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Your Roof's Hardworking Flashing — What You Need to Know

9 June 2022

Nora Mcdonalid

How much do you know about the flashing on your roof? If you're not sure what flashing is or why you should care about it, your home may not have as much roof protection as it could. To help you ensure that your new roof is the best it can be, here's what everyone homeowner needs to know about roof flashing. 

What Is Flashing?

In general, flashing is a layer of nonporous metal placed strategically at certain risk points on the roof in order to prevent water damage and other problems. It's commonly made from aluminum, but it can also be copper or steel depending on the roof, its circumstances, and the roofer's experience. 

How does flashing work? Depending on its role and location, it may be placed underneath shingles or serve as a single layer on its own. The metal diverts rain, snow, mud, ice, and debris from reaching the wood, letting it slide off harmlessly in safer directions. 

What Types of Flashing Exist?

Flashing comes in a variety of styles that target different points on the roof. Apron flashing is an L-shaped piece of continuous metal flashing placed at the junction of a roof and some type of wall or protruding structure. It protects the exposed joint. 

Drip edges are sections of flashing installed at the edges of the roof around the eaves. This point on the roof is at risk for moisture buildup, gutter blockage, and ice dams, so drip edges add a layer of protection underneath the shingles to keep water from pushing into your decking. 

Valley flashing protects the points where roof angles form valleys. These low spots suffer accumulations of water due to natural gravity. V- or W-shape pieces of flashing installed under the shingles help move that water to the edges of the roof. 

Step flashing is a customized flashing arrangement designed to go around roof protrusions like chimneys and skylights. As with apron flashing, step flashing protects the joints where water could otherwise seep into this vulnerable opening in the roof. 

Should You Replace Your Flashing?

When installing a new roof, your contractor will assess the current flashing on the home. Flashing can be very durable, so it may not need a complete replacement. However, damaged flashing should always be replaced. In addition, they may determine that your roof would be better protected by a different type of or additional flashing if problems are evident once the shingles are gone.

Where Should You Start?

Want to know more about how flashing protects the specific elements of your roof? Could your flashing do a better job meeting the challenges of your climate, geography, and roof material? Start by contacting a roofing service in your area such as Schultz Roofing & Repairs, LLC.

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