Tag Archives: flashing detail

FLASHING: AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF YOUR ROOFING SYSTEM

Roof flashing details are more than “details”: they are critical components of your home’s construction. Without proper flashing, you might as well open the front door to your home and invite moisture to make itself at home.

In our part of the country, where rain is prevalent, I often see rust and corrosion showing at roof flashing details and at other protective metal elements (such as chimney caps)—as was the case during a recent inspection in Ferndale. 

For flashing that is rusting but not too deteriorated, I recommend clients paint rusted areas to extend serviceable life while budgeting for its replacement in the future. 

If you have questions or comments about roofing or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

LIVING ON THE EDGE: DRIP-EDGE FLASHING DETAILS PLAY A BIG PART IN PROTECTING ROOFS

In my reports, I address flashing details (or the lack, thereof) quite often. Considering we live in a very wet environment, this makes perfect sense.

Today, I’d like to discuss metal drip-edge flashing details briefly. A drip-edge flashing detail is a material applied on a roof’s edge that gives the roof system more capacity to direct water away from the system.

Why is drip-edge flashing important? Well, lots of reasons, including:

• Insects and small pests are better deterred from infesting a roof system

• Water is better directed into building gutter systems and away from exteriors and foundations

• Shingles are better shielded from water damage

• Underlying rooflines are better protected from rot

I recently came across a home in Langley that was lacking drip-edge flashing. As a result, some of the roof system’s OSB sheathing was swelled and deteriorated. I advised them to address this as soon as possible.

If you have questions or comments about roofing systems or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).