That freeze/thaw cycle is brutal, I hear you. I’ve seen a lot of folks try to patch things up with sealant, but if the decking’s already soft, it’s kind of like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg. Once moisture gets in, it just keeps spreading under the shingles. Had a place last year where a tiny crack turned into a whole section of mushy plywood by spring... not fun to replace. Sometimes those “quick fixes” end up costing more in the long run, especially around here.
if the decking’s already soft, it’s kind of like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg.
That’s exactly it. I see people reach for the tube of sealant every time there’s a crack, but if the wood underneath is already compromised, you’re just trapping moisture in and speeding up rot. Around here (upper Midwest), that freeze/thaw cycle will find any weakness and make it ten times worse by spring.
I get why folks want to avoid a full repair—cost, hassle, whatever—but I’ve torn off roofs where someone kept patching with sealant and by the time we got to it, half the sheathing was black mush. Sometimes you can get away with a dab of sealant if it’s just a surface crack and everything else is solid, but that’s rare in my experience.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer flexible roof tapes instead of liquid sealant? I’ve seen mixed results—sometimes they hold up better, sometimes they peel right off after one winter. Wondering if it’s just our climate or if installation makes all the difference.
I’ve tried a couple brands of those tapes on jobs in Minnesota, and honestly, it’s hit or miss. If the surface isn’t bone dry and prepped right, they just don’t stick through winter. Even when they do, I’ve seen the edges curl up after a year or two. Maybe they work better in milder climates, but up here, I wouldn’t trust them for anything more than a temporary patch. Anyone else notice they seem to shrink a bit in the cold?
If the surface isn’t bone dry and prepped right, they just don’t stick through winter. Even when they do, I’ve seen the edges curl up after a year or two.
That’s been my experience too, especially with those “quick fix” tapes and sealants. Up here in Duluth, I’ve watched more than one patch job peel up by spring. The cold just seems to make everything brittle, and yeah, I swear some of those tapes shrink a bit once it drops below zero.
Honestly, I’m starting to think these products are more about buying time than actually solving anything long-term—especially in places where freeze/thaw cycles are brutal. Have you ever tried any of the eco-friendly sealants? I’ve heard mixed things about their flexibility in cold weather, but supposedly they’re less toxic and better for runoff. Wondering if anyone’s had luck with those on older asphalt shingles or if it’s just another marketing gimmick.
Also curious—has anyone noticed if certain shingle brands hold up better to patching than others? My neighbor swears by Malarkey for repairs, but I haven’t tried them myself.
You’re spot on about the quick-fix stuff mostly just buying time, especially with the crazy freeze/thaw cycles up north. I’ve tested a handful of those eco-friendly sealants—some are a bit more flexible in the cold, but they still struggle if the prep isn’t perfect. The “less toxic” angle is great for runoff, but I haven’t found one that really stands up to a full winter without some edge curling or cracking. Maybe a little less brittle, but not a game-changer.
On shingle brands, I’ve actually had better luck patching Malarkey compared to some of the cheaper options. Their rubberized asphalt seems to grip sealants a bit longer, especially if you catch the crack early and the surface is bone dry. Still, nothing’s bulletproof if water gets underneath or if you’re patching over old, brittle shingles.
If you’re dealing with older roofs, sometimes it’s just a losing battle with these products. I get why people use them—sometimes you just need to get through another season—but long-term, full shingle replacement is usually the only thing that holds up.