Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02461116 2004-04-27
FLASHING ADAPTABLE TO DIFFERENT SHAPES OF ROOF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
s The present invention relates to a flashing useful for weatherproofing an
aperture made in a roof. More particularly, it relates to a flashing adapted
for
use on a roof having a particular shape.
The invention also relates to a method of installing such a flashing onto a
roof.
io
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is of common practice in the construction industry to use a flashing to
seal the
interstitial gap between the roof and a vertical member such as a pipe, a
venting
zs duct or a chimney passing through an aperture made in the roof. In addition
to
ensuring weatherproofing of the roof aperture, the flashing is usually also
devised to ensure proper drainage of the water that can accumulate on the
roof.
However, due to the different profiles and overall shapes of various roofing
2o components such as tiles used on roofs, flashings currently used do not
provide
adequate sealing of the gap between the vertical member and the roof and, in
several cases of tiled roofs, flashings are difficult or even impossible to
install.
It is common practice on construction sites to use lead flashings to be
dressed
2s to match the shape of roof tiles. Unfortunately, most pre-fabricated
chimney
installers are not familiar with this practice. Consequently, installation of
the flat
base of a pitched flashing positioned over an aperture made in a tiled roof
and
fastening of the flashing on a roof that does not have a generally flat
surface
becomes problematic.
Thus there is still presently a need for flashings that are easily adaptable
and
that can be easily installed on a variety of shapes of tiled roofs or the
like.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide a roof flashing for use
on a
s roof, different from known pitched flashings, more particularly for use on
different shapes of tiled roof.
More specifically, the first object of the present invention is to provide a
flashing
for weatherproofing an aperture made in a roof, to allow the passage of
io substantially vertical member through the roof.
Like existing pitched flashings, the flashing according to the invention
comprises
a base member adapted to be mounted over the aperture made in the roof and
on a surface of the roof surrounding the aperture, and a surrounding member
rs extending upwardly from the base member to fit around the vertical member
passing through the roof.
The base member is adapted to match the shape of roof surface and comprises
a panel having a top edge adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the
2o roof, a bottom edge adapted to be positioned on a lower part of the roof.
The
panel also has two opposite side edges and an opening. The opening is large
enough to allow passage of the substantially vertical member therethrough.
The surrounding member extends upwardly from the base member to fit around
Zs the substantially vertical member. The surrounding member is tubular in
shape
and comprises a top opening sized to tightly fit around said substantially
vertical
member. The surrounding member also comprises a bottom opening coaxially
positioned on top the opening of the panel of the base member. The bottom
opening is sized to allow passage therethrough of the substantially vertical
3o member.
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The flashing further comprises means for joining the surrounding member to the
base member.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for installing the
flashing
s according to the invention as disclosed hereinabove. This method comprises
five basic steps.
The first step consists in cutting a slot in the upper part of the roof above
the
aperture made therein. This slot needs to be large enough to receive the fop
to edge of the panel of the base member. Alternatively, certain tiles in the
upper
part of the roof above the aperture can be lifted to accept the top edge.
The second step consists in inserting the top edge of the panel into the slot
or
under the lifted tiles.
The third step consists in positioning the bottom edge of the base member onto
the lower part of the roof in such a manner that the bottom opening of the
surrounding member is located on top of the roof aperture.
2o The fourth step consists in applying pressure to the top surtace of the
base
member in various locations so that the base member adapts to the shape of
the roof or tiles thereon.
The fifth step consists in fastening the base member to the roof with suitable
2s fastening means such as screws and nails.
Thanks to its particular structure, the flashing according to the invention
may be
installed in a very easy and efficient manner on any kind of shape of roofs,
including roofs with different tile configurations.
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In all cases, the installation problems mentioned hereinabove are solved.
Thus,
the flashing according to the invention is very efficient and versatile and
can be
used in an efficient way on any kind of shape of roof or tile thereon.
s The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the
following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of it, made
with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
io Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flashing according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention installed on a tiled roof;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a flashing according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the flashing shown in Figure 2.
~s Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the interface between the base member and
the
surrounding member, seen from the side having the joining ring.
