Fixing Roof Flashing

1 month ago

Even though it’s an incredibly important part of your roof, not many homeowners understand what flashing is and how – or if – it can be fixed. Fixing roof flashing is a complex process, and it’s not always the best choice. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is Roof Flashing?

Flashings are typically formed metal that works to divert water away from openings on your roof. The areas of your roof that typically have flashing are the edges, any penetrations (including vents, chimneys, and skylights), valleys, and walls. Flashing works to ensure a water-resistant seal and keep your roof safe from other weather-related harm. One of the most common causes of roof leaks is damaged or improperly installed flashing, which is what makes fixing it a priority.

How Is Flashing Attached To A Roof?

Poorly installed flashing can leave your roof vulnerable to leaks and other issues. To attach flashing correctly, it’s best to have a professional roofer take care of the job. These are the basic steps to attaching flashing to a roof:

Clean your installation zone. Clear the area where you plan to install flashing to ensure it is free from debris. Remove tiles or shingles from around the area.

Install the underlayment. A roofing underlayment is critical to waterproofing your roof. Flashing sits on the underlayment and will not function properly without it.

Lay down the flashing. Place the flashing over the underlayment. Depending on the type of flashing being installed, the way your roofer places it will change. If you have a tile roof, plumbing vents, exhaust vents and flue pipes require two metal flashings, a galvanized deck flashing sealed to the underlayment, and a tile flashing made of dead-soft aluminum or lead.

Attach flashing to your roof. A roofer will ensure that your flashing is attached to your roof by using roof cement or sealant under the flange prior to nailing it in place.

Place tile or shingles over the flashing. Layer the tile/shingles over the flashing, covering about half of it. A tile roof will require a tile saw or small grinder with a diamond blade to cut the tiles. Shingles will require a utility knife to cut shingles around the flashing.

Can You Repair Roof Flashing?

Depending on the damage, you may be able to repair your roof flashing. However, you need to replace any heavily corroded or damaged flashing. If there is only some corrosion, a roofer can patch the holes and cover them with sealant..

Can You Replace Flashing Without Replacing The Roof?

You can always reuse your flashing if it isn’t extremely damaged, but we strongly discourage doing this. We always recommend homeowners replace their flashing whenever they replace their roof. Doing this guarantees the best protection for your new roof – which is a significant investment in itself!

Get The Truth About Your Roof

Fixing roof flashing is an option if it isn’t severely damaged and you aren’t replacing your roof. If you are replacing your roof, we highly recommend replacing your flashing as well. Doing this will protect your new roof and extend its life. Talking to a professional roofer can help you understand the best course of action for your home.

At Roofstar Arizona, our professional roofers will perform a complete roof inspection and give you a better idea of whether it’s worth fixing your roof’s flashing. Our dedicated experts help homeowners in the Phoenix-Mesa area learn the truth about their roofs.

Call us today at (480) 426-1915 for a free estimate.

Love that they didn’t try and sell you a roof and repaired. Thanks for helping us get by to save up for complete repair. Work was done timely. I loved they had women roofers!

Candace B.

I have been so impressed with Roofstar! First let me say I was amazed with Mathew. From the first time he came to our house. Mathew was running about 5-10 minutes late. Mathew called and let me know he was close but would be a few minutes late. He was less than 5 minutes late. What a nice touch! Looking at his age as he appeared young, I wondered how much can he know about roofing? When Mathew came off the roof and explained every picture he took I was impressed. It was obvious he knew how to inspect a roof.

Mathew’s follow up was exactly what he said it would be. This day and age that type of service is hard to find!

On the 2 occasions that I spoke to your staff on the telephone I hung up thinking these employees must love their boss, because they cared so much for his customers.

I don’t make a habit out of sending this type of email, because we just expect good service. Your employees went above and beyond good service.

I look forward to refer friends and family in the future, hoping I never need your service again, but I know where I will call if I need my roof fixed.

Tom A.

Gilbert, AZ

We had work done last week, they were thorough, reasonably priced, on time, cleaned up after themselves, and provide before and after photos. They also have an inspector check the work after, they do not try to sell you things you do not need. I appreciate their honesty.

