If you’ve ever noticed the metal strips around your chimney or other areas, those are known as roof flashing. Learning more about roof flashing, including what it does, can help you understand its importance as part of your roofing system.
Function of Roof Flashing
Roof flashing consists of metal pieces installed in certain areas of your roof to prevent leaks. Flashing can be made from different materials, including aluminum, steel, or copper.
Importance of Flashing
Flashing protects vulnerable areas of your roof where water could seep in, such as around roof penetrations. Roof penetrations, such as chimneys, vents, and skylights, have a higher risk of developing leaks due to gaps or openings around them. Installing flashing around these penetrations directs rain and melted snow or ice away from these areas.
Benefits of Roof Flashing
Roof flashing helps lower your risk of having a roof leak, protecting your home interior from water damage. Your roof should also reach its expected lifespan with flashing installed instead of sustaining severe damage or wear and tear.
Roof Flashing Damage
You can’t see roof flashing from your attic, since it’s installed on the exterior portion of your roof. When you look up at your roof from below, you can see flashing around roof penetrations. Roof flashing shouldn’t be dented, corroded, rusted, or loose. You shouldn’t see missing pieces of flashing around roof penetrations. These are all signs of flashing damage, which requires prompt repairs or replacement to prevent leaks.
Preventing Flashing Damage
Having routine roof maintenance and inspections done helps lower the risk of damage to flashing. Your roofing contractor can check all flashing areas to see if any need to be repaired or replaced. Inspections should also happen after major storms.
Roof Flashing During the Installation Process
When you have a roof replacement done, having new flashing installed is a smart move. Roofing contractors can install new flashing around roof penetrations after installing your new shingles. This helps ensure your new roof is safe from leaks and water damage around vents, chimneys, and other penetrations.
If you need flashing repairs or replacement, or if it’s time for a roof inspection, please contact Adam Vaillancourt Roofing & Gutters. Our dependable roofers provide quality roofing services for homeowners in Southern New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts.
