Understanding the Role of Roofing Cement in Side Flashing at Chimneys

The Lowdown on Evaluating Roofing Cement at Chimney Flashings

When inspecting homes, understanding every little detail can mean the difference between a solid roof and a leaky disaster. So, let’s chat about a specific area that often raises eyebrows—side flashing at masonry chimney roof penetrations. You might find yourself asking, "What’s the deal with roofing cement?" Well, let’s untangle that web.

A Staple in the Roofing Toolkit

First off, roofing cement. You’ve seen it used. You might have even used it. It’s that sticky black substance that looks like it can fix pretty much anything, right? But here’s the kicker: While it seems like a miracle in a bucket, it often serves more as a bandage than a permanent fix.

Imagine trying to patch a hole in your tire with gum—kinda gets the job done for a while, but you wouldn’t want to take a long road trip on that repair. Similarly, roofing cement becomes that temporary fix for a lot of roofing pros. It's commonly used in flashing situations, particularly around chimneys, but it's not a full-proof long-term solution.

What You Need to Be Looking For

So, when you’re assessing that side flashing at a chimney, there are three key points you need to keep in mind about roofing cement:

1. Indications of Poor Installation: If you find roofing cement is playing a starring role in your flashing setup, you might have a red flag waving. Why? Because it can hide potential issues beneath it. It’s like wearing a nice shirt over a rip in your pants. You can’t see the problem until you really look. Roofing cement often obscures whether proper step flashings were installed, making it tricky to know if the work was done right.

2. Temporary Nature of Roofing Cement: Let’s face it; no one likes to hear about temporary fixes, especially in home inspections. The reality is, roofing cement often cracks and breaks down over time, especially with temperature swings. It expands and contracts (kinda like us on a diet) and eventually just doesn’t hold up. When doing an inspection, it's critical to report that roofing cement is really just a stopgap measure.

3. Standards of Best Practice: Remember the golden rule—I mean, we’re talking about protecting someone's home here. Reliable and professional standards advocate for proper flashing techniques, ideally integrating step flashing and other materials, creating a tight, leak-proof barrier. Glossing over proper methods by relying on roofing cement? That’s just not good enough.

Reporting the Reality

Now comes the million-dollar question: What do you do with this knowledge? When preparing your report or discussing findings with homeowners, don't hold back. Let them know that all of the above considerations about roofing cement are crucial. It’s not just about what you see on the surface; it’s about what lies beneath, impacting the overall health of the roofing system and the house itself.

By communicating the risks associated with relying solely on roofing cement, you're not just playing it safe—you're also maintaining and promoting the integrity of the roofing system. After all, who wants to deal with water damage or leaks a few years down the road?

A Final Thought

So, the next time you evaluate that side flashing around a masonry chimney, remember the context of roofing cement. It’s an essential discussion point that could save a homeowner from future headaches. And let’s be honest, no one wants to find themselves in the middle of a costly roofing repair because of a quick, easy fix that didn’t cut it.

As the old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and that’s precisely how you want to approach home inspections. Happy inspecting, everyone! Stay sharp out there. Who knows what other hidden issues might be lurking in the shadows?