Installing shingles flashing

Figures 6 through 11 show installation of the step and kick out flashing on a new home but many of the steps are similar. Installation of kick-out flashing is a critical component of step or continuous flashing. Kick-out flashing is a piece of flashing at the bottom of a section of roof that adjoins a wall. It is installed to direct water run-off away from the adjoining wall and usually into a gutter.

Kick-out flashing is sometimes fabricated on site by the roofing contractor; however, seamless plastic flashing pieces specifically molded to serve as kick-out flashing pieces are available.

These are sized to handle the larger volumes of water runoff that may be concentrated along the wall in rain storms. Inspect the existing wall and overhang framing and review specific detailing for any deficiencies or water intrusion damage and make any corrections, if necessary. Ensure proper lapping of building layers to shed water away from the wall and overhang assemblies.

The IRC does not have additional requirements for roof-wall flashing in hurricane-prone regions or other high-wind areas. Some local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or require specific product approval. This is important because codes typically do not provide all the detailed information for a durable installation. Assessments by FEMA after hurricanes commonly find that water intrusion and structural building failures are due to improper installation of building components.

So, even where the IRC does not require additional measures, proper installation is more critical in hurricane-prone regions. While typically all water-protecting components on a roof should be installed shingle fashion, IBHS Fortified does recommend in hurricane and high-wind regions that the drip edge at the roof eaves be installed over, not under, the drip edge. In cold climates zones 5 and higher , install self-adhered ice and water shield membrane over the roof sheathing at the eaves from the edge of the roof line to at least 2 feet up the roof deck from the interior plane of the exterior wall.

The map in Figure 1 shows the climate zones for states that have adopted energy codes equivalent to the International Energy Conservation Code IECC , 12, 15, and The map in Figure 2 shows the climate zones for states that have adopted energy codes equivalent to the IECC Compliance The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below.

For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links. Water-Managed Roof Assembly. Footnote 12 Intersecting wall siding shall terminate 1 in. Continuous flashing shall be installed in place of step flashing for metal and rubber membrane roofs.

Footnote 14 Any of the following are permitted to be used as alternatives to Item 3. Section R Flashings shall be installed in a manner that prevents moisture from entering the wall and roof through joints in copings, through moisture permeable materials and at intersections with parapet walls and other penetrations through the roof plane.

Flashings shall be installed at wall and roof intersections, wherever there is a change in roof slope or direction and around roof openings. A flashing shall be installed to divert the water away from where the eave of a sloped roof intersects a vertical sidewall. Where flashing is of metal, the metal shall be corrosion resistant with a thickness of not less than 0.

Base flashing against a vertical sidewall shall be continuous or step flashing and shall be not less than 4 inches mm in height and 4 inches mm in width and shall direct water away from the vertical sidewall onto the roof or into the gutter.

Where siding is provided on the vertical sidewall, the vertical leg of the flashing shall be continuous under the siding. Where anchored masonry veneer is provided on the vertical sidewall, the base flashing shall be provided in accordance with this section and counterflashing shall be provided in accordance with Section R Where exterior plaster or adhered masonry veneer is provided on the vertical sidewall, the base flashing shall be provided in accordance with this section and Section R Metal flashing to which bituminous materials are to be adhered shall be primed prior to installation.

Retrofit: , , , , and IRC. Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with the requirements of this code, unless otherwise stated.

See code for additional requirements and exceptions. Appendix J regulates the repair, renovation, alteration, and reconstruction of existing buildings and is intended to encourage their continued safe use.

More Info. Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. Where roofs intersect walls is a critical point for flashing to prevent water leaks and damage. While wood siding may quickly show evidence of this water intrusion with peeling paint or staining, some wall claddings like fiber cement, vinyl siding, and brick veneer can mask the evidence for years.

Roof step flashing must be effectively integrated with diverters known as kick-out flashing to effectively direct water to the gutters and avoid water damage. Roof-wall water deflectors help drain water away from high-risk corners where walls meet roofs.

What this means to you is peace-of-mind knowing your home has a comprehensive set of measures that minimize the risk of water damage in your home. The Building America Field Kit allows you to save items to your profile for review or use on-site. Sign Up or Log In. Scope Images. Install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of an existing wall and roof, as follows: Inspect the wall and roof framing to assess existing conditions and develop specific detailing for flashing the intersection of the wall and roof.

If there is no metal flashing installed at the wall-roof intersection, or if the existing flashing is damaged, improperly installed, or allowing water to damage the wall, remove the siding and any existing flashing to expose at least 8 inches of the wall. Repair any damaged sheathing and framing. If the existing sidewall-roof intersection did not include a kick-out flashing, carefully inspect the side wall at the roof eave for possible deterioration from bulk water leakage and repair as needed.

