Roof flashing protects your home’s most vulnerable areas where water typically penetrates. Learning to repair minor flashing issues can save money and prevent costly water damage.
Identifying the Problem
Check flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof valleys for cracks, rust, or loose sections. Look for missing caulk, bent metal, or areas where flashing has pulled away from surfaces. Water stains on interior walls often indicate flashing problems above.
Safety First
Only attempt repairs in dry conditions with proper safety equipment. Use a sturdy ladder, wear non-slip shoes, and consider having someone spot you. If the roof is steep or high, call professionals instead. For Roofers Havant, contact R & S Roofing.
Basic Repair Steps
For small cracks or holes, clean the area thoroughly and apply roofing cement or specialised flashing sealant. Press firmly and smooth edges to prevent water pooling. For loose flashing, carefully lift the section, apply fresh sealant underneath, and press back into place.
Replacing Damaged Sections
Severely damaged flashing requires replacement. Remove old flashing carefully, clean the surface, and install new material following manufacturer guidelines. Ensure proper overlap and secure with appropriate fasteners. Roofers Havant can help.
Professional Help
Complex repairs involving step flashing, valley flashing, or structural issues need professional attention. Don’t risk safety or create bigger problems by attempting repairs beyond your skill level.
Prevention Tips
Inspect flashing annually and address minor issues promptly. Regular maintenance prevents small problems from becoming major headaches.
Related: How to Protect Your Roof During the Winter
Keeping a flat roof watertight
Flashing is not the only part of a roof where poor workmanship lets water in. A well built flat roof should be no more trouble than a pitched one, but poor construction or neglect can cause serious problems. Gravel or stone chippings are often spread across flat roofs to protect the membrane from UV rays, which can make roofing materials dry and brittle, and to act as ballast that weighs the covering down in high winds.
On traditional built-up felt roofs, the chippings need to be properly bonded, usually by bedding them into hot bitumen or a suitable adhesive. Loose chippings scattered on a dry surface simply wash or blow away. Flat roofs are often more exposed to wind than pitched ones, and a covering that is not properly fixed and weighted can lift and leave the deck open to the weather.
Check a flat roof regularly for pooling water, cracks, blisters and loose edges, and keep gutters and outlets clear so water drains away. Catching problems early can save a costly repair.
Spring checks after a hard winter
Spring is a good time to look over a roof for damage left by the winter weather, and flashing is one of the first places to check. Cold temperatures can make the sealant around flashing crack or warp, leaving gaps where water can get in and cause further damage. It needs putting right as soon as it is spotted.
Heavy rain or rapid changes in temperature can also damage the membrane beneath the roof covering, which stops water reaching the inside of the house. Older membranes are particularly at risk, so watch for any signs of water getting through.
Animals may have moved into the roof space to shelter over the winter too. Mice can cause all sorts of damage, and wasps setting up a nest are unwelcome guests. Because roof work can be difficult and dangerous, anything beyond a visual check from the ground is best left to a professional roofer.