Step flashing or no, whose right?

[u/ThenewEssay]

My understanding is that the step flashed examples show a more professional quality job. Going around the area I came across examples of both methods. If done without steps is that considered against the best practice, but an acceptable shortcut. Is step flashing just an indication of a more experienced roofer with quality in mind?

Not a roofer, and by stepped flashing I'm assuming when the visual has stepped looking material, that is stepped flashing. Like the second photo. Are both methods considered acceptable by the standards makers? If not then there is a bunch of bad work being done.

[u/SoggyMountain956]

step flashing is the silver you see in the second picture under the black "counter flashing"

[u/ThenewEssay → u/SoggyMountain956]

What do you call the material that covers the silver showing at the base of the darker stuff? To answer my own question I asked my friend ai, "apronflashing" is what it told me, assuming that is correct.

[u/AaronSarm → u/ThenewEssay]

Counter flashing

[u/scream → u/ThenewEssay]

An apron flashing is generally the piece that goes onto the bottom edge of the chimney in the shape of an apron wrapping round both bottom corners. Step flashing or 'soakers' go against an abutment with each course up both sides of a chimney. Cover flashing covers the top of the step flashing and should always be cut into mortar or brickwork regardless of whether its a single straight line or otherwise. A tray or saddle or cricket is what goes on the top edge of the chimney. 

[u/suppleletard]

Stop calling a staggered counter flashing "step" flashing. Step flashing is the tins you use between shingles that end in a wall or chimney. Also, on hips and ridge when applying cedar shakes or shingles.

[u/ThenewEssay → u/suppleletard]

Got it, finally, counter covers the steps.

[u/Ok_Prior_9248]

You can have step counter flashing which I think OP is referring to. Step counter flashing is the proper way bc you want to cut into the mortar lines. Then have step flashing underneath the counter flashing.

[u/servetheKitty]

The stepped counter flashing is an aesthetic
choice, the step flashing that should be underneath actually steps individual pieces of flashing for each row shingles.

[u/jerry111165]

None of the above. None of these are cut into the mortar joint.

[u/notgaynotbear → u/jerry111165]

And none are actual individual steps. Theyre just surface mount with extra cuts. On a side note, are you a saw cut only guy? Being in commercial, i would hate to have to saw cut 3000' of reglet on a reroof at a hospital or something. We would always do 2-part receiver and cap flashing that was through wall on new construction, but reroofs we would always surface mount if there wasnt a reusable receiver or it was just a recover on the cheap. Never had a probably getting a 20 year NDL with either. I think both ways have their place, but a lot of people think cutting mortar is the only acceptable way.

[u/TheG00dF1ght]

I'm not sure what you are asking. Step flashing is the silver flashing you see behind the black in picture #2.

Are you referencing whether the counter flashing is straight or follows the bricks?

[u/ThenewEssay → u/TheG00dF1ght]

No, I thought the darker stuff was called stepped flashing.

[u/BusDiligent1825]

Counterflashing for the win to cover the step.

[u/DoubleDD14]

That copper turible

[u/tommy151]

Step flashing.... has STEPS! No steps.... just plain old flashing🤦‍♂️

[u/20PoundHammer]

its both stepped and counter flashed (judging by step flashing on right side of first)- premium and looks nicer than just stepped.

[u/Cpt_hindsite]

Flash into the brick, and then step flash with the shingles. If you just flash into the brick with no step flashing, it sends all of the water under the shingles. Step flashing forces the water that gets under the top shingle, on top of the next shingle.

[u/Turbulent-Grape-9028]

The best way is for the counterflashing to be stepped and cut into the brick. The other method (straight) is still acceptable but not as weather resistant as stepped and cut method it may need some maintenance down the road

[u/BillyFootball69]

It’s a preference thing. The only thing you should be worried about is counter flashing and whether they cut it into the brick. Whether they step it or not is up to them. It’s a preference because you have to cut it in the brick so if you do step you are only cutting into grout so you aren’t hurting any bricks. I prefer this way. If they do counter flashing and run it with the pitch of the roof they are cutting it into brick which some would argue is not good for the bricks.

[u/WellspringBuilder]

There are two ways of doing counter flashing on brick and mortar. 1) stepped counter flashing inserted into the mortar and 2) continuous counter flashing that is inserted into a reglet cut to match the slope of the roof surface.

To my knowledge no standards body has expressed any preference for stepped vs. continuous. You'll find images of both ways in various manufacturer and standards/guideline documents. I'll say that most people advocating for stepped counter flashing are probably doing it improperly (e.g. not wrapping the flashing through to the other side of the brick...because how would they?).

Continuous counter flashing looks better, is easier to install, and doesn't have any solid evidence of performing any different than stepped.

We typically see the following leak sources related to counter flashing:

1. No ice and water/leak barrier at the roof-wall transition

2. Surface mounted flashing with or without fasteners / not seated deep enough / poor sealant quality

3. Using supply house counter flashing on stone facades. They aren't deep enough to handle the variability in the stone facade and water will get behind.

4. Using inverted step flashing for counter flashing or, idiotically, taking the step flashing, bending it into a z-shape, and inserting that into the mortar.

5. No allowance made for kickout flashing.

[u/Objective-Fox-5680]

Step flashing with groove cut counter flashing on top. Every time

[u/Sierra50]

Someone posted the other day with a diagram of the correct way, and it was the stepped version

(Not a roofer)

[u/philadelphia_fRee]

either or

[u/killerkitten115]

Either reglet counterflashing or custom bent pointing as counterflashing. Both should have step flashing under unless the pointing is “Z” shaped and doubles as step flashing

[u/KrisDen1123]

Everyone of those chimneys are awful in their own way.