roof mounting - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Island Mike · 10-26-2007, 09:19 AM

I'm taking Billy's advice and experimenting on my own home. I just ordered the nightliting mini-wallwasher (2) without stems. I don't have gutters, so I figure I'll just mount directly to the shingles. Any recommendations on the right way to do this? Common sense--drill holes, use brass screws and some sealant for the holes?

The fixture comes with a mounting bracket which allows piveting up and down. This will help with the pitch of the roof. But I can kick myself now for ordering the shiny brass instead of a black fixture for concealment.

Any mounting tips on this kind of application would be appreciated. No, I don't have a digital camera, yet. Quit my day job and I am broke.

For anyone interested in my progress:

I was planning on building up lighting jobs gradually as I finished this year of teaching, and building up some cash-flow lawn accounts, but I'm suddenly on personal health leave and probably will not return. So I'm doing the full-time business sooner than later. Bad for lawns when the grass is now going dormant, good for lighting.

Bad for venture capital. I am hitting the streets and visiting developers, ARB's, stuff like that. Lots of networking. Plan to do some mailings but on credit card if necessary. I have one lighting job lined up and one in the works, both referred by a landscaper.

My wife is being supportive and is out getting full-time work bartending to help pay our bills.

So, here's my model for the present: Cast and Kichler primarily, soldering connections, and making in-lines with ace connectors. This was a tough descision, I like Paul's method with the Buchanon crimp, I might switch to that some day, but solder sells easy and goes well with tincoat.

Architectural review boards are everywhere around here, and they are all interested in longevity of materials, not to menton basic design principles that most irrigation guys around here have yet to learn for lighting. Also, warm, wet, salty air is throughout the region, so I'm gonna market the Cast tin-coat wire, too, to help me stand out from the other guys, even on the basics. I was surprised at the cost, less from FOLD than what the local distrib's want for regular copper.

For what it's worth, I'm staying away from wells as much as possible, and I hate MR 11 bulbs, most of the specialty lights, and I'm going to avoid controllers other than astronomical switches as much as possible.

Well, my last purchase (whether this was wise or not, I'm not sure) was a new truck last month and I already ordered lettering. I'll just have to stop drinking the good beer.

Thank you to everyone who helped me get to this point.

Mike

Chris J · 10-26-2007, 11:12 AM

Keep plugging away Mike, and keep doing what you are doing. You have laid a solid foundation for a strong business, and you'll be seeing you efforts pay off very soon. Just try to stay away from the credit card/debt thing as much as possible. Remember to put your profits back into your business and keep it growing. I've seen way too many people try to "show" their wealth too soon by making silly luxury purchases instead of putting their money back into their business. Build a solid business first; play later.
Best wishes, and Good Luck!

Island Mike · 10-26-2007, 02:29 PM

Thank, Chris!

I owe each of you guys for all the help.

NightScenes · 10-26-2007, 04:58 PM

I've always shy-ed away from installing fixtures on top of roofs because I would hate to cause a leak. I would attach to the fascia and use an elbow to aim upward to the dormer.

As for the business, ditto what Chris said. You'll be just fine if you really work hard at it.

Island Mike · 10-26-2007, 05:46 PM

Thanks, Paul.

I can use the mounting bracket against the siding.

Can brass take paint or primer? I still have my house paint. Eden always has perfect matching fixtures and it's awesome. I still wish I went with white. Rustoleum has that hight-heat enamel. Hmmm.

Mike

NightScenes · 10-27-2007, 08:22 AM

You can always send the fixtures back and get the color you want. If you are using Nightscaping mini washers, they offer many colors.

Island Mike · 10-27-2007, 06:36 PM

Thanks, Paul.

James Solecki · 10-30-2007, 04:32 PM

The nightscaping Mini Washliters are 100% copper, not brass. As such they will patina to a natural darker colour.

With the mounting bracket they have, I would think that you could screw them to the fascia and angle them up to the dormers. BUT....

If you have snow loads this will not be a good idea. it simply will not work. I have small fixtures mounted to the shingles of my roof highlighting the dormers at my home. I used a round Vista postlight with a glass shield. Screwed them down, silicone around the edge of the fixture and closed the fixture up. So far they have been there for 7 years with no problems! We get LOTS of snow here.

Have a great day.

Island Mike · 10-30-2007, 05:34 PM

The palm trees protect my house from the snow.

I'll try the angle up thing. I figured silcone sealant would have been okay, but why risk it if I can avoid it.

Mike

Billy-Integrity · 11-02-2007, 02:20 PM

Mike... I just checked with my insurance agent. I am not insured to modify or otherwise perform roofing work. I would think a hole thru the roofing is a modification.

Mounting to the facia is a much better option. Why not talk the client into gutters while they are at it and find a good installer for thoes and get a piece of the pie. I hate to say it but in some cases your better off just not installing the lights if they will be too obnoxious during the daytime. I do need to install one like your talking about but the area will also be well hidden by a tree as well so it will hardley be noticeable during the daytime.