Roofing flashing is a thin, galvanized steel sheet used by professional roofing companies in Long Beach to weatherproof any area where penetration occurs, including rakes and eaves, pipe vents, walls, skylights, chimneys, and valleys. Instead of entering the roof deck, water should flow down the flashing’s side and be diverted to the shingles. However, if there’s no flashing, water may seep into the space between the wall and roof, resulting in roof leaks.
Damaged or improperly installed roof flashing could lead to leakage, wood rot, and even deck collapse. Here we’ve enlisted a few steps to ensure a perfect, leak-free installation and to be safe on the job.
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Roof Safety Guidelines
Safety should be foremost when repairing or installing a flashing. To lessen the chances of an accident, take the following precautions:
Walk Slowly:
Since roofs aren’t meant to withstand constant foot traffic, ensure to tread softly across them, even if you’re only working on one roof at a time. Also, don’t forget to check the weather forecast ahead of time. Wind, rain, snow, and ice may make it hard to keep your balance. You may seek the professional assistance of a professional roof contractor in Downey if you are afraid of heights.
Identify Hazards:
Before installing, clean the roof surface of any possible falling or slipping dangers, such as fallen branches, leaves, tools, or other debris. Mark the position of any skylights. Depending on the property, you may also need to be mindful of overhead electricity lines, exposed cables, pipes, or solar panels.
Gather Necessary Materials:
You may need a hammer, nails, and the flashing itself while installing flashing. Keep all other tools and supplies away from the roof. If you’re replacing an existing flashing, you’ll need a flat bar to help you remove the shingles.
Ensure Ladder Safety:
To keep it from moving, the ladder you use to go on the roof should be tied off or fastened to the structure. If that isn’t an option, have a second person stay on the ground and hold the ladder in place as you ascend and descend from the roof.
Keep Hydrated:
Workers might quickly become dehydrated on hot days since a roof is meant to reflect heat. Drink lots of water to avoid vertigo and drowsiness, which can lead to falls and other mishaps.
Step-By-Step Guide for Installation
- Clean the roof of all debris before installing flashing on an uncompleted roof and apply a waterproof layer of felt or tar to the roof’s underlayment. On finished roofs, pry up the roofing nails that used to attach the old flashing, then carefully raise the shingles above the flashing to lift the flashing over the pipe.
- In a new roof installation, the shingles are laid row by row, beginning at the bottom of the roof and progressing to the top. The following shingles should cover the preceding row so that water cannot seep beneath or between the shingles. However, if you find the task daunting, you may call roof repair Pasadena company to undertake the project since improperly installed roof flashing may foster leaking problems.
- Cut the open end of the pipe as you get closer to the pipe penetration. Clear the debris from the pipe’s edge and the space surrounding it, then slip the flashing over the chamfered end to make it sits flat against the waterproof underlayment and shingles. To avoid leaks, secure the flashing to the roof using roofing nails hidden behind the shingles.
- Once you install the shingles, douse the roof above the pipe vent using a hose for 15 minutes to perform a water test. Inspect the attic space where the pipe exits the house to determine if there’s any water leaking. If there are no apparent leaks, the flashing is impermeable, and the operation is finished.