How important are roof flashings? – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

How important are roof flashings?

Roof flashing is one of the most critical components of your roof.  The main function of your roof is to keep the elements out of your house.  The most common element that your roof protects you from (besides the sun) is rain.  Modern roofs do a great job and can last many years depending of the roofing material. But every roof is subject to some weak points that are more likely to leak. That’s where flashing comes in.

The most vulnerable points in any roof are joints and penetration.  A joint is anywhere that two slopes meet.  Valleys and dormers are examples of joints between different slopes.  Penetrations are what they sound like, anything that requires a hole in your roof.  Common penetrations are vents, chimneys, and skylights.

Anywhere that there is a joint or penetration in your roof, there is an opportunity for water to work its way through your roof and into your home.  To prevent this, roofers install flashing in these areas.  Flashing is made of materials that are not easily penetrated by water.  It serves to redirect water away from the joint and down into the gutters or off the roof.  Without flashing, your roof would almost certainly develop leaks over time.  But if you have properly installed flashing that is kept in good shape, your chances of a leak are significantly reduced. Here is a brief description of the most common types of roof flashing:

  • Valleys: These are areas where two slopes of the roof meet.  Flashing here is vital because the two slopes both direct water into the valley and the valley then directs the water down that section of the roof.  The stream of water creates a high risk of leakage, both due to the large amount of water and the inevitable seam of both the shingles and the roof deck beneath.  Flashing in valleys is usually made of long pieces of sheet metal that are shaped to fit into the valley.  Shingles on both slopes overlap the edges of the flashing for a tight seal.

  • Chimneys: A chimney requires special flashing. It is often one of the most extensive penetrations in a roof.  Generally, there are three types of flashing around a chimney: head flashing, step flashing and base flashing.  On the sides of the chimney perpendicular to the slope of the roof, step flashing is used to direct water away from the chimney and onto the roof.  Below the chimney, an apron is installed, a large area of sheet metal laid flat against the roof.  Above the chimney, head flashing or a cricket is installed (depending on the width of the chimney).  A cricket is a raised ridge that starts at a point above the chimney and widens to the full width of the chimney.  It looks something like a small dormer.  The cricket directs water around the chimney so that it does not pool at the upper edge of the chimney.

  • Skylights: Skylights require a tight seal with the roof.  Usually, a continuous piece of sheet metal flashing is installed on each side of the skylight.  Rubber gaskets may also be installed beneath the flashing as part of the skylight assembly.

  • Dormers: Dormers are an example of a joint in the roof, as well as a meeting between to slopes.  However, a dormer usually does not form a valley.  The seam between the roof of the dormer and the rest of the roof is protected with a length of sheet metal like the one used in a valley.  The seam between the walls of the dormer and the roof are sealed with step flashing like the sides of a chimney.

Flashing can come in a variety of forms, too. These include:

  • Apron Flashing

Sometimes known as continuous flashing, this is where the section of flashing comes in the form of a single piece of material.  This doesn’t mean that your contractor will use one piece of flashing to cover the whole roof.  That wouldn’t be practical and it has limited ability to expand and contract along with the rest of the house.  Usually, you’ll find this is used to cover just the peak points of the roof slope.

  • Step Flashing

Many homes today have more complex architecture than a regular box-shaped building.  There are often vertical surfaces combined with the slopes — this could be chimneys, skylights, decorative features, and even upper stories.  Step flashing is a metal panel that is bent at a 90-degree angle in the center, so it can fit below the roof material and affix securely to the vertical feature.

  • Kickout Flashing

As with step flashing, if you have a roof that is attached to a vertical structure, it will need some more specialist consideration.  For instance, at a roof-wall intersection, there is a tendency for water at the intersection to run straight off the roof and run down the wall rather than head to the gutter.  Kickout flashing — which is also known as diverter flashing — directs the running water away from the intersection and into the gutter.

Why Do You Need Flashing?

The need for flashing really comes down to how roofing is designed.  Aside from the various architectural elements that make a home look attractive, the way roofing material is positioned plays a key role in making it an effective feature.  Whether you’re using tiles, shingle, or metal roofing panels, the overlapping approach to installation makes for a well-engineered approach to ensuring rainwater channels down toward the gutters.

