Ever since my earliest days of installing solar in Chicago – before I moved to sunnier Tucson – the challenge of noninvasively centering a lag screw on a rafter from the rooftop has captivated my attention and provoked my inventive energies.
In the industry it has long been common practice, wielding a drill and bit, to strafe several inches of waterproof membrane and deck and perforate the upper portion of the rafter from one side to the other and beyond. From the sensations felt during these probing forays, one approximates a target location for a lag screw whose trajectory, it is hoped, will remain near the center of the rafter.
There are several causes of concern about this practice, including the potential for roof leaks and structural damage. Cosmetic damage is also almost guaranteed when the rafters are exposed, as in a porch, eave, garage or a vaulted ceiling.
Experimentation with magnets set me on a path that I have continued to develop and refine into the currently ripe fruit of these efforts: the RafterEye RE2 Rafter Center Locator.
Read on to find out how RafterEye can help assure a clean, solid installation with reduced install times and improved customer satisfaction.
-Duane Ediger