The main function of your roof is to keep the ravages of the elements, such as rain, out of your home. But every roof has weak points that are prone to leaks. That’s where flashing comes in. McGuire Roofing & Construction, one of the area’s premier roofing contractors, describes flashing and its importance.
What Is Flashing?
Flashing is a waterproof material that keeps water from getting where it shouldn’t. Wherever there is a joint or penetration in your roof, water can work its way through your roof and into your home. To prevent this, modern builders install flashing in these areas.
What Makes Up Flashing?
Before sheet metals, flashing was time-consuming and hard to produce and install. Modern flashing now includes lead, copper, steel, zinc, and aluminum. Less common but still in wide use materials are rubber and plastic flashing. McGuire Roofing & Construction, your roof repair company, provides these flashing materials.
Which Are the Areas That Need Flashing?
Flashing is essential in valleys wherever two roof slopes meet. During rain, a gushing stream of water can gather in a valley creating a high risk of leakage. A chimney creates one of the largest roof penetration and requires special flashing. Skylights need a continuous piece of sheet metal flashing installed on each side.
Dormers are an example of a joint in the roof and a meeting between two slopes that do not form a valley. The seam between the roof of the dormer and the rest of the roof needs a sheet metal flashing like in a valley. The seam between the walls of the dormer and the roof needs step flashing like those on the sides of a chimney.
McGuire Roofing & Construction offers comprehensive roof repair and replacement services and other home improvement solutions. Give us a call at 865-338-7663 to request for a free estimate. Property owners in Maryville and Oak Ridge can count on us for quality services.