How Important Is Roof Flashing?

Roof flashing is an essential way to prevent roof leaks. It acts as a sealer between the joints in the roof, which is an efficient way of keeping water out.

Certain areas of your roof and walls are more susceptible to leaks and water damage. These can be a dormer wall and its roof surface, roof valleys, skylight perimeters and the chimney. Where there is heavy water runoff or two surfaces meet in your roofing system, you will need flashing.

Materials Used for Flashing

Popular materials used for roof flashing include galvanized sheet metal, copper and aluminum. The most common material for roof flashing is the galvanized sheet metal. Aluminum flashing is usually used in DIY installations by the homeowners themselves. Copper is always used on copper roofs.

Roof Flashing Types

Flashing is most often formed through soldering. There are different kinds of roof flashing, though. Chimney flashing is set at the base of the chimney and around the bottom. Use step flashing around the sides, and saddle flashing around the top. Additionally, you can use cap flashing to overlap the edges of the rest of the flashing to keep water out.

In the case of a vertical wall or a sloped roof, step flashing is always needed. Drip edges will keep water from seeping underneath the roof and around the eaves. Integral and step flashing are both used around the base and the sides os skylights. Saddle flashing must be set around the top.

Areas where pipes are penetrating the surface and the valley flashing are prone to leaks, seal these areas well with special asphalt roofing cement. To prevent leaking around areas with pipes, invest in vent pipe flashing. This will stop leaking before it ever happens around these areas.

Krech Exteriors roofing contractor supplies all these types of roof flashing.

Damaged Flashing

Since flashing is found at your home’s most vulnerable areas, it’s not unusual for it to sustain damage. Damage can occur in several ways, including by cracking, warping or tearing away completely. Poor installation, poor repairs, age, exposure and bad weather can also cause issues. Water leaks are the most obvious way to determine if your flashing is either damaged or in need of repairs.

Invest in pipe flashing because roof flashing isn’t something you can do on your own. Let your professional roofer, Krech Exteriors, do it right for you. Satisfied homeowners always turn to Krech Exteriors for all their roofing needs. We supply Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. Give us a call at (651) 968-8888 for a free in-home consultation.