Home Defect #3 – Wall Flashing

This article is part of the 10-week series on “Top 10 Home Defects”.  These defects are tabulated by one of the largest home inspection companies in our area.  Each week, this series will spotlight one of the defects to help alert homeowners of potential issues they can prevent or repair and help keep their largest investment free of damage and in great shape!

One of the top 10 home defects that are encountered by many owners is improper wall flashing.   Just what is wall flashing?  You may not be aware of what it is, but it is very important to prevent water from damaging the back of an exterior wall, usually masonry, stone, or stucco, on the exterior of a home. 

What is Wall Flashing?

Wall flashing is a type of installation, typically made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper or other types of metals.  It can also be made of plastic.  Wall flashing is used on exterior walls to remove or steer water away from the surface to keep it dry.   It is also known as thru-wall flashing.   Wall flashing can also help keep water from penetrating the back of a wall and if it does, it removes it, so it won’t pool there and penetrate towards the inside of a house.  This can cause severe structural damage and mold.       

Wall flashing works by collecting water that can penetrate an exterior wall, mostly a masonry wall.  Masonry walls can be brick, block, stone, etc.    Flashing is used to collect water that penetrates through cracks and directing it back outside and away from the wall to designated drainage areas.   When flashing is missing, here are some pictures of the damage it can do. 

3 Things You Need To Know About Wall Flashing

1. Where Is Wall Flashing Installed
   Wall flashing is typically found at interruptions in the wall, such as windows and where it is structurally supported.  Due to its importance, it is best to have wall flashing installed during the initial construction of a home, but it is sometimes not.    Wall flashing needs to be installed anywhere, a pipe, or electrical wires enters or exits the wall, at wall corners and roof peeks, at windows and doors, around chimneys, etc.   Typically, wall flashing is installed inside of a building’s exterior wall, but it can be installed on the outside as well, depending on the location. 
   
   
2. How Is Wall Flashing Installed?
   Wall Flashing can be embedded in a wall to direct water that has penetrated the wall back to the outside.  It can also be applied to completely prevent the entry of water into the wall.  Since wall flashings are typically installed inside, it may be difficult to see. 
   
   
3. Wall Flashing Maintenance
   Routine maintenance and preventive measures are very important when protecting the structure of a home.  It is crucial to choose the right type of wall flashing material in the proper situation.  In addition, the method that it is installed is just as important.
     
   Periodic inspections are important to help identify any potential problems that may arise.  It is highly recommended that inspections be done by a waterproofing professional contractor.   You can find your home’s through-wall flashing by staring at the windows.  Examine the immediate left or right of the window, as well as above and below.  Pay attention to walls that intersect the roof.  Walls that sit above a sloped or straight roofline should contain through-wall flashings. 
   
   An expert can help you locate your flashing, no matter the type you may have. There are solutions to have wall flashing installed after a home has been constructed and if it has been determined through a professional inspection that wall flashing may be missing.  (add solution pictures).    Again, it is recommended that you hire a qualified professional contractor to correct any wall flashing issues. Water proofing must happen from top to bottom on a house to be effective.  
   

Here are examples of wall flashing being installed where roof and exterior masonry wall meet as a repair.

There you have it!  There are some wall flashing defects and solutions that you can do to help protect your home from water damage.  Be advised that installing wall flashing after a home has been constructed may not be a simple do it yourself but it is achievable by a professional contractor.  If you find out that your home may have missing wall flashing, have it corrected as soon as you.  It can help you prevent serious damage that can happen to your home down the road, including severe health issues to you and your family.

Hope this has given you some insight and provided you with some information so you will have an idea of a potential wall-flashing issue that you may see and want to have it investigated further by a professional.

Stay tuned for Week #4 of the 10-week series: “Defect #4 – Foundation Drainage”.

If you have any questions or need contractor referrals or know someone looking to buy or sell, feel free to email me anytime at ccr@ccrsellsrealestate.com.

The information provided for this series is from:
 home inspection company RE Inspect – Real Estate Inspections.  You can check out their website:  www.re-inspect.com.
 Jobs-AMST website https://jobs-amst.com/blog/the-importance-of-wall-flashings-and-why-theyre-needed-in-building-construction/.  
Klassen Building Supplies website https://www.klassenbuildingsupplies.com/blog/what-is-a-through-wall-flashing
 Waterproof Caulking & Restoration website https://waterproofcaulking.com/what-is-thru-wall-flashing/