- Good point about callbacks—been there, done that, got the ladder scars to prove it.
- But honestly, if it's just minor pitting, I've seen decent results with sanding and a solid primer. Buys you a season or two at least.
- Still, if you're already up there... might as well swap it out and save yourself the hassle later.
- Curious though, anyone ever try those aluminum patch kits? Always wondered if they're worth the trouble or just glorified duct tape...
I've messed around with those aluminum patch kits a couple times, and honestly, they're hit or miss. Had one hold up surprisingly well on a small puncture—got me through two winters before I finally replaced the flashing. But another time, it peeled off after just a few months... might've been my prep work though. Bottom line, they're handy in a pinch, but I wouldn't trust them long-term. If you're already hauling out the ladder, probably better to bite the bullet and swap it out now.
I've seen those patch kits hold up longer than expected too, but honestly, if you're already climbing up there, why not just use roofing sealant instead? I've had better luck with a good-quality polyurethane or silicone sealant—sticks better, flexes with temperature changes, and usually lasts until you're ready for a proper replacement. Those aluminum patches can be finicky about prep work, like you mentioned... sealant's a bit more forgiving if you're not perfect with cleaning the surface. Just my two cents.
Good points about sealant, but honestly, if the flashing's already pretty beat up, sealant alone might not cut it. I'd do a quick clean-up, slap on a small aluminum patch, then seal around the edges with polyurethane. Belt and suspenders approach... hasn't failed me yet.
"I'd do a quick clean-up, slap on a small aluminum patch, then seal around the edges with polyurethane. Belt and suspenders approach... hasn't failed me yet."
Can't argue with the belt-and-suspenders method—it's saved me a few headaches over the years too. But I'm wondering, if the flashing is really beat up, wouldn't it be worth just replacing that section entirely? I've patched things up before only to regret not doing a proper fix later on. Still, your approach sounds solid enough for a quick fix... might give it a shot myself next time I'm in a pinch.
