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House with Red Roof

Crucial Flashing

Flashing

Why Flashing Details Are Critical to Your Home’s Protection

Flashing is one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of your home’s exterior system. It’s not something you see, but it’s what keeps water out of the walls and prevents thousands of dollars in hidden damage.

What Is Flashing?

Flashing is the thin material (usually metal or a waterproof membrane) installed around roof edges, windows, doors, decks, chimneys, and wall intersections. Its job is to direct water away from vulnerable areas so it doesn’t get trapped behind your siding or stucco.

Why It Matters

Even the best siding or stucco job will fail if flashing is missing or improperly installed. Water will find its way into even the smallest gaps — and once it’s behind the surface, it can rot framing, damage insulation, and promote mold growth without any visible warning signs.

Common Flashing Failures

Missing kickout flashing at roof-wall intersections (a huge cause of stucco failure)

Poor window pan flashing, allowing water to leak behind the frame

Improper chimney flashing, which causes water to leak down the sides and into the home

Unsealed wall penetrations for lights, vents, and pipes

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Every Siding Type Depends on It

Whether your home is finished in stucco, Hardie board, or vinyl siding — flashing is what protects the structure beneath. Many homes we inspect already have siding issues caused by poor or missing flashing details during original construction.

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