3 Key Things To Know About Roof Flashing

What is roof flashing?

Roof flashing made from rubber or metal, is a piece of material that is installed directly to your roof to protect from water. If installed correctly, the flashing will direct water away from certain areas of your roof to prevent leaks.

Why install roof flashing?

  1. It protects your roof

Roof flashing is used to direct water away from areas of your roof that are most vulnerable to leaks. Placed on walls, chimneys or flat roofs flashing is crucial to help prolong the life of a roof and most importantly stay leak-free.

  1. If you had your roof replaced the flashing might not have been replaced.

Depending on the condition of the flashing, if may not have been replaced if you have just had your roof replaced. It depends on the condition of the metal or rubber.

A good installer should inspect your roof flashing, when replacing your roof and most importantly check for any rust on the metal or splits in the rubber.   

If your installer doesn’t see rusting etc then your flashing shouldn’t need replacing.

  1. It needs to be checked annually 

Just because you have replaced your roof, it doesn’t mean your flashing needs replacing too.

Regardless of the material used, the flashing installed should survive longer than the original roof it was installed on and doesn't need to be replaced as frequently.

Like your chimney, you should get your flashing inspected as part of an annual roof maintenance. This ensures the flashing is doing its correct job and preventing leaks.

Financially this can also prove beneficial by spotting problems before they escalate.