You need a functional, high-quality roofing system to keep your home’s interior safe and dry. High-quality and well-maintained roof flashing plays a key role in the success of any home’s roofing system. Here’s everything you need to know.
Roof Flashing: The Basics
Galvanized steel and aluminum are the most common roof flashing materials. Others, however, can also be found in various installations, including copper, rubber, and lead. Strips of this material protect the areas where different roofing surfaces connect. Roof joints and dormers typically have flashing installed. When it comes to your chimneys and skylights, flashing is useful for waterproofing.
Depending on the manufacturer, you can even find roof flashing specifically for certain portions of your home’s rooftop. Vent pipes and skylights are two reasons that manufacturers choose to design and sell usage-specific roof flashing.
Why Is Roof Flashing Important?
One reason that Morgantown, IN homeowners should care about roof flashing is leak prevention. Your building’s roofing system, no matter how secure, still has areas with a high vulnerability to developing water leaks. Roof flashing does an excellent job of keeping water from entering your household from above.
The primary role of roof flashing is to redirect the flow of rainwater. Instead of building up around a roof’s joints, the water will flow down into your building’s gutters if properly installed flashing is present. This is how flashing is effective at keeping rainwater off your roof.
Another thing to consider is the wind. Abnormally heavy wind gusts and storms can loosen flashing. In this case, you may notice a metallic rattling sound coming from your house’s roof.
Both joints and skylights are areas you should keep an eye on when it comes to potential leaks. If water stains a skylight or accumulates around it, this will be far more noticeable to the average Morgantown resident than a leaking joint. A leak in your roof’s joints, while less visible, is still rather hazardous.
If your home’s roof flashing has become too loose, then a penetration of rainwater may occur. This rainwater can then seep into the walls of your home.
Roof Flashing Maintenance
The first step in making sure that your home’s roof flashing remains in working condition is to schedule routine roof inspections. The best time for Morgantown homeowners to do so is after hail storms or severe winds. This is especially important if a rattling sound emerges from your home’s roof during a storm.
Although some homeowners overlook the importance of preventative roof maintenance, repairing leaks and other damages after the fact is far more costly. To avoid such frustrations, a professional roofer can either replace or re-attach your roof’s flashing if it’s loose due to a storm or extreme gust of wind. Dealing with loosened or damaged flashing is far more affordable than having to respond to the potential leaks that can develop if you neglect proper roof flashing maintenance.
Besides leaks, structural damage is another danger of failing to maintain your roof flashing. Mold growth, as well as rot, are often induced by excessive moisture, which flashing can help combat. If your building has a fireplace, its heat can be another catalyst for mold growth. Thankfully, the flashing is capable of regulating such ambient heat and preventing unwelcome mold.
Common Roof Flashing Maintenance Tasks
If your roofer finds a leaking seam while inspecting your roof, then you should plan to fix it immediately. You’ll then need to prioritize getting the seam back into place and properly securing it using both screws and roofing cement.
The next step in flashing maintenance is re-caulking the chimney flashing. Cracked mortar jeopardizes the previously waterproof barrier. Have a professional roofer take care of it as soon as possible.
Holes in roof flashing can result from not only wear but also weather-induced corrosion. If the holes are small enough, then your home’s roof flashing may not require a replacement. Instead, filling these holes could be an option. Before filling the holes, remove all corrosion and sharp edges using a stiff-bristled brush.
Finally, you’ll need to lock down loose flashing if the anchor screws are pulling out, the metal is wearing away, or you notice other signs of trouble. Contact a roofer to address the issues promptly.
Contact Us Today
If you’re looking for a roofing expert in the Morgantown area who can help with your home’s roof flashing, then Taylor Made Roofing & Construction, Inc. is here for you. Besides roofing, we also provide Morgantown residents with top-notch siding, window, and gutter services. Contact Taylor Made Roofing & Construction, Inc. today to discuss roof flashing services in Morgantown.
