Failed window flashing tape

[Yeocomico]

I was kind of concerned when I went to use some opened rolls of flashing tape. They had been sitting in an unheated area for about 8 months since purchase, but the white slick cover paper had never been removed. I went to use them on a temporary area, and found that the tape had no stick. I tried several of the rolls and they had all lost their stick. I remember them as being rather difficult to work with before even if it touched my fingers before. Any thoughts or similar experience with this. It makes me wonder about the wisdom of depending on them for flashing. ( I don't have the brand in front of me right now)

[sailboatescape]

Certainly would like to know the manufacturer and specs if they offer more than one tape. In fariness to them, do they specify a shelf life before installation?

Please pursue this and post again. I will be covering a lot of this stuff up inside walls and I have always thought about this in the back of my mind but can't find any definitive information. Some cost a lot more than others but I haven't found anything to document that spending any more money gets you any better tape.

[Lavrans]

Well- couple things come to mind.

1. What temperature?
2. Does that tape require primer?
3. Was it wet where you were installing?
4. What type of tape? (asphalt or butyl).

[Ted S.]

Make sure to use the manufacturers recommended primer.

[Mark Parlee]

what is the name brand of the tape and the specific type.

[James Eggert]

Once again, a slightly unsubstantiated problem because of lack of info.

This thread mimics that ALL flashing tapes have problems! We know that there are a few crappy ones, but if someone wants good return advice about something, they HAVE to provide the pertinent info.

That's only fair!:-)

[Window Guy]

http://www.na.graceconstruction.com/...2C-Butyl_2.pdf

It's not cheap but neither is a callback or a puddle of water in the living room. It states it's good for install down to 40 but I can tell you from experience you can go lower although it loses most of it's flex when it's below freezing. Helps to keep it on or near a heater until it's ready to use. Goes on like butter when it's 80 outside.

If installed properly, to repeat, if installed properly, this stuff is bomber. It's cold here in MT most of the year and we routinely have issues with the less expensive brands of window tape. This product has a consistancy more along the lines of an asphalt shingle than a "tape". Good luck and hope this helps.

[tom struble]

who is installing the tape so that a loss of adhesion will allow water into the unit?

[worthy]

As noted above, some self-adhesive "tapes" require a primer to ensure adherence to some substrates. For instance, Resisto sticks well to vinyl frames, but not to OSB or housewrap.

I'd bet the "failure" of tapes is also a matter of confused installations, e.g., http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...s/IMG_0783.jpg

Correct installation in thumbnail.

Incidentally, the botched tape in the above pic was identical on all 20 plus windows in this multi-million dollar house. But, hey, after all the nice stone and brick is on, who's gonna know!

Window Guy

Grace's literature says its Vycor doesn't require primer on most substrates. Is that what you've found?
The Resisto I used in one "experiment" was an incredible pain to install as, without primer, it stuck to nothing but the vinyl window frames.

[tomthetoolman40]

I've seen them paper over the flange at the sides then install the P&S. And I just did one where they papered OVER the bottom flange with no wrap. This with vinyl siding. Anybody guess where the water was entering?

I have experienced the same as the OP with the vycor. But if you warm it up it becomes usable again. Also keep rotating stock.

[davenorthup]

Almost every window around town here has the bottom flange taped here... Amazing.

Heat and vycor works well here as well..

[Yeocomico]

Once again, a slightly unsubstantiated problem because of lack of info.

This thread mimics that ALL flashing tapes have problems! We know that there are a few crappy ones, but if someone wants good return advice about something, they HAVE to provide the pertinent info.

That's only fair!:-)

Sorry for the delay, I had not had a chance to get back to read the responses, and I will post mfg info soon. I had intentionally not posted it originally as I was not sure about naming actual brands in a post, now I see that's ok.
As to the priming issue, I was using it in this instance as a temporary gap covering, but I don't recall any priming requirements. More to the issue is that I noticed is that it would not stick at all on some ( temporary ) clean OSB. I went to look at another opened roll and immediately upon removal of the cover paper, the tape had very little tack. This was in contrast to what I remember from using it last year where it would cling tenaciously to a finger, and I had to be very careful about not letting the sticky surface touch anything. It was stored in a cold room, but it would seem that in real use it will be subjected to more stress that sitting unused on a shelf for 8 months. Will post more info later since people seem interested.

[Window Guy]

We don't use primer but you do want to take a moment to make sure the surface is clean and dry.

[Lavrans]

We don't use primer but you do want to take a moment to make sure the surface is clean and dry.

To prime or not to prime is a matter for the manufacturer, not you.

As for adherence, well, it seems like it is slightly relevant- mostly on vertical surfaces. But shouldn't be a big issue if installed correctly.

[tom struble]

na i don't see much water making a 6'' sideways trip under a vertical seam,the adherence issue would have more to do with whether or not your using the tape to eliminate having to caulk under the window flange....if that was the installers thinking

better to rely on proper lapping than tape adhesion