Roof flashing is essential to prevent water from entering your home through your roof. Your investment in your roof will not be complete without roof flashing. Roof flashing helps to ensure that your roof lasts the test of time.
Having said that, it is also necessary to understand that roof flashing comes in various types. You can employ different techniques in installing the various types of roofing flashing.
Acquainting yourself with the different installation techniques is something that will be of great benefit to you. Therefore, it would help if you understood the three basic flashing techniques. Highlighted below are some of the things you should know.
Step Flashing
This is a roof flashing technique that works excellently where a roof comes in contact with a wall. A good instance is the projection of the dormer from the roof. In such a scenario, water can flow down the erected wall and through the shingles. After which, it can get into the building underneath.
Counter Flashing
This flashing technique is suitable for chimneys. You have to use more than one piece of flashing. The first of the two pieces is called the base flashing. You are expected to position it around the chimney’s base. The second one is called the counter flashing. That one has to be inserted into the chimney’s masonry.
This piece should be placed over the first piece (base flashing). The counter flashing is put there to offer extra protection to the roof. It’s more like double-layer protection against any water that may want to escape the base flashing. Professionals like to use counter flashing for other reasons.
Plumbing Vent Boot Flashing
Another name for this is vent flashing. This flashing type uses a cylindrical flashing piece. This flashing material can easily fit around the vent. These shingles are typically installed atop the boot or base. The boot’s height causes water to only move around the vent.
Sealant Types
Sealant plays a vital role during the installation of roof flashing. Some old-fashioned contractors are still fond of using nails in the process of flashing. Although that may look okay, such contractors still need to decide if they will stick the nail to the roof or directly on the vertical wall.
Suppose the contractor nails both; the flashing can easily change shape when it is under pressure. If the contractor only nails the roof or the vertical wall, the roof flashing can maintain its position. But, the other materials used will contract and expand due to temperature changes. This is even more devastating. If you have used the wrong materials or did not install them accurately, that can also be a problem because they will warp or bend.
Conclusion
The flashing technique used also depends on the flashing. That is why it is good you know the three types of flashing techniques. If you want to create a proper channel for water to move away from the wall, you can achieve that through step flashing. It is called step flashing because it has to be done in steps.
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