Roof flashing refers to weatherproofing material that is placed on your home for the sole purpose of preventing a roof leak. Flashing is located where the roof is jointed, at an angle or has a vent pipe or something similar protruding out from it.
There are several areas of your roof that will form a V shape, which creates a canal for water to collect when it is flowing off of your home. Your home’s roof is designed this way in order to prevent a standing collection of water during a heavy rainstorm or while snow is melting. This means, if your roof was flat it would likely deteriorate very quickly due to large amounts of standing water.
With the aid of gravity, your home’s roof is destined to shed the water through these specific valleys. With that being said, flashing acts as an additional barrier between you and the rain storm, and is installed under the shingles of your roof in the areas that are jointed.
Flashing is also installed around areas in your roof that have protrusions (including chimneys or skylights) in order to prevent the accumulation of water at these joints. Flashing forces water to flow around the particular protrusion and off of your roof, away from your home.
Now that you’re a bit more familiar with what flashing does, let’s explore what it’s made from:
What is Flashing Made from?
The type of flashing used in residential properties is dependent on the material (concrete tile, asphalt shingle, metal, etc.) in addition to the climate.
Usually durable PVC plastic, composite materials, or sheet metal are used. Copper, stainless steel and other metals are selected whenever a homeowner wants to use the flashing as a way to accent their roof.
Where Do I Need Flashing?
Flashing will need to be installed to any part of your home’s roof that is jointed or has a protrusion. It is also important at the kick out, which is where the roof meets a wall in a two story home, creating what is known as a junction.
Flashing is also needed at any pipe vents, dormer windows, skylight, hood vents, gable window, and squirrel cages; and is also added when installing a new roof to the main seams as well as where the roof meets the chimney.
The way in which flashing is installed is dependent on the location. It is typically installed under the shingles at the angles of your roof as well as above the shingles where you have protrusions such as skylights, and is an important step to preventing leaks in your home.
Eagle Watch Roofing in Newnan, Georgia
And there you have it: a snapshot at one of the most important elements of a proper roofing system. For more information on the benefits of installing flashing on your home’s roof please contact our team at Eagle Watch Roofing.
We’ve been serving Newnan, Georgia as well as the surrounding areas with impeccable roof repair and gutter replacement. For all of your residential or commercial roofing needs, give Eagle Watch a call today.