Lead-Free Roof Flashing Formally Approved by IAPMO UES

Boral Roofing LLC announces that Wakaflex, the company’s versatile flashing solution, is now listed through IAPMO UES as a permanent flashing (ER-579). The product earned the distinction by undergoing and passing an extremely rigorous 2,000-hour UV exposure test. 

During testing, the product maintained its original performance properties, which include the adhesion of the butyl strips to various materials including concrete, clay, stone coated steel, polymer roofing, aluminum, galvanized steel, vinyl and wood structured panels. The approval also includes the use of Wakaflex as a permanent flashing for solar applications in California.

“Wakaflex is tough and durable, and its numerous applications and performance abilities make it ideally suited for use with virtually all roofing materials,” said Brian Sweet, components product manager with Boral Roofing. “This IAPMO UES listing is important as it clearly demonstrates the performance capabilities of the product to building officials and homeowners.”

Ideal for difficult and complex details, Wakaflex contains an internal aluminum mesh, making it extremely flexible and easy to shape and form to virtually any surface. Wakaflex chemically seals to itself and its Polyisobutylene material composition makes the flashing extremely resistant to all weather conditions.

The flashing may be used for step flashings, headwalls, pipe penetrations, pitch transitions, valley junctures, valley soakers, chimneys and skylights. It may also be used as a solution for solar panels, hip and ridge junctures, sidewalls, splayed gables, and various repair applications as well as for tricky details that require weather protection.

One highly notable product attribute is its lead-free composition. OSHA has declared that “lead adversely affects numerous body systems and causes forms of health impairment and disease which arise after periods of exposure as short as days or as long as several years.”  

“Lead is still the most commonly used flashing material, and with so many ongoing safety concerns surrounding exposure to it, there is a legitimate need for alternative options,” added Sweet. “Any place that lead is used on a tile roof, Wakaflex works better and more safely.” 

 Wakaflex is offered in 22-pound 11” x 33” and 27-pound 22” x 16.5” rolls. The product is also certified by Miami Dade NOA 08-1106.03 for use in hurricane-prone regions of Florida, Hawaii and coastal Texas.

For more information on Wakaflex, visit https://www.boralroof.com/components/flashing-products/wakaflex-component/. To view IAPMO UES Evaluation Report ER-579, visit www.iapmoes.org/building-products-evaluation-report-program/evaluation-report-directory/ and search by Boral or 579. 

For information about Boral Roofing, visit www.BoralRoof.com.