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Roofing Facts That You Need To Know

As an essential and costly investment in our home, it is entirely normal to seek information regarding our roofing. Being informed is vital to protect your investment and avoid unnecessary problems that might occur in the future. In this article, we gathered some of the most important information about roof flashing and its importance in roofing maintenance. These facts will help you keep your roofing in optimal condition, thus protecting your home and loved ones.

Roof Flashing

Flashing plays a huge role in your entire roofing system. Usually made from copper, sheet metal, or aluminum, roof flashing seals the roof joints, preventing leaks from your roof by keeping the water out. The type of flashing installed depends on the roofing material that is used. Most homeowners who opt in DIY roof flashing usually choose aluminum as they are more affordable and easier to install. But regardless of the material, roof flashing is built through soldering.

Areas that need Roof Flashing the most

Some parts of the roof are more vulnerable to water leaks than the other parts. Installing flashing in these parts can provide an extra layer of protection. Among these areas are:
  • Roof valleys
  • Chimneys
  • Roof surface of dormer walls
  • Skylight perimeters Aside from the mentioned above, you would know that a specific part of your roof needs flashing if it has two surfaces connecting together, which is likely to receive more water during rainfall.

    Types of Roof Flashing

    The type of roof flashing you need depends significantly on the type and design of your roofing. Every roof flashing is unique in each home and each part of the roof. But what are the areas that generally need flashing?

    Chimney and chimney caps

    The chimney is the area where most flashing is necessary. Flashing is usually present at the chimney’s bottom, step flashing on the sides, and saddle flashing for the top. Cap flashing, on the other hand, hangs over the edges of the flashings and acts as an extra layer of protection against water leaks.

    Steps

    This is the most common flashing type for homes with vertical walls and sloped roofs. Drip edges are also a feature that helps in preventing water seepage near the roof eaves.

    Integral

    This type of flashing is usually installed together with steps flashing if there are skylights on sloped roofing.

    Saddle

    Saddle flashing is usually installed in railing attachments, joints, beams, and other areas where a parapet wall intersect with other walls.

    Valley

    Valley flashing is installed to protect the valleys on areas where two roof planes meet together. This W-shaped flashing is installed at the top-side of the building felt before the installation of the roof finishing.

    Vent Pipe

    It is a cone-shaped flashing with a base flange that fits on the shingles. This is installed over the roof pipes and flues.

    Areas where most leaks can be found

    The valleys and locations where pipe penetrates the roof surface are the areas on the roofing system that are at the highest risk for leaks. Aside from ensuring that pipes have proper vent pipe flashing, sealing these areas with an asphalt roofing cement to keep the water out can usually solve this problem. Keeping all your roof flashing in its best condition all the time is necessary to prevent leaks, which can lead to more severe problems. Leaving your flashing without maintenance for so long would end up posing your home to risks, as it will not be able to perform their job in keeping your home safe and dry throughout the seasons. For other questions about roof flashing, feel free to contact us for answers.

    To learn more about all the services we offer at Low Cost Roofing, you can contact us via our simple inquiry form or call us on 01782 851 395 and 07581 388 962.

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4 Tips to Make Your Roof More Valuable

Admit it or not, the only time most of us think about the condition of our roof is when we experience terrible weather, and our ceiling starts to leak. However, now is the time that you should be aware of and be interested in the value of your roof. Aside from protecting your home and loved ones, a high-quality and sturdy roof adds massive value to your home and can even increase its resale value if well taken care of. But how can you enhance the value of your roof? Here are four helpful tips that you can consider.

Keep it properly ventilated

Aside from keeping the rain, snow, and other harmful elements from entering our home, another essential function of a pitched roofing system is to create a space so that the hot air rising from the inside doesn’t get trapped under the rafters, which will damage our roof deck eventually. If there isn’t enough ventilation on your attic, the moisture can build up and will cause damage sooner than you expected. To get rid of this problem, make sure to keep your roofing system adequately ventilated with the help of professional roofing contractors.

Check your soffits and fascia regularly

Often ignored components of a home roofing system, but soffits and fascia play a vital role in protecting our home against harmful elements. If installed and maintained correctly, it also contributes to our home’s overall appearance. Soffits and fascia always work hand-in-hand together. A soffit board covers the ends of the rafters, while fascia, on the other hand, protects the space under the eaves. Not only that, but these two components also keep birds and vermin from getting inside your attic. You would know that your roofing system is not in good shape and is exposed to risks if your soffits and fascia are showing signs of abrasion. If you want to increase your roofing system’s value, to repair and replace these components is essential. Although not always necessary, replacing your roof before the warranty expires is a good move if you want to enhance its value. However, in some cases, especially those roofs that are exposed to hailstorms or falling branches, they maybe need to replaced sooner. If your roof’s warranty is near its end and you want to know if a replacement is needed or not, contacting your trusted professional roofers would be advantageous. These professionals will inspect and determine if you need to invest in new roofing right away.

Install Skylights

Not having enough natural light is a common problem for many homeowners. Natural light is essential, and its absence inside your home can make occupants feel dark and gloomy even in the middle of the summer season. By installing skylights, dark rooms, and other areas of your home can brighten up. Skylights also increase the value of your home. A worthy investment if you are planning to sell it in the future.

To learn more about all the services we offer at Low Cost Roofing, you can contact us via our simple inquiry form or call us on 01782 851 395 and 07581 388 962.