Funny how the “quick fixes” always end up being more work in the long run.
That’s been my experience too, especially with anything roof-related. Roofing cement seems like a lifesaver when you’re racing against the weather, but it just doesn’t hold up—especially if you’re in a spot with big temperature swings or heavy rain. I’ve seen so many attic fan installs where the initial seal looked fine, but after one season, water found its way in around the flashing.
Low-VOC sealants are definitely a step up, though I’ll admit they can be a pain to work with. One thing I’ve started doing is using a high-quality butyl tape under the flange before applying sealant. It’s not as quick as just slapping on some cement, but it really helps keep things watertight long-term.
If your roof has much of a pitch or you’re dealing with older shingles, sometimes those “easy” installs turn into half-day projects. It’s wild how something that looks straightforward on YouTube ends up being a wrestling match with old nails and brittle shingles... but at least you only have to do it once if you do it right.
I get where you’re coming from—quick fixes rarely hold up, especially on a roof. But have you ever tried a high-quality polyurethane sealant instead of butyl tape? I’ve seen it outperform both roofing cement and some tapes, especially in spots with a lot of movement or expansion. Sometimes I wonder if we overcomplicate things by layering too many products, though. If the flashing is installed right and the shingles overlap properly, shouldn’t that do most of the heavy lifting? Just curious if anyone’s had luck keeping it simple, or if redundancy really is the way to go.
I get the appeal of keeping things simple, but in my experience, sometimes “just the basics” bites you later. When I put in my attic fan last summer, I trusted the flashing and shingle overlap—figured it’d be enough. Fast forward to a heavy rainstorm and I had drips right by the install. Ended up pulling it apart and using both butyl tape and polyurethane sealant. No leaks since, even with all the freeze/thaw cycles we get here. Maybe it’s overkill, but after that headache, I’m more of a “belt and suspenders” guy now.
Maybe it’s overkill, but after that headache, I’m more of a “belt and suspenders” guy now.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen way too many “quick installs” turn into expensive repairs a year or two down the line. It’s tempting to trust the manufacturer’s instructions or the “standard” way, but roofs are just too unforgiving. Especially with all the weird weather swings lately—one good ice dam or wind-driven rain and suddenly you’re chasing leaks.
I’ve had a couple of tenants call about water spots that traced right back to roof penetrations. One was a solar tube, the other a bathroom vent. Both times, the original installer just relied on flashing and a dab of caulk. Looked fine on a sunny day, but the first real storm showed otherwise. Ended up having to pull shingles, reseal everything, and honestly, I went heavier on the sealant than I probably needed. But like you said, after you’ve dealt with drywall repairs and angry phone calls, you start to appreciate a little “overkill.”
That said, I do wonder sometimes if we’re making things harder than they need to be. I’ve seen some old-school installs (think 30+ years) where it’s just flashing and tar, and they’re bone dry. Maybe it’s luck, or maybe the materials were just better back then? Or maybe the difference is in the roof pitch or local climate—flat roofs here are a nightmare, but steep slopes seem to shed water no matter what.
Anyway, I’m with you—if it’s a spot that’s hard to reach or a pain to fix later, I’d rather go too far than not far enough. But I still roll my eyes every time I’m up there with a caulk gun for the third time.
But I still roll my eyes every time I’m up there with a caulk gun for the third time.
I feel this in my soul. My first “easy” attic fan install turned into a full-on comedy sketch—me, three tubes of sealant, and a YouTube video that made it look like a five-minute job. I swear, the more “overkill” I went, the more convinced I was that water would find some new way in. Maybe old tar really was magic, or maybe my roof just likes to mess with me. Either way, next time I’m hiring someone... or at least buying stock in caulk.
