Roof flashing may not be the first thing homeowners think about when they picture their roof, but it plays a very important part in keeping water out of the home.
Flashing is usually installed around areas where the roof changes direction or where something comes through the roof, such as chimneys, vents, walls, skylights, and the flashing helps direct that water away from those opening.
When flashing starts to fail, even a small problem can eventually lead to a leak.
What causes roof flashing to fail?
There are several reasons flashing can start having problems over time.
One of the most common is simply age. Roofing materials are constantly exposed to sun, heat, wind, rain, and storms. Over time, flashing can loosen, crack, rust, separate, or begin pulling away from the area it is supposed to protect.
Improper installation can also cause problems. If flashing was not installed correctly from the beginning, water may be able to work its way behind the roofing materials instead of being directed away from the home.
Texas weather can also be hard on these areas. Strong winds, hail, heavy rain, and long periods of extreme heat can all put additional stress on flashing and the materials around it.
Sealants around flashing can also wear out over time. While sealant can help protect certain areas, it is not meant to replace properly installed flashing. If the sealant cracks or separates, water may have an easier path into the roof system.
Chimneys are a common problem area
Chimneys are one of the places where flashing problems can show up.
Because the roof meets a vertical surface around the chimney, several pieces of flashing may be needed to properly move water around that area. If any part becomes loose, damaged, or improperly sealed, water can begin getting behind the roofing material.
Sometimes a homeowner may notice a stain near the fireplace or ceiling and assume the chimney itself is leaking when the problem may actually be the flashing around it.
Vents and pipe penetrations can leak too
Anywhere something comes through the roof creates another place that needs protection from water.
Roof vents, plumbing pipes, exhaust vents, and similar areas usually have flashing or boots around them. Over time, those materials can crack, split, loosen, or deteriorate.
These problems may start small, but once water begins getting through, it can affect more than just the roofing material.
What can failed flashing lead to?
The most obvious problem is a roof leak, but that is not always where the damage stops.
Water that gets through failed flashing can reach the decking underneath the roof. If the problem continues long enough, that moisture can cause wood to soften, rot, or deteriorate.
Water can also make its way into the attic, insulation, ceilings, or walls.
Sometimes the first sign a homeowner notices is a water stain inside the house. By that point, the water may have already been getting in for awhile.
That is why catching flashing problems early can make such a difference.
What should homeowners look for?
Some flashing problems can be seen from the ground, while others are much harder to spot.
Things to watch for can include:
- loose or lifted metal around roof areas
- visible gaps around chimneys or vents
- cracked or deteriorated sealant
- rust or corrosion on metal flashing
- water stains on ceilings or walls
- signs of moisture in the attic
- recurring leaks in the same area
A leak does not always mean the entire roof needs to be replaced. Sometimes the problem may be isolated to flashing or another small area.
That is why it is important to find the actual source of the problem before deciding what needs to be done.
Why a roof inspection helps
During a roof inspection, flashing is one of the areas that should be looked at closely.
At Goat Ridge Roofing, we take photos of the areas we inspect, document what we find, and go over everything with the homeowner. If we find a problem around flashing, we want you to be able to see what we are seeing and understand why that area may need attention.
Sometimes flashing can be repaired. Other times, the surrounding roofing materials may also need work depending on how long the problem has been there and whether water has already caused additional damage.
Final Thoughts
Roof flashing may be a small part of the roof but is has a big job. When it fails, water can start getting into areas of the home where it does not belong.
The good news is that flashing problems do not always mean you need an entirely new roof. Finding the source of the issue early can sometimes keep a smaller problem from turning into a much bigger one.
If you are seeing signs of a leak or wondering about an area around your chimney, vents, or other roof penetrations, Goat Ridge Roofing is always happy to take a closer look, document what we find, and go over everything with you.