Rockville Roofing: Article About What To Know About Roof Flashing
Cap flashing is a particular type of flashing designed to offer horizontal protection and minimize water penetration. Cap flashing is made from a number of different materials, including copper, and it is used to protect doors and windows as well as roofs.
Question for Rockville MD roofing company Seneca Creek Home Improvement: What is the best metal for roof flashing?There is no one best material for roof flashing, and the ideal choice tends to vary based on the purpose, environment and even availability of the raw material. The most important point is that the metal is durable and long lasting, and keep in mind that some non metal flashing materials meet this requirement, such as rubber or plastic.
A roof is the most integral aspect of a house because it serves as a protective barrier against water, which is what poses the greatest threat to any structure. Most Rockville roofing customers associate shingles with the most important feature of a roof when it comes to blocking water, and many do not realize that flashing is equally important and arguably more so. This is a vital fact because it means that flashing demands the same attention that homeowners tend to give their shingles.
All roofs have joints and other features that cannot be suitably covered by shingles, which is the purpose of flashing. Flashing is a construction feature positioned between the underlayment and the shingles to prevent water from entering those joints. The most prevalent area where flashing is required is the intersection point of any two sides of a roof. Flashing is also used anywhere where right corners are created, such as vent stacks, chimneys and skylights.
Flashing must be impenetrable to water. It must also be resistant to corrosion, which provides it long term protection against water.
A roofing expert from Seneca Creek Home Improvement of Rockville MD would be happy to answer any question you have about windows or doors.
Some flashing is made from metals like zinc and copper not only because they meet these requirements but also because they release ions that inhibit the growth of algae, moss and mold. Roofers typically install flashing in an angled manner, and the flashing strips are generally overlapped in order to prevent water entrapment.
Most flashing comprises two distinct components: base flashing and cap flashing. Base flashing is the aspect of the design that attaches to the roof. Common base flashing has an L shape, and the leg of the material will extend under the roofing material for at least six inches. When applying flashing to a vent stack, the base flashing is a special sleeve or boot rather than an L shaped sheet. The cap flashing is attached to the area that the roof intersects, and cap flashing will usually cover that intersection by 6 inches.
Homeowners must recognize that if flashing becomes compromised, the shingles are compromised, and the underlayment can be too. Therefore, flashing deserves to be a focal point whenever a homeowner performs even a cursory examination of the roof from the ground. Pay particular attention to any buildup of detritus, which can hold moisture and harm the flashing over time. Keep an eye out for signs of rust, or dry rot in the case of boots and sleeves, and watch for any sealant that may be peeling up or dry rotting.
