Each roof requires flashing because it is such an important element of a roofing structure. Flashing is a thin material used to direct water from some roof areas like chimneys, walls, or valleys.
Now, the chance is, if you’re currently looking to perform a flashing project on your roof, you will need to know the gist of how it’s done. If you happen to have a flat roof, then the following guidelines on installing flat roof edge flashing can give you information on its basic steps.
How Do You Seal the Flat Roof Edge Flashing?
Different material options can be used when it comes to flash roof installation. The most common are steel, copper, aluminum, and rubber roof drip edge. Different building codes may require specific flashing material or a minimal thickness.
One of the most important flat roof edge flashing details components is the sealant. Nail is most commonly used by roofing professionals, along with epoxy, which will be used in the flat roof edge flashing tutorial below.
Here are four steps of installing drip edge on flat roof:
1. Determining the location of installation
As explained previously, roof flashing serves as a defense against water entering a house or a building by covering areas like vents or chimneys. It involves bending, resting, and fastening the flashing on the surface of these access points.
To create an adequate flashing, you need to decide the best locations. Detect areas where water may enter around your flat roof. You may want to look for sorts of pipes that come out of the house like chimneys. It would also be wise to check for any vent that exists.
The roof flashing is installed after setting and covering the plywood with felt, so it lies right underneath the shingles. You will have to install the flashing throughout the border to the roof to secure the shingles’ underside.
2. Sizing and cutting the flashing
After the flashing locations have been decided, you have to measure the flashing and trim it. Set a piece of flashing on top of the area and mark the perimeter line of the area. Warp it around until the flashing reaches and partly covers the starting edge. Using a marker, create a line and cut the excessive area with aviation snips.
If you use aluminum flashing, it’d be effortless to wrap it in this manner. You don’t need to modify the brim of the flat roof, but you need to make sure that each placed part is slightly overlapping.
For flashing in the pipe area, cut the flash using aviation snips once every 2” on one wrapped side. Then bend it throughout the location and cut the excess.
3. Set the flashing
Once the flashing for your flat roof has been determined of the locations and trimmed according to the correct size, the installation part comes easy. Locate the flashing where it is supposed to be, then set it to using hammer and roofing nails.
Use high-performance roofing epoxy after the flashing is secured correctly by the nails. You only need to apply the epoxy as if you’re painting all over the roof flashing. The epoxy will serve as a sealant for the flashing sides and prevent leaking.
Flat roof edge flashing installation is a project that’s best to be left to the professional roofers, who know safety requirements, best practices, and the applicable building laws and codes in your area. Note that the guidelines above are provided merely to help you understand the basic steps to expect from the professionals you hire.
