Great points about rinsing the roof periodically—I actually hadn't thought much about that before. I've been working on a few coastal jobs lately, and one thing I've noticed is that even the best sealants can degrade quicker than you'd expect near saltwater. It's worth checking the sealant every six months or so, just to be safe. Quick tip: when inspecting flashing, run your finger along the edge—sometimes corrosion isn't obvious visually, but you'll feel roughness or tiny pits starting to form.
And yeah, stainless steel screws aren't invincible. Last summer, we replaced a bunch of marine-grade fasteners that were only three years old but already showing signs of corrosion. Definitely pays off to stay ahead of it with regular checks and maintenance. Good reminder about not getting complacent with materials we assume are bulletproof... learned that lesson myself more than once.
That's a really helpful insight about checking sealants regularly—I hadn't realized how quickly they could degrade near saltwater. When we moved into our coastal home last year, I noticed the gutters and downspouts were already showing corrosion, even though they looked fine at first glance. Turns out aluminum components can also deteriorate faster than you'd expect in salty air. Definitely worth inspecting those areas closely too, especially the undersides where moisture tends to linger... learned that one the hard way.
"Turns out aluminum components can also deteriorate faster than you'd expect in salty air."
You're spot-on about aluminum. A few years back, I worked on a coastal property where the homeowner had installed aluminum flashing around skylights, thinking it'd hold up better than steel. Within just two years, we were already seeing significant pitting and corrosion—especially on the underside edges where moisture and salt spray collected. It was surprising how quickly it happened, even though everything looked fine from ground level.
One thing I've learned from experience is that stainless steel or copper flashing, while pricier upfront, can save you headaches down the road. Also, regular rinsing with fresh water helps slow down corrosion significantly. Salt air is relentless... if you're near the ocean, it's worth investing in materials specifically rated for marine environments. Learned that lesson after replacing too many prematurely rusted gutters and flashings myself.
Yeah, aluminum can fool you sometimes. Had a client once who proudly showed me his "rust-proof" aluminum gutters—two years later, they looked like Swiss cheese. He switched to copper after that... pricey lesson learned, lol.
"Had a client once who proudly showed me his 'rust-proof' aluminum gutters—two years later, they looked like Swiss cheese."
Haha, "Swiss cheese" is spot-on. Salt air really doesn't play nice with metals, does it? Curious though, did your client consider marine-grade aluminum at all? I've heard it's treated specifically for coastal conditions. Copper's definitely durable, but the patina isn't everyone's cup of tea... and yeah, the cost can sting. Glad he found a solution, though—live and learn, right?
