Field inspection and leak remediation · Lesson 4 of 4

Field inspection and leak remediation: defects, verification and case study

Common flashing defects and what treats the cause, when repeated repairs should end in replacement, and a worked scenario that ties the method together.

You will be able to: Diagnose a plausible flashing defect from its symptom, choose a corrective option that treats the cause, and document the evidence for review.

11 min · 12 slides · 8 questions

All lessons in this module

Slide 1 of 12

A caulk bead is maintenance, not a repair

The Failure Atlas says to plan inspection and replacement of sealant and to remove failed sealant completely before resealing.

Englert's form treats caulking as the owner's maintenance item, not a warranty repair.

A fresh bead over a gap hides the gap; it does not add flashing that is missing.

Sources

AFS Division 07 technical notes - Architectural Flashing Supply
Single Source/NDL 20-Year Metal/Membrane Roof System Weathertightness Limited Warranty (form) - Englert, Inc.

Videos for this lesson

What this video shows: Sheffield Metals technical staff react to photos of good and bad commercial metal roofing installations and describe the right way to install each condition.

Video: Roofing Inspectors React to Good and Bad Metal Roofing Installations by The Metal Roofing Channel, on YouTube. AFS checked its description against this lesson.

Glossary

Termination metal: The metal flashing and counterflashing where a coping meets a taller wall. A trade article warns that leaving it out opens the top of the coping to water.
Galvanic corrosion: Corrosion that occurs when unlike metals touch, or are connected by runoff, while moisture is present. The remedy is to isolate the metals and replace the corroded, less noble part if damage has started.
Crevice corrosion: Corrosion in a tight, poorly drained gap, such as under a washer or in an unsealed lap, where moisture becomes trapped. The gap is opened to drain and dry, or sealed fully.
Oil-canning: Visible waviness in a flat metal face. The Failure Atlas lists thin material for the face width, restrained thermal movement and wide unbroken flat faces as causes.