Troubleshooting Roof Leaks with Fasteners Fulton NY

Source: REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR Magazine
Publication date: November 1, 2005

By Harrison McCampbell

Just as poor flashing details are much more likely to be the cause of a leak than the roofing itself, many leaks are caused by the use of insufficient or inadequate fasteners for sheathing, flashing, or roofing, and by the attempt to substitute caulk or roofing cement for flashing.

The following fastener-related problems are among the most common. In every case, the leak could have been avoided had the installer used common sense and paid more attention to detail. —Adapted from “Troubleshooting Roof Leaks,” by Harrison McCampbell, which first appeared in the October 1999 issue of THE JOURNAL OF LIGHT CONSTRUCTION ( www.jlconline.com ), a sister publication of REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR.

Problem: The plywood sheathing on this flat roof was installed without using blocking for support under the edges. If someone walks on the roof, the roofing may crack when the sheathing flexes at the plywood joints.

Solution: Use H-clips or solid blocking at plywood edges, or use tongue-and-groove plywood roof sheathing.

Problem: Smooth-shank common nails used to fasten roof sheathing don't hold and can work themselves loose, especially if a roof deck is walked on. Rising nail heads can eventually poke through the roofing.

Solution: Use ring-shank nails for roof sheathing.

Problem

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