Ed the Roofer

Due to many reports from Roofing Contractors that have in recent years, begun to have to do tear-offs on roofs that have Ice and Water Shield installed, especially the Grace Brand, which is the leader of the pack and the tackiest, a general observation being suggested is to add the felt paper over the Ice and Water Shield, to prevent severe adhesion to the bottom side of the shingles, in the event that a repair of some of the shingles needs to be addressed. Ed

See picture 1 in post #17 above. That is either a Certainteed Horizon Shangle with an "Applique" which is an additional amount of asphalt for the slightly different color or the IKO brand of a similar style. Both have had numerous lawsuits regarding the cracking issues through the applique layers. The wrong material were used on the hip and ridge caps. Ed

Also, the SMACNA Manual finds it as an acceptable alternative, but those guys don't put their drawings or specs online to see, so you have to own the CD or book. I agree that the exposed caulk, even if the best available is used, will dry out and deteriorate, yet if the sealant is sandwiched in behind the metal and the chimney, then it is not getting degraded by the UV Rays of the sun and will remain a long lasting compression seal, as long as the sheet metal is anchored properly to the masonry structure. I will save the information about backer rods for a future discussion. 2 problems with reglet mounted flashings: A) If individual step reglet counter-flashings are installed, each step hads a verical seam prone top potential wind and moisture migration. B) Cutting the reglet just a hair too deep can bypass the integrity of the masonry structure and allow seepage to enter through the cut and wick downward through the porosity of the masonry products, but now have an easier bypass for a more fluid and direct passageway. Ed

BornaRoofer has given accurate replies every time. Even Hypalon is a weldable membrane and the only subtle differences in a visual inspection is the grid patterns of the polyester reinforcement scrim sheets, but the scrims are typically farmed out from a few select suppliers and tossed into that particular companies thermoplastic formulation for providing that brand with the tensile strength desired. Any evidence of seam lap sealant or drippage of a whitish hypalon coating to re-activate the menbrane lying around on the roof near any seams? Ed

It is a Built Up Roof. The cracks are from the mopping excess when the wall flashing composition flashings were hung, as you see the thicker mass coincide horizontally along the bottom edge of the wall flashing material. Too much asphalt, such as when the mop yarn gets squeezed dry to hang for the evening will leave puddles, which will quickly crack due to being an unreinforced Blob of asphalt. The Aluminum coating is still in good shape and it is Not the coating that is cracking, but the excessive flow of asphalt that it is adhered to. I did not see a good view of the entire roof surface to see how many plies it was, but I saw No evidence of any Modified Bitumen installed, unless they used some for some flashings I did not see. Ed

First photo looked like Derbi-Gum we were applying in the mid to late 70's at Hans Rosenow Roofing in Chicago. Then, the other shots showed it was a fiberglass felt applied with either hot tar, but probably more likely and adhesive mastic with a squeegee (sp). Wrong material for the job. Vertical seams on a properly installed Built Up Roof is an acceptable manner of application. Also, look at all of those Polish Bungalows in Chicago with 90# Roll Roofing face nailed on the seams installed vertically. Ed

This is just one document that discusses the potential weather infiltration into Gable Vents. Please go to Page 17 at the first bullet point. http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/ser ... 186298.PDF

Thank you for this link. I just took the Principles of Attic Ventilation and the New Dimensions in Asphalt Shingles tests and was rewarded to find out I know all of their answers to their questions so far. COOL! Now I have two more diplomas as a Roofologist. Ed Fako Ed The Roofer http://rightwayroofing.wordpress.com/

I have used the following product for the past several years and have been very satisfied with it. It is called Smart Vent from DCI Products Inc. Ed http://www.dciproducts.com/html/smartvent.htm