Quick fix or redo: dealing with damaged aluminum flashing

"Still, replacing sections of aluminum flashing isn't always practical or necessary in every scenario."

Totally agree with you here. A few years back, I had a similar issue on a shed roof - just a small damaged spot, nothing major. Decided to give Sikaflex a shot after prepping the surface carefully. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but it's held up surprisingly well through some harsh summers and winters. Sometimes a thoughtful repair can really save you time and hassle down the road...

- Had similar luck patching with roof tape (Eternabond) a while back.
- Quick clean, stuck it down, and it's been solid ever since.
- Agree that full replacement isn't always worth the hassle unless damage is extensive.

I've had decent luck with Eternabond too, though I gotta admit, the first time I used it, I was skeptical as heck. Thought it was just glorified duct tape, honestly. But hey, it's held up through some nasty storms and hasn't budged an inch yet. Still, there's always that nagging voice in the back of my head wondering if I'm just kicking the can down the road.

Makes me curious - how long do you guys think a quick patch like Eternabond realistically holds up before you're forced into a full replacement? I've heard everything from "a couple seasons" to "forever," but forever sounds suspiciously optimistic to me...

"Thought it was just glorified duct tape, honestly."

Haha, I had the exact same thought when I first encountered Eternabond. I've used it on several aluminum flashing repairs over the years, and honestly, it's surprised me. One job I did about five years ago is still holding strong - no leaks or peeling edges yet. Still, I'd say it's best considered a solid temporary fix rather than a permanent solution. Eventually, UV exposure and weathering will take their toll, so keep an eye on it.

Still, I'd say it's best considered a solid temporary fix rather than a permanent solution. Eventually, UV exposure and weathering will take their toll, so keep an eye on it.

I felt the same skepticism at first, but honestly, Eternabond saved me last winter when I spotted a leak during a storm. Still holding up fine...but yeah, probably smart to treat it as temporary and plan a proper fix eventually.

I've had similar experiences with Eternabond - it's impressive stuff, especially in a pinch. But from what I've seen, aluminum flashing tends to degrade differently depending on climate and exposure. In my case, the south-facing sections took a beating way faster than the shaded areas. UV rays really speed up deterioration, even with quality tape like Eternabond.

Have you noticed any difference in how long these temporary fixes hold up based on orientation or exposure? I'm curious if others have found certain conditions where Eternabond or similar products last significantly longer or shorter. Might help us all gauge when it's time to bite the bullet and do a proper replacement.

I've noticed something similar at my place - south side flashing took a real beating after just one summer. North side still looks decent though, even with the same Eternabond fix. Guess sunlight really does make a difference... might be worth keeping an eye on it.

Interesting observation about the sunlight exposure... makes me wonder if the Eternabond fix holds up differently depending on the angle or intensity of sunlight. Have you noticed any difference in durability between vertical and horizontal surfaces? I'm also curious if anyone's tried adding some kind of UV protectant coating over Eternabond to extend its lifespan. Could that even work, or would it mess with adhesion?

I've noticed Eternabond generally holds up pretty well regardless of orientation, but horizontal surfaces definitely seem to take a bit more beating from UV exposure and weather. On roofs or horizontal flashing, water pooling and direct sunlight intensity can accelerate wear compared to vertical applications, where water tends to shed quickly and sunlight hits at a less direct angle.

As for adding a UV protectant coating over Eternabond... that's an interesting idea. My gut feeling is that it might interfere with adhesion if applied directly underneath the tape, but applying something over the top afterward could potentially help extend its lifespan. I've never personally tried it, though I have seen cases where people painted over Eternabond with reflective roof coatings or elastomeric paints. Those seemed to hold up fine, at least from what I could tell.

One thing I'd be cautious about is compatibility - some coatings might chemically react with the Eternabond adhesive or surface material, causing premature breakdown or peeling. If anyone's considering this, I'd definitely recommend testing on a small area first and giving it some time to see how it holds up before committing to the whole job.

Has anyone here actually done a long-term test with a UV coating or paint over Eternabond? I'd be curious about real-world results rather than just theory...

