How to Do Flashing for Metal Roof
Installing roof flashing is a way to weatherproof your metal roof against rain. Any place where the surfaces of your roof intersect, like chimneys and roof valleys, is a spot for potential water leaks. When put in correctly, your roof flashing should both catch the rain water and drain it back out to the drain system on your roof. Your metal roof, while lightweight and very strong, is vulnerable to corrosion and therefore susceptible to water leaks. So it's a good idea to install roof flashing on your metal roof. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Tape measure
- Roof flashing
- Tin snips
- Hammer
- Roofing nails
- Clear silicone caulk
- Caulking gun
- Wire brush
- Paint brush
- Zinc-based primer
- Rust resistant spray paint
Instructions
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Climb up on a ladder and take the measurements of your roof. Go to a building supply store and buy enough flashing to cover your roof, adding 4 or 5 inches to each measurement to allow for overlap. Cut the pieces of flashing with tin snips to fit the surface of your roof and to fit into the angles and valleys.
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Lay the lengths of flashing on your metal roof, starting in one corner of your roof and working your way across the entire surface. Overlap each piece 4-5 inches over the previous piece you put down.
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Nail the flashing in with roofing nails. Space the nails 6-8 inches apart. Pound hard and straight on your hammer to penetrate through to the metal roof. Place the nails close to the edge of the flashing to leave the surface of the flashing as contiguous as possible.
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Apply silicone caulking with a caulking gun on all seams where the flashing overlaps. Caulk all nail heads that protrude or are exposed.
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Paint the flashing to match your metal roof, if it doesn't blend in with the earthy tones of your home. Clean the surface of the flashing with a stiff wire brush to remove debris. Cover the flashing with a coat of zinc-based primer applied with a paint brush. Then spray on several coats of a rust-resistant spray paint.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't wait; install flashing on your metal roof at the first sign of leaking.
References
- Photo Credit abstract red metal tiled roof background and chimney image by Avesun from Fotolia.com
