I totally get wanting to go the extra mile—I've been there, slapping sealant on every seam thinking I was bulletproofing the place. But honestly, sometimes it just makes a mess or traps water where you don’t want it. If your roof survived a hurricane, you probably did more right than you think. Good overlaps and solid fasteners count for a lot.
If your roof survived a hurricane, you probably did more right than you think. Good overlaps and solid fasteners count for a lot.
That’s kind of reassuring to hear. I always wonder if I’m overthinking things—like, is it smarter to just do the basics really well instead of piling on all the extra sealants and tape? My last house had a metal roof, and I spent way too much on every “premium” add-on they offered. This time around, I stuck with asphalt shingles, basic underlayment, and made sure the nailing pattern was right. No leaks after two big storms yet.
Curious if anyone’s found that skipping the fancy stuff ever actually came back to bite them? Or maybe it’s just peace of mind we’re paying for...
is it smarter to just do the basics really well instead of piling on all the extra sealants and tape?
Honestly, you’re not wrong to focus on the fundamentals. Proper shingle overlap, correct nailing, and solid underlayment are what keep most roofs watertight. I’ve seen plenty of roofs with every “upgrade” imaginable still fail because someone rushed the basics. The premium stuff can help in extreme cases, but if your roof’s holding up after two storms, that’s a good sign you did things right. Sometimes peace of mind is all those extras really buy you...
LUCK OR GOOD WORK? I’LL TAKE BOTH
I hear you on the basics. I’m the type who’ll spend an hour making sure my shingles are lined up straight, but then I’ll cheap out on all the “miracle” tapes and fancy goops they sell at the hardware store. My roof’s just your standard asphalt shingle job—nothing flashy, but it’s survived two hurricanes and a couple of those sideways rain storms we get here in the Gulf. Not a single leak, knock on wood (or plywood, in this case).
Honestly, I think there’s a lot to be said for just doing the main stuff right. I watched my neighbor drop a small fortune on every upgrade under the sun—ice & water shield everywhere, triple-sealed valleys, you name it. Still had leaks because the crew missed a few nails and rushed the ridge cap. Meanwhile, my “budget build” is holding up fine. Makes you wonder if some of those extras are just there to make us feel better about spending more.
That said, I do get tempted by all those new products when I’m walking the aisles at Lowe’s. Some of them probably help in places with crazy weather or older houses with weird angles. But for most of us, especially if you’re not living on top of a mountain or next to the ocean, nailing down the basics (pun intended) seems to be enough.
I guess what I’m saying is: don’t sweat it if you didn’t go overboard with sealants and tape. If your roof survived a hurricane without drama, that’s not luck—that’s solid work. Maybe treat yourself to a nice dinner instead of another roll of flashing tape... unless you really like flashing tape, in which case, hey, no judgment.
I’m right there with you on the basics making all the difference. I’ve got a 30-year-old ranch with a pretty simple gable roof—nothing fancy, just regular old shingles. I did most of the work myself, and honestly, I spent more time fussing over the starter row and making sure my nail gun was set just right than worrying about every new product on the shelf. My neighbor across the street went all-in on the “latest and greatest” too, but his crew left a mess of exposed nails and he’s had to patch leaks twice already.
I do wonder sometimes if we’re just lucky, but then again, I’ve seen plenty of “premium” roofs fail because someone got sloppy or rushed. Around here (coastal South Carolina), it seems like attention to detail beats out fancy materials most of the time. Not saying those upgrades are useless—maybe if I lived right on the beach I’d think differently—but for most of us, getting the basics right seems to go a long way.
Funny thing is, I still get tempted by those new tapes and sealants every time I walk through Home Depot. Guess old habits die hard...