"I've never personally tried it, though I have seen cases where people painted over Eternabond with reflective roof coatings or elastomeric paints."

Funny you mention that - I actually did exactly this on my camper roof about three years ago. Used a white elastomeric coating right over the Eternabond tape. Honestly, it's held up surprisingly well. No peeling or weird reactions so far, and the tape underneath still looks solid. I'd definitely second your advice to test a small patch first though... better safe than sorry.

Did something similar on my shed roof a couple years back - Eternabond tape covered with elastomeric paint. Honestly expected it to peel or bubble eventually, but nope, still holding strong. Guess sometimes the lazy fix actually works out...

"Honestly expected it to peel or bubble eventually, but nope, still holding strong."

Had similar doubts myself when I patched up some flashing with Eternabond a while back. Checked it regularly, expecting issues, but it's been solid for over three years now. Sometimes the simplest fixes really do outperform expectations... guess it's not always about complexity, but about choosing the right materials and prep. Glad yours worked out too.

Had a similar experience myself - patched some flashing years ago, figured it'd be temporary at best. Still solid today. Sometimes the simplest solutions surprise you... good prep and quality materials really do pay off in the long run. Glad yours held up too.

Yeah, it's funny how often those quick fixes end up lasting way longer than you'd expect. I remember helping my uncle patch some flashing on his garage roof a couple years back. We didn't have much time, just cleaned it up good and slapped on some sealant and aluminum tape - figured we'd be back up there in a few months doing it "properly." But last summer when I checked it out, the patch was still holding strong. Honestly, it surprised both of us.

You're right though, prep work makes all the difference. Even a quick fix can last if you clean the surface properly and use decent materials. I've seen guys rush through jobs without prepping right, and sure enough they're back fixing leaks after the first heavy rain. Learned pretty quickly that taking an extra 10 minutes to do things right saves hours down the road.

Glad to hear your patch job is still solid too. Always nice when something simple works out better than planned... makes you feel like you're getting the hang of things.

Yeah, prep definitely helps, but honestly I've had mixed luck with aluminum tape. Sometimes it holds forever, other times it's peeling after one winter... I usually keep an eye on it and have a backup plan ready just in case.

Yeah, totally get where you're coming from with aluminum tape - it's hit or miss for sure. One thing I've noticed helps is making sure the flashing is bone-dry and warm before applying the tape. Also, pressing it down firmly with a roller or even the handle of a screwdriver can boost adhesion. But honestly, if it's a spot that's constantly exposed or tricky, sometimes just biting the bullet and replacing that section of flashing saves headaches down the road... Learned that one the hard way myself.

Couldn't agree more about biting the bullet. Tape's great for a quick fix, but honestly, if you're dealing with a spot that's constantly exposed or gets battered by weather, you're just delaying the inevitable. I spent hours wrestling with aluminum tape and rollers one weekend, only to watch it peel up again after a couple storms. Ended up replacing that section entirely - should've done it from the start and saved myself the headache (and the colorful language). Lesson learned, I guess...

Totally get your point about tape peeling up, but I wouldn't dismiss aluminum tape completely. Could it be more about prep work or the brand you're using? I've had some luck with high-quality stuff when I thoroughly cleaned and primed the area first. Held up surprisingly well through a couple rough winters. Maybe there's a middle ground between a quick fix and a total redo? Just throwing that out there...

"Maybe there's a middle ground between a quick fix and a total redo?"

That's exactly what I was thinking. I've had decent results patching small areas with aluminum tape too, but prep really is key. Cleaning thoroughly and using a good primer made all the difference for me. Also, pressing it down firmly with a roller helped it stick better. It's held up nicely so far, even through some heavy rainstorms. Definitely worth trying before committing to a full replacement, especially if you're on a budget...

"Cleaning thoroughly and using a good primer made all the difference for me."

Totally agree about the prep step being crucial. I remember helping my neighbor patch up his flashing last spring - he tried skipping the primer at first, thinking it wasn't necessary, and the tape peeled off within weeks. After we redid it properly (primer included this time), it's been solid ever since. Just goes to show, shortcuts rarely pay off, even with quick fixes...