Flashing is a metal, plastic, or rubber put around joints on a roof to prevent water infiltration in a home. Unfortunately, it is improperly installed on many older homes and can lead to leaks and other damages. Here are three common areas on your roof where improper installation of flashing may cause leaks:
Chimney
This is the most problematic area for leaks since it could occur for a number of reasons. There could be old caulk, which is an easier fix, or there could be cracks in the flashing. Leaks from these problems can lead to dry wall warping, mold, and ceiling staining. Chimneys must be carefully inspected to find the root cause of a problem
Skylight
Skylights are also common places for flashing problems because it’s easy to install them incorrectly. Even if a skylight comes with flashing already on it, you may need additional flashing material to install it correctly. They should be inspected closely as leaks and damages are hard to find. A skylight most likely will need to be removed for the proper installation.
Roof Valleys
A roof valley is where two roof planes meet together. Although there is flashing, the amount of rain and snow that channels through these valleys can easily cause wear to the materials used in Denver roofing and could cause leaks. Replacing this kind of flashing is a difficult problem to fix and should be left to professionals.
Most metals used for flashing last around 20 years. If you have an older home, the flashing will require maintenance or replacement because of rusting or other corrosive problems. Replacing flashing is best left to a professional to ensure a roof warranty isn’t voided. Call your Arvada roofing company today about flashing inspection and installation.