What is Roof Flashing?

What is Roof Flashing? - Amazing Roof Restoration

One important service that Newcastle roofers provide is roof flashing. It’s a vital element of the roofing system that is often overlooked until serious leaks happen. No matter what type of sealant you use or how many layers of it you apply, it will eventually crack over time and let moisture in. Roof flashing, therefore, is the only way to make your roof completely waterproof.

Roofers in Newcastle install leak-proof roof flashing where needed

Any part of the roof that protrudes or connects to a wall must be sealed with flashing. This include projections such as chimneys, skylights, dormers, and vents.

Flashing is placed around each structure on the intersection where the wall meets the roof. These joints expand and contract when temperature and humidity levels fluctuate, and flashing creates a buffer while maintaining an airtight seal.

Choosing the right roof flashing material

What is Roof Flashing? - Roof Flashing

Builders use different types of materials for roof flashing. The most common are metals such as  galvanised steel, lead, aluminium, stainless steel, or copper. Aluminium is quite popular because of its malleable properties.

In terms of durability, metal sheet flashing is the best choice. Some contractors use plastic or composite materials but these are prone to wear and tear especially when the roof gets hot.

Flashing material is cut, bent, shaped, and sometimes soldered to fit a specific application.

Newcastle roofing and flashing services

It is important to install roof flashing correctly the first time. Although Newcastle roof restoration companies are adept at repairing or replacing damaged flashing, the work can be disruptive to your home routine, not to mention, expensive. Poorly installed flashing can cause permanent damage to your roof, so make sure that it is done properly before you put in the finishing touches.

Keep those skylights watertight

Skylights are meant to let light in, not rainwater. To seal the edges of your skylight, it has to be raised enough to accommodate the width of the flashing material. A wooden curb is usually used to give ample room for continuous flashing to create a seal on the base and for step flashing on the sides.

Seal those vents

Hood vents help ventilate your attic while stack vent pipes are an integral part of your plumbing system. Both types of vents go through the roof and can be vulnerable to leaking without proper flashing.

To install a new vent, cut a clean hole in the roof in the exact shape of the device. Flashing should overlap the shingles below the vent or the pipe.

Don’t let water down the chute

What is Roof Flashing? - Roof Flashing

Chimneys can leak from after heavy rain as water seeps through the gap where the bricks are connected to the roof. To seal this gap, place a strip of flashing around the base of the chimney with the bent side overlapping the shingles at the bottom.

Waterproof your dormer

Dormers are installed on the slope of a roof to create additional headroom, ventilation, and daylight for the attic. Like chimneys, the area of the dormer where the wall intersects the roof can leak without proper flashing. Because dormers are tilted, builders usually cut out square pieces of flashing and add them one by one to every row of shingle on the roof.

Water creeping into your walls can cause a lot of damage especially if you don’t detect it right away. If you spot a leak where the roof meets a wall, damaged flashing is most probably the culprit. Start waterproofing your home by calling Newcastle roofers today from Amazing Roof Restoration.