Cheap Builders "Skylights"

Got a call last week about a cracked skylight only to discover that the builder of the home had just laid two pieces of plexi-glass over the holes, used some kind of crappy caulk around the openings before laying the glass and then drove two 3 inch roofing nails on each side with the heads of the nails pinning down the plexi-glass to the roof.

I sold them two Velux curb mounted skylights. Built two 2x2 frames, waterproofed the area with GAF Storm Guard and installed the Velux Flashing Kits.

Nail it down, Screw it down, Pin it down, bend it down. It all works! :)

Oh, in the example I posted, Grace was installed by the owner for temp repairs until I was able to come in and do the air units as he installed them. We didn't bother with adding any when we recutt he hole for the air units. It was prepped about 3 months earlier, btw.

We just cut it back and flashed the units in.

Personally, I prefer to double over scraps of the parent metal and cleating them in place. This one is in a very high wind area. I cutt hem off at about 3/4" and hem them down when I'm satisfied with placement of apron. The only nails area in the overbent flange which predisposes the flashing to lie very tight before I even bend the cleats.

Glad to see your using the peel-n-stik to make the curb water-tight. Good job!

Well, then, how are ya'll, er, I mean, you guys? B)

I don't think I've ever found two roofers ( even in the same area of the country) who do things exactly the same way. I walk up to a group of girls and say how are ya'll? Northerners say how are you guys? But I didn't see any guys only girls. :laugh:

I've never seen a roof leak due to an apron flashing being nailed down at the bottom. There are so many things that are extremely important when it comes to installing skylights. Whether or not the flashing is nailed down would be at or near the bottom of the list.

Also, that 1/2 inch bend down does not work well with shingle roofs. Especially in the South. I've seen many jobs where someone did that and the metal cuts into the soft shingles in the summer when they are hot. In extreme cases it cuts all the way through.

I'm going to agree with you but forty years has modified that a bit. I agree with Woody for sure, and I keep face nails to a minimum and try to use only ringshank stainless roofing nails or decent screws. I've noticed that building movement has a lot to do with the success or failure of these nails. A smooth shank nail will walk out in a few years with serious building movement. I've seen plumbing jacks walk themselves nearly right out of the shingles, literally crawl up the pipe. It would be cool to see a time-lapse video of this.

Been nailing down the bottoms of flashings for over 30 years without a single issue so I'm pretty sure that's what I will continue to do. Sometimes I run into roofs done by other roofers that failed to nail down the flashings and they look like their about to fly up into outer space at any second. :laugh: I even get calls from clients that specifically request a quote to nail down their flashings that are popped up with that being the only repair they are seeking. :P

Back in the olden days lol when I first started my construction and roofing business, I fabricated all of my sky lights I framed out my own curbs and routed the 2x4's so the tempered glass would fit, I didn't like the sound of rain drops hitting the double domed prefab sky light, then we flashed the curbs using copper and applied a silicone seal on and under the glass lite, since this project was for my own house and we had 22 of these things in our kitchen and dining area we used a bronze tinted tempered lite It was a project but we lived here for 20 plus years and never had a leak

Looks good Chuck. Ya might use a pole barn screw next time if your worried about uplift. I love RCS, it's a tough crowd.

If you don't nail down flashings at the bottom they will pop up after a few years allowing wind driven rain and insects to get in. Not to mention it looks pretty rough standing on the ground looking up at raised flashings. I understand that you may not believe what I'm saying but after 30 years of repairing roofs I've discovered this to be the truth. I put a little dab of clear Geo-Cel over the nail heads. ;)

Not trying to knock your workmanship but,I would not put nails in that bottom apron flashing.

Of course, it's a deal. But... what did you do?

You sure can Mrs. Vickie. I still have the mug from years ago when you honored me as the RCSer of the month but I will make you a deal!

If I ever get out of line (again) :blush: maybe you could just let it pass? :silly:

Hey can I use your photos for my eblast this week? I will give you credit of course - perhaps I can toss a RCS mug your way.