"cheap repairs are expensive,"
Haha, your mentor nailed it with that one. I've learned the hard way myself—tried a quick sealant fix on some flashing around my chimney a few years back. It held up okay for a couple months, but once winter hit... let's just say I got pretty familiar with my attic and buckets.
If you're leaning toward a temporary fix, here's what I'd suggest: clean the area thoroughly first (no shortcuts here), apply the hybrid sealant generously, and smooth it out well to avoid any gaps or bubbles. It'll buy you some time, but keep an eye on it regularly—especially after heavy rain or temperature swings.
But honestly, if you're looking at anything longer than a month or two, I'd bite the bullet and redo the flashing properly. Aluminum flashing isn't too pricey, and if you're comfortable on a ladder and handy with basic tools, it's doable as a weekend project. Just make sure you overlap the pieces correctly and use roofing nails sparingly to avoid creating new leak points.
Trust me, spending a Saturday afternoon now beats dealing with moldy drywall later... been there, done that, not fun.
Yeah, quick fixes can definitely bite you later if you're not careful. I've seen plenty of cases where homeowners thought they'd patched things up nicely, but one big storm rolls through and suddenly they're dealing with water damage and mold remediation bills. A good temporary sealant can hold for a bit, but it's really just kicking the can down the road.
One thing I'd add—if you're going to redo the flashing yourself, make sure you check the condition of the surrounding shingles too. Sometimes flashing issues are just symptoms of a bigger roofing problem. Had a client once who replaced flashing twice before realizing his shingles were shot and letting water underneath.
Have you checked out the condition of your roof around that area? Might save you from doing the same job twice...
Good points on checking the shingles—seen that happen more times than I care to count. Another thing people overlook is the underlayment beneath the flashing. If that's compromised, even brand-new flashing won't keep water out for long. Learned that one the hard way myself a few years back... thought I'd nailed it (literally), but ended up with a soggy attic after a couple heavy rains.
Also, if you're already up there poking around, might be worth considering some upgrades. Aluminum flashing is fine, but copper or galvanized steel can hold up better long-term, especially if you're in an area prone to harsh weather. Costs a bit more upfront, but saves headaches down the road.
And hey, while you're at it, maybe think about the bigger picture—like adding some green roofing elements or better drainage solutions. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but it can really help extend the life of your roof and flashing. Just throwing it out there...
Copper flashing's great, but honestly, I've seen aluminum hold up just fine if installed right. Had a neighbor go all-in on copper—looked amazing—but still ended up with leaks because the installation was rushed. Material matters, but workmanship counts even more...
