Installing Leak Barriers on Your New Roof
Weather Watch or StormGuard Leak Barriers.
Use either Weather Watch or StormGuard Leak Barriers. Weather Watch Leak Barriers offers these features…a mineral surface for better traction, Fiberglass reinforced for added strength, 1.5 squares or 2.0 squares per roll, split back release film which makes for an easier installation, Repositionable Weather Watch Leak Barrier is designed to be set in place and repositioned if need be, it is less likely to stick itself, it uses a time released adhesive that reduces hassles if material folds on itself during the installation, seals to almost any surface, seals to all the critical areas, seals nails, staples, and seals to plumbing vent pipes.
StormGuard Leak Barrier features a good traction in heat film surface, it is fiberglass reinforced for extra strength, 2.0 squares per roll, split back release film which makes it easy to install, of course it is repositionable if need be. And as it will seal itself to many different surfaces, deals to roof decks, nails, staples, and roof vent pipes.
DIRECT SUNLIGHT: Important Fact
Leak barriers are not designed to hold up to direct sunlight for any long periods of time. Weather Watch or StormGuard Leak Barriers are never to be installed if the exposure could exceed for 60 days.
LEAK BARRIER LOCATIONS
Leak barriers should be installed at the eaves to give protection from wind-driven rains and ice dams, in all valleys, a full 36″ width throughout the entire valley length, around all plumbing vent pipes, 20″ square section applied tight to the pipe, around the dormers for added protection under the flashing areas, around all chimneys to safeguard against any leak sources, at roof slope transition areas when a roof pitch flows to a lower pitch, there is a danger of ponding water, around the skylights to seal off critical areas that may leak, and at the rake edges, hips, and ridges from protection from wind-driven rain.
When installing GAF-Elk Leak Barriers at eaves, install anywhere there is the threat of a snow load, most building codes require installing Leak Barriers at the eaves, extend up the roof to at least 24″ inside of the warm wall, the “warm wall” is the interior finished wall, two courses of 36″ are needed on a typical structure, lap second course over first by 3″ using the selvage edge to keep straight, and hand roll lap for adhesion purposes.
When installing Leak Barrier on top of drip edge cut into 10′-20′ lengths so it is easier to handle, examine the deck, make sure it is clean, dry, and free of debris, install the gutter and remember to re-attach all leader pipes, install non-corroding metal drip edge, aluminum or galvanized steel, nail every 8″-10′, install full width of the membrane and flush to the drip edge, roll back the top half of the membrane to remove and to release the film, seal the membrane to using a roller, for safety reasons, back every nail 18″ along selvage edge, roll bottom front half to remove release film, remove release film to install to the deck and drip edge, seal the membrane, again, using a roller.
Extend laps 6″ minimum at any seams, hand roll these laps to seal. Do not leave the membrane exposed for longer than 60 days because it is not designed to be exposed for long periods of time. And for any additional courses, waterproof roof deck protection should reach a point 24″ inside the interior wall line. If any extra courses are needed or required, the top lap must be at least 3″ and hand rolled for good adhesion purposes.