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Roof Flashing Defects List
& Home Inspection Education

Roof flashing leak troubleshooting: this article lists significant roof flashing defects, definitions, and home inspection education topics.

Page top photo: in freezing weather we might spot evidence of flashing leaks at a roof as water accumulates as ice and becomes more-visible. Photo courtesy of InspectAPedia.com reader Vicki, discussed below on this page.

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Home Inspection Education Curriculum - Roof Flashing

1.2   Steep Roof Flashing Defects

1.2.1 Knowledge Base

1.    Describe the function of steep roof flashings.

2.    List five common flashing materials used on steep roofing.

3.    Describe the installation and repair techniques for the following flashings: valley, chimney, pipes or stacks, roof/wall intersections, sloped roofs meeting flat roofs, skylights, eaves, rakes, hips, and ridges.

4.    Define the following terms: open valleys, closed valleys, upstands(Never heard of this term)  JDG, cutting the points, closed cut (half woven) valley, fully woven valley, saddle or cricket, step flashing, counter flashing, pan (trough) flashing.

5.    Identify the codes or standards which apply to steep roof flashings in your area.


1.2.2 Inspection Skills for Roof Flashing Inspection

1.    Describe the inspection procedure for steep roof flashings.

2.    Identify the following common flashing defects listed on the next page.

3.    Describe the implication of each defect.

4.    Identify safety issues for the inspector and occupant of the home (fall hazard and electric shock).

5.    Communicate findings to client verbally and in writing, recommending corrective  action where needed.


Roof & Wall FLASHING DEFECTS List

Eaves Flashing & Roof Edge / Drip Edge Flashing, Typical Defects List

• Drip Edge Behind gutter

• Loose

• Above eave protection

Roof, Wall-Above, Flashings

• Missing

• Not continuous

VALLEY FLASHINGS, Typical Defects

• Above eave protection

• Above underlayment

• Closed cut valleys not trimmed 2 inches back 

• Closed valleys with wrong material 

• Doesn’t widen at bottom ??

• Fasteners exposed 

• Metal pieces too long

• Missing

• Windows used as a skylight • Rot

• No upstand ?? edge break? 

• Points not cut  • Wrong application

• Rust

• Shingles not sealed to metal     

• Too short     

• Torn, patched   • Loose, damaged, patched, open seams

• Wood joints break into valley  

• Wrong, incomplete flashings

SKYLIGHTS & Skylight Flashing, Typical Defects

• Damage, patched

• Leak

• Rot

• Skylight or soarium poorly secured to roof

• Wrong, incomplete flashings

• Cracked, broken glazing

• Curb – low, missing

ROOF/SIDEWALL FLASHINGS, Typical Defects

• Not let into mortar joints

• Overlap inadequate

• No step or counter flashings

• Rust

• Siding not cut back

• Step flashings not set into shingles properly

• Too short or narrow

• Damaged, loose, open seams, patched

• Missing

• Nailed through shingles

• Not let into mortar joints

• Open at top

• Rust

CHIMNEY FLASHINGS, Typical Defects

• Pan missing, inappropriate

• Cap flashing too short

• Cricket missing, loose, damaged 

• Damaged, loose, open seams, patched  

• Missing base or cap flashings   

• Missing top, bottom, side flashings

• Not let into mortar joints   JDG Very rarely done today  

• Overlap inadequate on base or cap flashings

• Rust     

• Side base flashings not set into shingles properly    

• Side base flashings too short   

Plumbing Vent PIPE / STACK FLASHINGS 

• Open at top

• Rust

• Damaged

• Exposed, missing fasteners

• In a valley

• Missing

• Rust

• Top of flashing exposed or bottom buried

• Vertically misaligned

• Wrong material or wrong size

HIP AND RIDGE FLASHINGS DRIP EDGE FLASHINGS, Typical Defects

• Coming apart

• Exposed fasteners not sealed

• Excessive exposure

• Loose, misaligned, missing

• Overlaps not alternated (wood)

• Poor fastening

• Rust      • Rust

• Too short


Low Slope Roof Flashing Defects, Typical Defects

• Caulking, sealant dried out or  cracked

• Clamps or termination bars loose

• Counter flashings not let into masonry

• Damaged, loose, bent

• Drain or scuppers missing, clogged,  ineffective

• Fasteners loose, rust, missing

• Incompatible materials

• Leaks

• Membrane stretched

• Missing, too short

• Old, worn out

• Open at seams or ends

• Patched

• Ponding on wall flashings (horizontal parts)

• Pitch pockets not filled

• Rust

• Sagging or slipping (base flashings)

• Skylight curb missing or too short

• Skylight not well secured

Watch out: these home & building inspection checklists do not list all possible defects for the systems discussed, and not all home or building inspectors will examine all of the items listed here. CONTACT us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website.

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-09-10 by danjoefriedman (mod) - reader asks about winter evidence of leaks at roof flashing at vent piping & skylight

Re-posting from private email: water drips under plumbing vent visible in winter; why?

During the winter I noticed on newly installed roof, that water was dripping from underneath vent stack pipe flashing at the bottom.

What would cause this to happen? Is this normal?

I am enclosing a picture, in which there are iced water drips. It is definitely coming from underneath the flashing, cause I saw water drop leaking from underneath the flashing.

Also, at the top of my roof at the ridge caps, it also has water drops that looks like it is coming from underneath the shingle. Is that normal? The ridge caps are not completely sealed down yet. - Anonymous 2020/08/19


Moderator reply:

Thanks for the interesting photo and question, Anon

I would first inspect the roof cavity/attic with care to see if there's not inadequate venting or a moisture problem that's causing condensation that's leaknig out along with air at various penetrations, not just the vent stack but at the skylight flashing above that point too

If this is a cathedral ceiling, I'm worried that there may be a moisture accumulation problem in the roof space - risking mold or damage.

On 2020-01-29 by danjoefriedman (mod)

phoenix az roofing said:

Very educational content about home inspection

On 2018-03-05 by danjoefriedman (mod)

Most likely flashing was not properly installed

On 2018-03-04 by colsome Logan

on split level house after siding was installed whee front of house protrudes there is a leak in the joint area. why


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