For me, careful shingle integration and flashing have held up better than relying on goop.
I’m with you on that. In my experience, sealant is more of a backup than a primary defense, especially with the temperature swings we get here. Once that stuff cracks, water finds its way in fast. Proper flashing and weaving the shingles right around the fan base has always outlasted any caulk job I’ve seen. I’ll still use a bead underneath for insurance, but I never count on it to do the heavy lifting.
Had a similar situation last summer when I put in a solar attic fan on my old ranch. I figured a good bead of sealant would be enough, but a couple months later, after a heavy rain, I spotted a stain on the ceiling right under the fan. Turns out, the caulk had already started to pull away in spots—probably from the heat cycling we get here in the Midwest.
I ended up pulling a few shingles and redoing the flashing, making sure to tuck it under the upper courses and weave everything tight. It’s a bit more work, but honestly, that’s what finally stopped the leak for good. I still run a thin line of sealant under the flange just for peace of mind, but I don’t trust it to keep water out on its own.
If anyone’s on the fence about taking the extra time to do the flashing right, I’d say it’s worth it. That “quick fix” with goop just doesn’t hold up when the seasons change.
Funny how “just slap some caulk on it” always sounds like a plan until the first real storm rolls through. I learned the hard way too—my first solar fan install, I trusted the sealant and ended up with a soggy attic insulation mess. Flashing is a pain, but it’s the only thing that actually works long-term. Midwest weather just chews up shortcuts. I still keep a tube of caulk handy, but mostly for my nerves, not the roof.
That’s the Midwest for you—one minute you’re feeling clever with a bead of caulk, next minute you’re wringing out your insulation. I get the temptation to just seal and forget, but honestly, flashing is underrated. It’s not glamorous, but it actually respects what water wants to do (which is get *everywhere*). I’m always surprised how many folks skip proper flashing on “eco” installs too... like, if we’re going green, shouldn’t we be thinking long-term? Caulk just feels like wishful thinking when the wind starts howling.
Flashing gets ignored way too often, especially on these “quick” installs. I’ve seen more attic fans cause water headaches than I care to admit, mostly because someone thought a fat bead of caulk was enough. Midwest weather just laughs at that. Wind-driven rain finds every gap, and once it’s in, you’re not just dealing with a little drip—it’s insulation, drywall, sometimes even electrical.
I get why folks want to skip steps—everyone’s in a rush, budgets are tight, and let’s be honest, nobody wants to spend extra time up on a roof if they don’t have to. But I’ve had to chase leaks months after a “simple” fan install because the flashing was either missing or just slapped on as an afterthought. Caulk is fine for touch-ups or minor cracks, but it’s not a real barrier when things get rough.
Curious if anyone’s actually had luck with those prefab flashing kits some of the solar fan companies sell? I’ve only used them once and wasn’t thrilled—felt flimsy compared to custom-bent metal. Maybe it depends on roof type? Most of my headaches have been with asphalt shingles, but I’d imagine tile or metal roofs have their own quirks.
Also wondering how people are handling warranties on these installs. Are manufacturers covering water damage if the flashing fails, or is it all on the installer? I’ve seen some fine print that makes me think twice about who’s really responsible when things go sideways.
Anyone ever regret putting in a solar attic fan because of leak issues down the line? Or maybe found a way to bulletproof the install so you’re not crawling around in wet insulation six months later?
