The flashing plays an important role in your roofing system. Used to prevent leaks, it’s typically made of multiple layers of sheet metal fitted at the edges, breaks or joints of a roof.
When the flashing isn’t doing its job, the wood and cement in your roof could rot or crack. Indeed, failure to repair the flashing has serious and expensive consequences. So it’s important to keep it well-maintained and fix any damage as soon as you notice them.
In this article, State Roofing, a top-rated roofing contractor in the area, discusses a few common flashing mistakes that every homeowner should avoid.
Doing the Repairs Yourself
While getting repairs done ASAP is important, this doesn’t mean you have to tackle the problem by yourself. Flashing repair may seem like a doable task for a typical homeowner, but this isn’t a DIY job. Small leaks, for instance, may be due to a hidden problem that a simple fix won’t sort out. Moreover, using the wrong solution could prove to be a major headache in the future, so it would be best to hire a professional from the get-go.
Valley Flashing
Several roof issues originate from the valleys, so you should ensure the proper installation of this component. Regardless of the style you use for your flashing, ensure that there’s a full three-foot wide layer of ice and water membrane in the valley.
Not Installing a Drip Edge
If you have metal fascia, you need to install a drip edge as well. Today’s manufacturers typically require placing the drip edge over the ice and water membrane. But if your ice and water shield is short, you can use a self-adhesive membrane that wraps over the sheathing and onto the fascia. This would allow the drip edge to completely cover the front of this membrane. Make sure to cover this with felt or synthetic overlay as a final step.
State Roofing is a roofing company with decades of experience in the industry. We provide a range of services including roof installation, decking and painting among others. Call us at [company_phone] or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve customers in Kirkland and Tacoma, WA.