Finally tackled that metal edging thing on my roof

"Eventually went with some rubber washers under the screws, which seemed to dampen vibrations better."

Rubber washers are solid, definitely seen them cut down on rattling before. Have you ever tried silicone caulk or sealant strips instead? I've found silicone can handle weather changes better than felt, and it stays flexible enough to absorb vibrations. Only thing is it can be messy if you need to adjust later... Curious if anyone's had luck with silicone or something similar for metal edging.

I've found silicone can handle weather changes better than felt, and it stays flexible enough to absorb vibrations.

I've used silicone caulk before on metal edging, and you're right - it does handle weather swings pretty well. But man, adjusting or removing it later was a pain... ended up scraping and cleaning for ages. Rubber washers are definitely easier if you think you'll need to tweak things down the line. Silicone strips might be a decent middle ground though - haven't tried those yet myself, but seems like they'd be less messy than caulk.

I've messed around with silicone strips a bit, and they're actually pretty decent. Definitely less messy than caulk - no scraping nightmares later on. One thing though, make sure you get the adhesive-backed kind that's rated for outdoor use. I learned that the hard way when some cheaper strips started peeling after a few months. Other than that, they seem like a solid compromise between flexibility and ease of adjustment.

Yeah, silicone strips are pretty handy. I've found the outdoor-rated ones hold up well, especially if you prep the surface properly - cleaning thoroughly and maybe even a quick wipe-down with rubbing alcohol. Makes a noticeable difference in longevity. Learned that lesson after redoing mine twice...

Have you noticed any issues with silicone strips lifting or peeling after heavy storms? I've seen them hold up great initially, but sometimes wind-driven rain can sneak underneath... Curious if you've run into that yet.

"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...

Yeah, neoprene washers can be hit or miss depending on the conditions. Last fall, we did a similar metal edging job, and I remember thinking we'd nailed it (pun intended) with those washers. But come springtime, after a few freeze-thaw cycles, we noticed some screws backing out slightly. My boss was pretty chill about it - said he'd seen it happen plenty of times before. He recommended swapping to stainless screws with a bit of polyurethane sealant underneath. Took us an extra afternoon to redo them all, but honestly, it's been solid ever since.

I think you're right about local weather playing a big role. Around here, winters are brutal - lots of ice and snow buildup - and that constant expansion and contraction can really mess with fasteners. Sounds like your mentor's advice was spot-on for your situation. Good call on taking the extra step... tedious work now usually saves headaches later.

Had a similar experience when I first moved into my place. Thought I'd save myself some hassle by using those neoprene washers on the shed roof - figured they'd hold up fine. But after one harsh winter, half of them were loose or backing out. Ended up switching to stainless screws and sealant too, and it's been solid since. Curious though, anyone tried using rubberized coatings or something similar as extra protection against weather shifts? Seems like it might help, but maybe overkill...

Did something similar with the rubberized coating last year... seemed like a good idea at first, but honestly, after a few months it started peeling in spots. Ended up scraping it all off and just sticking with stainless screws and sealant like you did. Less hassle overall.

Yeah, rubberized coatings can be hit or miss... seen plenty peel off after a season or two. Stainless screws and sealant might seem old-school, but honestly, sometimes the simplest solutions hold up best. Glad you got it sorted without too much headache.

Good point about stainless screws and sealant - sometimes the tried-and-true methods just have fewer surprises down the road. Still, I've seen some newer rubberized coatings hold up surprisingly well when applied right. Makes me wonder if it's more about prep or product quality... Have you noticed any particular brands or application tricks that seem to make a difference long-term? Curious if anyone's cracked the code on getting those coatings to last longer than a couple seasons.

I've messed around with a few of those rubberized coatings myself, and honestly, prep seems to be the real game changer. I tried Flex Seal once - yeah, the TV stuff - and it actually held up way better than expected, but only after I spent forever cleaning and roughing up the surface first. Skimp on prep, and even the pricier brands peel off in no time. So maybe it's less about brand loyalty and more about patience and elbow grease...

Yeah, I've messed with Flex Seal too - wasn't terrible, but I'm still skeptical about its long-term durability. You're spot on with the prep work though; learned that lesson the hard way fixing gutters. If you rush it, you're basically tossing money away...

"If you rush it, you're basically tossing money away..."

Yeah, learned that lesson myself - especially with roof flashing. Curious though, did you try any primer or sealant underneath the Flex Seal? I've found that combo usually holds up better long-term.

Flex Seal alone always seemed iffy to me - never trusted it fully without some backup. Did you notice any peeling or cracking after weather changes? Curious if it's worth the extra cost for primer underneath...

I've always been skeptical about Flex Seal too - seems like one of those quick fixes that might bite you later. My neighbor swears by it, but I noticed even his roof started showing some minor cracks after a harsh winter. Makes me wonder if primer or some other prep step would make a noticeable difference long-term, or if it's just throwing money at the problem... Has anyone tried other sealants that held up better through seasonal shifts?