GLOSSARY · ADELAIDE
Flashings
Plain English
Metal or membrane strips that seal joints in the roof where it meets walls, chimneys, vents, or other penetrations.
Flashings are the second most common roof leak source after ridge capping. Anywhere the roof meets something else - chimney, vent, valley, wall - is a potential entry point for water.
Adelaide roofs often have galvanised or zincalume flashings. Coastal properties get accelerated corrosion. Older flashings can perish, lift, or develop pinholes.
Inspectors will check flashings at every penetration, around the chimney base, where roof slopes meet vertical walls, and in valleys (where two roof slopes converge).