“I usually recommend a careful inspection and, where possible, a primer—especially for older or weathered shingles.”
That’s spot on. I’ve seen peel-and-stick fail even on roofs that looked fine at first glance. Primer can feel like overkill, but it really does make a difference, especially if you’re dealing with any kind of dust or leftover granules. Freeze-thaw cycles are brutal—what sticks in September might be peeling by March. I’d rather spend an extra hour up front than chase leaks later.
I hear you on the primer front. I used to think it was just another upsell from the hardware store, but after dealing with a few “mystery leaks” in one of my older duplexes, I’m a convert. Those peel-and-stick products are like that one friend who promises to help you move and then bails halfway through—looks good at first, but not always reliable. Especially if you’re in a spot that sees a lot of freeze-thaw or wind-driven rain. A little extra prep now saves a ton of headaches (and ceiling stains) later.
Yeah, those peel-and-stick jobs seem quick but they just don’t hold up when you get a real storm. I learned the hard way too—thought I could skip the primer and ended up chasing leaks for months. A little extra work definitely pays off.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with peel-and-stick on a couple of installs—granted, I’m in a milder climate (coastal South Carolina), so maybe that’s part of it. The trick for me was making sure the surface was bone dry and rolling it down hard. I did use primer once and honestly didn’t notice much difference, but I can see how skipping it could be risky somewhere with harsher storms. Still, sometimes the “extra work” doesn’t always guarantee better results if the conditions are right. Just my two cents—sometimes shortcuts work, sometimes they don’t...
Still, sometimes the “extra work” doesn’t always guarantee better results if the conditions are right.
Funny how that works. I’m in the Midwest, and I tried peel-and-stick on my garage roof last fall. Thought I nailed it—surface was dry, temps were good, but after one gnarly thunderstorm, a corner started to lift. Maybe it’s just our wild weather, but I’m starting to think the “extra work” is worth it here. Not a fan of redoing stuff, especially when I thought I was being clever the first time...