The Importance of Roof Flashing in Bevo Mill’s Rainy Season

In Bevo Mill, rain doesn’t ask for permission. It arrives quickly, often in sheets, and tests every inch of your roofing system. And when leaks appear, they rarely start in the middle of your roof. They begin at the edges—valleys, vents, chimneys, and skylights. That’s where roof flashing does its job. Or fails.

If you’re a homeowner in 63116, understanding the function and critical role of flashing during South St. Louis’s rainy season is non-negotiable. It’s one of the smallest components of your roof—and one of the most important.

What Is Roof Flashing?

Roof flashing is a thin, corrosion-resistant metal—typically aluminum or galvanized steel—installed at joints and transitions in your roof. Its job is simple: redirect water away from vulnerable areas where shingles alone aren’t enough.

Flashing is installed around:

Chimneys
Skylights
Roof valleys
Vents and pipes
Dormers
Sidewalls and step-ups

When installed correctly, flashing creates watertight barriers. When it fails, water finds a way in—fast.

Why Flashing Matters in Bevo Mill

1. High Rainfall Exposure

Bevo Mill sees frequent, heavy downpours, especially from March through July. In older homes, many flashing components are:

Rusted
Improperly sealed
Installed using outdated methods

When flashing deteriorates, water bypasses the shingles and enters at the seams. This leads to:

Interior leaks
Mold in attic spaces
Rotten roof decking
Damaged drywall and ceiling stains

2. Older Home Construction

Many Bevo Mill homes were built before modern roofing codes standardized flashing practices. That means:

Tar or caulking may have been used in place of metal flashing
Valley flashing may be missing altogether
Sidewall and chimney flashing may be embedded in mortar that has cracked over time

Result: Water seeps in silently. By the time it shows inside, the damage is done.

3. Complex Roof Features

South St. Louis architecture features:

Cross-gabled roofs
Dormers
Tall brick chimneys
Roof-mounted vents and skylights

Every transition point is a risk. Without properly layered, sealed, and installed flashing, rainwater will bypass surface protection and soak into the underlayment and deck.

Signs Your Flashing Needs Attention

Leaks that appear after a heavy rain but not during dry periods
Rust or corrosion visible around chimney base or roof edges
Missing shingles near valleys or joints
Soft spots in roof decking near chimneys or walls
Mold or musty smells in attic corners

If you see these signs—or haven’t had your flashing inspected in the last five years—it’s time.

How Family First Exteriors Solves Flashing Failures

We don’t patch problems. We fix them at the source.

Our Flashing Solutions:

✔ Tear-out of rusted, cracked, or improperly installed flashing
✔ Code-compliant installation with step flashing, counter flashing, and kickout flashing as needed
✔ Custom chimney flashing systems (sealed into mortar)
✔ Waterproof membrane integration where flashing meets the underlayment
✔ Long-life materials with weather-resistant coating

We rebuild your flashing the right way—so it withstands not just rain, but wind uplift, temperature swings, and time.

Pro Tip: Combine Flashing Upgrades with These Add-Ons

If you’re already replacing flashing, pair it with:

Ice & water shield in valleys
Cricket installation behind wide chimneys
New counter flashing if brickwork is crumbling
Gutter alignment check to ensure water moves off your roof, not behind it

Final Thought

A roof doesn’t fail all at once. It fails at the seams.
And in Bevo Mill, where rain comes fast and sideways, you need flashing that works just as hard as your shingles do.

📞 Contact Family First Exteriors for a flashing and leak inspection today.
💧 Protect the joints. Seal the weak points. Keep the rain where it belongs—outside.
Family First Exteriors. Roofing done right, where it matters most.