"I've seen them hold up great initially, but sometimes wind-driven rain can sneak underneath..."
Yeah, silicone's decent for a quick fix, but honestly, I've had better luck with roofing sealant that's specifically rated for outdoor exposure. Ever tried something like that instead? Seems to handle storms a bit better in my experience...
Yeah, silicone can be hit or miss for sure. I've noticed it tends to degrade faster under constant sun exposure, too. Roofing sealant that's specifically rated for outdoor use is definitely a step up—good call there. Another thing I've found helpful is making sure the metal edging itself is properly overlapped and secured. Sometimes, even the best sealants struggle if the edging isn't installed quite right.
If you're still getting water sneaking in during storms, maybe double-check the overlap points and fasteners. A quick inspection after the next heavy rain can show you exactly where water's sneaking through. I've had to do that myself—it's a bit tedious, but worth it in the end. Sounds like you're on the right track though, tackling this stuff yourself can be tricky, so props for getting it done.
Did you find the overlap points were the main issue, or was it more about the fasteners? I had a similar headache last spring—thought I'd sealed everything perfectly, but water kept sneaking in during heavy rains. Turned out, a couple of screws weren't tightened down enough, letting water seep underneath. It's funny how something so small can cause such a big hassle... Did you end up using any special washers or just regular fasteners? Curious if that makes a noticeable difference.
From what I've seen, it's usually the fasteners causing trouble rather than overlaps. Regular screws can loosen up over time, especially with temp changes. Did you try neoprene washers? They compress nicely and seal better—saved me a few callbacks last year...
I've seen neoprene washers help sometimes, but they're not always a silver bullet. Last summer I worked on a job where we tried them out—initially seemed great, compressed nicely and all—but after a harsh winter, some screws still loosened up. My mentor ended up suggesting stainless steel fasteners with a dab of sealant underneath each head. Bit more tedious, but so far it's holding up better. Guess it depends on your local weather...
