Various exterior elements such as roofs, walls, windows and doors function to collectively form a protective envelope that shelters the interior of a home. The exterior of a home must withstand rain, snow, high winds and quick changes in temperature. Water is the element that poses the greatest threat to your home. Read on to learn why roof flashing is so important.

ROOFING PRODUCTS

As you know, shingles form the outer layer of your roof. But have you ever considered what is underneath? There are several components and details function to either direct water away from or to keep water out of a home.

WHAT IS FLASHING?

In addition to being some creepy guy and his randomly-opening trench coat, flashing refers to the act of installing various waterproof materials in valleys, vent edges, roof penetrations and any other gap to prevent water damage or leaks. Flashing can either be exposed or concealed. It should be replaced any time new shingles are installed on a roof.

PAST AND PRESENT

Some form of flashing has been around for hundreds of years, and the method of installation hasn’t evolved much since. Before sheet products for flashing, carpenters used creative methods to minimize water penetration using only shingles. Preventing water penetration was achieved by angling shingles away from the joint, placing chimneys on the roof ridge or house steps into the sides of the chimney to throw off water. The introduction of manufactured flashing decreased water penetration at obstacles such as chimneys, roof vents, window and door openings. Homes are now more durable and the incidence of mold problems has been greatly reduced since the development of modern flashing.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Modern technology has produced a variety of effective and affordable flashing material. Time consuming and costly to create in the past, flashing products are now quick and relatively cheap. With the availability of more durable materials, manufacturers now produce roofing products they can test and come with 50 year guarantees.

Contact us at Kanga Roofing for more information on roof flashing and our roof repair in Vancouver.

Image courtesy of Brian Robinson via Flickr – Creative Commons License

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