- Totally see your point about peel-and-stick.
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“I’ve seen a few older roofs where the peel-and-stick actually trapped moisture under the metal and made things worse.”
- I’m in a pretty humid area and had similar worries. Ended up using peel-and-stick under the drip edge, but only on the north side where ice damming is a problem.
- Rest of the roof, I just used high-quality caulk at the seams and made sure the screws were tight.
- One thing I noticed: if the metal isn’t perfectly flat, that membrane can bunch up and create little pockets for water—especially after a freeze/thaw cycle.
- Noticed a neighbor’s roof with some rust spots exactly where the membrane was supposed to help.
- Sealant’s easier to reapply too, at least for me.
- Guess it really depends on local weather and how old the roof is.
- For my place, a mix of both seemed to work, but I’m keeping an eye on it after heavy rain.
- Curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer butyl tapes instead of peel-and-stick? Heard they’re less prone to trapping moisture...
That’s interesting about the membrane bunching up—I’ve run into that too, especially where the metal panels weren’t perfectly flush. It’s wild how a tiny wrinkle under the metal can end up being a spot for water to just sit and do its thing. I’m in the southeast, so humidity is a constant battle, and I’ve always worried about trapping moisture under anything that’s supposed to be “protective.” I tried peel-and-stick on a shed roof a few years back, thinking it’d be a set-it-and-forget-it solution, but after a couple of seasons, I noticed some rust lines right along the seams. Ended up pulling it off and going with a butyl-based tape, which seemed to bond better and didn’t have the same issues with water getting trapped.
I’ve heard mixed things about butyl tape, though. Some folks say it holds up better in the heat, others complain it gets gummy and attracts dirt. For me, it’s been easier to work with than the peel-and-stick, especially around corners and odd angles. I do wonder if it’s just a matter of how well you prep the surface before applying anything—if there’s even a little dust or oil, nothing seems to stick right for long.
Curious if anyone’s tried those newer hybrid sealants? I saw a tube at the hardware store that claimed to be “permanently flexible” and “waterproof,” but I’m always skeptical of marketing. My roof’s about 18 years old, so I’m just trying to squeeze a few more years out of it before a full replacement. Anyone had luck with those, or is it just another gimmick?
I’ve had similar issues with butyl tape—on one hand, it sticks like crazy if the surface is spotless, but if there’s even a hint of dust or old caulk, it just peels up after a season. I’ve noticed the “gummy” thing too, especially during our hot summers. As for those hybrid sealants, I tried one (can’t remember the brand, gray tube) on a gutter joint last year. It was easy to apply and stayed flexible, but it did pick up a fair bit of grime. No leaks yet, though. I’m always a bit skeptical about “permanent” claims... nothing seems to last forever on a roof that’s seen a few decades.
Yeah, I hear you on the butyl tape. I’ve had it turn into a sticky mess on south-facing seams after a couple of hot weeks. Prepping the surface is such a pain, too—sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth the hassle. Those “permanent” labels always make me laugh... between sun, rain, and all the old repairs, nothing really lasts up there. I’ve started using a paintable sealant for touch-ups, but even that gets grimy after a while.
Those “permanent” labels always make me laugh... between sun, rain, and all the old repairs, nothing really lasts up there.
Right? “Permanent” just means it’ll last until the next heatwave or thunderstorm. I’ve had butyl ooze out and stain my siding—looked like a melted crayon. Paintable sealant’s a little better, but yeah, grime finds a way. Ever tried those hybrid polymer sealants? Supposed to hold up better, but I’m skeptical.
