If your roof leaks, the chances are pretty good that deteriorating metal roof flashing is 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 used where there is heavy water flow, leaking flashing can funnel streams of water into your house.

Check the flashing as well as the condition of your roof shingles when you clean your gutters. Look carefully for loose nails and 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 the flashing and then paint with rust-inhibiting metal paint to help it last longer. Choose a color that will blend with the roof.

For flashing around dormers, scrape out the old caulking compound, if any, and wire brush the flashing. Apply urethane roofing cement between the siding or shingles and the flashing. Be sure to seal any obvious seams.

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