However, as efficient as this process is, there are points at which this rainwater can gather, putting the home at risk of damp damage and leakages.  Usually these will be the flat points of a roof — the bottom of chimney stacks, roof-wall intersections, skylights, and window dormers among them.  If your roof has various valleys due to the complexity of its design, these can also converge places in which rainwater can settle and cause damage.

As such, it is necessary to include an efficient and simple way to direct the rainwater away from these areas.  Roof flashing can be easily attached and manipulated at these points to encourage the effective onward flow of water back toward the next roofing slope.  This allows it to move directly toward the gutter and into the drain.

There are few types of roof that don’t need flashing in some capacity.  But it’s also important to note that it can have a significant lifespan.  If you’ve recently had a quote for repair or replacement of your roof and the contractor isn’t replacing the flashing, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re cutting corners.  It’s just that flashing often outlasts the lifespan of a roof.  That said, remember that flashing is an essential element of your home that will protect you from further issues down the line — it’s important to have it inspected annually.

How is Flashing Fitted?

The approach to installing roof flashing really depends on the type of flashing project being undertaken.  As a protective element at key points of vulnerability on your roof, it’s vital that flashing is installed by a professional.  This is particularly the case when you need to replace damaged flashing and the roofing material has to be removed and replaced in the correct positioning.

In most cases, the fitting of flashing on the roof aspect of your home is relatively consistent.  The material is cut to fit the shape and area it needs to cover.  Your contractor will then fold or manipulate the flashing to fit the aspect of the roof it is protecting — if there are several angles of features involved, this may include further cutting to fit the flashing around the form of these features.  The flashing will then be nailed to the structure. If there are overlapping pieces of flashing required, a sealant will need to be applied between the overlapping layers. The tiles or shingle will then be layered on top of this.

3 things you need to know about roof flashing

1. The common types of metal used for roof flashing

You’ll have different metal options to choose from for your roof flashing.  These common types of metals are aluminum, steel, or copper.

It’s completely up to you which metal you choose.  If you’re looking for a clean look that fits most budgets, go with the most common type of metal used for roof flashing today, steel.

If you want an upgraded look, copper looks great aesthetically and will live longer but is going to cost you more upfront.  Talk to your local roofing contractor about which of these types of metals will give you the look you want while staying in your budget.

2. You might have to replace your roof flashing when you replace your roof

If your roof flashing is so important, does that mean you should replace your old roof flashing when you get your new roof?  That answer is different for every situation and will depend on the condition of the metal you choose.  For example, a local roofing contractor inspects your roof flashing when they come out to give you a quote for your roof replacement.  During the inspection, they’ll check your roof flashing for rusting and if the integrity of the metal is still strong.

If your contractor doesn’t see rusting and the metal’s integrity is still holding up, then your roof flashing won’t need to be replaced during your replacement.  On the other hand, if it’s damaged, rusted, or if you’re upgrading from a 3-tab to dimensional asphalt shingle, it will need to be replaced.

3. Your roof flashing needs to be maintained

Remember, you won’t always have to replace your roof flashing when you get a roof replacement.  No matter what kind of metal it’s made of, your roof flashing should outlive the original roof it was installed on.  With it living longer than the roof, it’s crucial that your roof flashing is inspected as part of annual roof maintenance. This allows your roofing contractor to ensure the flashing is doing its job and the metal’s integrity is holding strong.

This can save you from costly roof repairs and help catch future roof flashing problems before they start. Inspecting your roof flashing’s integrity is just one thing your contractor will check during an annual maintenance inspection.

Wrapping Up

Roof flashing is one of the most important aspects of your roof.  It functions as a way to direct rainwater from areas of your roof that would otherwise be vulnerable to leaks and other water damage. As such, there are very few types of roof that don’t require flashing in some form.  While it may seem simple enough to fit this material, positioning and effective sealing is everything — an error can lead to extensive damage to your home.  It’s wise to always seek professional assistance to make certain your flashing is both effective and long-lasting.