3 Sources of Boulder Roofing Leaks - Understanding Flashing
While most people aren’t aware of the many different components that make up your roof, it is important to know the different parts, their function, and what you can do to keep them maintained. One Boulder roofing material that is of great importance but can be at times ignored is flashing. Usually made of a rubber, plastic, or metal, flashing protects your home from unwanted water and the damage that comes with it by surrounding the joints on your roof. With advancements in setup and technology, many older houses tend to have issues with poorly installed flashing years ago. It is important to know the areas to look for issues and address them immediately to prevent damage. Look for flashing problems in these three most common areas:
Skylights: Due to the nature of a skylight, the problems that can come along with it are typical. Most of the time, the problems are due to lack of knowledge of the installation, causing spacing and openings to create opportunities for water to infiltrate your home. If the flashing has cracked or separated, it will need to be replaced. It is difficult to find the source of the issue when not experiencing heavy weather, so have a professional inspect the area thoroughly.
Valleys: Panels of roof meet and come together in an area called a roof valley. Leaks can happen in these areas particularly because of the amount of wear and tear they experience, despite the use of flashing. When the materials on the surface of the roof become worn, it can affect the flashing as well. Any replacement in this scenario is more extensive and requires an expert.
Chimneys: Many times the issue with leakage near chimneys happens to be due to the caulk being worn or cracked. When this is the cause, it is a simple solution to re-caulk the area. However, if the flashing in this instance is cracked or damage, it can lead to much more extensive damage. Leaks from chimneys tends to be the most troublesome and difficult as it can cause additional damage like mold, warping, or stains. This area would require a thorough inspection by roofing professionals to determine the correct course of action to solve the issue.
If your home is more than 20 years old and you aren’t sure when the roof was last inspected or maintained, it is important to assess the situation before any major damage begins. If you could catch a problem before it occurred, you could save yourself a great deal of money and stress. Typically, metal flashing does last as long as a roof – somewhere around 20 years. Be sure to keep up with regular inspections to ensure rusting or other issues are not occurring as well. Be sure to call The Roof Dr. to assess your situation and make sure you are prepared for the next season!
Go Back Skylights: Due to the nature of a skylight, the problems that can come along with it are typical. Most of the time, the problems are due to lack of knowledge of the installation, causing spacing and openings to create opportunities for water to infiltrate your home. If the flashing has cracked or separated, it will need to be replaced. It is difficult to find the source of the issue when not experiencing heavy weather, so have a professional inspect the area thoroughly.
Valleys: Panels of roof meet and come together in an area called a roof valley. Leaks can happen in these areas particularly because of the amount of wear and tear they experience, despite the use of flashing. When the materials on the surface of the roof become worn, it can affect the flashing as well. Any replacement in this scenario is more extensive and requires an expert.
Chimneys: Many times the issue with leakage near chimneys happens to be due to the caulk being worn or cracked. When this is the cause, it is a simple solution to re-caulk the area. However, if the flashing in this instance is cracked or damage, it can lead to much more extensive damage. Leaks from chimneys tends to be the most troublesome and difficult as it can cause additional damage like mold, warping, or stains. This area would require a thorough inspection by roofing professionals to determine the correct course of action to solve the issue.
If your home is more than 20 years old and you aren’t sure when the roof was last inspected or maintained, it is important to assess the situation before any major damage begins. If you could catch a problem before it occurred, you could save yourself a great deal of money and stress. Typically, metal flashing does last as long as a roof – somewhere around 20 years. Be sure to keep up with regular inspections to ensure rusting or other issues are not occurring as well. Be sure to call The Roof Dr. to assess your situation and make sure you are prepared for the next season!