If you’re planning to do roof replacement soon, it’s important that you don’t forget about the flashings. These thin metal strips might be easy to overlook, but they actually play a key role in protecting the hardware from weather and water damage.
In this post, our roofing experts from Roofer Chicks® discuss in-depth why it’s important to replace the flashings.
What Are Flashings Made From?
These thin metal strips on your roofing system come in a wide range of materials. The most common choice is copper due to its sheer strength, which it needs to properly resist weather and water damage. Copper is also easy to shape, making it a good choice for the complicated valleys of your roof.
Lead is another popular material for roofs and has immense durability compared with copper. While copper flashings have an average life span of 50 to 80 years, lead can last up to 500 years.
What the Flashing Does
The main role of the flashing is protecting your home from leaks. The roof valleys are the weakest part of the roof and are usually the main point of entry for water and moisture. Without the flashings, leaks will eventually pool and seep into the roof from the valleys. This will cause extensive water damage to your roof’s underlayment and wooden structures, and will eventually end up affecting the rest of your home.
The Consequences of No Flashings
Apart from damaging your roof and its wooden components, leaks as a result of lacking flashings will negatively affect your home’s comfort levels and energy levels. The latter is especially dangerous as it can increase your home’s energy usage and bills.
During your next roof replacement or roof repairs, never forget to check and update your roof flashings. These thin metal strips may seem like auxiliary components of your roof, but they are vital to the overall health of your home. When you work with our team from Roofer Chicks®, we’ll never forget your flashings.
Call us today at (830) 214-2400 to learn more about our services. We offer complete roofing services throughout San Antonio, TX.