If you’ve been putting off that roofing project you’ve always wanted, now is the perfect time to get the ball rolling. But before you start hammering away at your roof, there are some things you need to know about flashing.
What is roof flashing?
Roof flashing is, very simply, a roll of thin metal that’s resistant to moisture and other weather conditions such as high levels of wind. Flashing can be made from a variety of materials, such as copper roofs, aluminum, lead or galvanized steel roofing. It’s rolled out into place and then sealed in order to prevent issues like water damage and mold. Source: Modernize
Where is it installed?
As a protectant, flashing is placed anywhere on the roof’s surface that requires extra protection. These areas include anywhere there are intersections or joints such as edges around chimneys, vents, skylights, roof valleys, and soil stacks. If you’re having a leak issue in your home, you should first check these areas of the roof for any problems with the existing flashing. Oftentimes the nails have worked their way loose and the flashing has pulled away from the roof meaning it needs to be reattached. If it’s in bad enough shape, replacement may be necessary. Source: DoItYourself
Maintenance tips
Always check the roof flashing and the condition of the shingles whenever you clean your gutters. Look for loose nails and any damage to the seals at the edges of the flashing. Roofing cement can dry out and crumble away, exposing joints to water. Fasten loose nails and cover exposed nail heads with roofing cement. Renew flashing seals by chipping out old caulking and mortar along the edges of the flashing. Recaulk the joints between the roof and the flashing. It’s much easier to reseal the flashing than it is to patch a water-stained wall or ceiling.
Badly corroded flashing will need to be replaced. To do this, you will also have to remove several rows of shingles as well as the old flashing. Then replace and fasten the flashing, and reinstall the shingles with the proper overlapping procedure. Source: ExtremeHowTo
Roof flashing is an essential part of a roofing system. If you want to get the most bang for your buck without sacrificing quality work, leave your project to us. And get free estimate when you call us today!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
