I’ve seen caulk fail more times than I can count, especially once the sun starts baking it.
Yeah, I learned that lesson the hard way—my “waterproof” caulk job lasted about as long as a cheap umbrella in a hurricane. I had to lift a few shingles, but I tried to keep it minimal since those 3-tabs crack if you look at them funny. Ended up sliding the flashing under the first course and crossing my fingers. Butyl tape is my new best friend... way less messy than caulk, and it actually sticks.
Butyl tape’s a game changer, honestly. I’ve had mixed luck with caulk too—especially on south-facing slopes where the sun just cooks everything. Did you notice any issues with the shingles laying flat again after you lifted them? Sometimes mine never quite settle back down.
Yeah, I’ve definitely had a few shingles that never sat quite right after I lifted them—especially on my west side where the afternoon sun just bakes everything. Sometimes they eventually relax, but a couple have stayed a bit wavy. Did you end up using any heat or weight to help them settle, or just let nature do its thing?
I’ve noticed the same thing with shingles not laying flat again, especially after being disturbed for a project. On a couple spots, I tried using a heat gun on low just to soften them up, then pressed them down with a flat board for a bit. It helped some, but not perfect. Did you see any issues with leaks or wind getting under the wavy ones? I always worry about that on the windward side.
Did you see any issues with leaks or wind getting under the wavy ones? I always worry about that on the windward side.
Yeah, that’s my main concern too. I had a few spots after installing my attic fan where the shingles just never quite laid back down, even after trying to warm them up with a hair dryer (didn’t have a heat gun handy). I’m in the Midwest, so we get those nasty gusts, and sure enough, one of the lifted tabs started flapping during a spring storm. Didn’t get a leak, but it definitely made me nervous.
If you’re on a budget like me, I’d say try some roofing cement under the lifted spots—just a thin layer—and press them down with something heavy for a day or two. It’s not perfect, but it helped mine sit flatter and hasn’t budged since. Replacing shingles feels like overkill if they’re still in good shape.
That said, if you’ve got a lot of wavy ones on the windward side, it might be worth keeping an eye out after storms. Sometimes it’s just inevitable with older shingles—nothing ever seems to go back as flat as before once you mess with them...
