How To Repair Your Flashing

Flashing is the material that is placed around an opening that prevents water and other materials from seeping into a wall or roof, where it can result in damage. Flashing can be installed in roofs, along doors or where vents are installed in a home or building.

Materials Needed

•Flashing
•Protective Safety Gloves
•Tin Snips
•Silicone Caulk
•Caulking Gun

Step 1

Inspect the area where you believe a leak exists. Determine if there are damaged shingles, wall siding or other material that might be contributing to the leak. Look for corroded flashing, flashing that is bent or flashing that has been damaged and allows water to flow onto the roof or wall interior.

Step 2

Remove any surrounding shingles or siding that is covering the edge of the flashing. Be careful to also remove any nails, adhesive or roof cement from around the flashing.

Step 3

With tin snips, cut a new piece of flashing that is an appropriate length to cover the area that you are repairing. If the flashing is to be installed on the roof, it should cover the surrounding shingles at least 3 inches. Also, if the flashing is being placed along chimney masonry, it will need to extend at least 2 inches along the masonry face.

Step 4

Put the flashing in place and nail it with galvanized nails. If the piece of flashing is being installed along a chimney, attach it to the chimney and not the roof.

Step 5

Place a tube of water proof silicone caulk in a caulk gun. Apply a bead of caulk along the edge of the flashing to create a water proof seal.

If the new flashing is on the roof, fold over the existing shingles to cover the edge of the flashing and apply a bead of caulk along the edge of the shingles to create a seal and to act as an adhesive.

Replace any siding that was removed and apply a bead of silicon to create a seal.