What Is Counter Flashings? Is It So Important?

One of the most overlooked parts of your roof is the flashings. Flashings waterproof your roof at termination points such as walls and chimneys and valley flashings waterproof were to opposing slopes connect. Flashings are key to a watertight home or building, yet many roofing companies and contractors never replace or so much as re-caulk them. Why not, you might ask? Simply because, A. They do not have the equipment to custom cut and break form sheet metal, B. They are inexperienced and even if they were provided with the materials, have no idea how to install it. At Tops Roofing Company we have a complete metal shop and all flashings are measured and custom fit to your home. Our flashings are also pre-painted enamelled coloured steel, so not only are they maintenance-free, but they also look fantastic and will nicely finish off and compliment your newly installed roofing.

Roof Ventilation

Roof ventilation is key to keeping fresh air exchange constant in your attic space. This is how it works! Fresh air is drawn into the attic from the underside of your roof overhang called the soffit by the roof vents near the top of your roof which provide a draw. As the fresh air is drawn into the attic, the existing attic air exits through the roof vents. This constant air exchange eliminates not only excessive heat in summer but more importantly, moisture contained within the attic space. Inadequate roof and soffit ventilation can create a whole host of problems from mould, to deteriorating and rotten plywood, condensation leaks and also will shorten the life of your roof shingles. Most leaks and associated repairs due to condensation & moisture buildup in the attic will occur in wintertime. They are a result of insufficient roof venting, soffit venting or soffit blockage from insulation. This can all be assessed and upgraded with new roof installations but is commonly overlooked by most roofing contractors.

Exhaust Vents

Bathroom and kitchen exhaust and hood vents if not correctly installed are especially problematic in winter. Here is why!

The fan does not have sufficient CFM rain to properly exhaust the air.
A flexible pipe from fan to roof-mounted exhaust vent is too long and has a horizontal line. All pipe must connect vertically.
The pipe is not insulated.
Exhaust vent has bee incorrectly connected to the exhaust pipe.
What happens with incorrectly installed exhaust vents is mould build up inside the vent pipe and water dripping or condensation leaks running back into the fan or bathroom along the inside or outside of the exhaust pipe.