What Is Step Flashing Roof

Step flashing ensures that water is directed away from the wall and ends up in the gutter. It’s installed in steps, with layers of shingles between, so that the water pours down each step and down the roof. Counter-flashing: Counter-flashing is often used to flash chimneys.

What is the difference between flashing and step flashing?

Step flashing is primarily used against the sides of walls and chimneys. That’s why the term “step” is used in step flashing. You do it step by step by installing a shingle, then a piece of flashing, then another shingle, then a piece of flashing until the wall is completely protected.

What is a stepped flashing?

Stepped flashing: Flashing materials that overlap each other in steps where a junction is on a slope, such as around chimney stacks on pitched roofs. Kickout flashing: The lowermost step flashing at the bottom of roof/wall intersection, used to deflect water away from the wall.

Is step flashing required on roof?

All shingle manufacturers require step flashing at sidewalls for both asphalt, wood and slate. If you see continuous, one-piece flashing like this used as sidewall flashing with shakes, shingles or slate, it’s a defective installation, no matter how often you see it.

Why is step flashing?

Step flashing redirects the water back onto the shingle. Step flashing offers far better protection from leaks, because even if a single piece of step flashing fails, the water just hits the next lower piece. That flashing directs the water onto the shingle and the water drains down the roof.

What is metal step flashing?

Standard Step Flashing Step Flashings are used to seal roofing materials into a sloped roof. A Step Flashing is applied where the roof connects to the wall, making sure the drainage plane behind the siding to divert water from the wall and into the gutter.

How long is step flashing?

Step flashing needs to turn up a minimum of three inches up the sidewall. The flashing material should be 4 inches by 7 inches in length when it lies on the roof deck. The 7-inch length ensures a 2-inch headlap on each course.

When should step flashing be used?

Step flashing: Step flashing is best for where the roof face meets a wall, for example, where a dormer projects out of the roof. In this spot, it’s possible that water could flow down the wall and slip past the shingles into the building below.

Where would you use stepped flashing?

Stepped or “waterfall” flashing is typically used when brick masonry intersects an adjacent sloping surface or when it surrounds a curved or sloped wall opening. Common examples are at bay window locations, at sec- ond story walls over lower roofs and at arch wall open- ings.

Should I replace my new roof with step flashing?

Typically, we will replace step flashing when doing a new roof. Also, a new flashing should not be layered over the old flashing. Your roof is supposed to have only one layer of flashing at a time. Installing new flashing is the only way that we can guarantee quality outcomes when replacing your shingle roof.

Should you nail step flashing?

The flashing alternates with the shingles Then sink one nail into the sidewall to hold the step flashing in place. The bottom edge of the flashing should extend just below the nail line. Attach each piece with a single nail high enough to be covered by the next course of flashing, the building wrap, and the siding.

Is step flashing required by code?

Wall flashing and kick-out diverters are required in the 2009 and 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) Section R703. 8 and 2015 IRC Section R703. 4.

What are the different types of flashing?

Common Types of Flashing: Continuous flashing: Also known as “apron flashing”. Drip edges: Often installed under the roofing felt along the eaves of a roof. Step flashing: Step flashing is a rectangular piece of flashing bent 90 degrees in the center. Valley flashing: A W-shaped piece of metal flashing.

What covers step flashing?

In contrast to step flashing, the next layer is installed in a continuous strip. It sits on top of the finished roof and covers the step flashing. This final layer is called counter, cover or cap flashing and commonly consists of aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, tin or even plastic.

Does step flashing go behind house wrap?

Wrap roof paper up the wall to backup the step flashing. Five inches up the wall is good for 4-inch step flashing. It should be high enough for visual verification that it was done. Cut the house wrap so that the roof paper can be tucked underneath.

How far do you overlap step flashing?

Place each step flashing piece about ¼ inch short of the bottom edge of the shingle that will overlap it — just enough so that the flashing piece is not visible when the overlapping shingle is in place.

What is step flashing made of?

Step flashing can be made with aluminum, copper, lead, galvanized steel, or stainless steel, but most commonly it is aluminum or copper. Small L-shape flashing pieces must be woven into the shingles as you work your way up the roof. The flashing integrates the roof cladding into the wall cladding to keep water out.

What is aluminum step flashing?

Aluminum Step Flashing is mainly used around chimneys, skylights and roof to wall applications. Aluminum flashing is corrosion resistant for weatherproofing against all elements of water and weather. Aluminum Step Flashing is pre-bent for ease of installation, sized to be compatible with most types of shingle roofs.