Types Of Chimney Flashing Which Is Very Important To Know
A chimney is
made of several components, each one of which has a crucial role to
play in its functioning. Even if one part of your chimney is missing
or malfunctioning, it can put your entire house on risk. While we
generally talk about cleaning and
chimney
liner installation,
we forget about an essential component, flashing.
What is chimney
flashing?
Flashing is that
component of your chimney which is found at the point where the roof
meets a fireplace. It is used for sealing the space between the roof
and chimney. The primary purpose of a chimney flashing is to provide
waterproofing to your roof and chimney to protect them from water
penetration. Chimney flashing is a long-term installation, and
therefore you should invest in good-quality fireplace flashing
material for your chimney. If installed properly, chimney flashing
can last for up to 30 years or more.
Here are a few
essential types of chimney flashing available in the market.
- Aluminum - Choosing aluminum for chimney flashing is a prevalent option. This is because of the inexpensive nature of aluminum. It is also resistant to rust and corrosion. Moreover, aluminum flashing can be installed on any roof.
- Steel - Steel is another popular material used for manufacturing chimney flashing. It is due to anti-corrosive properties and excellent strength and durability.
- Copper - Copper is the most expensive of all other flashing options. Also, it is good because it doesn’t corrode quickly and is durable enough. In addition to this, copper is also very lightweight. Copper is not used very often as it can stain the chimney crown or bricks.
- Vinyl or PVC - PVC is not an appropriate material to be used in extreme weather conditions. It can crack if subjected to extreme weather conditions.
Installation of
flashing
If you want to
ensure that no moisture enters your chimney, you will have to make
sure that the flashing is installed correctly. This is why it is
suggested that flashing should be installed by a renowned chimney
sweep.
For instance,
while installation, it should be seen that the flashing extends to
the outside and forms a proper channel for water to flow rather than
getting accumulated. The purpose of the chimney flashing is to seal
the chimney and roof joint. Therefore any bends or breaks in the
fireplace are not acceptable. Chimney sweeps are trained to make
accurate measurements so that no errors creep in a while installing
chimney flashing. Many chimney sweep companies also offer customized
flashing for chimneys, and you can avail their services for best
results.
How to decide
when your chimney flashing needs repair or replacement?
Flashing can
erode over time or get blown off due to bad weather. In these
circumstances, you will need to replace it at the earliest. Flashing
is made up of metal and therefore can get rusted or get covered up in
tar, reducing its overall effectiveness.
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