What Are Roof Flashings?
Roof flashings are often unmentioned by homeowners because these are the thin pieces of metal that are installed in leak-prone areas of the roof. They work to collect and guide any water from the sections that they are sitting on. They aren’t obvious and are unobtrusive to the rest of the house, but they shouldn’t be ignored. You need to know how roof flashings work so that you can understand how long they can last and which flashings would be best for your roof.
Types of Roof Flashing
There is a range of roof flashings to choose from when it comes to your home roof, so you need to do some research as to the best roof flashings for your home. Some of the various roof flashing types include:
Eave Flashing
This is known as “drip edges” flashings, and these are applied over the underlay on the sides of the roof. It’s close to the edges beneath the eaves, and they are installed specifically to prevent water from getting between the sheathing the fascia, where there is often a gap. They will channel everything that they catch to the gutters. If there is a missing flashing, then leakage can occur on the roof and the wood underneath will rot. The eaves are known for collecting water, but the right roof flashings will do that and protect the eaves of the home.
Valley Flashing
The valleys in the roof are the point where the roofs slope downwards and then intersect. You need to be able to direct the water that flows from both roof planes properly, and as valley roof flashings are W shaped, they will use gravity to drain the rain on the roof without being destructive. You can reduce your need for roof repairs when you invest in valley flashing.
Pipe Flashing
For flashing that will fit over vent pipes and flues, pipe flashing is the best option. It has a flange at the bottom which keeps water away from the area, and the top and middle are installed right under the shingles. The front of the pipe flashing is exposed and this forces the water out of the opening from around the vent pipe.
Chimney Flashing
There are protrusions that are found in roofing systems that are sloped, and chimneys often demand most of the flashings. These are in an L-shape and they are worked into the shingle in a step fashion, with counter flashings mortared along the edges of the brick. This moves down at a right-angle in pieces and is added on top of the roofs shingles.
If you need to have your roof flashings, the best thing to do is turn to an experienced and reputable roofing company. They can install, maintain and continue to look after your flashings and provide you with an estimate of the work that will be needed for your roofing system. Take the time to get to know your roofing system and you will know when to call in the experts for your roof.
