If the flashing’s actually loose or bent up, I bite the bullet and swap it out. It’s never fun, but I’ve found that a solid replacement saves me from bigger headaches (and bills) down the line.
Had a job last fall where the homeowner kept patching a bent piece of flashing over their porch. Looked fine from the ground, but water was sneaking behind every time it rained sideways. They’d used three different sealants—none held up more than a season. Once we finally pulled it and replaced the section, the leaks stopped for good. Sometimes those “quick fixes” just buy you time, but if the metal’s warped or the nails are pulling out, I’ve learned it’s usually less hassle to just redo it. Especially with aluminum, which bends so easily if it’s not tucked right.
I hear you, but I’ve had a few cases where a “quick fix” actually held up for years—depends how bad the bend is and where it’s located.
Sometimes, if it’s just a slight bend and you can get it tucked back under the shingles tight, plus hit it with a proper sealant (not that dollar store goo), you can buy yourself a lot of time. Not saying it’s always the answer, but I’ve seen folks rip out perfectly salvageable flashing just because it looked rough. Sometimes ugly still works...“if the metal’s warped or the nails are pulling out, I’ve learned it’s usually less hassle to just redo it.”
Sometimes ugly still works...
That’s honestly so true. I’ve wondered, though—does the sealant ever end up causing more issues down the line, like trapping moisture? Or is it just about picking the right product? I’ve patched a few spots and they’re still holding, but I always second-guess if I’m just delaying a bigger problem.
I’ve patched a few spots and they’re still holding, but I always second-guess if I’m just delaying a bigger problem.
I get that feeling—sometimes a patch job holds up for years, sometimes it’s just hiding trouble. Have you noticed any staining or soft spots around your repairs? I’ve seen moisture sneak in under sealant if the flashing’s already warped. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those tape-style flashing repairs instead of caulk?
I’ve tried the tape-style stuff and honestly, it didn’t last through a full winter up here (lots of freeze/thaw). For me, caulk held up better, but I know some folks swear by the tapes. Maybe it depends on how warped the flashing is? If it’s really bent, nothing seems to stick for long.
