What is roofing flashing and what are some common issues with it?
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so it’s very important to be aware of signs of trouble. Fortunately, with roofs, many of the signs of a problem are easy to see. In many cases, you can even see them from the ground. However, this doesn’t describe every situation: without regular roofing checkups, a small leak in your roof can go undetected for many years, causing significant damage before you even notice anything. This can be the case with your roof flashing, as well.
A responsible homeowner should have their roof checked professionally at least once per year. Here at KY-KO Roofing, we even offer FREE roofing checkups—call us today to get started.
What is roof flashing?
So, let’s start with the basics: what exactly is roofing flashing? Roofing flashing is essential for preventing rain water from leaking through your roof. It is essentially a sealer between the joints of your roof (where the walls come together), and is the best way of keeping water out of places you don’t need water getting in.
It’s also important to know that certain areas of your roof and walls can be more susceptible to water damage from leaks. A few of these areas include roof valleys, skylights, and your chimney. Whenever the water runoff is heavier than normal, or two surfaces come together, they will need extra reinforcement by way of roofing flashing.
What is roofing flashing made from?
Some common materials used for roofing flashing include galvanized metal flashing, copper, and aluminum. Of these materials, the most common material used here in the Valley is galvanized sheet metal.
What are common issues with flashing?
A few things that can go wrong with your roofing flashing include small holes or corroded spots developing in the material. One or two minor leaks in your roofing is typically not a major issue, as long as you call KY-KO Roofing and have one of our expert roofing technicians out to fix them as soon as you notice them. However, if you don’t catch them right away, or you have more than one or two small leaks, you could be looking at some very extensive and expensive repairs.
The most major issue here is when your roof deck begins to rot. This is caused by water seeping under your shingles, getting through the underlayment, and eating away at the wood structure. Usually, when this happens, there is no other solution than to replace the entire roof. It’s important to always call a roofing professional when you spot a leak to potentially try and avoid a total roof replacement.
How much does roof replacement cost?
This is a hard question to answer because every home is different, and there are many different types of roofs, especially here in the Valley. The best way to get an estimate is by calling our team for a free roof checkup! We would be happy to offer you an upfront, honest quote because we believe in providing our customers with the best work possible.
Caring for your roof and the flashing
A few things you can do to help extend the life of your roof, no matter what material it is made of, include scheduling regular checkups and maintenance; washing the roof; and being aware of any signs of a failing roof or a roof leak. Always make sure your roofing flashing is still doing its job. There should never be any holes or corrosion of the flashing. Repairing flashing is something best left to a roofing professional, so call KY-KO Roofing if you suspect that something is wrong with your flashing or your roof in general.