the application, you're asking for trouble down the line. I spent extra time making sure everything was spotless and bone-dry before applying, and so far it's held up through some heavy rains without any leaks. That said, I'm not sure I'd trust it completely on my main house roof yet—especially in hurricane-prone areas or places with extreme temperature swings.
One thing that worries me is longevity. Metal flashing has decades of proven reliability behind it, while these tapes are still relatively new on the market. Will they hold up after 10 or 15 years of sun exposure? Hard to say at this point. Plus, I've heard mixed reviews from others who've tried cheaper brands—some swear by them, others ended up redoing their work within a year.
I guess my question would be: has anyone here had flexible flashing tape installed long-term (say 5+ years)? Curious how it's holding up over time compared to traditional metal flashing...
