When you look up at your roof, you might easily recognize the basics like the shingles, gutters, eaves, vents, and maybe a chimney if you have one. However, there might be smaller parts of the roof, like the space where the roofing meets the air vent, where the roofing material is no longer shingles or any other familiar material. This is what we call roof flashing; it’s a less-recognized part of the roof, but still plays a significant role. Here’s a brief explanation of roof flashing.
- What is it? Roof flashing is typically a thin, metal material that is installed anywhere there’s an intersection between two roofing surfaces.
- What does it do? Roof flashing can act as both a seal or barrier and a way to redirect water from joints or penetrations in the roof. For example, you might find roof flashing where the roof meets the chimney or an exterior wall to seal off any potential gaps and redirect the water to flow down the roof instead of into the space between the roof and the chimney.
- Why is it important? When it’s installed properly, roof flashing can effectively protect the most vulnerable areas of your roof from potential leaks. This also means that the rest of your house will be protected from leaks as well. Without roof flashing, you might find leaks inside your home, garage, or porch that could cause water damage or mold if left undetected.
As you can see, roof flashing is just as crucial a roofing material as your shingles. If you’d like to learn more, give us a call at Roofwise.