Roof flashing is a vital component of your roofing system. Usually made of thin metal sheets, flashing is installed in areas where the roof’s planes meet a vertical surface like a wall or dormer. Properly installing flashing is an active step toward preventing water-related damages like leaks and mold growth, as well as an untimely storm damage roof repair call.
What Is Roof Flashing?
Flashing is a thin strip of material meant to waterproof critical areas, secure joints and cover exposed gaps on the roof that are susceptible to water penetration. Around chimneys, vents and skylights are the places where you’ll commonly find flashing installed. Flashing also permits the roof and wall to expand and contract according to temperature changes without the possibility of cracking.
Types of Roof Flashing
- Lead is a durable material that can be easily bent to fit areas that need protection. It’s also particularly useful for smaller gaps that are hard to reach and difficult to cover.
- Copper is a more expensive option than lead and is suitable for homes with historic architectural designs. This material is compatible with newer types of wood preservatives.
- Aluminum is a type of sheet metal that’s easy to form and relatively inexpensive, making it the most common flashing material used today. However, it will degrade when it comes in contact with copper-containing preservatives in treated wood in deck framing. Because of this, aluminum flashing is the best option for custom metal roofing systems.
Areas That Need Roof Flashing
- Valleys are areas where two slopes meet. A gushing stream of water from even light rainfall can collect at the valleys, making it essential for flashing to be installed.
- Chimneys require three types of flashing: step flashing to direct water away from the chimney, an apron (a large piece of sheet metal laid flat against the roof), and the cricket (a raised ridge to prevent pooling of water at the upper edge of the chimney).
- Skylights have continuous metal flashing installed on each side to tightly seal with the roof.
If you need help with your roof flashing, turn to Arrowhead Roofing. We’re a trusted roofing contractor across the southeastern United States. Call us today at (918) 879-4470 or fill out this contact form to schedule a consultation or request a roof replacement estimate.
