- By Liam Ridings
- In Blog, Metal Roofing, Renovation
- Tags roof repairs
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Roof Flashing?
How much does it cost to replace roof flashing? Understanding the different factors that impact the cost of roof flashing replacement cost on your property.
The flashing on your roof is one of the most integral elements of keeping your home safe. As the last line of defence against water infiltration, roof flashing directs water towards the gutters and away from the vulnerable spots of a roof.
Protected the exposed areas of a roof like vents, edges, valleys and seams, flashing is a valuable part of your roof’s drainage system. If you have found your roof to be suffering from a roof leak, chances are it’s due to failing flashing. Before allowing water and moisture to damage your roofing materials, it’s best to repair roof flashing as soon as you notice it to be damaged or worn. The question most homeowners are likely asking now is, how much does it cost to replace roof flashing?
Roof flashing replacement can vary significantly depending on the scope of the project and the materials involved. To understand how much it should cost to replace roof flashing, we thought we’d break down what the process looks like and the factors that determine how much roof flashing replacement costs.
What Is Roof Flashing?
Flashing is typically aluminium or galvanised steel strip of material that protects the intersections between roof joints. Roof flashing works to create a seal between the roofing materials and other objects, such as chimneys, skylights, and the roofs guttering and edges. Roof flashing provides the roof with a watertight seal in all of the awkward places roofing shingles or sheets are vulnerable.
Over time, roof flashing can become rusted, deteriorated, loose, and worn – this is what will generally cause the average roof leak. When roof flashing becomes damaged, it means that water can penetrate the most vulnerable places of your roof – replacing damaged flashing is imperative to protecting your home.
How Do I Know If I Need to Replace Roof Flashing?
The most significant sign of needing to replace roof flashing is when a house begins to suffer significant water damage from leaks. Damaged or deteriorated flashing may cause moisture leaks, allowing water to infiltrate the roof and make it into the structure of a house. Internal leaks will present in the form of staining on the walls or ceilings, moisture in areas that are typically dry, rood wotting, or mould and mildew bacteria growth.
The most typical indication of failing flashing is exterior signs of water damage. Water stains, paint bubbling, and mould growth may be present on the siding or exterior walls due to water infiltrating areas of the exterior that are usually protected.
You may notice areas of your roof and roof flashing to rust, deteriorate, break, or become loose. If this is the case, your roof flashing is on its way out and will require immediate repair or replacement to avoid further roof damage. Missing, bent, cracked, or dented flashing is also a pretty good indication that your roof flashing requires replacement.
There are many signs of roof flashing needing replacement; however, the best way to determine whether or not you need roof flashing replacement or repairs is to hire an experienced roofing contractor to inspect your roof. Regular roofing inspections will also uncover any potential flashing problems – preventing your roof from avoidable water damage in the future.
What’s Involved in Roof Flashing Replacement?
Repairing roof flashing or flashing replacement is a task that is best handled and conducted by a professional roofing contractor. While roof flashing replacement is a reasonably minor repair job, achieving a 100% waterproof seal can only be executed with professional replacement and installation.
Roof flashing replacement is a process of installing and resecuring the vulnerable areas of your roof. A professional roof contractor will take the time to remove the old flashing entirely, assess the area for any potential problems, replace the flashing materials, and ensure the roof’s seal is watertight. Roof flashing is your first line of defence against water; correct roof flashing installation is imperative to allow for adequate water drainage.
Hiring and relying on a professional roofing company for roof flashing replacement also reduces the need for future repeat repairs. A professional roofing expert from Vertec Roofing will have the right tools, supplies, experience and skills to ensure correct flashing installation; minimising the risk of damage and unnecessary wear and tear.
It doesn’t matter how good your roofing materials are – if your flashings are not in good condition, the structural integrity of your roof is compromised. Flashings are the pieces of the puzzle that hold everything together, direct water in the right direction, and keep moisture from penetrating the interior.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Roof Flashing?
How much it costs to replace roof flashing really depends on several factors. There are cost-effective solutions to roof flashing replacements, but roof flashing replacement costs will generally come down to the specifics of the situation. To determine the cost to replace or repair roof flashing, a professional roofing contractor will need to inspect the site.
Factors Influencing the Cost to Replace Roof Flashing
The factors that will determine the cost to and price for replacing roof flashing includes the type of roof flashing requiring replacement, the roof flashing materials, and the scope of the project.
Types of Roof Flashing
Step Flashing – Shaped to fit the vertical of a fixture or a horizontal area on a roof. Step flashing closely overlaps roof materials to prevent water from pooling.
Saddle Flashing – Used to product any protruding railing attachments or beams.
Cap Flashing – L-shaped flashing that is installed flat against a roof and other structures like windows. The shape prevents water from pooling in cracks and areas surrounding the structure.
Vent Pipe Flashing – Cone-shaped flashing used to cover vent pipes and prevent water from getting in.
Valley Flashing – Where two valleys meet, W-shaped valley flashing is used to seal the uneven areas.
Continuous Flashing – A long piece of flashing that works to protect the joints of a sloped roof and a wall.
Roof Flashing Materials
There are several different forms of roof flashing to choose from. The materials used will depend on the application and the requirements of the replacement.
Galvanised Steel – the most cost-effective and long-lasting flashing solution, galvanised steel requires little maintenance and is resistant to rust.
Aluminium – easily bendable, aluminium is ideal for roofs with oddly shaped features as it can be bent and manoeuvred to seal awkward areas.
Roofing Felt – One of the lesser durable flashing materials, roof felt is sometimes used in conjunction with other types of flashing. It does not provide waterproofing; however, roofing felt can prevent water from seeping into specific areas.
Copper – for custom made copper roofing materials, copper flashing can be used. Malleable, sturdy, and resistant, copper is a good flashing material that looks great when matched to the right copper roofing materials.
Rubber – rubber is flammable, so it is not the best option for houses at risk of bushfires. Not nearly as durable as other flashing materials, rubber does not provide the same waterproof seal.
Plastic – PVC or plastic flashing is durable, long-lasting, and cost-effective. However, it can’t be used with asphalt roofing.
Scope of Project
The most significant factor to consider for roof flashing replacement costs is the scope of the repair or replacement project. When asking “how much does it cost to replace roof flashing?” a professional roofing contractor will not be able to provide an answer until they know where the flashing is in use and how difficult it may be to replace it. A comprehensive roofing inspection is required to determine how much material needs to be replaced and how difficult the replacement job will be. The scope of the project also includes the labour involved – if the area requiring work is not easily accessible or difficult to repair, it may require more work. This will naturally increase the roof flashing replacement costs.
Conclusion
Roof flashing replacement is one of the more minor roofing repair projects and will not be a costly repair. To determine how much it will cost for roof flashing replacement, a professional roofing contractor will need to thoroughly inspect the site and offer a quote from there.
When it comes to expert flashing replacement and repair, Vertec Roofing are the roofing professionals for the job. The installation process of flashing requires expert solutions, attention, and a comprehensive assessment. When appropriately installed, flashing material works to drain water away from the roof and keep the property safe from moisture. It’s essential to have a roofing specialist you can rely on for roof flashing replacement – Vertec Roofing are just that.
Contact our team today if you’d like to set up a roofing assessment and quote for roof repairs and roof restoration.
