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

Tue Jul 1 17:14:05 PDT 2008

Chris -

You're dead right, I misspoke. Thanks for pointing this out and I agree with
your flashing assessments.

-August 

August Goers
VP, Engineering

Luminalt Energy Corporation
O:  415.564.7652
M:  415.559.1525
F:   650.244.9167
www.luminalt.com
august at luminalt.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Anderson [mailto:canderson at borregosolar.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:15 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: RE: Leaking L-feet and what kind of caulk [RE-wrenches]

August,

I am confused on your assessment that Sika 1-a is compatible with comp
shingles. What do you make of the last statement on the limitations page for
Sikaflex 1-A?

-Do Not use in contact with bituminous / asphaltic materials.

While it has worked great for us in the past, once we read this, we
contacted Sika Corp. and found that they do not authorize (and therefore
warranty) their product to come into contact with asphaltic materials. Upon
discovery, we re-visited our installation methods and further researched
standards with the National Roofing Contractors Association. We found that
the NRCA does not authorize the installation of non flashed penetrations.

The roofing industry depends on multiple entities to ensure quality, and
therefore the NRCA Building Code Manual Second Edition. under the heading
asphalt roofs states:
IBC: Section 1503.2.1 "Flashing shall be installed at gutters. . . . and
around roof openings" . . .
 "Where flashing is of metal the metal shall be corrosion resistant with a
thickness of not less than 0.019"
IRC: Section R903.2 "flashings shall be installed in such a manner so as to
prevent moisture . . . . and other penetrations through the roof plane."

NFPA 5000:   Section 38.8 "Flashing and counter flashing shall be provided
at all junctures of roofs and vertical surfaces at valleys and around all
roof penetrations"

BOCA national building code: Section 1508.1 "Flashings are required at wall
and roof intersections at gutters . . . .and around all roof openings".

SBC: Section 1503.2.1 (same BOCA 1508.1)

The following are industry manuals for "best practices" which are referred
to in the roofing manufacturer's warranty
ARMA (Asphalt Roofing Manufacture's Association) see ARMA manual for steep
roofs
SMACNA (Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning National Association) deals
NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) see NRCA's Best Practices &
Guideline Manual

In order to protect ourselves from a potential negligence claim (for which
the statute of limitations become forever as the necessity for flashed
penetrations was mentioned repeatedly in both the codes books and "best
practices" manuals) we made the switch to flashing all of our penetrations.

While there are many ways to skin a cat, I think that the PV industry as a
whole needs move toward standardized construction techniques and the NRCA
has clearly stated their best practices techniques.

Chris Anderson
Chief Operations Officer
NABCEP Certified Solar Installer
Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
205 Industrial Avenue East
Lowell, MA 01852
Office - 978-513-2635
Cell - 603-732-2411
Fax -  617-209-1288

Borrego Solar is solving the world's energy problems by accelerating the
adoption of renewable energy. Our people are committed to excellence in
every aspect of solar design and construction.

This e-mail message may contain privileged or confidential information. If
you are not the intended recipient, you may not view, disclose, use,
disseminate, distribute, copy, or rely upon this message or attachment in
any way. If you received this e-mail message in error, please return by
forwarding the message and its attachments to the sender and delete the
message. Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. and its affiliates do not accept
liability for any errors, omissions, corruption or virus in the contents of
this message or any attachments that arise as a result of e-mail
transmission.

-----Original Message-----
From: August Goers [mailto:august at luminalt.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 10:10 AM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Leaking L-feet and what kind of caulk [RE-wrenches]

Troy -

Good question. We've never had a leak with probably about 40 L-feet and
SikaFlex based systems installed. However, about two years ago we switched
over to all fully flashed systems just to assure that leaks will never be a
problem. A lot of research went into this decision. First off, the regular
SikaFlex Construction sealant (like the type sold at Home Depot
http://www.sikaconstruction.com/tds-cpd-SikaflexConstructionSealantCC-us.pdf
) is not compatible with asphalt products including comp shingles. Call Sika
Corp if you want to hear it first hand. The sealant itself is great but it
tends to loose its bond with the shingle over the years - I learned this
from talking to many many roofers and checking up on our old systems. As
long as it was generously applied into all the holes it will probably last a
long time but I wouldn't use it again. Sikaflex 1-A 1-part polyurethane
elastomeric sealant (http://www.sikacorp.com/tds-cpd-sikaflex1a-us.pdf ) is
 compatible with comp shingles and is extremely durable. We've also been
using Geocel 2300
(http://www.geocelusa.com/php/oic/product.php?prdb_product_id=7 ) which has
just about every positive attribute imaginable including a 50 year service
life. Butyl rubber is a also really durable.

All that said, we either install standoffs with standard cone style
flashings sealed with Sika 1-A or Geocel topped with a storm collar or use
Quickmount flashings. Quickmounts are a bit pricey but really fast and low
to the roof.

Oatey flashings tend to crack over the years and they only have a one year
warranty.

Interested in hearing what other folks have to say, especially the old
timers.

-August

 August Goers

Luminalt Energy Corporation
4000 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122

Office:  415.564.7652
Mobile:  415.559.1525
august at luminalt.com
www.luminalt.com

----- Original Message ----
From: troy <taharvey at heliocentric.org>
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 6:37:07 PM
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

On Jun 30, 2008, at 4:43 PM, Dan Brown wrote:

>
>
> thanks for the reply. single phase 240V. db
>
> Dan Brown
> President
> Foxfire Energy Corp.
> Renewable Energy Systems
> (802)-483-2564
> www.Foxfire-Energy.com
> NABCEP #092907-44
>
>
> **************
> Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos
> for fuel-efficient used cars.
>
> (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)
>
> --
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> - - - -
> Hosted by Home Power magazine
>
> To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>
> Archive of previous messages:
http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read
>
> List rules & how to change your email address:
www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php
>
> Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/
>
> Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
>
>
>

- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address:
www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address:
www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address:
www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com

- - - -
Hosted by Home Power magazine

To send a message: RE-wrenches at topica.com

Archive of previous messages: http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/read

List rules & how to change your email address: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquette.php

Check out participant bios: www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/

Moderator: michael.welch at homepower.com
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: michael.welch at re-wrenches.org

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bz8Qcs.bz9JC9.bWljaGFl
Or send an email to: RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=TEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------