Flashing Fixes

House detective Steve Showalter heads to the eastern shore of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay to inspect a 1987, Ranch-style home retreat, discovering that the flashing around the chimney is showing some rust. He recommends painting and sealing it to extend its life, but if the flashing actually had holes in it--or was missing--his advice would have been different.

Flashing is the name for the sheet metal strips that are secured to vents, chimneys, skylights--or anything else that penetrates the surface of your roof.

It's the last line of defense in the battle to keep water from leaking into your house.

Flashing is made from many different kinds of metal, ranging from copper--which is durable but very expensive--to aluminum--which is much more affordable and more widely used.

If you've developed a roof leak, flashing should be on your list of suspects. Here 's how to check:

• Carefully inspect any flashing near the leak for gaps, dents or punctures. Fix any small holes with roofing cement or sealant. Make sure the surface is dry, and work carefully to ensure a good, solid seal.
• Fixing bigger holes or missing flashing is a more complicated job and may require replacement. It's best left to the serious do-it-yourselfer or a professional roofer.

Guests
Steve Showalter
Building inspector
423 Thompson Dr.
Annapolis, MD 21666
Phone: 410-604-2700
Also in this Episode

House Detective : Episode HDT-307
•	Flashing Fixes
•	Wooden Fence