Flashing is a roofing replacement component that, while seeming like little more than edge trimming, plays a vital role in the soundness of every roof, no matter what type.
All experienced professional roofers understand the purpose and value of flashing, including it as a standard part of the roofing work.
A critical element that everyone should insist upon when paying for roofing services flashing is a roof saver when properly installed and well-maintained.
What Is Roof Flashing?
Flashing is an important, functional trim component that acts as the finishing touch to the roofing job when correctly installed by a roofer.
Its purpose is to act as a seal over raw material edges, protecting them from the weather and adding to the roof system’s watertight properties.
Usually made of metal, flashing is normally installed around all protrusions and roof angles during a new roofing replacement and is considered a standard part of the services, not an extra.
Prefabricated pieces are commonly used in roof valleys, around chimneys and vents, along the gutter line, in places where exterior materials meet vertical walls, and where raw shingle edges must be protected. Skilled roofers frequently construct their own from sheet metal.
Work estimates should always include flashing, and no roofing job should be considered complete without it in the appropriate areas.
Is Flashing Always Necessary?
Flashing is required for every roofing replacement job and should never be omitted.
Any suggestion by a roofer that certain pieces of flashing could be left out to save time or money is incorrect if it means leaving any exposed roofing material edges uncovered.
Since flashing serves the sole purpose of keeping those edges dry and protected, preventing the saturation that will eventually lead to decomposition of the decking and support structures, it can be considered a highly important component of the whole system other than the shingles.
Without flashing, all of the money spent on a roofing replacement would quickly be wasted once rot sets in!
Does Flashing Ever Need To Be Replaced?
Flashing is not usually a high-replacement component when properly installed by a skilled roofer, but it can and should be replaced when necessary.
It should be carefully inspected during routine roofing inspections and replaced if any is found to be damaged.
The most critical time to inspect flashing is after big storms, like wind, hail, and torrential rains are highly likely to damage it.
Any dented, bent, loosened, or missing flashing should be replaced as quickly as possible to prevent moisture from getting into exposed seams, allowing the slow decomposition process to begin under the shingles.
Flashing that has eroded over the years or is found to be loose should also be replaced as soon as possible, and the area checked for damage that may have occurred as the condition of the flashing deteriorated over time.
Flashing Is The Most Important Part of A Roof
While it is easy to think that shingles and other materials are the most important part of a roofing replacement, even the shingles would not work without flashing.
Knowing this, every home and building owner should consider the flashing installed by their roofer to be just as essential as the more visible parts.
Properly installed flashing is a prime component that should never be skimped on to ensure a long, trouble-free life for every new roof!
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Pay attention to flashing, have it regularly inspected by an experienced roofing company like Griffin Roofing, and if it is loose, damaged, missing, or corrupted, replace it immediately.
When looking for experienced and trusted roofers, contact Griffin Roofing for expert roofing replacement and repairs – call them at (404) 998-8984 to schedule an appointment for a roof inspection!
