Flashy Flashing keeps the water out!

Zip Tape used for flashing! Wrong!

When most homeowners think about keeping water out, they think about the roof shingles, siding, or caulking. But there’s an unsung hero that protects your home from leaks.
Flashing is the thin metal (or sometimes plastic) material that installers place around windows, doors, chimneys, roof valleys, and other spots where water loves to sneak in. You usually don’t see it—but it’s working hard behind the scenes.

This picture shows what a contractor used for flashing. It is called ZIP tape and is not designed for use as a permanent form of flashing! This had been in this home for about six months, and the homeowner had no idea it was wrong! 

What Does Flashing Do?
Think of flashing like a raincoat for your home’s most vulnerable joints and seams. Its job is simple:

• Direct water away from cracks and gaps.
• Seal tricky transitions where roofing or siding materials meet.
• Prevent leaks before they can ever start.

Why Is Flashing So Important?
✅ Keeps Water Out – Without flashing, rain can seep into walls, ceilings, and the roof deck.
✅ Prevents Damage – Moisture rots wood, rusts nails, and weakens the home’s structure.
✅ Stops Mold Growth – Trapped water inside walls creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew.
✅ Protects Your Investment – Flashing extends the life of your roof, siding, windows, and doors.
✅ Meets Code Requirements – Building codes require flashing in key locations because it works. But the codes do not instruct or describe how the flashing should be installed! Remember, the "Code" is the minimal requirement!

Where You’ll Find Flashing

• Around windows and doors
• Along roof valleys
• At the base of chimneys and skylights
• Where roofs meet walls
• At deck ledgers and exterior trim

The Bottom Line
Flashing might not be flashy, but it’s one of the most critical layers of protection your home has against water damage. If flashing is missing, damaged, or poorly installed, your home is at risk for leaks and expensive repairs.

That’s why a professional home inspection always checks flashing in the right places. Catching issues early can save you from headaches (and big bills) down the road. If you are having a home built, a pre-drywall inspection will often uncover flashing issues at an early stage of construction where they can easily be addressed.

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