Nailbase panels are interesting—did you run into any issues with the fasteners telegraphing through the shingles, or was that not a problem? I’ve seen some projects where that’s an aesthetic headache. I do like how much easier it is to access wiring or venting later, though. Curious if you had to do any custom flashing details around skylights or vents, or did standard stuff work? Sometimes those little things turn into big headaches...
Curious if you had to do any custom flashing details around skylights or vents, or did standard stuff work? Sometimes those little things turn into big headaches...
We went with standard flashing at first, thinking it’d be fine, but had to tweak it around the skylight—seems like nothing’s ever truly “standard” on an old house. Ended up using some peel-and-stick membrane under the metal flashing for extra insurance. For anyone trying to keep costs down, did you find any budget-friendly solutions for those tricky spots, or is custom work the only way?
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
- I get the urge to just go with standard flashing and hope for the best, but honestly, I’ve had mixed luck. Sometimes it’s fine, other times you’re back up there in a year cursing at yourself.
- On my last place (built in the 40s), I tried to save money by using off-the-shelf flashing kits around a vent pipe. Ended up with a slow leak that took forever to track down. The “universal” stuff never quite fit right—guess that’s what you get with older houses where nothing is square.
- Peel-and-stick membrane is a good call for backup, but those rolls aren’t exactly cheap if you’re covering multiple spots. I’ve seen some folks use heavy-duty roofing tape as a budget alternative under the flashing—worked okay for me on a shed roof, but not sure I’d trust it long-term on the main house.
- One thing I did that helped: used aluminum coil stock (the kind for window trim) to make my own custom flashing pieces. Not fancy, but way cheaper than having something fabricated. Just need tin snips and patience.
- If you’re handy, sometimes layering up with extra caulk or sealant can buy you time, but it’s not really a permanent fix. Learned that the hard way after one too many “quick fixes” turned into bigger repairs later.
- Honestly, I wish there was a true budget solution for these weird spots, but seems like it’s always a trade-off between saving money now and risking more work (and cash) down the line.
Curious if anyone else has found a real workaround that doesn’t involve custom metalwork or shelling out for specialty products every time? Or maybe it’s just part of owning an old house...
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
Has anyone tried using that black rubberized roof cement as a backup under flashing? I keep seeing it at the hardware store and it’s way cheaper than the peel-and-stick stuff, but I’m not sure if it actually holds up over time or just makes a mess. I get nervous about relying on caulk or sealant too much, since like you said, it always seems to be a temporary fix at best.
Also, for those who’ve made their own flashing from coil stock—did you run into any issues with sharp edges or getting it to sit flush against weird angles? I’m not super handy, so I worry about making things worse if I try to DIY it. Is there a trick to getting a decent seal without spending a fortune on specialty tools or materials? Or is it just one of those things where you have to bite the bullet and pay for custom work eventually?
I get nervous about relying on caulk or sealant too much, since like you said, it always seems to be a temporary fix at best.
Honestly, I’ve been down the “quick fix” road with that black roof cement. It’ll buy you some time, but in my experience, it starts to crack and peel after a couple seasons—especially if your roof gets a lot of sun. As for coil stock flashing, yeah, those edges are no joke. I sliced up a pair of gloves (and almost my hand) trying to bend it around a dormer. If you’re not super handy, don’t beat yourself up. Sometimes it’s worth paying for the peace of mind, even if it stings the wallet a bit.