Install new adhesive membrane ice and water protector and metal step or continuous flashing that is properly integrated into the weather-resistant barrier and wall and roof coverings to provide continuous water, air, vapor, and thermal control layers on the walls and roof. Figure 1. The down and out approach to flashing — metal flashing directs water down and out of building assemblies.

Source: Building Science Corporation. Figure 2. Existing wall-to-lower roof transition with a new strip of fully adhered air control transition membrane, new step flashing, new roof underlayment, and new cladding — view from eave. Closed-cell spray foam is installed at the underside of the lower roof deck as an air control layer. Source: Building Science Corporation Figure 3. Existing wall-to-lower roof with attic transition with a new strip of fully adhered air control transition membrane, new step flashing, new roof underlayment, and new cladding — view from eave.

Closed-cell spray foam is installed at the interior attic wall to transition the air control layer from the roof sheathing to the attic air control layer. Figure 4. Continuous L-metal flashing integrated with underlayment at roof-wall intersections. Source: IBHS Figure 5.

Flashing at roof-wall intersection with CMU wall. How to Install Flashing at the Transition of a Wall to a Lower Roof Remove roofing and enough siding on the wall above the roof-wall intersection to expose the existing house wrap or building paper. Inspect the structural integrity of the wall and the overhang. Check the framing for any deficiencies, rot, insect damage, etc. Proceed only after needed repairs are performed. Based on the findings, revise the wall and overhang assembly and review specific detailing as needed.

Follow the minimum requirements of the current adopted local building code. Install a fully adhered air control transition membrane from the existing roof sheathing onto the face of the existing wall sheathing Figure 6. Extend at least 2 inches above the future step flashing.

Install the roof underlayment as the water control layer. Extend it to the existing wall and over the transition membrane; the underlayment should wrap up the sidewall at least 8 inches. Install new kick-out and step flashing, integrated with shingles as required Figures 7, 8, 9. These instructions are only to help homeowners understand what to expect from their roofing professional. Step flashing is the most time-consuming of all flashing jobs on the roof because you must complete it step-by-step as you shingle up the roof.

There are a few general best practices you need to know. First, step flashing must be installed before the siding, so that the siding can cover the top of the flashing. If this is a repair job, the siding must also be removed and replaced with the flashing. Also, before you start installing your flashing, you need to look to see if the wall in question has a corner on the roof face, as in the image below. If it does, follow our first installation procedure. If a wall corner is on the rooftop, you will need to create a corner flashing piece using a typical step flashing piece.

These instructions will tell you how to create a corner piece and how to install step flashing generally:. Instead, you will need to install kickout flashing to help guide the water into the gutter.

Instead, buy a premade kickout flashing piece. Chimney flashing should be installed at the same time the mason is laying the brick and mortar, or the roofer will have to cut a ridge out for the counter-flashing.

Then, the roofer will have to seal this indent up, after placing the flashing. Installing a roof plumbing vent is typically an easier task than flashing a chimney. Here is how you do it:. Do you need information about how to install the other kinds of roof flashing? IKO has already explained how to install drip edge flashing and how to install metal valley flashing. On a typical re-roofing job, where you are replacing an old or underperforming roof, it is wise to replace all flashing. However, there are limited circumstances where a roofer may decide to reuse flashing.

For example, if a roofer is doing a repair job on a relatively new roof and the flashing appears to be in good condition, it may be salvaged. To decide whether or not your flashing can be reused, your roofer will need to remove the flashing carefully to prevent damaging it. Your roofer will then inspect it before deciding to reuse it. If your roofer is replacing the shingles around your flashing, the flashing must be removed, at least temporarily, to allow for proper installation.

Some types of flashing, like step flashing, may be more challenging to reuse because it is harder to separate from the old shingles without denting or otherwise damaging it. Typically, a roofer will replace step flashing on a new roof.

Also, your roofer should not layer new flashing on top of the old flashing. You should only have one layer of flashing on a roof at a time. You might also wonder what damaged flashing looks like and when it should be replaced. Check over your flashing and look for:. That depends on a few factors. If the original flashing is in good condition and can be removed without damaging it, it is possible to reuse it.

Fixing roof flashing, just like installing flashing, is best left to roofing professionals. You should not take risks with your roof.

A professional can help you solve all of your roof flashing problems or answer the questions you have about your specific roof. All rights reserved. The information on this website is subject to change without notice. IKO assumes no responsibility for errors that may appear on this website. IKO strives to accurately reproduce the screen images of the shingle swatches and house photos shown. However, due to manufacturing variances, the limitations of your monitor resolution and the variation in natural exterior lighting, actual colors may vary from the images you see.

