If your roof leaks, the chances are pretty good that deteriorating metal roof flashing may be the culprit. Flashing protects the intersections between roof planes; the joints where roofs meet dormers, skylights, and chimneys; and roofs' edges. Given enough time, these formed sheet metal (or sometimes plastic) angles and troughs can rust or deteriorate, or simply work loose from the surfaces they protect, opening up places for water to penetrate. Because flashing tends to be use where there is heavy water flow, leaking flashing can funnel streams of water into your house.

Check the flashing when you clean your gutters and check the condition of your roof shingles. Look carefully for loose nails and other holes as well as the seals at the edges of the flashing. Roofing cement and caulking can become dry, cracked, and crumble away, exposing joints to the elements. It is a simple matter to reseal the flashing and much less trouble than patching and painting water-stained walls and ceilings!

New flashing can look conspicuously shiny, so you may want to paint it or touch up existing flashing to match the roof. Use a stiff brush and solvent to remove flaking paint, corrosion, and dirt, but keep the solvent away from asphalt shingles because it will dissolve them. Use a zinc-based primer and then spray on two or more light coats of rust-preventative metal paint.

Even galvanized metal flashing corrodes after extended exposure to rain and sun. Prime flashing and paint with rust-inhibiting metal paint to help it last longer. Choose a color that will blend with the roof.

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