Step Flashing Roof Protects from Water Leaks at Walls, Dormer, Chimney

Step Flashing Shingled Roof is an Extra Step for your Assurance, Guaranty. The main advantage to step flashing your shingled roof is that it provides superior protection against water leaks at the intersection of your roof and walls. Step flashing is a type of flashing that is installed in layers, with each layer overlapping the one below it. This creates a watertight seal that prevents water from seeping in behind the shingles.
Step flashing is particularly important for shingled roofs because shingles are not perfectly waterproof. Over time, shingles can become cracked, warped, or damaged, allowing water to seep in. Step flashing helps to prevent this from happening by providing a secondary barrier against water intrusion.
Here are some of the specific advantages of step flashing shingled roofs:
Protects against water leaks: Step flashing creates a watertight seal at the intersection of the roof and walls, preventing water from seeping in and causing damage to the interior of the home.
Extends the life of the roof: By preventing water leaks and moisture damage, step flashing can help to extend the life of the roof.
Improves energy efficiency: Step flashing can help to improve energy efficiency by sealing gaps in the roof and preventing heat from escaping in the winter and cool air from escaping in the summer.
Increases the value of the home: A well-maintained roof with step flashing is more valuable to potential buyers than a roof without step flashing.
Overall, step flashing is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to improve the performance and longevity of your shingled roof. It is highly recommended by roofing professionals as a best practice for shingled roof installation.
Installing Step Flashing to Prevent Roof Leaks
1. One piece of flashing goes with every course of shingles, like shingling, to make the joint watertight. So you always to start from the bottom.
2. Only nail on one side to allow for movement of the building. Don't nail step flashing to both to the wall and to the roof. Nail step flashing to the sidewall only to cover the nail head with the next piece of flashing and the siding.
3. The bottom corner, where you start the course of flashing, is made from two pieces of bent step flashing lapped over each other, I like 2”, and caulked in place.
4. Caulk the next piece of flashing will overlapto seal the corner because it often leaks because there is not a full 2 in. of overlap. And use roofing sealant. Not all caulks can withstand the heat and exposure of a roof.
Hi! I’m Blair Gilbert, aka MR. HARDWARE. As a third-generation hardware store owner, licensed builder, and finish carpenter, my mission is to help you “do it right the first time!” On this site, I share expert home and yard DIY advice in over 200 videos. I can fix and repair your problems.
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[@themeat5053]

You're absolutely correct. Here in Connecticut most builders skip, not only the step flashing, but also the flashing around doors and windows. Getting worse now that we are getting contractors from places where they've learned the construction trade on the trip over.

[@phillyfathead]

Very interesting and informative!