Drill Pilot Holes for Fasteners

What happens here

Using a cordless drill equipped with a large drill bit (visibly wider than the screw shank, likely around 3/8 to 1/2 inch to allow for thermal expansion), the installer drills pilot holes through the corrugated plastic panel. These holes are strategically placed at the peak of each corrugation where the panel will be fastened to the underlying wooden joists. Drilling at the peak ensures that the fasteners are in the strongest part of the panel and helps to prevent water from pooling around the screw heads. The oversized pilot hole is crucial to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of the plastic material due to temperature fluctuations, preventing stress cracks.

Goal: Create appropriately sized pilot holes for securing the roofing panels.