It’s not the roof on a property that protects it from rain, wind, snow, sun and all of the other elements. Oh no – it is actually the roof flashings that are fitted on top of the roof that do this job. Weather resistant, roof flashings are positioned at specific points purposely to stop water from entering and causing damp problems. A variety of structures can be shielded from damage with flashing, such as the cables, supports, pipes and anything that might protrude from the roof itself. Perhaps the most important of the cladding, flashings can be fitted by a professional roofer, even if the roof is complex in design and features a skylight, chimney or something else that would make the job more difficult. If you’ve recently had roof flashing fitted or if you have old flashing that you want to extend the life of, take the following maintenance tips into account.
Gathering the Right Materials and Tools
It is a lot easier to maintain roof flashings if you already have the materials and tools at the ready. Not only will it save you a trip to the hardware store but also, it will encourage you to get the job done when the tools are in your view! Some useful items include aluminium screws, copper screws, roofing cement, flashing patches and a stiff brush. It may be worth getting in touch with a roofing professional who can advise you on collecting other materials that might be needed to care for whatever roof type you have.
Inspecting the Flashing
If you neglect a roof for a long time and it breaks, it will be extremely difficult to fix it and a replacement could cost you a whole lot of money. This is why you would benefit from taking a close look at the flashing every so often for signs of leaks close to the edges, where seals may split and welcome unwanted water. Make an effort to clean the gutters as often as possible, so that debris in the form of leaves and twigs doesn’t build up and cause water pooling, which can affect the condition of flashing.
Dealing with Leaks
Should you notice that the roof on your property is leaking, whether you notice because of damp patches on the ceiling or mould and mildew growth, the leak should be fixed before further problems progress. If patching small holes on roof flashing and re-anchoring the flashing does not work, tighten the flashing material with screws. Bear in mind that corrosion can occur if you use copper screws with aluminium flashing and vice versa, so be wise in the materials and tools you use for the job.
