Mixing both methods is actually what I ended up doing too, at least until I could afford a bigger overhaul. My roof’s got a couple of soft spots from old water damage, and the deck seals just never sat flush in those areas. I kept thinking maybe it was just my install skills, but sounds like it’s more common than I realized.
The thing with flashing is, yeah, it’s a pain to work with—especially if you’re trying to get it tight against uneven shingles or weird dips—but at least you can see if something’s going wrong underneath. That saved me last spring when a leak popped up right under one of the solar mounts. The sealant had looked fine from the outside, but water was creeping in under the deck. If I hadn’t pulled up the flashing to check, I’d have never noticed until there was mold in the attic.
I’ve wondered about those newer deck-mounted seals that claim to “self-level” or flex with the roof surface. Have you tried those? A buddy of mine swears by them for newer builds, but on older roofs like ours… not so much. Maybe they’re better for climates that don’t get as much temperature swing? Up here (Michigan), we go from snow to 80 degrees in a week and that expansion/contraction just seems to break down any kind of seal over time.
One thing I do like about using more flashing—even though it takes longer—is that if you ever decide to replace your panels or move them, you’re not left with a bunch of weird holes filled with mystery goop. Just patch the shingle and move on.
Curious if anyone’s tried any of those “green” underlayments or recycled rubber flashings? I’m always looking for something that’s not just landfill fodder after 10 years. If they actually hold up, might be worth the extra cost upfront… but hard to tell from manufacturer claims alone.
Anyway, yeah—the patchwork approach does buy some time, but it feels like chasing leaks is just part of owning an older roof with solar panels mounted. Maybe one day they’ll invent a leak-proof system that actually works on wavy roofs...
Yeah, I hear you on the “mystery goop” situation—pulled up a mount last fall and it was like some kind of archaeological dig under there. I’ve tried those rubber flashings once (the recycled ones), and honestly, they were easier to work with than metal on my lumpy old roof, but after two winters here in Ohio, they’re already starting to curl up at the edges. Not sure I’d trust them for the long haul unless you’re in a milder climate. Still chasing leaks myself... maybe that’s just how it goes with these older roofs.
I’ve had similar issues with the rubber flashings on my old shingle roof—looked neat at first, but after just a couple seasons (I’m in Michigan), the edges started lifting where the sun hits hardest. Wasn’t expecting that so soon, especially since the marketing made them sound like a set-it-and-forget-it deal. I ended up having to patch one spot with roofing cement mid-winter, which was about as fun as it sounds.
Honestly, I’m leaning back toward the old-school aluminum flashing for any new mounts. It’s a pain to cut and shape around uneven shingles, but at least it doesn’t seem to degrade as fast. I’m not wild about the idea of pulling up more shingles, though. My roof’s about 18 years old, and every time I touch it, I find something else that needs fixing.
Has anyone tried those deck-mounted seals that don’t rely on flashing at all? I keep seeing ads for them, but I’m skeptical about how they hold up once water starts sitting on the roof after a heavy rain or snowmelt. Part of me wonders if the real issue is just the age of the roof—maybe nothing will really stop leaks for long unless you’re starting with fresh underlayment.
Curious if anyone’s managed to get a solid seal on an older roof without resorting to a full tear-off? Or is it just patchwork and hope for the best at this point...
