Flashings are the (often metal) pieces that seal the most vulnerable junctions of a roof: around chimneys, wall connections, dormers, valleys and vents. When they come loose, lift, deform or are poorly sealed, they stop doing their job and become a direct entry point for water.
Common causes
sealant that dries and cracks over the years, expansion and contraction of the metal, wind lifting a poorly fastened piece, corrosion, deficient original installation, or work (chimney sweeping, antenna) that shifted a flashing.
Signs to watch for
metal lifted, bent or rusted at the junctions, cracked or missing sealant, open joints around the chimney or walls, signs of infiltration or water stains on the ceiling directly below these areas, debris stuck in the valleys.
Why you should not ignore it
the junctions are the weak points of a roof, and that is where most infiltrations start. A failed flashing lets water reach the decking, the insulation and the framing, often well before a stain appears inside. A small flashing defect can thus cause damage out of all proportion to its size.
What a professional assessment reveals
Flashings direct water away from vulnerable junctions; once loose, they become a direct entry point for infiltration. An assessment spots failing flashings and the areas already affected by water, a systematic check of a pre-purchase inspection.
Loose flashings are a frequent entry point for water. Our building roof expertise inspects them along with parapets and drainage.
Vous soupconnez ce probleme dans un batiment ?
Une inspection le confirme, le documente et le chiffre, pour decider en connaissance de cause.
Inspection preachat Bilan de sante du batiment (BCA) Demander une soumission
