I’m with you on the caulk—used to swear by it, but after a couple freeze-thaw cycles, it just doesn’t hold up. I tried one of those “no-caulk” gaskets last year on my shed roof (asphalt shingles, northeast), and honestly, I was surprised. Still looks tight, even after a brutal winter. I did throw some flashing tape under the flange too, just in case. Maybe overkill, but I’d rather not be up there fixing leaks in February. Guess time will tell if it’s really maintenance-free, but so far, no regrets.
I hear you on the overkill—honestly, I’d rather slap on too much flashing than not enough. Those “no-caulk” gaskets seemed a bit gimmicky to me at first, but now I’m kinda curious. Did you notice any weird noise from the fan after install? Mine started rattling a bit after a cold snap and I’m not sure if it’s the gasket or just my luck...
That rattle after a cold snap sounds all too familiar. I had something similar happen last winter with a solar fan I put in myself. At first, I blamed the gasket too—figured it was getting stiff or shrinking in the cold and letting the housing vibrate. Turned out, it was actually the fan blades shifting just a hair on the spindle because of the temperature change. The gasket was fine, but the cold made the plastic a bit more brittle and noisy.
I get your skepticism about those no-caulk gaskets. I thought they were just another way to charge a few extra bucks, but after wrestling with sticky goop and messy caulk for years, I finally tried one on a whim. Not perfect, but it did save me some cleanup and it hasn’t leaked yet (knock on wood). Still, I wouldn’t trust it alone if you’re in a spot with crazy wind or big temp swings. I doubled up with some flashing just in case—probably overkill, but I’d rather be safe than patching leaks in January.
If you’re hearing rattling only after a freeze, maybe check if any mounting screws backed out a little? Sometimes the expansion and contraction can work them loose, especially if the roof decking isn’t super thick. I’ve had to snug mine up every spring. Also, if your attic gets really dry in winter, wood shrinkage might be part of it too.
Honestly, these “easy” installs always come with some little surprise. But if you’ve got decent flashing and the gasket’s not cracked or pinched, you’re probably fine. Just keep an ear out—if it gets worse, maybe pop up there and give things a wiggle.
I still think a bit of overkill is better than waking up to water stains on the ceiling...
Honestly, these “easy” installs always come with some little surprise.
That’s the truth. Every “simple” project seems to have a hidden gotcha. You’re doing all the right things by checking for loose screws and keeping an eye on the gasket. I’ve seen even pro installs need a tweak after a cold snap—materials just move more than you’d think. If it’s just a rattle and not a leak, you’re ahead of the game.
Funny how “should be done in an hour” turns into half a Saturday, right? I see this all the time—attic fans especially. Last year, I checked one where the installer missed a single shingle overlap and it dripped after every heavy rain. Did you notice any odd gaps under the flashing, or is it just vibration? Sometimes the fan housing shifts a hair after a big temp swing and that’s all it takes. Curious if you’re dealing with composite shingles or metal—makes a difference for movement.
