That roof tape is a total tease—looks good for about a week, then you’re back up there cussing at leaks. I tried something similar on my shed and ended up with a soggy mess after the first real rain. Flashing’s a pain to install, but it’s the only thing that’s held up for me. I’d say, if you’re already up there sweating, might as well do it right and not have to climb back up every season. Gulf humidity doesn’t forgive shortcuts... learned that the hard way too.
Flashing’s a pain to install, but it’s the only thing that’s held up for me.
Can’t argue there—flashing is a hassle but it actually works. I tried to cheap out with peel-and-stick tape when I put in my solar attic fan last year. Looked fine at first, but after two months of summer storms, I had drips coming through the ceiling. Ended up redoing it with proper metal flashing and sealant. If you’re already up there sweating, might as well do it right—even if your wallet complains a bit. Learned that lesson the wet way.
If you’re already up there sweating, might as well do it right—even if your wallet complains a bit. Learned that lesson the wet way.
That’s exactly it—sweating buckets up there, only to have to do it all over again if you cut corners. I’ve seen so many folks try to shortcut with tapes and caulks, especially on newer installs like solar fans or skylights. The thing is, those peel-and-stick products seem convincing in the store, but once you get a few heavy rains or a freeze-thaw cycle, it’s game over. I had a neighbor go through something similar—thought he could get away with just a bead of some “miracle” roof sealant around his attic fan. Fast forward to spring storms and he’s got a brown stain spreading across his ceiling.
I get that flashing’s a pain—especially on steep roofs or with old shingles that don’t want to cooperate. But every time I’ve seen someone skip it, they end up regretting it. The cost of fixing water damage inside is always worse than just doing the flashing right the first time.
Curious what kind of roof you’re working with? Asphalt shingles are one thing, but metal or tile can be a whole different beast with flashing. I’m in the southeast where we get those sideways rainstorms and crazy wind gusts, so anything less than metal flashing is almost guaranteed to fail sooner or later.
Also, did you use any kind of underlayment or ice & water shield under your fan? I’ve started using that around any new roof penetration—just as an extra layer in case water gets past the flashing. Not saying it’s foolproof, but it’s saved me from a headache a couple times.
Funny how these “little” upgrades always turn into bigger projects than you expect... but at least you only have to do them once if you do them right.
I hear you about flashing being the “right” way, but honestly, I think some of the newer tapes and sealants have their place—especially if you’re working with a roof that’s already got a few years on it. I put in a solar fan last summer and used a combo of butyl tape and a flexible flashing boot, then went over the seams with an eco-friendly sealant. We get plenty of rain up here in the Pacific Northwest, and so far, it’s holding up just fine. Maybe I’ll eat my words after a couple more winters, but sometimes those traditional methods don’t always mesh well with older or uneven shingles.
I do agree about underlayment, though. I used an ice & water shield around the cutout, and it gives me some peace of mind. Still, I get a little wary about adding more metal flashing on top of everything—feels like overkill for just one vent, at least in my climate.
Guess it really depends on where you live and how old your roof is. Not every “shortcut” is a disaster, but yeah... you gotta know when to risk it and when not to.
I get where you’re coming from—modern tapes and sealants have come a long way, and with older roofs, sometimes you just have to improvise. Still, I’m a bit cautious about relying on them as the main waterproofing layer, especially in climates with heavy rainfall like the PNW. I’ve seen a few projects where the sealant started to break down after a couple of wet seasons, and hidden leaks can be a pain to track down later. For me, a low-profile metal flashing (even if it feels like overkill) has been more reliable long-term, especially with irregular shingles. That said, your approach sounds pretty solid for now—just keep an eye on it once the rains really set in.