To ensure complete satisfaction you should make final color selections from several full size shingles and view a sample of the product installed on a home. Please refer to our Legal Notices for U.

Location set to view all. Show All Products. Roof Flashing There are almost as many types of roof flashing as there are parts of the roof! Long pieces of continuous flashing will have trouble flexing as the home expands and contracts in the changing seasons.

If left as is, it could break or warp and fail to keep water out. Therefore, long pieces have built-in expansion joints so they can move with the home. Base flashing : Some roof features, such as chimneys, require two pieces of flashing.

This ensures that rain always meets a flashing surface that directs it downwards. Plus, it is notoriously tough to install flashing around a chimney. There is another benefit to two-part flashing: When the roof materials naturally expand and contract with weather changes, the two pieces can move, so the whole system stays secure. The base flashing or apron flashing is the bottom piece. Counter -flashing: Placed opposite to base flashing, or above base flashing, counter-flashing completes the two-part team.

Step flashing : Step flashing is a rectangular piece of flashing bent 90 degrees in the center. It is used for roof to wall flashing. Multiple pieces of the flashing will be installed in layers with shingles to ensure the water flows away from the wall. Learn how to install it below. Continuous copper flashing on a shingle roof. Skylight flashing : While some skylight manufacturers include flashing in their products, sometimes roofing professionals have to create it or purchase it separately.

Valley flashing : Open valleys have metal flashing to protect this critical area of the roof. Drip edges : The edge of the roof has thin metal flashing that helps water drip off the roof without damaging the home or causing a leak.

Kickout flashing : Roofing professionals need something to bridge the gap between where step flashing ends and the gutter begins. Kickout flashing directs water away from the wall and into the gutter.

Learn how to install kickout flashing below. Roof Flashing Materials In the past, roofing professionals would use lead, or lead-coated materials, as flashing. However, roofing professionals in North America now prefer other materials: Aluminum : Aluminum flashing is easy for roofing professionals to form and is lightweight. However, aluminum must be coated if it is to be used with concrete and masonry, as plain aluminum reacts and degrades when it touches alkaline surfaces.

In coastal areas, aluminum flashing should be coated even if it does not contact concrete or masonry, to prevent corrosion. Copper : Copper roof flashing is also malleable and takes soldering well.

On the other hand, it does discolor into a patina, which some homeowners dislike, but others favor. You will still routinely find copper flashing around chimneys. Steel : Steel is usually the material of choice for flashing. In fact, if you live in Florida, you may find that your building codes call for a special flashing material, modified bitumen roofing tape: Modified bitumen roofing tape : Modified bitumen is a watertight, tough material.

When made into a tape, it can be used to aid roof flashing. The specific tape you use will have to be approved by your building code and of a certain width. Roof Flashing Sealant Types When you install roof flashing, you will need to use a sealant.

Roof Flashing Techniques Before you learn how to install roof flashing, you need to understand that there are three primary techniques, each suitable for different areas on the roof.

Step flashing : Step flashing is best for where the roof face meets a wall, for example, where a dormer projects out of the roof. Step flashing ensures that water is directed away from the wall and ends up in the gutter. Counter-flashing : Counter-flashing is often used to flash chimneys. It involves two pieces of flashing. The first, base flashing, sits around the bottom of the chimney.

The second piece, the counter-flashing, is embedded into the masonry of the chimney. Construction professionals use counter-flashing for many other purposes, but it always involves a second piece of flashing set off from the first.

Plumbing vent boot flashing : Vent flashing is a cylindrical piece of flashing that fits right around the vent. The shingles are installed over the base or boot. The height of the boot forces water to run around the vent. How to Install Roof Flashing Disclaimer : Roof flashing should always be installed by professional roofers, who understand best practices, safety requirements and the building codes and laws in their area.

How to Install Step Flashing With a Wall Corner If a wall corner is on the rooftop, you will need to create a corner flashing piece using a typical step flashing piece. These instructions will tell you how to create a corner piece and how to install step flashing generally: Step One : Install your underlayment completely and your shingles up to where the wall begins, so that the first piece of flashing, or the corner flashing, will rest on a shingle.

Step Two : To make corner flashing, take your tin snips and cut a degree line from an outside corner to the center fold. Then, cut along the center fold and remove the resulting triangle. This will allow you to bend the step flashing around the corner cleanly.

If you do not wish to form your own corner flashing, you can buy pre-bent pieces and cut them to size, or use a piece of corrugated aluminum, which is easier to bend. Step Three : Bend the corner flashing tightly around the corner. Ensure it sits flat and extends at least 8 inches above the shingles.