Keeping Roofs Watertight
One of the most elusive things in the homebuilding industry is keeping roofs completely watertight.
Most builders use a standard felt underlayment that can withstand rain and other elements for about 30 days before the shingles are installed.
What often ends up happening is that other tradespeople such as painters and chimney installers need to do work on the roof AFTER it has been shingled, so they nail toe boards through the shingles and what had been a beautifully watertight roof now has numerous holes that nobody can see.
Those punctures can allow water to penetrate the home, and it can take months or even years before the water accumulates enough to stain or show through ceiling drywall so someone can investigate and diagnose the problem.
Even after the problem is diagnosed, it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack because the holes are often tiny and there’s no pattern or obvious place to look for the exact place where they might be.
We have decided to pull out all the stops and use a top-of-the-line roofing underlayment called the Water & Ice Protection 300HT system made by Carlisle, a leader in roofing solutions. We chose this system after exhaustively researching numerous products, and we decided that this is the best.
The WIP 300HT system self-adheres for easy installation, and it automatically creates a watertight seal around things like roofing nails, staples and screws. The edges have exposed rubberized asphalt that creates a watertight seal at lap seams.
Most importantly, it self-heals if someone pounds a nail into it and it’s white so you can see any holes or places where a puncture might have happened. The system is stronger and better at waterproofing, and it can stand up to the elements for a long as 180 days before shingles are installed.
We’ve also implemented new procedures that minimize who can go up on the roof of a home after the shingles are installed. Tradespeople such as painters and chimney installers should be done with their work before shingling happens, and by holding them and ourselves accountable to that, we’re vastly reducing the possibility of any punctures through the shingles in the first place.
The Carlisle WIP 300HT system is another example of our commitment to building custom luxury homes that are perfect in every way.
You find out more about our 9-Step “Process to Perfection” or explore our gallery of floor plans that can be customized to fit your lifestyle, or take our Design Questionnaire to reveal your personal aesthetics and style preferences.
