Still had to bend some flashing by hand with a rubber mallet... my “custom” work would make a roofer cringe, but hey, no leaks yet.
Honestly, I’d be careful trusting “no leaks yet” as a sign of success. Sometimes those hand-bent flashings hold up for a season or two, but water finds its way in over time—especially on older roofs where things aren’t square. Universal kits rarely account for the weird quirks you get with anything pre-1980s. I’ve seen a lot of “custom” jobs that looked fine until the first big storm rolled through. If you’re set on DIY, at least check it after a heavy rain.
Universal kits rarely account for the weird quirks you get with anything pre-1980s.
That’s the truth. I tried installing a solar fan on my parents’ 70s ranch and nothing lined up how the instructions said it would. Ended up spending more time reshaping flashing than actually mounting the fan. No leaks so far, but I’m still paranoid every time there’s a downpour. Those “custom” bends can look solid, but water’s sneaky—especially if your roof has settled at all.
Those “custom” bends can look solid, but water’s sneaky—especially if your roof has settled at all.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen so many “universal” kits that just don’t play nice with older roofs, especially when the decking isn’t flat anymore. Last time I did a solar fan on a ’68 split-level, I had to fabricate half the flashing from scratch. Even then, I still check it after heavy rain—water always finds the tiniest gap if you’re not careful.
Those “universal” kits are honestly more like “universal headache” kits if you ask me. I’ve been on a few roofs where the decking’s warped just enough that nothing sits flush, and it’s wild how even a tiny dip can throw off the whole install. Last week, I was helping out on a mid-70s ranch with a low slope and the plywood had these little valleys—barely noticeable until you tried to get the flashing tight. Ended up chasing leaks for days after a storm rolled through.
I get why people want to trust the kit instructions, but roofs just aren’t that predictable, especially after decades of settling or patch jobs. Sometimes I think the only “universal” thing about them is that you’ll need a tube of high-quality sealant and a lot of patience. And yeah, I’m with you—water’s basically got a PhD in finding weak spots. Even when you’re sure everything’s sealed, it’ll sneak in sideways or wick up under a shingle if there’s any gap at all.
One thing I’ve started doing is using peel-and-stick membrane under the flashing, especially on older roofs. It’s not foolproof, but it gives me some peace of mind when the decking isn’t perfect. Still, nothing beats going back up there after a big rain and checking for drips... because once water gets in, it’s never just a quick fix.
Funny thing is, I used to think solar fans would be an easy upgrade—just pop ‘em in and forget about ‘em. Turns out, they’re more like an ongoing relationship with your roof. Maybe that’s just part of owning an older house though: nothing ever really goes as planned, but you learn something every time.
Sometimes I think the only “universal” thing about them is that you’ll need a tube of high-quality sealant and a lot of patience.
Ain’t that the truth. I went with a “universal” kit to save a few bucks, but ended up spending more on extra sealant and those peel-and-stick patches than I’d planned. My roof’s got a weird dip near the ridge, so nothing ever lines up like the instructions say. I do like the idea of checking after a big rain—learned that one the hard way when I found a drip right over my laundry room. Guess with old houses, you just have to expect a little improvising... and maybe budget for a few surprises.