Figure 5 is a top view of the joining rings used at the interface between the
base
member and surrounding member shown in figure 4;
zo Figure 6 is a side view illustrating the arrangement between the base
member,
surrounding member, joining ring and sealant;
Figure 7 is a side view illustrating the application of sealant to the
surrounding
member;
2s Figure 8 is a top view of the flashing according to a preferred embodiment
of
the invention;
CA 02461116 2004-04-27
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a flashing according to the invention
as
shown in Figure 8.
s DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
As aforesaid and shown in Figures 1 to 3, the flashing 1 according to the
invention is intended to be used for weatherproofing the gaps that exist in-
between a roof 3 and a vertical member passing therethrough, such as a
io chimney or alternatively a pipe, a venting duct or any other kind of member
having to pass through the roof. More particularly, the flashing 1 according
to
the present invention can be installed on different shapes of roof or tiles 5
thereon.
is As shown in Figure 2, the flashing 1 comprises a base member 7 adapted to
be
mounted over an aperture made in the roof 3 to allow passage of a chimney.
The flashing 1 also comprises a surrounding member 11 extending upwardly
from the base member 7 to fit around the chimney.
zo As shown in Figure 3, the base member 7 comprises a panel 9 of generally
quadrilateral shape. The panel 9 is provided with an opening 23 large enough
to allow passage of the vertical structure therethrough.
In accordance with a further preferred aspect, the base member 7 is adapted
zs to match the shape of the roof or any tiles thereon. Preferably a malleable
material is chosen to more easily adapt to the shape of the roof or tiles
thereon.
A preferred material in this case is lead, as lead is the most malleable of
the
common metals and can easily be shaped without fracturing. Alternatively, the
base member 7 could be made of another malleable material or similar alloys.
The flashing 1 further comprises means for joining the base member to the
surrounding member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in
Figure 4, the joining means are two half joining rings 33, 35 (shown in
isolation
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in Figure 5) used to attach the surrounding member 11 to the base member 7.
The joining rings 33, 35 are attached to the surrounding member 11 through
a series of spot welds 31 that traverse the base member 7. As shown in Figure
6, in an area surrounding the opening 23 where the spot welds are made, the
s base member 7 is sandwiched between the joining rings 33, 35 and the
surrounding member 11. The weld between the joining rings 33, 35, the base
member 7 and the surrounding member 11 is covered with silicone 37 or
another sealant to ensure proper seating of the interface. As shown in Figure
7, a sealant 39 can be applied to other areas of the flashing 1 such as on the
io surrounding member 11.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the general dimensional relationships between the
base and sur rounding members. The panel 9 of the base member has a top
edge 15 which is adapted to be positioned on an upper part of the roof, a
is bottom edge 17 which is adapted to be positioned on a lower part of this
roof
and two opposite side edges 19, 21.
As also shown in Figures 8 and 9, the surrounding member 11 is tubular in
shape, preferably made of metal, and attached to the base member 7 from
2o which it extends upwardly. The surrounding member 11 comprises a top
opening 29 sized to tightly fit around the vertical structure passing through
the
roof and a bottom opening coaxially positioned on top the opening 23 of the
panel 9 of the base member 7. Of course, the bottom opening must also be
sized to allow passage therethrough of the vertical structure. The rigid
zs surrounding member 11 maintains required clearances between the vertical
structure, such as a chimney, and surrounding combustible materials, as well
as ensuring the structure's vertical stability.
As shown in Figure 8, the surrounding member 11 is preferably shaped as a
3o funnel. Thus, its top opening 29 is smaller in size than its bottom
opening.
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Inasmuch as, in most constructions, the chimney, pipe or other member that
have to pass through the roof, extend vertically and the roof on which the
flashing 1 is intended to be installed for weatherproofing purpose is itself
inclined, the surrounding member 11 has to be oriented at an angle selected as
s a function of the inclination of the roof. In other words, the central axis
of this
surrounding member 11 will be inclined toward the top edge 15 of the panel 9
of the base member 7.
In such a case also, the top opening 29 of the surrounding member 11 will be
to substantially circular in shape and the bottom opening of the surrounding
member 11 will be substantially elliptical in shape and sized to match the
size
of the opening 23 made in the panel 9 of the base member 7.
Figures 9 is illustrative of the shape and inclination that may have the
is surrounding member 11 as a function of the actual slope or inclination of
the
roof. Figure 9 shows the shape that the flashing 1 must have to fit on a roof
having a pitch of 8/12 to 12/12. The expression "roof pitch" as used
hereinabove refers here to a measurement used to quantify the steepness a
roof. It is measured by the rise in inches for each 12 inches of horizontal
run.
