Find the water path before choosing the repair
Assess Roof Flashing and Transition Leaks
Frame an inspection around roof-to-wall, penetration, valley, and edge transitions.
Document the actual condition
A symptom near a chimney, skylight, wall, valley, vent, or edge can involve several connected layers. Wide elevation photos should show the complete junction, openings above it, and the interior location; a tight picture of sealant alone can omit the upslope entry point or the way water is meant to shed.
Set the inspection questions
Ask the roofer to describe visible roof covering, underlayment limits, flashing, counterflashing, wall finish, fasteners, and drainage at the junction. The report should state which components were actually seen and whether limited removal or another trade is needed to evaluate concealed work.
Write a comparable scope
A transition proposal should allocate removal and restoration on both sides of the joint and identify compatible materials. Compare rebuilt flashing separately from surface sealant because they are different scopes. Request photographs after removal and before the completed layers are concealed, plus a written record of every area excluded from the repair.
Preserve the decision record
Mark the proposed junction on a wide photograph and ask each bidder to trace the same upslope and downslope limits. Note whether siding, stucco, tile, shingles, or a low-slope membrane must be disturbed. This exposes bids that price only the visible sealant joint while leaving the adjoining drainage transition undefined.
- Show the entire upslope junction in one context photograph
- Identify who restores wall finish after flashing access