What Is Flashing On A Roof?
A leaky chimney can cause all sorts of problems that require costly repair. When we go on service calls related to leaks in the chimney system, we often find that the source of the trouble is faulty flashing.
The flashing is sheet metal installed for the purpose of ensuring that the connection between the chimney and roof is watertight, but the effectiveness of flashing eventually expires.
The best way to avoid moisture issues caused by flashing is to get an annual chimney inspection; every aspect of the chimney system is carefully inspected.
How is Flashing Installed?
Typically,
flashing consists of 2 metal panel parts.
The step or base flashing is
the first part and is installed underneath a shingle and bent upward against
the brick chimney. Upon inspection of the L-shaped sections of base
flashing, we often find holes and cracks.
The second
piece of flashing is called counter flashing. This piece is bent down over the
step flashing and also cuts back and is embedded into a chimney mortar joint at
the top and caps or seals off the top portion of the step flashing.
The
installation of flashing can be challenging; in particular, corners tend to be
vulnerable. Even with top quality installation, there is a small spot to
which high-quality urethane caulking should be applied, to complete the
waterproofing aspect of the process.
If leakage around flashing isn’t
allowed to go on very long, it’s possible that the re-application of caulk is all
that may be needed. But if the flashing materials are not properly
overlapped, the problem can’t be fixed with caulk.
The type of metal used for flashing varies according to region and cost. In the south
galvanized steel and aluminum are the standard choices and on some high-end
Installation copper is used.
Alerting Signals that Flashing Needs Repair or Replacement?
Leaks around the chimney are not always evident right
away but they can cause serious structural damage. Moisture enters the
roofing, the attic, and possibly the ceiling areas causing wood rot, roof
damage, attic damage, and drywall damage in the ceilings. It’s a good
idea to inspect the chimney area in the attic every
six months to a year, to be sure that there are no signs of leakage.
Our chimney
professionals carefully scrutinize chimney flashing during inspections.
When a chimney is especially vulnerable to moisture because it’s at the bottom
of a roof slope, we typically install a cricket, which is a roofing term for a
triangle-shaped diversion roof built behind the chimney at the roofline.
Crickets help to ensure that the flashing can do its job well, keeping moisture
from entering the home where the roof and chimney connect.
If you need a
chimney cleaning, chimney inspection, or flashing repair, contact us today.
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