1–3: Installation sins
Skipped step flashing: the most common new-roof sin. Instead of individual step pieces woven into each shingle course at walls, some crews run a single long strip or — worse — rely on caulk. It leaks within years.
Reused old flashing: during re-roofs, tired flashing gets left in place to save an hour. It then fails years before the new shingles, and you pay for the repair anyway.
Wrong metal or missing laps: dissimilar metals corrode each other, and laps facing the wrong way invite water in instead of shedding it. Flashing is genuinely skilled work; rushed work shows.
4–5: Age and weather
Thermal cycling: NY temperature swings expand and contract metal daily. Over years, fasteners loosen, sealant cracks, and joints walk apart — especially at chimneys, where brick and wood move at different rates.
Corrosion: galvanized flashing eventually loses its coating, particularly in salt air or where debris holds moisture against it. Rust streaks are flashing’s resignation letter.
6–7: Physical damage and bad repairs
Storm displacement: wind peels poorly fastened flashing at edges and ridges; falling branches dent and dislodge it at valleys and walls.
Caulk-over repairs: the previous ‘fix’ — thick roofing cement smeared over failing metal. It cracks within a season or two and traps moisture underneath, often making the eventual proper repair bigger.
What proper flashing repair looks like
Real repair means removing the failed metal, installing correctly lapped corrosion-resistant flashing to manufacturer spec, integrating it with underlayment and shingles — then water-testing the joint. That’s what our certified experts do on every Levittown flashing job, backed by a decade of roofing experience.
If your Levittown home leaks at a wall, chimney, skylight, or valley, flashing is the prime suspect. Call (888) 974-0663 for a free assessment.
Related Services
- Emergency Roof Leak Repair in Levittown
- Roof Leak Detection in Levittown
- Roof Flashing Repair in Levittown