Curious if anyone’s actually had a patch last through a rough winter, or is that just a unicorn?
- Tried “cold weather” adhesives on aluminum flashing last December (Midwest, lots of freeze-thaw).
- Prep was key—had to dry and rough up the surface, still only got maybe 3 months before edges started peeling.
- Heat gun worked better than hair dryer, but still not a long-term fix.
- Full replacement held up way better—patches just don’t like the constant temp swings.
- Haven’t seen a patch survive a whole winter without at least some lift or leak. Maybe someone’s luckier, but I’m skeptical.
- Midwest winters are brutal on patches, no doubt about it.
- I’ve tried a couple different “all-weather” sealants and tapes over the years (asphalt roof, low pitch, lots of wind). Even with solid prep—wire brush, acetone wipe, heat gun—the best I ever got was maybe 4 months before the corners started curling up or water found its way under.
- The only time I saw a patch last a full season was on a south-facing wall that barely saw snowdrifts. North/east sides? Forget it.
- Honestly, I get why folks want a quick fix when it’s 20 degrees out and you just need to stop a leak. But in my experience, it’s always a band-aid.
- Full replacement is a pain (and not cheap), but I haven’t had to mess with those spots again.
- One thing that helped a bit: overlapping the patch way more than I thought necessary—like 4-6 inches past the damaged area. Still not perfect, but slowed down the failure.
- If you’re dealing with constant freeze/thaw, moisture’s gonna sneak in eventually. I’ve learned to just budget for a proper redo when the weather’s decent.
- Not saying patches never work, but I haven’t met anyone around here who’s had one last a whole winter without at least some touch-up. Maybe it’s different in milder climates?
- Don’t get discouraged though. Sometimes you just need to buy yourself a little time until you can do it right. Nothing wrong with that.
I hear you on Midwest winters chewing up patches, but I’ve actually had a couple hold up okay—at least on my folks’ garage. Used that black butyl tape and overlapped it like crazy, then slapped some aluminum flashing over the top for good measure. It wasn’t pretty, but it survived one nasty winter before we could do a full replacement in spring. Maybe luck, maybe just less wind exposure? I’m not saying it’s a forever fix, but if you layer things right and don’t expect miracles, sometimes you can squeeze out a bit more time than expected. Still, yeah… nothing beats doing it right when you can.
It wasn’t pretty, but it survived one nasty winter before we could do a full replacement in spring.
I get what you’re saying—sometimes you just need something to limp through the season. I tried a similar patch job on my shed roof last year, layering tape and scrap metal, and honestly, it shocked me by holding up through February. But I always wonder, did you notice any moisture getting trapped under all those layers? I’ve had mold sneak in when I’ve gone heavy on the quick fixes. Ever tried using any recycled flashing or more eco-friendly sealants for temporary repairs? I’m always curious if those hold up or if it’s just wishful thinking.
I’ve definitely seen the “patchwork quilt” approach to flashing repairs—sometimes it’s all you can do when the weather turns nasty and you’re out of time. I tried using some recycled aluminum flashing from an old vent hood, plus a tube of that “eco-friendly” sealant (the one that claims to be low-VOC and plant-based). It worked... sort of. The sealant didn’t bond as well in the cold, and I noticed a bit of condensation under the layers when I pulled it off in spring. Not full-on mold, but enough to make me rethink piling on too many materials.
Honestly, I think those quick fixes are just that—quick. They’ll get you through a rough patch, but if there’s any gap or overlap, moisture finds its way in. I’m still curious if anyone’s had better luck with green products, though. Maybe it’s just my luck, but nothing beats a proper replacement once the weather lets up. Still, I get tempted every time I see a roll of scrap metal lying around...
