Improvement 4.0 - Secondary Water Resistance (SWR)

Modified on Thu, 31 Jul at 4:12 PM

A Secondary Water Resistance (SWR) is an underlayment material that is self-adhered (peel-and-stick) and positioned directly to the roof deck to prevent water intrusion. This material can be full roof coverage, seam-tape (a 6” wide rooﬁng tape covering all the seams of the roof deck material), or cell spray foam adhesive used in the attic space which seals every seam of the roof deck and on either side of the trusses or rafters.

This improvement can be completed in three (3) ways:

At the time of reroofing, use a full-coverage self-adhered underlayment, commonly referred to as peel-and-stick, directly to the roof deck material.
At time of reroofing, use a self-adhere product, commonly referred to as seam tape, on all joints and seams of the roof decking material. This still requires nailed down underlayment such as felt paper; or
If not replacing the roof, install a foam adhesive on all the seams and joints from the attic side of roof.

If the Contractor must remove the roof covering to perform any Recommended Improvements, the costs of the roof covering replacement can be included in the total project cost. The covering material can be the Applicant’s choice such as tile, metal, or shingle so long as all portions of the contiguous roof are replaced with SWR to be eligible for Disbursement. A contiguous roof might be all portions of a flat roof OR all portions of a pitched roof.

PLEASE NOTE: IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING SECONDARY WATER RESISTANCE
Based on proposed changes to Form OIR-B1-1802, Applicants can receive Grant funding for installation of a Secondary Water Barrier (SWB) instead of a Secondary Water Resistance (SWR) if using the following method

Double layer of felt or synthetic with no tape

For the installation of SWB to be considered for Grant funding, Applicants must provide evidence of the proper installation of appropriate SWB at the Draw Request stage. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to ensure the scope of work for the installation of double layer of felt or synthetic with no tape is outlined in the Contractor’s invoices that are submitted as documentation required for a Draw Request. It is recommended that progress photos be taken throughout construction and provided at the Draw Request stage as well.

Alternative SWB installation methods such as hot mop, tar, single layer of felt, or peel-and-stick applied over any other kind of underlayment are not eligible for Grant funding.