Roof flashing consists of stripes of thin, but very resistant material installed in sensitive roof areas to make those areas stronger. The places where flashing is needed include areas where two roof slopes meet (roof valleys), the areas where the roof slope meets a vertical area or where the roof’s continuity is disrupted with openings, such as skylights, chimneys and vents.
Wherever the continuity or the angle of the roof is disrupted, the structure becomes sensitive to the penetration of water and prone to developing leaks. To prevent that from happening, sensitive roof areas are reinforced with stripes of galvanized metal or rubberized material. The stripes are fixed with special techniques – some types of flashing are glued onto the roof surface with special adhesives, others need soldering. The process usually requires special knowledge and experience – improperly installed flashing decreases the resistance and the durability of the entire roof and increases the risk of leaks.
According to Diamond Certified Award San Mateo roofing professionals, the flashing on your roof also needs to be inspected and maintained regularly – six-monthly inspections are recommended for detecting any flashing problem, such as cracking, warping or improper adhesion before the issue aggravates and the damaged flashing causes more severe roofing problems, such as excessive moisture under the roof.