Flashings: Why they’re so important!

Regardless of whether science is your strong suit, everyone knows that water
runs downhill, whether it be on the ground or on a wall. It is for this reason
that shingles are laid from the bottom up, so each layer will rest over top the
previous one. With this set-up, water will follow suit and keep running down the
roof, and not under the shingle.

The same goes for wall flashings. Siding, masonry, stone, stucco etc. all
make the home look beautiful, but they are also a very integral part of the
exterior weatherproofing. The exterior walls of your home should have the same
premise as your roof’s shingles, and that is you start at the bottom and work
your way to compensate for the roll down of water.

This photo shows an addition we came across, completed by another company, that was done after the fact, and displays the flashings not behind the siding. This
means this house is getting water from rain or melting snow into the attic
below. The amount of water seeping through depends on the way the rain is coming down (quantity, speed, direction), or how the snow rests against the wall.

It is important to note that the water may not be visible right away, as the
moisture, depending on how much there is, has to travel through wood, then
insulation, pass through the vapour barrier, and finally the drywall. Remember
that water will always find the least resistant way to travel. Alternatively,
the water may also end up in the basement and will never be tracked back to its
original point of entry.

Have you had difficulty with water and moisture in your home due to ineffective
flashings? Let us know in the comments!