Melody H.

Our experience with Roofstar was very professional from the moment someone came out for the quote. They were the only company to get on our roof when they were initially quoting us. We really appreciated how thorough and professional they were. The crew working on our roof was very timely, clean and efficient. The quality of the roof exceeded our expectations. We could not feel happier about how it turned out! We will always refer Roofstar Arizona to friends and family! Our neighbor is actually going to get theirs done now because they saw the quality we received!

Andrea B.

Extremely pleased with our extensive roof repair work. The crew showed up early and we could hear them working on the roof all day for a number of days. The price was extremely fair for the scope of the job. I had other roofing companies give me a bid prior to Roofstar. But once Roofstar came out, inspected our roof and told us what needed to be done, I knew they were who we’d hire. They have integrity and honestly which is refreshing when hiring contractors.

Gail B.

Jeff Knudson and Roofstar Arizona, Inc. came recommended to us. Much time was spent with physical, hands on inspection of our roof and specific “problem areas”. Each issue was thoroughly explained and reasonable solution provided. Repair was scheduled within 24 hours of accepting offer. Repair agents arrived on time and introduced themselves and explained what they were going to do. At the end of day one, the supervisor stopped to check on progress and see if an early start the next morning was alright with us. Each day grounds were cleaned leaving no sign anyone was here. On final day the laborers let us know they were finished. Within an hour Jeff arrived and made many trips up the ladder to inspect and made a short list of things they needed to finish the next morning. Job done! EXTREMELY pleased with Roofstar’s service and recommend.

Clayton T.

Sun Lakes, AZ

This is a great company to work with. Worked with them twice over a 10-year period and both great experiences. The last experience involved a very difficult leak in a sun room/solarium and the owner, Jeff, came out and hunted down the leak and made sure that it was resolved. Cannot recommend them high enough. Thank you to Jeff and the Roofstar team.

Michael K.

Very impressed with Jeff’s response to my concern over a rain caused leak in our ceiling.

Jeff arrived promptly in the a.m. for an evaluation, congenial, confident – integrity fully present. The same characteristics I respected, wanted and needed and had happily experienced the moment I met him. After observing the
rather slight damage to the ceiling we went to the roof where he promptly flattened himself atop the shingles and like a practiced detective began to assess shingles and flashing, etc, in order to create a likely scenario that might have generated a leak. His minute attention to detail was impressive.

Having isolated the potential problem he proceeded to caulk here and there. He also took the time to address other concerns that I had regarding roofing issues going forward.

All in all Jeff delivered the kind of prompt, competent service all homeowners seek, are entitled to, and hope for in a tradesman.

Thank you, Jeff for living the kind of values that make owning a home worth the while.

Bob H.

Phoenix, AZ

I have a new roof today thanks to Roofstar. From the estimate with Chris with understanding the process. Able to talk to all top brass with the care and interest in sharing the process through the team that showed up and did The work. Always willing to answer my questions I am thrilled with the results. Thanks Jeff, Jose, Juan, and Chris. I would highly recommend your team. Your onsite workers were fabulous. Make it a great day.

Nancy H.

From start until finish, Roofstar Arizona was the perfect choice for our house. We were given a very clear and thorough quote for the work our 30+ year old roof needed; we could’ve choose to ‘band-aid’ key areas and spend less, or we could spend the money and fix it right. We had saved and knew we’d have to spend a good amount of money for the work, but Roofstar was professional enough to offer choices. We had a slight miscommunication with regard to instruction with the on-site supervisor, and though we were able to easily clear things up, Roofstars’ owner Jeff drove himself to our home just to make sure our minds were at ease. Excellent touch. The workers were courteous and very thorough with the work. They stuck to the time needed to complete (we had good weather), and our home has a new roof, ready for the next 30 years. It looks great, and we have the confidence knowing the job was done right. Great work, guys. Highly recommend this company.

….03/2020–an update–we’ve had a few rainy days since the roof work–and everything is in fantastic order. These guys did a great job for us, and I know they will for you, too.

Dan Y.

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