even the best seal can’t save a roof that’s already got issues brewing underneath
That’s a good point, but I’ve actually seen deck seals hold up surprisingly well on newer roofs—especially with comp shingles. Flashing is still my go-to for older or steeper roofs, though. Insurance-wise, I’ve only had pushback when the install looked sloppy, not just because of the product choice. Maybe it depends on the adjuster?
I’ve seen the same thing—deck seals seem to do fine on newer comp shingle roofs, at least around here (PNW, so lots of rain). But man, I tried them once on a 90s roof with a weird pitch and it was like playing whack-a-mole with leaks. Maybe I just have bad luck or clumsy hands. Anyone else notice insurance folks get pickier if you use something “new” instead of old-school flashing? Or is that just my paranoid brain talking...
I’ve wondered about the insurance thing too. When I did my install, the adjuster seemed a little skeptical about the deck seals—asked a bunch of questions, wanted to see the specs, that sort of thing. Maybe it’s just because they’re not as familiar with them as old-school flashing? Or maybe I just looked nervous and made them suspicious, who knows.
I’m in western Oregon, so rain is a constant. My roof’s about 15 years old, standard comp shingles, and I went with traditional flashing just because I didn’t want to risk it with the insurance or leaks. I’ve heard from a couple neighbors that deck seals are fine on newer roofs, but like you said, once things get a little older or the pitch is odd, it’s a gamble. I’m not the world’s handiest person either, so I figure simpler is safer for me.
Curious if anyone’s actually had a claim denied because of using deck seals instead of flashing? Or is it just one of those things we all worry about but rarely happens...
I’ve had a few roofs done on rentals, and I’ll say insurance adjusters definitely seem more comfortable with traditional flashing.
That’s been my experience too. One time, after a leak claim, the adjuster actually took photos of the mounts and asked for install docs. No denial, but it felt like they were looking for a reason. Personally, I stick with flashing on anything older than 10 years or if the roof’s got a weird pitch. I just don’t trust those seals long-term, especially in wet climates. Maybe I’m old school, but I’d rather not risk an insurance headache down the road.“the adjuster seemed a little skeptical about the deck seals—asked a bunch of questions, wanted to see the specs, that sort of thing.”
- Definitely seeing the same thing with insurance folks. They just seem to trust flashing more, especially if your roof isn’t brand new.
- Had a roofer try to talk me into deck seals last year. Looked slick, but I kept thinking about all the rain we get here (PNW). Just didn’t want to gamble on something newer when the old way works.
- My place is 15 years old, so not ancient, but not fresh either. Flashing felt like the safer bet. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I’d rather patch a shingle than deal with a denied claim.
- One thing I noticed—some of those deck seals have pretty specific install requirements. If your installer cuts corners or misses a step, you’re probably out of luck if there’s ever an issue.
- Not saying the new stuff is bad, just… feels like there’s more room for error? Maybe in a dry climate it’s fine, but with moss and constant drizzle, I’ll stick with what’s proven.
- Only downside: flashing install was a bit pricier and took longer. Still worth it for peace of mind.