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Zip System – Fastener Holes – Flex Seal Spray?

HarlanAllen | Posted in General Discussion on March 23, 2019 09:12pm

I’ll be building a new home later this year and have observed builder’s short comings when installing Zip System Wall Sheathing.

Seems the builder uses Zip System Tape for sheathing seams and does NOT use Huber Liquid Flash to seal fastener heads (nail heads) when nails over penetrate.  

I would like to inconspicuously seal fastener holes while inspecting their work.

QUESTION:

1) Could Flex Seal Spray or some other spray be used to waterproof/seal fastener heads on Zip System Sheathing (Green side of the Zip System OSB)?

Thanks.

Harlan

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Replies

  1. olderthanyou | Mar 24, 2019 12:42pm | #1

    Everyone wants to do a great job, sometimes you just have to remind them of that fact.

    And it's not always laziness. Weird local weather or other conditions sometimes lead builders to deviate from manufacturer's recommendations for good reasons. Either way it's is a good thing for you because you can ask the builder to clarify for you: "I've noticed you use a different method than I've seen other places" which leads the discussion to a point where you can say "let's try sealing the overpenetrations."

    Or just be upfront and put it in the agreement "seal all fastener heads."
    You don't want to mess with the man's ego, so going along behind to fix his mistakes is probably counterproductive.

  2. florida | Mar 24, 2019 09:58pm | #2

    I think it's a great idea! But, why not use polyurethane sealant which has a track record? We use poly, Red Guard or even pieces of Ziptape, what is most convenient.

  3. User avater
    user-7389312 | Mar 25, 2019 06:51am | #3

    I have the same issue, the framers got a little sloppy and over-drove a lot of fasteners. I pointed out the issue to my contractor and he talked to the framing sub, and since then the sub has done a better job. But now I’m wondering what to do about the over-driven heads that exist on part of the project. I’ve read that lots of builders use the Zipp liquid flash to seal fasteners, but that seems like a lot of money, and I’m wondering if it really has any utility over just taping the fasteners with the Zipp tape. After all, even if the fasteners are over-driven, if the tape is installed correctly, it should seal it up anyway, right?

    Either way I’m planning on spending the money to use the Zip liquid flash on the exterior of outside corners, inside corners, and along the gap between the sheathing and the foundation wall. And around window frames and other HVAC and plumbing penetrations.

    1. florida | Mar 25, 2019 09:55am | #4

      Any liquid flashing product should work but sticking a piece of Ziptape over nailheads is fast and easy too. We use 12" Vycor on inside and outside corners. We Ziptape the bottom edge by wrapping the Ziptape around the edge so it's completely protected. We've also used 2 coats of Red Guard there which takes longer so you need to plan ahead. We use the 12" Vycor over penetrations cutting just a slit and forcing it over the pipe or wire. Over AC line sets we also use a metal flashing.

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