“Peel-and-stick flashing tape actually held up better than I expected on a small section, but it’s definitely just a patch—not a fix. After one season, I noticed the edges starting to curl where water pooled, and it didn’t stick well to dusty or textured surfaces.”
That lines up with my experience—tried the tape as a stopgap last year when I found a small leak by the back porch. Here’s what I learned (the hard way):
- Tape worked okay for maybe 5-6 months, then started peeling at the corners. Once water got underneath, it was game over.
- Any kind of dirt or rough surface = wasted effort. Even after scrubbing, it didn’t bond great.
- Sun exposure made it brittle faster than I expected (I’m in southern NM, so lots of UV).
Aluminum’s been my go-to too. It’s cheap(ish), cuts easy, and if you’re careful with the bends, you can get it tight against odd shapes. Did have to redo one section after a windstorm loosened some nails—learned to use screws instead for better hold.
Copper looks amazing but yeah...not in my budget either. Honestly, I don’t see the point unless you’re restoring an old house or want zero maintenance for decades.
PVC’s tempting since it won’t rust, but I’ve seen it get chalky and brittle on south-facing walls around here. Maybe it holds up better somewhere less sunny?
One thing I wish I’d done differently—should’ve checked the attic sooner. Like you said, water finds its way everywhere. A tiny gap above a window led to brown stains halfway across the ceiling before I even noticed outside.
My advice if you’re trying to save money:
- Patch only if you’re desperate or waiting for better weather.
- Full replacement is more work upfront but way less stress long-term.
- Don’t skimp on sealant—cheap caulk = repeat leaks.
If anyone’s had luck with synthetic flashing (not just tape), curious how it holds up in real-world conditions?
Synthetic flashing (like those flexible rubberized rolls, not just the tapes) has actually surprised me a bit. Used it on a tricky dormer edge about three years back—still holding up, no leaks so far. It’s definitely easier to work with around odd shapes than metal, but I’d only trust it if you get a good overlap and use plenty of high-quality sealant. The stuff’s not invincible though... UV will eventually get to it, especially in spots that see direct sun all day. If you’re dealing with a lot of expansion/contraction from temperature swings, it can start to pull away over time. For quick repairs or weird corners, I’d use it again, but for long straight runs I still stick with aluminum.
I’m with you on the synthetic stuff being a lifesaver for weird corners. I used it around a vent pipe last fall—way easier than trying to bend metal, and it sealed up tight. But I did notice after our first hot spell, one edge started to curl a bit where I didn’t overlap enough. If I had to do it again, I’d double-check the overlap and maybe even add a mechanical fastener in spots that get a lot of sun. For long, straight runs, I still trust metal more... just feels more permanent, especially with all the freeze/thaw cycles we get here.
I hear you on the synthetic stuff for tricky spots—it’s a real timesaver, but I’ve seen it curl or even shrink up in direct sun, especially if there’s not enough overlap or it’s not pinned down. Had a customer last summer who thought he’d nailed it (literally), but after a couple heat waves, water started tracking underneath where the edge lifted. For long runs, I still lean metal too. It just handles the wild temp swings better. If you’re worried about those corners, maybe try a combo—synthetic tucked under metal flashing, then seal the edges. Not perfect, but it’s held up better for me than either one alone.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had better luck with the newer synthetics than metal in some spots—especially on older homes where the decking’s a little uneven. Metal’s solid, but it can telegraph every dip and bump, and if you don’t get that bend just right at the corners, water finds a way. I know you mentioned
—that’s not a bad move, but I’ve seen some of those sealants let go after a couple seasons if there’s flexing. Honestly, for me, it comes down to how much movement that area gets and if the sun’s beating on it all day. Sometimes just swapping out for heavier gauge metal does the trick, even if it costs a bit more up front.“synthetic tucked under metal flashing, then seal the edges”
