Hello,
Found these two guys in the same roof. Is the first one a defect? Its lower edge was not fully exposed, and I didn’t see a shingle directly below (see the arrow). Your help would be appreciated.
1 Like
Not a defect in my book, I wouldn’t write that up unless I wanted to really PO someone. 
19 Likes
Building inspectors around here would actually consider that a defect if it WASN’T nailed down to prevent wind uplift.
As long as it’s sealed and the sealant is in good condition, no problem
7 Likes
6 Likes
I see a shingle. Could you see the underlayment?
In my area the face nail is a defect.
It should just be a shingle, shedding water.
Nobody will every go up in 5 years and refresh the caulk.
What if the manufacturer allows/calls for it?
2 Likes
Plastic roof vent boots will warp and curl up in the heat of the sun, The only thing keeping the roof boot from curling and allowing wind blown rain from coming in is the one exposed nail.
5 Likes
For a proper installation no nails should be exposed (without shingle cover). The bottom flange of the flashing boot should not be nailed. Those in your pics are, so I would note it as a maintenance item in my report.
I have always gone with Oatey & IPS standards as they are the most common flashings here. Both do not show nailing the bottom.
Roof-flashing-instructions.pdf (140.6 KB)
How to Install a Roof Flashing - YouTube
2 Likes
The 2 photos provided show inconsistent installations, the installation instruction (most likely, I haven’t read them) should show exactly how that should be installed. Note… in Florida the DBPR Product Approval may over-ride the manufacturer.
It needs to either have a shingle glued and sealed over the top, or nailed and sealed to prevent wind uplift.
90% of the time, they are nailed in my area
1 Like
[quote=“Simon Rechkin, post:7, topic:229896, full:true, username:srechkin”]
Manufacturer specification trumps code… and even common sense. I’ll call it out as a minor maintenance vulnerability then, and recommend a metal flashing without curl problems be installed next time there’s major roof maintenance.
Nobody keeps caulk current on face nails like that.
I checked Gibraltar and Oatey. Gibraltar shows face nails, Oatey does not.
Note my area does not have high wind, so I could see the tradeoffs being different in high wind areas.
I have seen these boots leak…as we all have. I do not recall the nail at the bottom ever being the culprit.
5 Likes