Sometimes Roof Flashing can be overlooked, or not properly correctly installed during roof construction. It is an essential part of the roofing system. It seals your roof from the elements and keeps it waterproof. Continue reading to learn more about flashing and how it can protect your home.

What Is Roof Flashing?

Flashing is used to seal areas on the roof's roofs where a projection (e.g. a skylight or chimney) intersects with it. These areas can easily become prone to leaks if they are not properly sealed. These intersections can expand or contract according to temperature and humidity. Flashing that is good will allow this movement, while keeping moisture from the roof and home should be possible.

What Materials Can Be Used For Roof Flashing?

You can make flashing from many materials including aluminium, copper, stainless steel, and lead. You can also use plastic or composite materials. Metal sheet flashing is the most durable and expensive flashing material. Because of its ability to adapt to weather changes and durability, copper is the most widely used metal flashing material. Although plastic is less expensive than metal, direct sunlight can cause it to deteriorate over time.

Why Roof Flashing Is So Important

Your roof's primary function is to protect your home from the elements. Rain is the most common element your roof protects from. For thousands of years, humans have built shelters to keep the rain away from their homes. Modern roofs are durable and can last up to 100 years depending on how they are constructed. Every roof has weak points and is susceptible to leakage. Flashing is the solution.

Joints and penetration are the most vulnerable parts of any roof. Joints are formed where two slopes meet. A joint is a place where two slopes meet. A common example of a joint on a slope is the dormer. Penetrations can be described as anything that requires a hole in your roof. Common penetrations include skylights, vents, and chimneys. Specialty installations with connections above and below your roof may be less common. This could include solar panel installations, plumbing for swamp coolers, or solar water heaters.

Water can easily get through roof joints and penetrations, which could lead to water getting into your home. Modern builders use flashing to prevent water from entering these areas. Flashing is made from materials that resist water penetration. Flashing redirects water away from the joint, down into gutters, or off the roof. Your roof will almost certainly leak without flashing. Your chances of having a leaky roof are greatly reduced if flashing is properly installed and maintained.

What Are The Roof Areas That Need Fashing?

When installing a roof, flashing must be done correctly. A bad installation can cause roof damage. It can be difficult to replace or repair damaged flashing. This is why it is important that you select the right material. It should be strong, durable, of high quality, and compatible with your other roofing materials. Some flashing materials are not compatible with all roofs. Even if flashing has been installed correctly, it can be damaged by foot traffic or fallen branches.

Skylights

To keep water out of skylights, a continuous piece flashing is used. Skylights are usually too far out of the roof to permit adequate flashing to be placed.

Vents 

There are two types of roof vents that are most common, hoods or pipes (also known as stacks). A hole must be made in your roof to install a Hood Vent. Slide the flashing under the shingles from the roof area above the vent. The flashing should be placed below the vent and sealed. The vent cap should be placed on top of it. Cut a hole in the roof to accommodate the pipe vent. The flashing should be placed eight inches above the pipe and four inches below it. It should also be six inches to the left, right, and centre of the pipe. The flashing will cover the shingles below it.

Flashing Around Chimneys

These flashing strips are used to seal the junction of the chimney's roof and chimney. Flashing, like other structural elements, is placed underneath the shingles and covers the chimney. It also covers the shingle row at the bottom.

Dormer

A dormer simply refers to a structural component that extends from the side of a sloped roof. Dormer windows can be added to or built to increase headroom in a building. These windows allow in more light and provide ventilation for the upper levels of the home such as the attic. Flashing can either be placed in multiple squares between each row of shingles or whatever type of roofing material, or it can be placed around the projection and under the roofing material.

Roof Flashing is an important part of your roofing system. It protects your home from water damage. Contact One Stop Roofing Shop for more information and to schedule a roof inspection of your home.