Need advice: Older home. There is a small (about 1/2 inch) gap inbetween the metal flashing and brick by the chimney on the exterior. Buyer is insisting that it should be sealed. I dont think it’s a cause for concern. Not sure why, over time, the flashing is moving outward. Also insisting on a “cap” for the lights in the attic so that they dont come in contact with the insulation. The lights are already in a metal housing. Never heard of an additional cap so that lights dont come in contact with insulation. Thoughts?
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Be thankful they just want the gap sealed - thge real issue is probably that the chimney is "settling" and moving way from the house. (You'd need to look at the gap along the vertical where the chimney meets the house for a widening gap as it goes up.
There are 2 types of can fixtures "IC" and non-IC == IC means it's rated for contact with the insulation. See if you can find the manufacturer info on the top of the can.
If there is no "IC" marking, then there should be a cap (or actually, box) around the can, with space. separating the can from the insulation.
RJW - If the lights are non-IC and the house was built prior to the code change requiring IC rated lights or the boxes over non-IC lights, isn't the construction'grandfathered'? It might be advisable for the seller to comply just to close the deal, but making the modification is not nessarily required, right?
Do you have any Counter flashing?
See http://copper-by-design.com/cc/cf.htm
Forgive me CU & Slateman
and http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/roof/saddlesm/flash1.html