Finally tackled that metal edging thing on my roof

"Just spray gently from above and watch carefully underneath."

That's spot-on advice. Had a similar issue last spring - thought I'd sealed everything perfectly, but nope, sneaky drip found its way in. Learned the hard way that patience with the hose test is key... slow and steady beats rushing every time.

That's definitely a solid method, but I'd suggest being cautious about relying solely on the hose test. Water can behave differently under various weather conditions - wind-driven rain, for instance, can find its way into spots that a gentle spray from a hose might miss entirely. I've seen situations where everything seemed perfectly sealed during a calm test, only to have leaks appear again during the next heavy storm.

One thing I've found helpful is combining the hose test with a visual inspection after a particularly windy or rainy day. Sometimes, subtle signs like water stains or slight discoloration on the underside of sheathing or rafters can reveal hidden issues that aren't immediately obvious during controlled testing. Also, if you have attic access, checking insulation for dampness after storms can pinpoint trouble areas more accurately.

Last year, we had a property with persistent leaks around metal edging despite multiple tests and repairs. Eventually, we realized the issue wasn't just sealing - it was also about proper flashing installation and overlap techniques. The edging itself was fine, but the flashing beneath hadn't been installed correctly, allowing water to wick back underneath during heavy rains. Once we corrected that detail, the leaks stopped completely.

Not saying your approach isn't effective - it clearly worked well for you - but just wanted to highlight that sometimes leaks are tricky and might require looking beyond just sealant and gentle spraying. Roofs have their quirks... and patience combined with thoroughness usually pays off in the long run.

"Eventually, we realized the issue wasn't just sealing - it was also about proper flashing installation and overlap techniques."

Good point about flashing. I'd actually argue that flashing details are usually more critical than sealants themselves. Sealants can degrade or fail over time, especially with temperature swings and UV exposure. Properly installed flashing, on the other hand, channels water away mechanically - no matter how harsh the conditions get. I've seen plenty of leaks caused by relying too heavily on sealants alone... Flashing done right is your best long-term bet.

Yeah, flashing is definitely underrated. I can't even count how many times I've inspected homes where someone tried to fix leaks by just slapping on more sealant. It might hold for a few months, maybe even a year or two, but eventually it always comes back to bite you. I remember one place in particular - beautiful older home, owners kept patching up around the chimney with silicone every year. When I finally got up there, the flashing was installed completely wrong, basically funneling water right into the attic. No wonder they had mold issues.

Honestly, sealants have their place, but they're more of a backup than a primary defense. Flashing done right is like your first line of defense - it directs water away naturally, without relying on something that dries out or cracks over time. Did you end up redoing the flashing yourself, or did you get someone else to handle it? Curious how tricky it was to get it right...

Had a similar issue on a rental property recently. Tenants kept complaining about leaks around the skylight, and turns out someone had just layered sealant over old flashing. Finally got it properly redone - no leaks since. Definitely worth doing it right the first time.

"Definitely worth doing it right the first time."

Haha, ain't that the truth. Had a similar fiasco with a chimney flashing last year - previous owner thought duct tape and prayers counted as maintenance. 🙄 Took me forever to figure out why water kept sneaking in. Once I bit the bullet and got it properly sorted, life got way easier. Glad you got yours handled... roofing issues are no joke.

"previous owner thought duct tape and prayers counted as maintenance."

Haha, been there myself - but sometimes the "right way" isn't always the only way. I've seen quick fixes like roofing sealant or temporary flashing tape hold up surprisingly well, especially if you're tight on budget or time. Sure, proper flashing is ideal, but let's be honest - sometimes a solid temporary fix can buy you months or even years until you're ready to dive into a bigger job.

- True, quick fixes can surprise you...but duct tape on the roof? How long did that actually hold up?
- I've used silicone caulk as a temp fix before - worked better than expected.
- Curious if anyone's tried Flex Seal stuff...does it really work or just hype?

Flex Seal's pretty decent for small leaks, but honestly...would you trust it on your roof long-term? I'd be worried the next big storm might turn it into a viral video moment. Has anyone actually tested it through serious weather?

