Two Basic Questions About Roofing Components And Replacements

Roofing maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to help keep your home safe from major water damage. However, many homeowners may underestimate the importance of having their roofs replaced, which can lead to major problems that will require expensive repairs. If you are needing to improve your understanding of basic roofing concepts, learning the answers to the following two questions may help you achieve this goal. 

What Is The Purpose Of Underlayment?

When many homeowners first start the process of obtaining quotes for a roof replacement, they may be shocked to learn that much of the cost of this process involves replacing the underlayment. However, they may not understand the purpose of this part, but it is a vital component. 

The underlayment is designed to act as an additional protective layer between your home and the elements. Often, this layer is made of rubber or thick plastic, and if you did not have this layer, enough moisture would seep between your shingles or tiles to start rotting your home. Unfortunately, it is almost always necessary to replace this layer because it can be damaged during the removal of the old roof. 

Are The Flashings Always Replaced During Roofing Work?

Your roof's flashings are designed to protect areas of the roof where water may be likely to seep under the shingles or tiles. While you may think that these lashings should be replaced every time you have the roof repaired or replaced, this is not the case. Lashings are most often made of a highly durable metal, and this means that they can last for many years longer than the rest of the roof. 

However, it should be noted that there may be times where it is necessary to replace the flashings. This most often occurs when they have developed corrosion, but this problem can be avoided by having the roof serviced on a yearly basis. While the contractor is servicing your roof, they will apply a protective coating to the lashings to help enhance their durability against corrosion. 

Roof maintenance is an often misunderstood task for many new homeowners, and while these are complex projects, they should not be incomprehensible to new homeowners. By understanding the basics of the underlayment and the flashings, you should be in a much better position to help make sure that your home is well maintained. In addition to helping you avoid the need to pay for repair work, you can also help maintain the value and integrity of your home. Talk to experts like A-Plus Roofing & Masonry Ltd for more information.