How to Repair the Flashing on a Rolled Roof

Flashing is the galvanized steel or aluminum trim installed on the eaves, skylights, dormer windows, valley and joints of your flat roof and helps prevent water from seeping into the home and causing potential damage. Regular wear or weather damage creates small holes in the flashing that can lead to roof leaks and interior water damage. Removing the entire flashing piece isn’t necessary to repair a small hole or crack. Measure and cover the hole with a chunk of aluminum or galvanized steel to create a water-tight, inexpensive repair.

Wire brush
Tack cloth
Work gloves
Safety goggles
Tin snips
Rag
Roofing cement

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the area around the flashing hole with a wire brush. The brush not only removes any dirt and debris around the hole, which allows the roof cement to adhere more effectively, it also abrades the surface. Wipe away the sanding dust with a tack cloth.
- 2
  Measure the damaged area and add 4 inches to the number. Slip on a pair of work gloves and safety goggles before cutting out a piece of aluminum or galvanized steel according to this measurement with tin snips. Use the same product your flashing is constructed from.
- 3
  Wipe down the flashing with a rag to remove any lingering dust, and cover the area around the damage with a heavy layer of roofing cement. Center the metal patch over the hole and press it down into the roofing cement.
- 4
  Cover the edges of the patch with another heavy layer of roofing cement to create a water-tight seal. The drying time for the cement depends on its manufacturer, the air temperature, the flashing's surface temperature, humidity and wind.

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