Tips for Installing Weather Vanes

Weather vanes are both one of the oldest forms of weather prediction and an art form that spans millennia. According to Denninger Weather Vanes and Finials website, weather vanes date back to Athens in 48 B.C. “To the ancients, the winds had divine powers,” said Denninger.

Whatever your reasons for installing a weather vane, be they cultural, practical, or artistic, Bob Putnam of Brown and Roberts Hardware Store in Brattleboro, VT offered up some tips.

Choosing a Weather Vane

Putnam said that there are many varieties of weather vanes, and the type or style depends simply on personal preference. Most weather vanes are made of copper, and most are pre-oxidized, making them appear green-colored. In terms of general maintenance, Putnam said that only if the weather vane is the type that hasn’t been pre-oxidized, there is virtually nothing you need to do once you install the weather vane. “If they aren’t oxidized, you may want to polish them occasionally with a simple copper polish,” he said.

Generally, you can purchase a weather vane for between $50 and $250. In order for the weather vane to actually work, Putnam said it has to be installed properly. “As long as they are free-moving they should be fine,” he said.

Hardware for Installing Weather Vanes

According to Putnam, all weather vanes have two simple brackets, a front eve bracket, and an adjustable pitch mount. “The two brackets have adjustable feet so they can articulate to your roof,” he said.

Putnam said that heavy-duty wood screws or lag bolts are used to attach the brackets. “Preferably, you want to use something weather-resistant like stainless steel, or galvanized screws or bolts,” he said.

Safety Measures for Installing Weather Vanes

“You want the ladder to handle your weight and the weight of the weather vane and your tools comfortably,’ said Putnam. “You want to also have good footing on the ground and against the building.”

Other safety tips Putnam offered were to “use whatever will make you feel comfortable. Use ‘grippy’ shoes, go slow, and if you aren’t comfortable, hire a [roofing] professional.”

Another suggestion from Putnam: Make sure whatever tools you use (drill, wrench, screwdrivers, etc.) are easily assessable. “That’s so you don’t have to fuss with them once you get up on the roof,” he said.

Cris Carl writes about Boston-area electrical and roofing issues for Networx. Read more like this - http://www.networx.com/article/tips-for-installing-weather-vanes - on Networx.