That’s the thing—people always think they’re saving a few bucks or a trip to the store, but it bites them later. I’ve seen aluminum drip edge with steel nails just turn into a mess after one winter, especially around the gutters where everything stays damp. Sometimes folks try to “seal” the fasteners with caulk, but that never seems to last. Has anyone actually found a sealant or coating that holds up in those spots, or is it just wishful thinking? I’m skeptical, but maybe there’s something new out there I haven’t tried yet.
Sometimes folks try to “seal” the fasteners with caulk, but that never seems to last.
Tried a few different sealants over the years—none held up more than a season or two, especially with freeze/thaw cycles. Honestly, mixing metals is just asking for trouble. Best luck I’ve had is matching everything from the start. Caulk’s just a band-aid.
Did you ever try those rubber washer screws? I keep hearing they’re supposed to help, but I’m skeptical. My neighbor swears by them, but his roof’s newer than mine, so hard to say if it’s just luck or actually better hardware.
I know what you mean—those rubber washer screws get hyped up a lot. Honestly, I’ve used them on a bunch of jobs, especially for metal roofs, and they do help with leaks around the fasteners. The rubber creates a bit of a seal when you tighten it down, so water’s less likely to sneak in. But, like you said, if your neighbor’s roof is newer, that could be making a bigger difference than the screws themselves.
My neighbor swears by them, but his roof’s newer than mine, so hard to say if it’s just luck or actually better hardware.
I’ve also seen some folks over-tighten them and squash the washer, which kind of defeats the purpose. What kind of shape is your metal edging in? Sometimes the screws help, but if there’s already rust or warping, they’re not gonna work miracles. Did you notice any spots where water might be getting in, or is this more of a preventive thing for you?
I’ve also seen some folks over-tighten them and squash the washer, which kind of defeats the purpose.
That’s the part that always gets me—my brother-in-law once helped me with a shed roof and cranked those screws down like he was arm wrestling the thing. Next rain, water found its way in anyway. Turns out, those little rubber washers aren’t invincible if you flatten them into pancakes.
My metal edging’s seen better days, honestly. Bit of rust here and there, and a couple spots where it’s warped just enough to let water sneak under if the wind’s right. I slapped some of those rubber washer screws in as a band-aid, but I’m not holding my breath. Like you said, they’re not miracle workers if the metal’s already rough.
It’s mostly preventive for me at this point—trying to buy a few more years before I have to shell out for new edging. Neighbor’s roof looks great, but he replaced everything last year, so I’m not sure it’s just the fancy screws doing all the work. Sometimes I think half of roofing is just luck and hoping your patch job holds through the next storm...
