I get the argument for just redoing the flashing if you’re seeing stains or warping, but sometimes a full redo isn’t practical—especially if you’re dealing with a small section and the rest of the roof’s in good shape. I’ve had success with targeted repairs, as long as you really dig in and check for hidden rot or soft spots first. If it’s just a minor leak and the decking underneath is solid, a careful patch (with compatible metals and proper sealant) can buy you a few more years. Not ideal long-term, but sometimes you need that breathing room before tackling a bigger project.
I get where you’re coming from—sometimes a full replacement just isn’t in the cards, especially if you’re managing costs or dealing with a section that’s otherwise holding up. I’ve patched up aluminum flashing on a few older buildings, and as long as you’re careful about checking for soft decking or water intrusion underneath, a targeted repair can definitely extend the life of that area.
One thing I’ve noticed, though: if you’re in an area with a lot of freeze/thaw cycles (I’m in the Midwest), those quick fixes don’t always hold up as long as you’d hope. Sealants can crack or pull away after a couple of rough winters. If you go the patch route, it helps to use high-quality sealant and make sure the metals are compatible—mixing metals can cause corrosion over time, which is a headache nobody needs.
Long-term, I still lean toward replacing the whole run of flashing when possible, just for peace of mind. But yeah, sometimes you need to buy some time before tackling a bigger project... just keep an eye on it after heavy storms or temperature swings.
Had to laugh at the “headache nobody needs” part—mixing metals is like inviting drama to your roof party. I’m in tornado alley, so patch jobs here are basically a dare to Mother Nature. Tried a high-end sealant once, swore it’d outlive me… then a spring hailstorm chewed it up in a week. Ever had luck with those peel-and-stick flashing tapes? I’m torn between trying them or just biting the bullet and redoing the whole section next time.
Peel-and-stick tapes are hit or miss for me—depends a lot on how clean you can get the surface and if the temps are right when you apply. Are you dealing with a lot of overlapping seams, or is it mostly one big run? Sometimes the tape just doesn’t hold up to wind-driven rain in those tricky spots.
Sometimes the tape just doesn’t hold up to wind-driven rain in those tricky spots.
- Preach. Had a job last fall where the tape looked perfect... until the first sideways rain. Ended up chasing leaks for weeks.
- Overlapping seams are always the troublemakers. If it’s just one big run, you’ve got a fighting chance, but corners and overlaps? That’s where the gremlins live.
- Cleanliness is next to leaklessness. I’ve seen guys slap tape over dusty flashing and wonder why it peels up like a bad sticker.
- If temps drop below 50°F, forget about it. Tape turns into a stubborn noodle.
Honestly, sometimes a quick fix is just a bandaid on a busted pipe.
