Problems We Fix

Step, apron and counter flashing work in Forest City

Roof cement smeared over old flashing

A thick layer of black roof cement around the base of a chimney usually means someone has chased a leak before. Patches like this can hold for a while, but they hide the flashing underneath, crack as they age in the sun and can hold water against the metal. They also make it hard to see which piece actually failed.

Before anything is recommended, you learn what the patch is hiding, and we do not add another layer on top. Book a free look at your Forest City chimney with our family-owned team.

Why aluminum does not go into mortar

Aluminum is common on roofs, but the Brick Industry Association advises against using it as flashing in brick masonry because the alkalis in fresh mortar attack it. Where aluminum counter flashing has been set into a mortar joint, corrosion along the embedded edge is worth checking.

We look at what metal your flashing is and where it sits. If it is the wrong metal for the job, our family-owned team explains the replacement choices during the free inspection in Forest City.

Metal thickness the code sets

Florida's residential code requires flashing at wall and roof intersections and around roof openings, in section R903.2.1, and Table R903.2.1 sets minimum thicknesses for each flashing metal, from copper and aluminum to stainless and galvanized steel. Thin, soft offcuts bent by hand may not meet it.

We use flashing stock that meets the table for the metal chosen, and we will tell you what it is. Book a free flashing inspection for your Forest City home and see the material on the estimate.

Keeping different metals apart

When two different metals touch in the presence of moisture, one of them can corrode faster. The American Galvanizers Association notes, for example, that the zinc on galvanized steel is consumed more quickly where it contacts most other metals. Mixed nails, clips and flashing at a chimney can set this up without anyone noticing.

We match fasteners to the flashing metal and keep unlike metals from touching. Our local experts explain the choices, and there are no hidden fees on the finished job in Forest City.

Corners, where leaks often start

The corners of a chimney are where the apron, the steps and the back flashing meet, and they are hard to fold well. Brick Industry Association details put tabs at each corner of the base flashing and note that preformed shapes are available for outside corners to reduce cutting. A corner cut short leaves a small gap that lets in a lot of water over time.

We look closely at all four corners of every Forest City chimney we inspect, and the inspection is free.