Exactly what is your roofer trying to achieve by installing flashing on your roof? What are they good for, and where can you find them? Jeff Woods Construction shares everything you need to know about flashing.
What Flashing Does
One of your roof’s worst enemies is water damage. Water always finds a way to seep into even the tiniest crevices it can find, and the ensuing damage from it can be costly. Flashing layers are meant to help protect lower roofing layers from retaining any amount of moisture. They also seal off areas where various planes or levels meet on your roof’s surface. When properly installed, they also add character to your roof and help achieve a more seamless look.
Where Flashing Is Necessary
Expect your roofing contractor to recommend flashing for the edges of your roof. This type of flashing, also referred to as a drip edge, plays a part in ensuring proper roof drainage. Water will be guided to flow off of the surface of the roof and into the gutters, without getting into the fascia.
Flashing is also needed for your roof’s valleys. Open and closed valleys alike require flashing installation to protect the adjacent sides of your roofing planes from moisture penetration. Your shingles will benefit, too.
The base of a chimney must also be protected with flashing. Doing this creates a water barrier where the chimney meets the roof and prevents moisture from entering the lower roofing layers through that area.
When Flashing Needs Care
Flashing should never be bent and must always be fastened well. If you ever see signs of your flashing becoming loose, call for assistance before it becomes completely detached. If the flashings seem like they have shifted from their original positions, they need to be put back in place right away. Have your roof inspected regularly, and remind your roofer that your flashing must also be checked to avoid issues from sprouting in the first place.
Get help with properly caring for your flashing from expert roofers like Jeff Woods Construction. We pride ourselves in belonging to an elite group of roofing companies that have been certified by both GAF (as a Master Elite® contractor) and Owens Corning® (as a Preferred Contractor). Call us at (931) 787-9107 to learn more about keeping your flashing in check. We offer free in-home consultations for Tennessee homeowners, including those in Kingston and Sparta.
