A Quality Roof Depends On Aluminum Flashing
Step flashing
Your roof depends on step flashing and counter flashing. Step flashing is typically aluminum metal that is placed along walls in a step like fashion and along chimneys as illustrated. This metal is what "catches" water as it hits your roof from above and redirects it down the slope of your roof. Step flashing is vital to the longevity of any roof. Many times during a roof installation roofers will not add more step flashing. While it is very typical to re use the step flashing more should be added when necessary. Many times the step flashing does not exactly align with where the new shingles are placed and in that scenario more step flashing is needed. Other roofers will typically skip this step opting for a faster installation that requires less materials. Thus over time you get leaks along the walls of your home and around your chimney. Have you ever looked up and seen a small water stain where the ceiling meets the walls? Now you know why.
At Benji's Roofing we believe the little things are what count. Whether its a few extra pieces of step flashing or some ice & water guard underneath your chimney flashing. The ability of your roof to keep water out is our ultimate goal and we go the extra mile to ensure this.
Owner
Ice and water guard
Step flashing
Counter flashing
Slot for counterflashing
Counter flashing
Counter flashing is usually metal that is installed where step flashing would otherwise be uncovered. If your home has siding then the siding acts as the counter. The way siding works is water runs down the siding and onto the step flashing which is tucked under the siding redirecting all the water that runs down the siding and preventing it from running into your home. Where your roof meets a wall you find your step flashing, which essentially steps the water down your roof but how does the water get to the step flashing if there is no siding? This is where counter flashing comes in. Counter flashing is the metal that is illustrated above along the side of the chimney. This particular counter flashing is aluminum and obviously the color is black but counter flashing comes in a variety of colors and materials. A chimney that has counter flashing offers a much more "finished look". Using a grinder slots are made in the walls of your masonry or stucco as illustrated and metal is bent and placed into these slots. Sealant is then added to the top of the counter flashing to direct the water down the counter flashing onto the step flashing and down the slope of your roof. Quality sealants, ice & water guard and grinding new slots are all of the ways that we guarantee the quality of your flashing.
Watch our short video for a real life example of how to grind new slots for counter flashing.