A big part of keeping your roof healthy – and therefore preventing the outdoor elements from invading your home – is keeping your shingles in proper working order. And in order to keep your shingles in their best possible condition, you need to pay attention to the state of your roof’s flashing.
What Is Roof Flashing?
Flashing keeps water from getting under your shingles and into any seams or crevices in the areas where different roof surfaces come together. Flashing is made of weatherproof material, usually metals like copper, aluminium, galvanized steel, or stainless steel. Anywhere there is a joint, or where water needs to run off, is a candidate for flashing.
It is especially crucial to have flashing at the points where the top of the wall meets the roof. The valleys, where two slopes of the roof meet, also require flashing. The edges – the rakes and eaves – need flashing too. And any points of interruption, like skylights, kitchen vents, chimneys, or bathroom vents, call for flashing as well.
The goal here is to prevent rainwater from getting between the wall and the shingles. Once water gets underneath the shingles, it can travel along the roof surface, beneath the shingles, until it either finds a place to seep in, or it collects, creating hidden mold and rot. We always want to direct water to the gutters and then off of the roof and away from your home. In a way, the flashing is to the gutters as tributaries are to a river – they drain the smaller areas of the roof to make sure that water gets off the roof smoothly and efficiently.
Don’t Forget Valley Flashing
It is also paramount to install valley flashing, in those valleys where two roof decks slope toward one another. Valleys are often the places where water can penetrate first, and having well-installed metal valley flashing can prevent that water from accumulating, keeping your roof in top condition for years to come.
When Should I Worry About My Roof’s Flashing?
Hopefully, you don’t need to worry about it at all – that’s why we’re here. But anytime you have your roof materials serviced, repaired, or replaced, or if you have your gutters repaired or replaced, it’s important to also check on the status of the flashing. Don’t skip these routine inspections, even though it can be tempting. Making sure your flashing is maintained well is an essential part of caring for your home’s roof.
If you’re in the Cincinnati area, and you’d like us to take a look at your flashing or your roof in general, give us a ring at 513-444-6098, and we can provide a roofing estimate. We will gladly let you know the current condition of your roof, and what work might be smart to take on right now. Making smaller, pre-emptive fixes will save money compared to waiting to make big repairs after serious roof damage.