The one thing that all roofs installed by professional roofing services have in common is the flashing components that complete the whole system.

Flashing is a critical part of every roofing replacement and without it, any new roof installation will sustain serious damage sooner, rather than later.

Before attempting to reduce the price of a new roof by skipping the flashing, property owners must understand the importance of these parts and how essential they are.

The need for roofing repair increases substantially when flashing is omitted or existing flashing is not maintained so it remains protective.

What Is The Flashing Installed by Roofing Services?

Flashing is the weather-resistant edging component that roofing services install over certain more vulnerable areas of a roof.

Made from sheet metal, rubber, and/or plastic, there are multiple types of flashing installed as a part of a roofing replacement which complete the installation and make it fully moisture-resistant.

The purpose of flashing is to create a moisture barrier over the ends of the roofing materials in spots that are difficult to cover up.

Without adequate protection from flashing in those areas, moisture can get underneath the external materials, causing serious damage over time.

Every installation, regardless of the type, should include new durable flashing for it to be considered complete and functional.

Where Does Flashing Get Installed?

To prevent damage that increases the need for expensive roofing repair, flashing must be installed in a few key places to protect the exposed edges of the roofing materials:

Where Slopes and Angles Meet - Flashing is essential for protecting the exposed roofing edges found in valleys and around dormers, where the slopes and angles of the roof architecture change.
Around Chimneys and Skylights - Roofing services must be thorough when protecting exposed edges around chimneys and skylights, using flashing to prevent moisture from dripping under the roofing materials.
Around Pipes, Vents, and Other Protrusions - Flashing in various forms should also be used around pipe vents, external roof vents, and any other component that protrudes through the external materials to seal off moisture from entering through that hole in the materials.

Why Is Functional Flashing Important To Avoid Roofing Repairs?

Though the flashing installed as part of a roofing replacement may seem insignificant, omitting it can allow significant damage to occur to that brand-new roofing installation.

Damaged or missing flashing is a common cause of leaks, decking rot, and other problems that become significant over time, as this damage occurs in very hidden spaces.

Though the external roofing materials may look fine from the outside, areas that lack sufficient protection from flashing become damaged beneath the surface as moisture seeps under the materials.

Costly roof repairs become necessary after months or years of decay resulting from water saturating the underlayment and then affecting the wooden structural components of the roof.

In worst-case situations, contractors must prematurely replace entire roofs where flashing was not installed correctly or maintained due to the degree of damage present under the shingles, panels, or tiles.

Never Skip Flashing When Purchasing A Roofing Replacement

Any property owner investing in a new roofing replacement or even arranging maintenance for their existing roof should never omit flashing installation and care as an essential component in the preservation of their roof.

A respected roofing service will always choose to install new flashing with a new roofing system and repair existing flashing when necessary.

Maintaining functional flashing is one of the most important ways to prevent the need for expensive roofing repairs throughout the lifetime of any type of installation.

It is a component that should never be skimped on, no matter what type of roofing materials an owner chooses for their home or building!