How long can roof paper be exposed?

4 years ago

I have a couple of spots where my roof tiles were damaged during work being done on my house and now the black paper is exposed. The exposed areas aren't near the edges of the roof, so they have undamaged tiles all around and the paper isn't flapping or anything like that. I am planning to replace the roof so I haven't dealt with it but it's been a couple of years now and I wonder if I need to do something about that sooner than later. I've been waiting and waiting for the Tesla solar roof but might give up waiting soon. I actually got close to the top of the waiting list but there is a newer, better, much cheaper version 3 of the roof coming which is what I would want. But who knows when...

If the damage must be addressed, what is the best way to get a temporary fix? I plan to replace the roof in the next 3-9 months.

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Comments (8)

PRO
PPF.
4 years ago
Have you been on the roof lately to check?

A picture would really help.
uscpsycho
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
No, I have a sloped roof and the missing tiles aren't somewhere that I can easily get to and I would probably break more tiles trying to. It's a Spanish style barrel roof. Not really sure what I'd even be looking for but I'll see if I can get a good photo and post it.
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For the roof sheathing, look at the newer roofing underlayments. Not necessarily advocating it in particular, but a product like GAF Stormguard can be left open to the elements for 60 days before shingling over it. For the walls, spun housewraps have a limited UV exposure time frame. Even though some offer an extended tie frame for UV exposure, I try to get them covered up as soon as they go up. You can inexpensively protect the wall sheathing by stapling up #15 tar paper. If you staple it well, it'll last a while. Use buttons, it'll last even longer. It'll go through wrinkle and lay flat cycles with exposure to moisture. Don't fret over that. When you're ready to side, you can go with your spun poly wrap if that's the direction you want to go, or replace the felt if it's chewed up if you want to stick with felt. With the sheathing itself, it's not so much a time limitation but exposure to moisture. Example, if you're using OSB or inexpensive 3- or 4-ply 1/2" sheathing, you'll want to minimize repeated wettings or you can get edge swelling and ply delamination. Other sheathing products fare better (Huber ZIP sheathing for example) but the are more expensive.
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PRO
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Felt paper has a pretty limited life span, and is not really “waterproof”. It’s use as a roofing underlay should be only if it is kept dry. When it gets wet, it wrinkles. Even 30 pound. A synthetic underlay can stand up to the UV exposure for 6 months or so.

“A couple of years” is well past any expiration date. I’m surprised that you haven’t had leaks from this. This should have been addressed as a repair immediately.

I wouldn’t be waiting on any lie in the sky solar shingles of any kind to tackle this. If you want solar, replace the tile with architectural asphalt shingles and then do conventional solar panels over them. The versatility for future improvements, and the easier replaceability built into that option, as well as the lower cost, will be the better long term value. The replaceability especially is what makes that the much better option to a glass roof.
DavidR
4 years ago
I wouldn’t be waiting on any lie in the sky solar shingles of any kind to tackle this.

Cook knows whereof he speaks, especially when the name "Tesla" is attached. They make over the top stuff, but have a mile-long record of missing their target dates for introducing new products.
PRO
User
4 years ago
David, that was actually a typo, but when. I read it, it hit me as pretty appropriate, so I let it stand. :-O
PRO
Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years ago
It's time to call a roofer and get the felt repaired replaced and/or covered with rooftile were necessary.
User
4 years ago
Past due project. Those library fines would amount to a fortune if that was a book. You’re lucky there’s no leaks.
uscpsycho
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, I know the perils of waiting on Tesla product releases. But if I love both the look and the function of the solar roof. If I can get it in a reasonable time and reasonable cost, I will. In the meantime I will get this situation taken care of before the rains come.

If I don't get the Tesla roof, I am torn about getting a metal roof. I love so many things about metal roofs but the thing that I don't like is they always look dirty to me, especially near the ridges which catch all the dirt blown by the wind. Just today I was admiring a new house in the neighborhood and the brand new metal roof already looks dirty and years-old.

How long can roof paper be exposed?

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How long can roof paper be exposed?

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