The shingles get the most credit whenever the roofers talk about the roof because Roof Flashing is visible to the eyes. However, this is not the case in actuality. Many other parts of the top deserve praise and play the role of making the roof safe for the homeowners. Shingles are just a part of the roofing, and just like that, Roof Flashing is another part of the roof.
What is Roof Flashing?
Roofing flashings are a thin layer of a metal sheet on the roof and are used to direct water to go away from the seams and joints from where the moisture could penetrate the roof. This can result in damaging the roof.
What is the purpose of Flashing on a roof?
Two parts of the roof are used to keep the water from getting underneath the shingles, and those two are underlayment and roof flashings.
Flashing is an integral part of the roof and is where the top meets a wall and the front side of the wall. Flashing is also present at the low points where the two slopes of the roof meet. It is present around the roof protrusions and edges.
Types of Roof Flashing
Most flashing roof materials are copper, stainless or galvanized steel, or aluminum. The flashing is used around the windows, doors, chimneys, gutters, or any place on the roof or the house’shouse’s structure where the water can run off. Some of the common types of it materials are as follow:
Base Flashing and Step Flashing
Base and Step flashings are used where a vertical wall of the house intersects the surface of the roof deck. There are two such walls in the home; one is the front wall, and the other is the sidewall.
When the wind is blowing and raining, the water is blown against the home wall, and the water runs down between the joints, which is why the flashing is needed there.
The base flashing plays a role at the joint, and water is stopped before it gets between the wall and the shingles and is directed into the gutters.
Step flashings are present where the roof deck meets a sidewall. The pieces of this it are bent at an angle relative to the roof pitch and installed along the entire sidewall length. This flashing is partially exposed and a little more expensive than the standard flashing.
Valley Flashing
This flashing is placed where the roof decks slope toward one another, creating a low valley on the roof, just like the mountains. The water flows into the valley just like a river, and these flashing then move the water away from the top.
This flashing is visible from the ground, which is installed to overlap and form a gap that exposes the valley flashing. Usually, people choose an odd color to add contrast to their shingles.
Chimney Flashing
This flashing is present where the roof meets chimneys, vents, dormers, and other complicated areas. This flashing has a unique set of materials and installation techniques to offer a water-tight seal service. Waterproofing these sides are always rigid, and every side requires a different kind of technique.
Drip Edge Flashing
This flashing directs the water at the roof’s edge so that it won’twon’t penetrate under the roof and damage it along with the attic. This is the most crucial kind of flashing when used at the rake edges of the top.
When the winds are strong, the shingles are most likely to lift along the rake edges. If they are wrapped with the flashing, it provides the shingles with extra safety. For questions about your Byram, Madison, Brandon, or Jackson, Mississippi roof, calls Watkins Construction & Roofing today at 601-966-8233.