There are many components that go on your roof: underlayment, insulation, covering material such as shingles, tiles or metal, a coating if you wish, and flashing. Each of these components play their own respective role in keeping your house dry and roofs in great leak-free condition.
This is why it is important to call a roof company for a regular inspection. If even only one of these components should suffer damage or failure, you have a problem on your hands. This is exactly why roof maintenance should never be neglected.
One area that few homeowners think to check for visible damage or issues is the flashing around their roofs. What exactly is flashing and what role does it play on your roof?
What is Flashing?
Flashing is the strip of sheet metal that is used to stop water from getting into the junctions or seams of your roofs. Flashing can also be made of other materials such as plastic or composite materials. It is often seen around chimneys, skylights, dormer windows, and other roof protrusions.
Flashing works by helping redirect water from the seams and openings. Instead it directs water downwards toward the gutter or another direction without causing damage to your roof. Any roof company will tell you that one of the first things you should check when you experience leaks is your flashing because damage or failure in the seal of a flashing can cause big problems.
Why is Flashing Important?
During roof maintenance conducted by qualified professionals with a local roof company, it is often obvious that the biggest issues most homeowners experience is moisture damage. Moisture is an incredibly problematic issue when it comes to your home. Things get wet and slowly begin to break down over time, leading to moisture that can cause a host of different problems.
With proper flashing protecting the junctions of your roof, moisture is prevented from leaking in. If there are any flaws in your flashing, your home becomes vulnerable to issues like mold and mildew as well as leaks. Mold can be harmless at first, then grow to become incredibly life-threatening later on.
What Damage Can Leaky Flashing Cause?
Leaks not only cause unsightly water stains on ceilings and walls; they can also cause issues with the items inside the home. A leak in your roof can become a big problem when the weather is a bit on the rough side and your home becomes less of a shelter in a storm.
What’s worse is if the moisture damage accumulates over time, you could suffer massive structural damage that can render your roof completely unrepairable. At this point, you will have no choice but to call a roof company for a complete roof replacement.
Maintenance is Important
Roof maintenance is important, especially in making sure that your flashing is always intact and is doing its job. Proper roof maintenance looks to discover minor problems and fix them before those minor problems become big issues. After all, preventive maintenance costs less than repairs.
If you find your roof leaking, one of the first things you should have a roof company check is the flashing on your roof. Always be sure to conduct a routine roof maintenance so you can avoid any issues down the line. After all, roofs in good condition can provide decades of protection!
