Your roofing system is more than just a bunch of asphalt shingles or tile. Rather, it’s a complex system of components that protect your home from the elements. One of these crucial components is flashing, and today, we share how it helps protect your home.
What Is Flashing?
Flashing is a strip of metal installed between the waterproofing felt (or underlayment) and the outer roofing material. It’s found in roof valleys and dormer walls as well as around the parts where chimneys and exhaust pipes penetrate the roof. It’s typically made of rust-proof material like galvanized steel, but aluminum, copper and non-metal flashing like rubber and plastic are used on certain kinds of roofs.
Flashing helps prevent water intrusion in areas that are essentially breaks in the roof, such as the aforementioned valleys and dormers. It functions similar to the caulking around the window and door frames. Since breaks in those areas are bound to have gaps, they need protection from water damage caused by rainwater intrusion that necessitates roof repair.
Kinds of Flashing
Valley Flashing – The most common kind of flashing is the kind installed where two roof planes meet. Valley flashing has a fin-like protrusion running down its length, which directs water away from the plane edges.
Vent Pipe Flashing – Vent pipe flashing is a one-piece, cone-shaped flashing installed at the base of vent pipes and similar protrusions. The cone shape allows installers to easily cut the flashing according to the diameter of the pipe and create a snug fit.
Step and Continuous Flashing – Both are general-purpose flashing that protects areas where the roof meets a vertical surface like a dormer or wall. Continuous flashing is installed if the vertical surface is parallel to the roof edge while step flashing is installed in “steps” if the surface is perpendicular. A similar kind of flashing is installed around traditionally shaped chimneys.
Drip edges – These are lengths of flashing installed along the roof’s edge, sandwiched between the underlayment and starter strip. This helps prevent rainwater from seeping into the roof deck through capillary action, instead directing the water straight into the gutters.
To learn more about our roof maintenance, repair and installation services, call Roof Masters today at (888) 889-7551. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free inspection and estimate. We serve many areas in and near Montgomery County, MD.