Leaking L-feet and what kind of caulk [RE-wrenches]

[Conrad Geyser]

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Two more cents from southern New England:

Typical mounting for 80's thermal systems here would be a pipe pedestal
(about 3" diameter) lagged to rafters, bedded in silicone.  When I say
bedded, I mean the whole thing under and over.  This centered load over a
decent amount of surface area on asphalt shingles has shown no signs of
leakage on the numerous re-roofs we've had to move arrays for.  Not sure if
the L-feet surface area might be a little small for this to work as well and
not sure about this being okay in other climates.  This also generally
applies to hardware under arrays where the roof does not undergo the thermal
stress of direct sun.

Conrad
Cotuit Solar

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Carlson" <scott at carlsonsolar.com>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 7:14 PM
Subject: RE: Leaking L-feet and what kind of caulk [RE-wrenches]


>
> Hi all,
>
> I have used Vulcrum on a lot of pv systems, many are now over 20 years
> old,
> still not seeing any problems with leakages in those older systems. That
> being said, we too have started to use the Quick mount product for extra
> protection.
>
>
> R. Scott Carlson
> Real Goods Carlson Solar
> Southern California V. P.
> of Sales and Installation
> (877)927-0782 (toll free)
> (951)766-8825 (fax)
> (909)633-0782(cell)
> E-mail: scott at carlsonsolar.com
> Websites: Carlsonsolar.com
> RealGoods.com
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Frye [mailto:markf at berkeleysolar.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 9:07 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: RE: Leaking L-feet and what kind of caulk [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Troy,
>
> I can not report failure of a caulk and screw L-foot connection because I
> have never used it.  I only use mechanically flashed connections.  I like
> a
> 1" steel post with a standard galvanized cone flashing.  Recently I have
> also used the Sharp SRS which also has a steel sheet metal flashing.
>
> This is a tricky question because we have not asked about leaks over what
> period of time.  I am not particular impressed by the idea that there may
> have been thousands of composite shingle retrofits completed with caulk
> and
> screw L-feet in the last five years and there are no significant reports
> of
> leakage to date; or even that there have been hundreds completed over the
> last ten years; or even dozens over the last twenty years.
>
> The real question that has to be asked, which can not be answered, is what
> will be the state of affairs in twenty years if a high percentage of many
> thousands of such systems begin to express a consistent failure mode?
>
> Part of the problem is the level of skill and attention given to
> completing
> the caulk and screw connection.  I have a higher level of confidence in a
> connection personally completed by a dedicated skilled wrench that I do in
> one completed by a low skill - low pay laborer.
>
> Mark Frye
> Berkeley Solar Electric Systems
> 271 Vistamont Dr
> Grass Valley CA 95945
> (530) 401-8024
> www.berkeleysolar.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: troy [mailto:taharvey at heliocentric.org]
> Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 6:37 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Leaking L-feet and what kind of caulk [RE-wrenches]
>
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I wanted to survey, out many people have had problems with L-feet
> stand-offs
> leaking over time?
>
> While there are many newer and better looking stand-off products, the
> prices
> can run as much as 10x the cost as good old L-feet. When in high snow load
> areas with feet 2' on center, the cost of feet could get out of control
> very
> fast. Any reasonable cost flashed methods that you've come up with?
>
> The second survey is Silicone or Urethane sealants, which is your favorite
> for sealing lag screws and why?
>
> -Troy Harvey
>
>
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