I've actually had Flex Seal on a shed roof for about two years now. It started as a quick fix after a branch punched through during a storm. Honestly, it's held up better than I expected through some pretty heavy rains and even hail. But for my main house roof? Nah, I'd still go with proper flashing and sealant. It's good stuff for temporary patches, but long-term peace of mind is worth the extra effort.

Had a similar experience with the Flex Seal stuff on my camper roof - worked surprisingly well for a quick fix after scraping under some low branches. Still, nothing beats proper flashing and sealant when you're dealing with your actual home... peace of mind matters.

Totally agree, Flex Seal is like duct tape's cooler cousin - great in a pinch but definitely not something you'd trust for the long haul. Had a tenant once who went wild with it on some gutters... let's just say rainy season was interesting. Proper flashing saves headaches (and angry phone calls).

Haha, Flex Seal adventures... been there myself. Had a homeowner once who thought it'd be a genius idea to patch up some storm damage on his shingles with it. Worked fine for about two weeks, then the next big rainstorm hit and, well, let's just say his attic got an unexpected indoor pool. You're spot on about proper flashing - it's one of those things you don't fully appreciate until you've seen the alternative firsthand.

- Flex Seal's alright for small quick fixes, but roofs? Nah, learned that lesson the hard way myself.
- Had a similar issue with metal edging - thought caulk would hold up fine. Nope... lasted maybe a month before leaks started again.
- Proper flashing and sealing tape made all the difference. Bit pricier upfront, but worth avoiding another attic swimming pool scenario.

Flex Seal's decent for patching a bucket or sealing a quick leak, but roofs deal with way too much exposure and movement for that stuff. Good flashing and sealing tape flexes with temperature changes - makes all the difference in durability. Learned that inspecting enough DIY roof jobs...

Yeah, Flex Seal has its limits. I remember helping my uncle patch up his shed roof a while back - he insisted on using that stuff thinking it'd hold up fine. Worked okay for maybe a month or two, but once the weather started shifting between hot days and cold nights, cracks started showing up again. Switched over to proper flashing tape and haven't had an issue since. Lesson learned the hard way, I guess...

Yeah, Flex Seal can be hit or miss depending on the situation. Had a similar experience myself when I was dealing with a leaky gutter at one of the properties I manage. Thought I'd give it a quick fix with Flex Seal - figured it'd save me some hassle. It held up fine for a few weeks, but once we got into those days where it was freezing overnight and sunny during the day, it started peeling and cracking pretty badly.

Ended up chatting with a roofer buddy who explained that metal expands and contracts quite a bit with temperature swings, so something flexible yet durable like flashing tape or even proper sealant designed specifically for metal roofs is usually better. Switched over to flashing tape myself after that conversation, and it's been solid ever since.

Makes me wonder though... has anyone had long-term success with Flex Seal in outdoor applications? Maybe it's just better suited for smaller indoor fixes or temporary patches rather than anything exposed to harsh weather conditions.

I've had mixed luck with Flex Seal outdoors too. Used it on a cracked birdbath once - worked great for a summer, but winter killed it. Seems like temperature swings really do it in. Indoors though, it's been pretty reliable for me.

Yeah, Flex Seal outdoors is a bit hit or miss for me too. Remember when I tried patching up a gutter leak with it... worked like magic through spring and summer, but winter came and it cracked right open again. Maybe it's just not built for our crazy weather swings? Indoors though, I've sealed up a leaky pipe under the sink and it's been golden ever since. Maybe Flex Seal's secretly an indoor cat?

Had a similar experience last year when I tried Flex Seal on some flashing around my chimney. Looked great at first - held up through summer storms no problem. But once winter hit, it started peeling and cracking like yours did. Honestly, I think it's the temperature swings and freeze-thaw cycles that do it in outdoors. Indoors, it's been solid for me too - patched up a basement pipe leak two years ago and haven't had issues since.

Ended up swapping out to proper metal flashing with roofing cement for the chimney fix. Bit more hassle upfront, but zero issues since then, even through heavy snow and ice buildup. Guess some things just need the old-school approach...