Inspecting Your Roof Flashing Before Winter

Winter weather can be tough on our homes, and the roof is often the first line of defense. Before the snow and ice start to pile up, we should take a close look at the flashing around our roofs. A good roof flashing inspection now can save us a lot of trouble and expense down the road. We'll walk through what to look for and how to do it.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding what roof flashing is and why checking it before winter is important helps protect our homes.

• We need to know the common problems with flashing to spot them during our inspection.

• Following a simple process for our roof flashing inspection will help us find issues before they become big problems.

Understanding Roof Flashing And Its Importance

What Is Roof Flashing?

When we talk about our roofs, we often think about the shingles or the main surface. But there's a less visible, yet incredibly important, part called flashing. Think of it as the waterproof barrier that seals off joints and openings on your roof. These are typically found where different roof planes meet, or where the roof meets a vertical surface like a chimney, vent pipe, or skylight. It's usually made from metal, like aluminum or galvanized steel, though sometimes rubber or plastic is used. Its main job is to direct water away from these vulnerable spots, preventing leaks from getting into your home.

Why A Roof Flashing Inspection Is Crucial Before Winter

As the seasons change and winter approaches, our roofs face a lot of stress. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can really do a number on your home's exterior. Checking your roof flashing before winter hits is a smart move to avoid costly repairs down the line. When flashing is damaged, cracked, or has come loose, water can seep underneath your shingles. During winter, this water can freeze and expand, creating even bigger problems. This freeze-thaw cycle can lift shingles, damage the underlayment, and eventually lead to leaks inside your attic or walls. It's much easier and cheaper to fix a small issue with flashing now than to deal with water damage and mold later. We want to make sure our homes are protected from the elements, and good flashing is a big part of that protection.

A well-maintained flashing system is like a tiny, diligent guard at every seam and penetration on your roof, working non-stop to keep the weather out. Ignoring it is like leaving a small window open during a storm.

Here are some common areas where flashing is particularly important:

• Around chimneys

• At the base of vent pipes

• Where skylights are installed

• Along roof valleys (where two slopes meet)

• Where the roof meets a wall (like an upper-story addition)

Performing Your Roof Flashing Inspection

Now that we understand what roof flashing is and why it's so important, especially before winter sets in, let's talk about how we can actually check it ourselves. It might seem a bit daunting to get up on the roof, but with a little care and the right approach, we can spot potential problems before they become big, expensive leaks.

Identifying Common Flashing Issues

When we're looking at our roof flashing, we're on the lookout for a few specific things that tend to go wrong. These aren't always obvious from the ground, so a closer look is needed. The goal is to find any signs of damage or wear that could let water seep in.

• Cracks or Splits: We'll check the flashing material itself for any visible cracks. These can happen from age, extreme temperature changes, or even just settling of the house.

• Rust or Corrosion: For metal flashing, rust is a big red flag. It means the protective layer is gone, and water can get through.

• Loose or Missing Fasteners: Nails or screws holding the flashing in place can loosen over time. If they're missing, the flashing isn't sealed properly.

• Deteriorated Sealant: Many flashing installations use sealant to create a watertight barrier. If this sealant is cracked, peeling, or missing, it's an open invitation for water.

• Improper Installation: Sometimes, flashing wasn't put in right from the start. This could mean it's not covering the right areas, or it's not angled correctly to shed water away from the house.

Steps For A Thorough Roof Flashing Inspection

Getting up there and doing a proper check takes a bit of planning. Safety first, always. If you're not comfortable on a ladder or on the roof, it's best to call a professional. But if you're ready to do it yourself, here’s how we can go about it:

1. Gather Your Supplies: You'll need a sturdy ladder, work gloves, safety glasses, a flashlight, and maybe a small brush to clear away debris. A notepad and pen are good for jotting down anything you find.

2. Inspect from the Ground (Initial Look): Before climbing up, take a good look at the roofline, especially around chimneys, vents, and skylights. See if anything looks obviously out of place, like sagging material or discolored spots on the siding below.

3. Safely Access the Roof: Position your ladder securely on level ground. Climb carefully, maintaining three points of contact.

4. Systematic Flashing Check: Work your way around the roof, focusing on all the areas where flashing is installed. This includes:Chimneys: Check the flashing where the chimney meets the roof. Look for cracks, rust, and loose nails.Vents: Plumbing vents and attic vents are common spots for leaks. Inspect the flashing around their bases.Skylights: The edges of skylights need good flashing to prevent water intrusion.Valleys: Where two roof planes meet, flashing is used to direct water down. Check for damage or debris buildup.Wall-to-Roof Transitions: Any place where a vertical wall meets the roof slope will have flashing.

5. Look for the Issues Mentioned Above: As you inspect each flashing area, actively search for cracks, rust, loose parts, and bad sealant. Gently try to wiggle the flashing to see if it's loose.

6. Clear Debris: Use your brush to clear away leaves, twigs, or dirt that might be trapping moisture against the flashing.

Remember, even small issues can grow into significant problems when water finds a way in. Winter's freeze-thaw cycles can make minor cracks much worse very quickly. It's better to address small concerns now than to deal with water damage later.

1. Document Findings: Take notes and maybe even pictures of any problems you discover. This will be helpful when you decide whether to fix it yourself or call a contractor.

2. Safe Descent: Carefully climb down the ladder, ensuring it remains stable.

Wrapping Up

So, we've gone over why checking your roof flashing before winter really matters. It's not the most exciting task, we know, but a little bit of looking now can save us a lot of trouble later. Think about it: a small fix now means avoiding bigger water damage when the snow and ice hit. If you're not comfortable getting up on the roof yourself, that's totally fine. Just call a professional. They can spot things we might miss. Taking care of this simple step now gives us peace of mind as the cold weather rolls in. We'll be glad we did it when spring comes around.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is roof flashing, and why do we need to worry about it before winter?

Think of roof flashing as the tiny but mighty protectors around tricky spots on your roof, like where the chimney meets the roof or around vents. Its main job is to stop water from getting into your house. We need to check it before winter because cold weather can make it brittle or cause it to crack, and nobody wants leaks when the snow starts falling or the rain gets heavy.

What are some common problems we might see with our roof flashing during an inspection?

When we look at the flashing, we're on the lookout for a few things. Sometimes, it might be bent or warped out of shape. Other times, we might see rust spots, especially on metal flashing, which can lead to holes. Gaps where the flashing meets the roof material are also a big red flag, as are loose pieces that aren't sealed down tightly anymore. Basically, anything that looks broken, loose, or like it's not doing its job of keeping water out is a problem.

If we find an issue with our flashing, should we try to fix it ourselves, or is it better to call a professional?

For small, obvious issues like a slightly bent piece that's easy to gently adjust back into place, we might be able to handle it. However, if we see significant rust, large gaps, or if the flashing seems really loose or damaged, it's definitely safer and smarter to call a roofing professional. They have the right tools and experience to fix it properly so it lasts and doesn't cause bigger problems down the road. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to protecting our homes from the weather.