Roof Flashing Explained: A Small Detail That Prevents Big Leaks
When most homeowners think about their roof, they picture shingles or maybe the slope of the roofline. But there is one critical component that often goes unnoticed until it fails: roof flashing.
While small in appearance, flashing plays a massive role in protecting your home from water intrusion, particularly here on the East End of Long Island where nor’easters and coastal storms are common.
At Bonac Builders, we not only install flashing to the highest standards, we fabricate our own custom metal flashings to ensure a perfect fit and superior protection. Here’s what every homeowner should know.
What Is Roof Flashing?
Roof flashing is a thin layer of metal, usually aluminum or galvanized steel, installed at vulnerable points on your roof. These include:
Chimneys
Skylights
Roof valleys
Dormers
Vent pipes
Edges and corners
The flashing acts as a waterproof barrier that redirects water away from seams, joints, and other openings where leaks are most likely to occur. It seals the gaps that shingles alone cannot fully protect.
Why Flashing Fails And What That Means for Your Home
Flashing may seem like a minor component, but when it fails, the consequences can be major. Common issues include:
1. Corrosion and Rust
Over time, flashing made from inferior metals can deteriorate, especially in salty coastal air like we have in Suffolk County. Once rust sets in, water can seep beneath your roofing system.
2. Improper Installation
Pre-formed flashing or rushed jobs may leave gaps or improperly overlapped joints. This allows wind-driven rain to penetrate the underlayment, eventually leading to leaks, rot, or mold.
3. Storm Damage
High winds, heavy ice, or debris can shift or tear flashing from the roof, exposing previously sealed areas.
4. Thermal Expansion
With every freeze-thaw cycle, materials expand and contract. Flashing that is not properly secured or flexible enough to accommodate this movement may warp or pull away from the roof.
Why Bonac Builders Customizes Roof Flashing
Rather than rely on generic, mass-produced flashing that may not suit every roof’s unique pitch or configuration, Bonac Builders fabricates custom metal flashing in-house. This approach has several advantages:
Perfect Fit for Every Project: Whether it is a cedar shake roof in East Hampton or an asphalt shingle replacement in Montauk, custom flashing ensures a watertight seal.
Superior Materials: We use high-quality, weather-resistant metals that withstand Long Island’s harsh coastal conditions.
Precision Craftsmanship: Our team bends and shapes flashing to exact specifications, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with roofing components and siding transitions.
Long-Term Protection: With properly fabricated and installed flashing, you reduce the likelihood of water intrusion, mold remediation, or structural repairs later on.
Signs Your Flashing May Need Inspection or Replacement
If you notice any of the following issues, it is time to schedule a roof inspection:
Water stains on ceilings or walls
Visible rust or gaps near chimneys or skylights
Peeling paint or mildew around roof eaves
Missing or lifted shingles near roof valleys
Protecting Suffolk County Homes One Flashing at a Time
Whether you are building a custom home in Southampton or extending the life of your roof in Quogue, your flashing matters. It may be a small detail, but it is one that separates a durable roof from a vulnerable one.
At Bonac Builders, we treat flashing not as an afterthought but as a foundational element of every roofing and siding project. Our expertise in metal fabrication, combined with local experience across Long Island’s East End, allows us to deliver roofs built for beauty, durability, and peace of mind.
Contact Bonac Builders today to schedule your free consultation. Let our expert roofing contractors keep water where it belongs, outside your home.