[RE-wrenches] L feet no flashing in shingle roof

[Max Balchowsky]

In the "early days" before a lot of the manufactured mounting systems became prominent we used a stainless rod hanger. it was 6 inches long with 4 in of lag and 2 inches of thread. we'd put on a fender washer and bolt, filled the hole with a product called "through the roof" - a fifty year sealant. We had used power strut for years as a commercial electrical contractor so we'd put strut between two stainless bolts and washers then use a custom t-clamp with bolt and a spring nut. There were no flashings, just a good seal under the washer. I've got dozens of systems installed like that, years old. No leaks. The important thing was hitting the rafter in the center and getting good torque on the bolt. I've come in behind other contractors over the years to fix leaks and more often than not they missed the rafter or were on the edge so it eventually became loose.

 
Max Balchowsky
Design Engineer
SEE Systems
1048 Irvine Ave Suite 217
Newport Beach, Ca. 92660
760-403-6810


________________________________
 From: Drake <drake.chamberlin at redwoodalliance.org>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> 
Sent: Monday, July 2, 2012 3:58 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] L feet no flashing in shingle roof
 

How do you flash your L feet without using a standoff? 

At 07:49 AM 7/2/2012, you wrote:

I've found that the Flashed
L-Foot connection costs about $0.10/w on a typical residential system,
and only adds about 1/4-1/2" to the height, which can be minimized
using the slotted holes in a typical L-Foot. We need a lot of attachments
for 172 mph design wind speeds around here. Flashings at $500 for a 5kW
seems high, especially now as the percentage of the system price
increases. That being said, I would install L-Foot flashings on my own
roof - no exceptions.
>
>On the other hand, I've seen sealed lag screw connections work with solar
pool heating systems for decades without indication of problems. A
variety of sealants were used in the "old days" but most
recently Sikaflex 1A (which incidentally is not indicated for asphaltic
roofs) and Geocell 2300 have worked great.
>
>My 10 cents, :)
>
>Jason Szumlanski
>Fafco Solar
>
>
>On Fri, Jun 29, 2012 at 10:49 AM, jay peltz
<jay at asis.com> wrote:
>
>I have had  the opportunity in the past few years to learn a lot
about good roofing waterproofing practices according to the national
roofers association.
>
>
>They don't agree that caulk works as the primary means of sealant,
which is what you are doing with an L foot.
>
>
>And given that we have really good off the shelf approved flashed
feet, why would you use anything else?
>
>
>My 2 cents,
>
>
>Jay
>
>
>peltz power
>
>
>
>On Jun 29, 2012, at 5:16 AM, Glenn Burt wrote:
>
>
>We have used a variety of sealants over the years, and determined
simple Henry roofing cement is the best product for use on comp
roofing.
>>
>> 
>>
>>We also used to bend our own L-foot flashing, which we cut from
standard Al coil stock (before all the manufactured options were
available). This might be a good option for you in this case.
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>>
>>Glenn
>>
>> 
>>
>>From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of
Drake
>>
>>Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2012 6:40 PM
>>
>>To: RE-wrenches
>>
>>Subject: [RE-wrenches] L feet no flashing in shingle roof
>>
>> 
>>
>>I'm quoting a job that has an existing array with L feet bolted down
to a shingle roof with no flashings.  I want to match the height of
the existing array.  Also some modules are being worked in around
skylights where it is unlikely that room would be available for flashings
to center over rafters.
>>
>>
>>I've always used flashings.  Would it be completely crazy to
follow suit of the existing array and bolt L feet straight to the shingle
roof with good roof sealant?  If so, how would you seal it?
>>
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>
>>Drake 
>>
>>
>>Drake Chamberlin         
>>
>>ATHENS ELECTRIC LLC
>>
>>OH License 44810        
>>
>>CO license 3773
>>
>>NABCEP Certified PV
>>
>
>
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Drake
Chamberlin          
ATHENS ELECTRIC LLC
OH License
44810         
CO license 3773
NABCEP Certified PV

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