[RE-wrenches] to flash or not to flash

Conrad Geyser conradg at cape.com
Thu Aug 6 11:59:05 PDT 2015


Hi fellow Wrenches,

Flashing -

We have ~30 years experience with ~700 systems dating back to 1980 here in
the Northeast primarily on asphalt shingles.

Standard attachment method on these historic systems and currently for us
is a lagged foot bedded in silicone.  We've seen no leaks including the
historic systems as long as there was solid attachment to framing and the
foot size was big enough to not crush the roofing.

Our current technique is to use a single lag through the center of a 1.5" x
5" foot.  Bed the foot 100% and run the lag in coated as well.   Fillet all
"gush out" (you can look these terms up  :  >). Don't use GE silicone below
45F - it will never cure.

For aspahlt here in the NE, I feel as though the flashing products are OK
but actually create more roof liability as they require the releasing of
shingles at a minimum.

Conrad Geyser
Cotuit Solar LLC
NAPCEP PV and Thermal







On Thu, Aug 6, 2015 at 1:16 PM, Matt Partymiller <
matt at solar-energy-solutions.com> wrote:

> Daniel,
>
> My answer is to flash until others prove me wrong.
>
> I am in the same position you are, speaking to the same manufacturers you
> are, and probably dealing with the same low competitor pricing you are.
> These products sure sound tempting.
>
> Over the past decade I have probably removed a dozen 80's era hot air or
> hot water systems that were directly attached to roofs (installed by
> others).  In every instance the roof was a complete mess and required deck
> replacement.  I now tell homeowners just to contact a roofer and have them
> dispose of the collectors in the process of re-roofing - we will come out
> after the new roof is in place.
>
> I think you summed up the sealant problem quite well.  I sell my systems
> as a 25 year product.  I am not satisfied that butyl is a 25 year answer.
> Until someone convinces me otherwise, I will relate as much to my
> customers and proceed with proper flashings.
>
> Good poll.
>
> Matt
>
>
> Matthew Partymiller
> Solar Energy Solutions LLC
> (877) 312-7456
> matt at solar-energy-solutions.com
>
>
> On Thu, August 6, 2015 12:47 pm, Daniel Young wrote:
> > Writing the subject above, it seems like I've heard this question on the
> > wrench list before, but I could not find it in my old email archives.
> Feel
> >  free to pint me back to the old discussion if it's there.
> >
> >
> >
> > I've been using a flashing based roof attachment for 8+yrs now (quick
> > mount or similar). Now we are looking at Rail-less systems  (quick rack
> is
> > a good example). There is also a non-flashed rail-less racking from
> > roof-tech http://roof-tech.us/ . I've always been of the opinion that
> > simply crushing some sealant/gasket onto an asphalt shingle work fine at
> > first (the test data from roof-tech is impressive), but would be an issue
> > 10+yrs down the
> > road (thermal expansion movement, freeze/thaw, etc). I can make a good
> > waterproof seal at first by just slathering some butyl/silicone to an
> > L-foot
> > and cranking it down on the shingles, but that practice really
> disappeared
> >  8+yrs ago.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Maybe consider this a Poll: (to flash, or not to flash)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > With Regards,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Daniel Young,
> >
> >
> > NABCEP Certified PV Installation ProfessionalTM: Cert #031508-90
> >
> >
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