Roof felt question

n74tg · September 07, 2008, 10:10:14 PM

I came across a house under construction this weekend that had lots of water on the concrete floor inside, as well as pretty wet (on the inside of the house) exterior wall sheathing (OSB) even though house had been wrapped in Tyvek.

Upon seeing the roof felting job I wondered if the water didn't come in under the diagonal edges of the felt. I don't think there is any horizontal layed felt under the diagonal.

So, is this just real shoddy construction, or is it maybe an actual code violation.

PEG688 · September 07, 2008, 10:40:24 PM

Look shoddy to me, most of the felt is running properly,except that diagonal stuff. It appears thats it's been on / exposed for some time, as does the Typar, the facia and rake boards.

Is it a repo?

And how hard has it been raining in your area? Could it be a lot of wind blown rain coming in those open windows? Are the doors hung?

Hurricane Hannah maybe?

As far as code violations concerning paper and felt , yes maybe BUT I've never seen a inspector "inspect" any of that. I fact a a meeting back in 2003 with local builders and the building code officials some one asked about them inspecting Vycor / paper issues and they all said (three jurisdiction's ) " No , we expect you guys to do that , as you'll be the ones getting the call backs IF there are issues". So I highly doubt that aspect gets inspected normally.

September 07, 2008, 10:41:19 PM

Shoddy.

The IRC states that underlayment felt shall be installed parallel to the eves, starting at the bottom and going up the roof with a minimum 2" overlap.

PEG beat me to it by less than a minute and with such a fine answer.

Redoverfarm · September 08, 2008, 06:33:12 AM

Can't disagree. The Hip's look like it was done right but the main definitely looking for disaster. If the valleys were not overlapped the correct way with the wrong direction it would sort of be like a funnel. It would be interesting to see how they run the shingles.

n74tg · September 08, 2008, 07:09:14 AM

No, guys this is NEW construction in a very nice subdivision, and supposed to be by a "custom" builder (at least that's what the sign in the front yard says) and built on a golf course lot. Windows and doors are already installed and high end quality. Yes, the area got about 11" of rain from Gustav, but where the water got in and wet the OSB sheathing the windows were closed. There are obvious water marks on roof truss bottom chords as well as floor joists between 1st and 2nd floor. The roof decking is the type of OSB that has the foil "radiant" barrier on the inside.

I thought of shoddy construction when I first saw it, but I'm not "in the trades" so don't know many of the in's and out's of anything.

Thanks for the opinions.

Edit:
Next time I'm up there I'll take a pic of how the shingles were done in these two areas. I too am interested in whether they will create a rain funnel.

September 08, 2008, 07:32:48 AM

speaking of shingles, i have a question about valleys. i noticed over the past few years that nobody uses flashing anymore. the shingles are woven together. why?, and is one method better than the other? that felt job looks like s---!

Redoverfarm · September 08, 2008, 08:31:42 AM

I am sure our authority will speak up but generally if the two opposing roofs are of the same pitch then they are woven together in the valley. If there are two different pitch's then a cut valley is formed. The one course on the main is run then the odd is cut straight off in the valley . There was several open valleys in metal work of older times and some shingles as well where each side was cut and flashing was visible in the valley. My home had a 10/12(main) and when I added a 4/12 addition I used the cut valley to join the two.

PEG688 · September 08, 2008, 08:53:25 AM

Quote from: apaknad on September 08, 2008, 07:32:48 AM

#1: i have a question about valleys. i noticed over the past few years that nobody uses flashing anymore.

#2: the shingles are woven together. why?,

#3: and is one method better than the other?

#4: that felt job looks like s---!

#1: It's still done both ways.

#2: Woven valleys are seldom really woven today. Like most things the trade has been bastardizes, most woven valleys today are done by laying thru the valley and up the other side of in , then when the opposite side of the valley is done they just cut off the shingles to a line done in the overlayed side. A true woven valley has the shingle running criss cross over one another so the roofer needs to work both side of the valley up equally as he goes. Most won't take the time to do that and will say "Well it's the same thing!" but really it isn't.

#3: Metal valleys clean out better , woven valleys clog up with leafs , needles , grit from the roof etc etc . And that build up makes little dams , eats away at the shingle , let stuff grow in the valleys which leads to leaks and premature shingle death / wearing out. etc.

On the flip side there is no metal to corrode thru.

IMO metal "w" valley flashing is better in the long run.

#4: I agree!