IronRidge FM-FF2-001-B Black Flashfoot2 Kit

Easy install, I trust the company

Posted by Daniel on 15th Apr 2018

I worry anytime I'm drilling holes in the roof because the whole point of a roof is to keep the water out and drilling holes in it is the opposite of keeping water out. I did a lot of research on the different mounting methods and as a diy homeowner I liked IronRidge. They have a whole website planner that is very nice and an integrated system of parts that works well.

I was going to buy the silver flashfoots initially because I'm cheap and figured they'd be hidden under the panels, but trust me, buy the black ones if you have any other roof color than white. They cost marginally more and look way better. (Same with the rails, buy the black rails too).

I installed 54 flashfoots on my 7/12 pitch shingled roof in about 14 hours over two days. I did some prep work by going into the attic and measuring every one of my trusses so I knew the spacing. The hammer method of whacking the roof deck with a hammer to find the trusses works pretty well but you really don't want to drill holes in the roof that you aren't covering with a flashfoot.

I put down the perimeter flashfoots and then stretched a string between them to make sure the ones inbetween would be straight. Sometimes I missed a truss and I'd put a bent piece of 12 gauge wire down the hole and spin it to see which side I missed the truss on then redrill the hole.

I used Geocel S2 sealant to fill the holes before putting the lag bolt in and securing the flashfoot. I also put sealant down any misdrilled hole (still covered by the flashfoot). And just for good measure I filled the bottom 2 inch seal area on the flashfoot with the sealant as well. Cheap insurance.

I was a little concerned about the wiggle in the cap that screws on the flashfoot base. But it's so if you don't get the flashfoot mounted exactly perpendicular it will adjust a little. Once I put the rails on the whole thing was rock solid.

I'm happy with the Ironridge system. My city building permit office approved it with no issues and it was easy for a DIY homeowner to install. (buy a shingle ripper, you'll need it)