starter strips upside down - InspectionNews

John Dirks Jr · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 02:22 PM

Would a roofer have to redo the entire roof to fix this?

Rick Cantrell · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 02:39 PM

John
The title is "starter strips upside down",
but to me it does not appear to be using "starter strips".
Many times the roofer will install the starter course upside down (which is incorrect), or cut the tabs off the starter course (acceptable), sometimes you may find a roofer install starter strips.
But to answer your question;
It is unlikely that the entire roof will need to be redone.
Remove the starter and first course,
reinstall the starter course and first course, this time correctly.
The overhang looks long,
may need to trim it up some.

John Kogel · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr

Would a roofer have to redo the entire roof to fix this?

If the shingles are nailed near or on the center line like they should be, it will be very hard to remove the first row without lifting the second and maybe third row too. Then those shingles are loose and the nails are hidden. If the soffits are open and they used long enough nails, they can be banged up a bit from below and then pried out. Damaging the rows above.
A strip of metal flashing with some tar and a few nails to hold it, might be a solution I'd settle for if that was my mess.
By the way, if those are 3-tab shingles, there is a gap every 13". With correctly laid starters or inverted 3-tabs, there is still a gap every 39". The only way to get it 100% right is a complete tearoff and redo. So the ball is in your court. Would you not just call for a repair and move on?

John Dirks Jr · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Would you not just call for a repair and move on?

Yup, but I always like to know more for my own head. Just in case I wanna run my mouth you know.

Joe Laurieri · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 06:21 PM

Strangely I challenged this during one of my inspections and wrote it up.

The realtor called for expertises from 2 roofers who both agreed it was acceptable.

Strangely enough the rooffing association of Quebec training manual nor the manufacture recommend this type of installtion.

Go figure

I wrote is up as repair and left it at that.

Will not be getting any referrals from him anytime soon i'm sure..........

Leigh Goodman · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 05:02 PM

a complete tear off to remedy the starter course of shingles seems excessive. If the rest of the roof has no issues then just redo the first course and any shingles damaged while you are fixing that course.

PacificInspect · #7 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 01:28 PM

From my experience it is extremely difficult to not damage the course above while removing the course below. In fact, it may require a feat of magic to do it.

Jerry Peck · #8 (**permalink**) 07-18-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PacificInspect

From my experience it is extremely difficult to not damage the course above while removing the course below. In fact, it may require a feat of magic to do it.

Actually not hard at all. Have done it many a time.

Just have to know what you are doing is all.

Would be nice, though, to know who you are and where you are. Or are you in the Pacific Ocean inspecting the bottom of the sea?

Mark Aakjar · #9 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 02:46 PM

Pictures not that clear but you may be able to solve some the over hang problem by adding aluminum flashing/drip edge.

Vern Heiler · #10 (**permalink**) 07-19-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PacificInspect

From my experience it is extremely difficult to not damage the course above while removing the course below. In fact, it may require a feat of magic to do it.

MAGIC TOOL

ben jacks · #11 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

John
The title is "starter strips upside down",
but to me it does not appear to be using "starter strips".
Many times the roofer will install the starter course upside down (which is incorrect), or cut the tabs off the starter course (acceptable), sometimes you may find a roofer install starter strips.
But to answer your question;
It is unlikely that the entire roof will need to be redone.
Remove the starter and first course,
reinstall the starter course and first course, this time correctly.
The overhang looks long,
may need to trim it up some.

Hi Rick,
You nailed it from the start! The roofer really does not know how to install a starter 'course'. First up using three tab for a starter course is an old cheap trick. A true starter is a continuous short roll roofing course overhanging a flashed drip edge installation.

The installer must pay attention to roof pitch angle (2.75:1 min) and how the three tab over-hangs the continuous starter course layer. The photo shows a guaranteed rain wicking scenario that needs the 'starter' course tabs removed using a shingle shoe tool prior to sliding in a new starter course roll under the overhanging three tab course. rbj

A.D. Miller · #12 (**permalink**) 07-20-2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Actually not hard at all. Have done it many a time.

JP: So then, does that also mean you have installed them backwards "many a time"?