Roof Flashing Repair: Signs You Need Us

Arizona is known for extreme weather, from intense monsoon storms to blistering summer heat. That unique climate creates plenty of opportunities for roof damage, and flashing is one of the first places it shows up.

With occasional heavy rain, high winds and constant heat, most roofs will eventually need flashing repairs. Ignoring damaged flashing allows water into the roof structure, which over time can rot decking and framing and lead to much larger repairs. Knowing the warning signs helps you catch problems early and avoid costly repairs or a premature replacement.

Roof flashing is metal installed wherever the roof has a joint or where a vertical surface meets the roof. Common locations include:

• Chimneys and walls that rise above the roofline
• Skylights
• Plumbing vents and exhaust vents
• Valleys, where two roof slopes meet
• Roof-to-wall transitions, such as where a patio roof meets the house
• Edges and drip edges

The job of flashing is to direct water away from those joints so it cannot seep into the gap. Because these are the most complex parts of any roof, they are also where most leaks start.

Metal flashing can rust or corrode over time. Steel flashing is often coated with zinc (galvanized) to slow rust, but as that protection wears, rust can develop, especially where water, debris or dust sit against the metal. Aluminum resists rust but can corrode when exposed to certain chemicals, moisture or contact with incompatible metals. Rusted or corroded flashing can thin out and develop holes. From the ground, look for orange or brown streaks around chimneys, vents and wall flashing.

Monsoon winds in Arizona can be strong enough to topple trees. If the wind can do that, it can certainly lift or pull off flashing. Once flashing is loosened or missing, water has a direct path into the roof structure. Sealants that hold flashing in place also dry out and crack in the heat, which makes it easier for wind to pry the metal loose. After a strong storm, scan your roof with binoculars for pieces that look lifted, out of place or missing.

Arizona's temperature swings cause metal to expand and contract repeatedly. Over time, flashing can bend and warp, and the constant movement can eventually lead to cracks, especially at seams and fasteners. Even a minor crack can let water into the roof structure. Branches and debris blown onto the roof during storms can also dent or bend flashing.

Water stains on ceilings or walls are never a good sign. Between the roof surface and your ceiling are several layers: roofing, underlayment, decking, insulation and drywall. By the time a stain appears inside, water has already worked through several of them. Stains near a chimney, skylight, exterior wall or below a roof valley often point to failed flashing. Do not wait to have them checked.

Flashing repair often involves lifting surrounding shingles or tiles, removing old sealant, replacing or refastening metal and rebuilding the watertight layers in the correct order. Done incorrectly, a flashing repair can direct water into the roof instead of away from it. On tile roofs, the work also requires knowing how to move and replace tiles without breaking them. For your safety and the roof's, we recommend leaving it to a professional.

If you think your flashing is damaged, call the experts. Payne Roofing is an Arizona roofer based in Gilbert, serving Phoenix and the East Valley since 1984. We will find the source of the problem and restore your roof, and our repairs include a 2 to 5 year warranty. Call 480-988-9250 or learn more about our roof repair services.