# To flash or not to flash **URL:** \ **Category:** Exterior Inspections\ **Created:** [August 29, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/to-flash-or-not-to-flash/31361 "2008-08-29T02:31:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e5b9ba/32.png) [@wward](https://forum.nachi.org/u/wward)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/to-flash-or-not-to-flash/31361/1 "2008-08-29T02:31:10Z")
all new construction… wood frame town homes… some windows have flashing above them, but 80% do not! some have caulking from hardy siding to window, but 80% do not. builder is in Georgia I thing it’s week construction! What do you think? ![flashing above window.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/6/c/6ce3f9d1e0ff1ae0281ba748aa94546e68d12982.jpeg) ![No Flashing above window.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/0/f/0fe8abebaee65ec5c1ec64e2fa0af10c49f8c034.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![cbrown1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cbrown1/32/250162_2.png) [@cbrown1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cbrown1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 9:03am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/to-flash-or-not-to-flash/31361/2 "2008-08-29T09:03:13Z")
Must be those special (self flashing windows) ---
**Author:** ![hmiller](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/hmiller/32/57038_2.png) [@hmiller](https://forum.nachi.org/u/hmiller)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/to-flash-or-not-to-flash/31361/3 "2008-08-29T14:55:33Z")
Flashing is the best. Caulking always will fail. I see this all the time also, and make my client aware of the potential for water intrusion and damage. See; [http://www.umass.edu/bmatwt/publications/articles/housewraps\_feltpaper\_weather\_penetration\_barriers.html](http://www.umass.edu/bmatwt/publications/articles/housewraps_feltpaper_weather_penetration_barriers.html)