This is step one of roof flashing. Counter flashing is step two.
So, on this new house, where's step two?
This is step one.
It is called step flashing.
A piece of metal is bent at a 90 degree angle and placed under each shingle in a step fashion all the way up a roof.
It abuts the side of the house, either subsurface material or brick. The step flashing here is properly done.
This step prevents water from getting into the house between the side of the house and the roof surface.
It is an absolutely essential step.
But notice something.
It is not glued or attached to the brick in any way.
As such water will get behind it and into the house.
All roofers know this.
And all roofers know that counter flashing is the solution, AND STEP TWO.
Counter flashing is another piece of metal, solidly anchored against the side of the house or brick, that completely covers the step flashing.
Its position is indicated by the red lines to the left.
Typically counter flashing is glued to the brick with roof tar.
That glue is essential.
This second covering of flashing, or counter flashing, is the essential step two.
That counter flashing was forgotten here is an unforgivable error.
Forgetting it leaves this roof, and the rooms below, vulnerable to water damage.
Most buyers would not know this.
The builder's supervisor knows this too, but somehow, during his hundreds of inspections, this step was skipped! Perhaps he assumed the roofer would "take care of everything."
Good thing there was a home inspection!
My recommendation: don't forget the home inspection with new construction! It pays to have an objective set of eyes looking at every property! This lack of counter flashing is an oversight that needs to be corrected immediately.
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