There are many elements that comprise your roof, each performing a specific function for the overall care and efficiency of your roofing system. With so many different elements, one might be overwhelmed with what component serves which purpose. Instead of overwhelming you with the list and what everything does, we at Professional Home Roofers would like to take a closer look at the flashing that is on your roof.
Roof Flashing; Weather Resistant Barrier
Flashing is part of the weather resistant barrier system, or WRB, which refers to the thin pieces of impervious material that is installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint. Flashing, in modern buildings, is designed to decrease water penetration of the different components of the building such as vent pipes, walls, chimneys, windows, and door openings in an effort to make buildings more durable and to minimize indoor mold problems.
Types of Metal Flashing Materials
Metal flashing materials include stainless steel, lead, aluminum, copper, zinc alloy, and other materials. Builders used creative methods to minimize water penetration such as angling roof shingles away from the joint before the availability of sheetmetal products for flashing. Such methods were placing chimneys at the ridge, building steps into the sides of chimneys to throw off water, as well as covering seams between roofing materials with mortar flaunching. Making buildings more durable and reducing indoor mold problems, manufactured flashing reduced water penetration at obstacles such as chimneys, vent pipes, walls which abut roofs, window and door openings, and so on.
Concealed or External Exposed Flashing
When it comes to the flashing, it can be installed and by design be concealed or exposed. Concealed flashing is either metal or a flexible material with an adhesive backed, directly installed, usually around wall penetrations such as window and door openings where as the exposed flashing is usually of a sheet metal.
Why is Roof Flashing So Important?
Properly installed flashing is essential to your roof because it is one of the first barriers of defense against the elements in order to preserve your home or business. A necessary part of your roof system, correctly installed flashing prevent water intrusion at various locations on your roof. As previously mentioned, flashing is a protective seal that averts water intrusion in areas such as dormers, skylights, chimneys, and vents. Where water is most susceptible to penetrate a roof’s surface, flashing is a critical preventive measure for moisture damage. Important at all roof penetrations sites, flashing is frequently installed along the edges, valleys, joints and any grooves, gaps, intersections and projections on the roof of any structure.
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If the flashing is improperly installed, the poor application can result in early deterioration at roof joints; making correct installation of flashing imperative when a new roof is installed. Ensuring it is done right the first time will protect your replacement roof investment for years to come. At Professional Home Roofers, our experts understand that every step in installing a roof, including the efficiently installed flashing, is necessary to protect your home. With our reputation on the line, our professionals are eager to make the services we do count and you can count on your flashing being installed efficiently.
