sometimes patching works for a while, but if you’re seeing new stains after every storm, that’s Mother Nature telling you she’s winning.
That line hits home. I’ve got a 15-year-old asphalt shingle roof and every time it rains hard, I’m half-expecting to see a new brown spot on the ceiling. Is it just me, or do these “potential moisture intrusion” warnings always sound way scarier than they actually are? Like, is it always a sign you need a full replacement, or can you get away with targeted repairs for a few more years?
Also curious—has anyone tried those roof sealant sprays or roll-on coatings? I keep seeing them at the hardware store, but I’m skeptical they’d hold up in real storms. My neighbor swears by them for his flat roof, but I’m not sure if that’s just luck or if there’s something to it.
And does anyone know if insurance ever covers this kind of thing? Or do they just call it “wear and tear” and leave you hanging?
Those “moisture intrusion” warnings always sound like the roof’s about to cave in, but honestly, it’s usually not that dramatic—at least at first. With a 15-year-old asphalt shingle roof, though, you’re right at the point where things start to go downhill faster. If you’re seeing new stains after every storm, that’s a sign water’s getting past the shingles and underlayment somewhere. Patching can buy you time, but if it’s happening in different spots, you’re probably chasing leaks instead of fixing the root problem.
Here’s how I’d break it down:
1. **Targeted repairs**: If it’s just one area (like around a vent or chimney), repairs might hold up for a while. But if you’re seeing stains pop up in new places, that usually means the shingles are losing their granules or curling, and water’s finding its way in all over. At that point, repairs get less effective and more like playing whack-a-mole.
2. **Sealant sprays and coatings**: Those work better on flat roofs than pitched ones. On a sloped asphalt shingle roof, most of those sprays just don’t last. Water runs right under them, and UV breaks them down fast. Your neighbor’s luck might be because flat roofs don’t shed water as quickly, so the coating has a chance to do its job. On shingles, I’ve seen those products peel off after a season or two.
3. **Insurance**: Most policies treat old roofs as “wear and tear,” which isn’t covered. If there’s sudden damage from a storm—like wind tearing off shingles or hail punching holes—you might have a claim. But slow leaks from age? They’ll usually say it’s maintenance you’re responsible for.
If you’re not ready for a full replacement yet, keep an eye on the attic after storms and try to catch leaks early. Sometimes you can get another year or two with spot repairs, but once leaks start multiplying, it’s usually time to start budgeting for a new roof. I’ve seen folks push it too long and end up with rotten decking or mold in the insulation... which is way more expensive than just dealing with the shingles.
If you do go for repairs, make sure whoever does them actually lifts the shingles and checks the underlayment—not just slaps some tar on top. That shortcut never lasts.
I’ll push back a bit on the coatings—there are some newer elastomeric products that actually hold up decently on pitched roofs, especially if you prep right and don’t expect miracles. Not a long-term fix, but I’ve seen ‘em buy folks a couple extra years. Just don’t expect it to look pretty or solve major leaks.
Yeah, I’ve actually gone the elastomeric route myself when I was in a bind. My old place had a 5/12 pitch, asphalt shingles, and a few spots where the granules were just gone. Money was tight, so I hit the worst patches with one of those white coatings after a good cleaning and some primer. Didn’t look great—definitely not curb appeal material—but it held up through two more winters here in Michigan. No big leaks either, just a couple drips when we had heavy wind-driven rain.
I wouldn’t trust it for anything structural or as a fix for rotten decking, but as a stopgap? Yeah, it’ll buy you some time if you’re realistic about what it can do. Prep is everything though. If you slap it on dirty shingles, it’ll peel right off. Not a miracle worker, but sometimes you just need to stretch things out until you can afford a real fix.
- Been there with the patch jobs. Used a white elastomeric on my old shed roof—flat, single layer of worn-out roll roofing.
- Like you said, it’s not a miracle, but it stopped the leaks for a couple years.
- Prep was a pain. Had to scrub off moss and dirt, then wait for a dry stretch (rare in the PNW). Skipped that once and yeah, it peeled right up after the first rain.
- Not wild about the environmental side—most of those coatings aren’t great for runoff, and they don’t really help with heat gain or loss.
- If you’re looking to stretch things out, it works, but I’d lean toward something more sustainable if you can swing it. Even a layer of reflective shingles or a green roof mat can help with insulation and stormwater.
- Still, when money’s tight, you do what you gotta do. Just wish there were more affordable green options for quick fixes...