2o The larger the fraction, the steeper the roof is. Of course, other shapes
could
be selected depending on the user's needs.
The following Tables 1 to 3 include examples of the dimensions that may have
the flashing 1 according to the invention for different roof pitches. As can
be
2s appreciated, these dimensions vary as a function of the diameter of the
chimney. Value (A) denotes the width of the elliptical bottom opening of the
surrounding member 11 and value (B) the diameter of the top opening 29 of the
same member 11. Value (C) represents the length of the elliptical bottom
opening of the surrounding member 11. Value (D) denotes the spacing
3o between the surrounding member 11 and the opposite edge 21 of the base
member 7. Value (E) denotes the spacing between the surrounding member
11 and the bottom edge 17 of the base member 7.
CA 02461116 2004-04-27
TABLE 1
Dimensions (in inches) of a flashing for a roof with a pitch of 1/12 to 7/12
Diameter 5 6 7 8
of
the chimney
(inches)
A 12 13 1 /8 13 1 /2 14 1 /2
B 7 3/8 8 3/8 9 3/8 1 0 3/8
C 12 5/8 13 7/8 14 1/4 15 3/8
D 9 8 7116 8 1/4 7 3/4
E 8 11/16 8 1/16 7 7/8 7 5/16
TABLE 2
Dimensions (in inches) of a flashing for a roof with a pitch of 8/12 to 12/12
Diameter 5 8 7 8
of
the chimney
(inches)
A 14 1/8 13 3l4 15 16 1/16
B 7 3/8 8 3/8 9 3/8 1 0 3/8
C 17 1/16 16 1/2 18 1/16 19 7/8
D 715116 81/8 71/2 7
E 9 1/2 9 3/4 9 8 1/1 6
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TABLE 3
Dimensions (in inches) of a flashing for a roof with a pitch of 12/12 to 21/12
Diameter 5 6 7 8
of
the chimney
(inches)
A 12 3/4 13 15/16 15 16 3l8
B 7 3/8 8 3/8 9 3/8 1 0 3/8
C 21 23 3/16 25 1 /16 27 1 /4
D 8 5/8 8 7 1 /2 6 13/16
E 9 1/2 8 3/8 7 1/2 6 3/8
s
As disclosed hereinabove in the Summary of the Invention, the flashing 1
according to the invention can be installed in a very simple yet efficient way
with
a method involving five basic steps to which may be added a plurality of
optional steps.
io
The installation of the flashing 1 onto a roof through which passes a chimney
may be carried out using the following more detailed sequence of steps:
1. aligning the axis "X" (or centerline) of the flashing 1 with the centerline
"Y"
is of the chimney;
2. drawing the interior outline of the surrounding member 11 of the flashing
on
the roof;
3. removing the flashing 1 and cutting an aperture in the roofing material by
following the previously drawn interior outline.
20 4. cutting a slot parallel to the peak of the roof and centered along an
axis
passing through the middle of the aperture, so as to receive the top edge 15
of the pane! 9 of the base member 7. Altemativefy, certain tiles or a surface
in the upper part of the roof above the aperture can be lifted to accept the
top edge.
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5. inserting the top edge 15 of the base member 7 of the flashing into a slot
(or
under the lifted tiles or surface) and resting the bottom edge 17 of the base
member 7 of the flashing towards the bottom part of the roof;
6. applying pressure to the top surface of the base member in various
locations
s so that the base member adapts to the shape of the roof or tiles thereon;
7. fastening the flashing to the roof using, for example, at least six wood
screws sealed with metal/rubber washers or silicone or alternatively nails or
other fixation means;
8. sealing the base member 7 of the flashing 1 at the roof junction with an
to external grade sealant;
9. inserting the chimney through the flashing; and
10. installing a storm collar around the junction of the flashing 1 and the
chimney
and optionally sealing the storm collar to the chimney with a caulking roll
(ECRtr") or silicone.
As aforesaid, a main advantage of the flashing according to the invention is
that
it can be efficiently installed onto a tiled roof. Such makes it possible to
install
the flashing 1 onto any shape of tiled roof.
2o In practice, the aperture made in the roof can be of a shape different from
the
one of opening made in the flashing. The roof aperture can, for example, be
rectangular. Similarly, both the base member and surrounding member can be
of different shapes.
2s Of course, it may be understood that the present invention has been
described
in detail hereabove and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As a matter
of fact, numerous obvious modifications could be made to it without departing
from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
