Wind Damage Roof — Step Flashing Was Missing From the Estimate

This was part of a wind damage roof where multiple facets were affected and the insurance company agreed to replace the entire roof. The issue wasn’t approval — it was the estimate. On paper, the adjuster only wrote for removing and replacing shingles and included a dumpster, but critical components of the roofing system were missing. One of those items was step flashing.

The Situation

The roof was being fully replaced due to wind damage.

This included areas where the roof ties into vertical surfaces, such as:

• dormers

• sidewalls

• chimney connections

Anywhere a roof meets a wall:

👉 flashing is required

What Was Written

The adjuster initially wrote for:

• remove and replace shingles

• dumpster / debris removal

There was no mention of flashing at wall transitions.

What Was Missed

Step flashing was completely missing.

Step flashing is installed:

• where the roof meets a vertical wall

• in individual overlapping pieces

• layered with each course of shingles

This is not one continuous piece.

👉 It is installed step-by-step with the shingles

What Most People Miss

Step flashing is one of the most important waterproofing details on a roof.

👉 It prevents water from running behind siding or walls

Each piece:

• overlaps the shingle below

• turns up the wall

• directs water back onto the roof surface

Without it:

• water can run directly into the wall assembly

• leaks don’t show up immediately

• damage builds over time

This happens all the time.

Additional Flashing Conditions (Same System)

This is where people start grouping everything together incorrectly.

Step flashing is NOT:

• pipe flashing

• vent flashing

• ridge vent

• turtle vents

Those are separate components.

Chimney Flashing (Related but Different)

At a chimney, you typically have:

• step flashing (along the sides)

• apron flashing (front)

• cricket or saddle (if applicable)

• counter flashing

The proper method for counter flashing into masonry is:

👉 a reglet cut

That means:

• a groove is cut into the chimney

• metal flashing is inserted into that groove

• then sealed

This creates a much more secure and long-lasting seal.

Not all roofs have this.

Some are:

• surface mounted

• caulked over

But the reglet method is the proper installation.

Apron Flashing (What It Is)

Apron flashing is:

• a single continuous piece of bent metal

• installed at the front of a vertical transition

You’ll find it:

• at the base of chimneys

• at the front of dormers

• sometimes below windows tied into a roof

Its job is simple:

👉 move water away from the wall and onto the roof

Important Note About Replacement

Not all flashing needs to be replaced.

If it’s:

• in good condition

• properly installed

• not damaged

👉 it may be reused

But when flashing is replaced:

👉 you are often disturbing the siding or wall system

That opens up a completely different scope:

• siding removal

• trim removal

• reinstallation

That is a separate issue entirely.

What Changed the Outcome

Once it was explained:

• that flashing is required at all roof-to-wall transitions

• that step flashing is part of the roofing system

• and that these areas cannot be left unaddressed during replacement

👉 it was added to the estimate and approved

Why This Happens

This happens because flashing is not always visible.

The adjuster sees:
👉 shingles

The contractor sees:
👉 transition points where water can enter

Those areas are easy to miss unless you know where to look.

What Homeowners Should Look For

If your roof is being replaced, check your estimate for:

• step flashing at all wall transitions

• chimney flashing components

• apron flashing at front-facing areas

• confirmation of how flashing is being handled (reuse vs replace)

If it’s not listed:

👉 it’s not included

Takeaway

Roof leaks don’t usually happen in the middle of a roof.

👉 they happen at transitions

Step flashing is what protects those transitions.

If it’s missing from the estimate:

👉 the system is incomplete

And this is where it goes wrong.

One Last Thing (What Everything Comes Down To)

Everything comes down to the estimate.

If your claim is delayed, underpaid, or being pushed back, that’s usually the reason.

If you’re not finding a clear answer to your situation here, go through the other case studies. Most real-world claim problems — and how they were handled — are already shown there.

And if your estimate is in good shape, the other issues tend to be straightforward to push through.

To understand why this happens and how to fix it, review the following:

Why Insurance Claims Get Delayed (It Comes Down to the Estimate): The Real Reason Claims Get Delayed
The Entire Insurance Industry Runs on One Thing That’s Rarely Explained: It’s the Estimate — And This Is Why Contractors Get It Wrong: Contractors Don’t Fail at Building — They Fail at Writing
The Entire Insurance Industry Runs on One Thing That’s Rarely Explained: It’s the Estimate — And This Is Why Adjusters Rewrite Instead of Approving: Adjusters Don’t Approve What They Can’t Follow
The Entire Insurance Industry Runs on One Thing That’s Rarely Explained: It’s the Estimate — And This Is What It Should Look Like: A Proper Estimate Is Not Just a Number

How to Read an Insurance Estimate (Room by Room): Why Most Homeowners Feel Confused by Estimates

How to Vet a Contractor, Public Adjuster, and Mitigation Company: Why This Matters More Than Anything Else

If you still have questions about your claim, visit our Homeowners Insurance Claim FAQs page for quick answers and links to detailed guides.

Learn More At ClaimHelpMe.com

This page explains the basics of how this part of the insurance claim process works.

However, inside ClaimHelpMe.com, homeowners can access real repair estimates, detailed examples, and step-by-step explanations showing how claims are documented, evaluated, and presented to insurance carriers.

The free content explains the fundamentals.
The ClaimHelpMe platform shows how the process actually works.

Explore more homeowner insurance claim guides in our Claim Guides section.

About The Author

Mark Grossman is a Licensed Public Adjuster and NASCLA Certified Contractor with 28 years in the restoration insurance industry and 35 years in construction.

Learn more → Mark Grossman