That black goo can be a lifesaver in a pinch, but yeah, once you’re seeing daylight or the shingles are curling, you’re just delaying the inevitable. I always tell folks—patches buy you time, but they rarely fix the root problem. At least you caught it before things got worse. Sometimes ripping off the band-aid and doing a proper repair saves headaches (and money) down the line.
patches buy you time, but they rarely fix the root problem
Couldn’t agree more—patches are like duct tape for the roof. Handy in a storm, but you’re just hoping for no rain till the real fix. I’ve seen folks try to stretch a patch job for a whole season, and it always comes back to bite them. Around here (Midwest), the freeze/thaw cycle just chews up those quick fixes. If you’re seeing daylight, it’s time to call someone before you’re dealing with buckets in the living room.
I get the point about patches being temporary, but sometimes they’re the only thing that makes sense, especially if you’re on a tight budget or waiting for the right season to do a full replacement. I had a spot over my porch that I patched last fall—yeah, it wasn’t pretty, but it held up through the winter. Midwest weather is brutal, but not every patch fails right away. If you use the right materials and keep an eye on it, you can buy yourself a year or two. Not ideal, but sometimes you just can’t swing a full tear-off right away.
Had a similar situation with a patch over my garage—used some leftover EPDM and a can of sealant. Not pretty, but it kept the rain out for two winters. Midwest freeze-thaw cycles are rough, but sometimes you just need a stopgap until you can budget for the real fix.
Not pretty, but it kept the rain out for two winters. Midwest freeze-thaw cycles are rough, but sometimes you just need a stopgap until you can budget for the real fix.
That’s honestly not a bad way to buy yourself some time, especially with how unpredictable Midwest weather gets. I’ve patched more than a few spots with EPDM and sealant myself—sometimes you just need something that’ll hold up through the worst of winter. Did you notice any issues with condensation or ice damming around your patch? I’ve seen quick fixes sometimes trap moisture if the edges aren’t sealed tight, especially on low-slope roofs. Curious how yours held up after those two winters.
