the.com/flashing
The unglamorous metal strips that keep your roof from quietly drowning your house.
means Thin pieces of weatherproof material installed to direct water away from joints and openings in a building's roof or walls.
from From the verb flash, originally meaning to splash or rush water — fitting, since flashing's whole job is bossing rainwater around.
Usual suspectOften aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel.
Weak spotsGuards chimneys, valleys, vents, and skylights.
Silent failureMost roof leaks start at failed flashing.