Your shingles do a lot to protect your roof, but they cannot seal every gap. Joints and corners, like where your roof meets a chimney or wall, need extra protection. That is the job of roof flashing. It may be thin and easy to overlook, but it plays a big role in keeping water out of your home. When flashing fails, leaks often follow. Here is what flashing is and how to spot when it is damaged.
What Is Roof Flashing?
Roof flashing is a thin strip of waterproof material that seals the weak points of your roof. You will find it where the roof meets a chimney, vent pipe, skylight, or wall. Because it is usually made of metal, it is also called metal flashing. Its main job is simple: keep water from sneaking into the seams of your roof.
What Is Flashing Made Of?
Flashing needs to stand up to the weather, so it is usually made of rust-resistant metal. Common choices include:
- Galvanized steel. The most popular option, and a favorite of professional roofers.
- Galvalume. A steel coated with aluminum and zinc. It resists rust even better than galvanized steel.
- Aluminum. Easy to bend and shape, which is why do-it-yourselfers often use it.
- Copper. A premium, long-lasting choice, often paired with copper roofs.
Where Is Flashing Installed?
Flashing goes wherever your roof has a seam, edge, or opening. You will typically find it:
- Around vent pipes
- Along roof ridges
- In the valleys where two roof slopes meet
- Around dormer walls
- Around skylights and roof windows
On flat roofs or roofs without overhanging eaves, drip edge flashing helps guide water into the gutters.
Signs Your Flashing Is Damaged
Flashing is tough, but it does not last forever. Over time, weather and wear take a toll. Watch for these warning signs:
- Small holes. Even tiny holes from rust or birds can let water in. They need to be sealed fast.
- Rust or corrosion. Metal corrodes over time. This is a bigger concern in coastal Ft. Myers, where salt air eats away at metal faster than the inland air of Georgia and Tennessee.
- Missing pieces. Storms, high winds, or even animals can pull flashing loose. Any gap in the barrier is a serious problem.
- Bends, cracks, or dents. These break the protective coating and leave the metal open to rust.
- Internal leaks. Water near windows, fireplaces, skylights, or in your attic can point to failing flashing.
- Stains on fascia or siding. Mold or water stains often mean flashing is letting water through.
- Damaged shingles. Darkened or warped shingles near flashing can signal a leak underneath.
How to Check Your Flashing
It is smart to look over your roof after any big storm, and a few times a year. From the ground, watch for the signs above. But the best way to catch flashing problems is a professional inspection. A pro can spot damage you might miss and recommend the right fix. Flashing repair is technical work, so it is best left to the experts, not a DIY weekend project.
Protect Your Roof With Northpoint Roofing Systems
Think your flashing might be damaged? Northpoint Roofing Systems can help. Book a free drone inspection, and we will check your flashing and the rest of your roof from a safe, close-up view. We serve homeowners across Kennesaw and Metro Atlanta, Franklin and Middle Tennessee, and Ft. Myers, Florida. Call 678-345-1711 to schedule your free inspection today.
