One thing I do disagree with is relying only on hand pressure—if it’s below 40°F, that sealant isn’t going to activate right away no matter how hard you press.
Right there with you on this. I learned that lesson the hard way years ago—put a bunch of caps on in late November, figured I'd just press 'em down and be done. Came back after a windstorm and half of them were flapping around like little flags. Since then, if it’s chilly, I always have a can of cement handy. Might take a few extra minutes, but it’s way better than getting that call in the middle of dinner because shingles are blowing off.
Cutting your own caps from three-tabs is a solid move for saving money, but yeah, you can’t cheat the overlap. I did a job for a buddy last winter where he got a little too clever trying to get extra caps out of each bundle. Looked fine at first, but after the spring thaw, you could see every seam from the street. Ended up pulling a bunch off and doing it over. Sometimes trying to save a couple bucks ends up costing more in the end.
Warming up the shingles makes a huge difference too. I’ve even set bundles in the cab of my truck with the heater running before. Not the most energy-efficient method, but when you’re racing daylight in the cold, you do what you gotta do.
And those hips and ridges...man, sometimes it feels like they go on forever, especially on cut-up roofs. I wish there was a faster way too, but I guess that’s just part of the grind. On the plus side, once you get into a rhythm, it’s kind of meditative. Or maybe that’s just me trying to convince myself while my knees are screaming.
Hang in there. It’s tough work, but when you step back and see a clean line along those ridges, it’s worth it.
- Totally agree about the cement—cold weather is brutal for getting those caps to stick. I’ve tried the “just press harder” method too, and yeah, the wind always wins.
- Cutting caps from three-tabs is a money-saver, but I’ve noticed the edges can curl if you’re not careful, especially if you rush the overlap. Been there, done that, had to redo it.
- I’ve used a hair dryer to warm up stubborn shingles before. Looks ridiculous, but hey, whatever works when your fingers are numb.
- Knees and back definitely pay the price on those long ridges. I keep telling myself it’s cheaper than a gym membership... not sure my body agrees.
- At the end of the day, nothing beats seeing a straight, clean ridge line. Makes all the hassle worth it—at least until the next storm rolls in.
Man, I’ve tried the hair dryer trick too—felt like I was giving the roof a blowout. Honestly, nothing tests your patience like cold-weather ridge work. I’ve found if you can wait for a sunny afternoon, even just a few degrees warmer makes a difference. And yeah, those three-tab caps save cash but they’ll curl up on you if you don’t line ‘em up just right. My knees still haven’t forgiven me for last fall’s marathon ridge run...
