On Wed, 13 Jul 2005 22:57:33 -0400, Choreboy
scribbled this interesting note:

Stapling sounds like a fast way to fasten felt to roof planks. Is it
more likely to leak than nailing? (A roofing nail has a head, but maybe
the felt seals better around the leg of a staple.)

What length staples should be used? Where should they be placed?

Felt needs to be fastened down. Some installers use a hammer tacker
with short staples, 1/2" or so.

When we install felt we use what are known as "tin caps." They are
called this because they once (and sometimes still are) little more
than mis-cut metal bottle caps. We prefer the ones that are 1 5/8" in
diameter, although you can buy them up to two inches in diameter. We
use Paslode roofing pneumatic staple guns and over good, clean, strong
decking 7/8" or 1" roofing staples are sufficient.

Depending on how long the felt will provide the only protection for
the roof, and current weather conditions (just a part of a day or over
night or longer, and windy and/or rain expected) determines the
placement and number of fasteners needed. Put the tin cap where you
want it, shoot a staple through it, and move on to the next. If it is
overnight or windy or rainy, the fasteners need to be closer together.
If the roof is steep the fasteners need to be closer together.

Don't worry about leaks. Once you get shingles installed that is your
primary water protection. At that point, the felt merely helps carry
off the occasional drop or two that may penetrate the shingles in rare
weather conditions (exceptionally windy rainstorm, etc.) What is more
important than the fasteners used to install the felt is to make sure
the felt is installed correctly.


--
John Willis

(Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)