Tar patch removal
Failed tar patches are stripped and replaced with real flashing and the joint is flashed properly.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Steger, IL
A chimney sweep in Steger can repair or replace the flashing where the chimney passes through the roof, the most common source of chimney leaks into attics and ceilings, with step and counter flashing instead of caulk. Dial (708) 708-7359 to talk with a local chimney sweep about the flashing.
The joint where a chimney passes through the roof is one of the most leak-prone spots on any house, and flashing is what keeps it dry. A chimney and a roof never move together perfectly, so the flashing is made of separate overlapping pieces rather than one solid seal. Years of sun, freezing and thawing loosen the counter flashing, rust thin metal and dry out every bead of caulk.
A correctly flashed chimney uses several pieces that work together. Step flashing interlocks with the shingles on each side, and counter flashing is tucked into a cut in the mortar and folded down over it. A front apron covers the downhill face, and on the uphill face a cricket or saddle diverts water and snow around the chimney.
A Steger chimney sweep will want to know a few things about the leak. Mention where the water shows up, how often it leaks and how old the roof is. If you can see black tar smeared around the chimney, say so, because that usually means earlier patches have already failed.
Chimney Flashing Repair is often paired with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Steger, IL right now? Call (708) 708-7359 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Steger.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a flashing repair
The goal is a joint that sheds water without relying on sealant.
Look at every side
The technician checks the apron, step flashing, counter flashing and back pan or cricket, plus the shingles around the chimney. The roof deck under the flashing is checked for soft spots.
Test for leaks
Flashing leaks can be confused with crown, cap or brick leaks, so other sources are ruled out. That keeps you from paying for new flashing when the leak is somewhere else.
Remove old patches
Old tar, caulk and loose or rusted metal are removed, and the shingles around the chimney are lifted where needed. Any rotted decking found underneath is replaced before new flashing goes on.
Weave in new flashing
Step flashing goes in one piece per shingle course, so every piece overlaps the one below. The front apron and a self-adhering membrane around the chimney add a second line of defense.
Cut a reglet
A groove, called a reglet, is cut into the mortar joints, and counter flashing is set into it and folded down over the step flashing. Copper and coated steel are common choices, since bare aluminum can corrode where it meets mortar.
Add a cricket
On wide chimneys, a cricket is framed and flashed on the uphill side so water and snow are split around the chimney. It keeps debris and ice from building up behind the chimney.
What is included
Types of flashing repair
Crickets
A saddle is framed on the uphill side so debris and ice stop collecting there.
Cap flashing
Counter flashing that has pulled out of the mortar is reset into a fresh reglet which closes the most common gap.
Step flashing
Rusted or missing step flashing along the sides is replaced to stop leaks along the sides of the chimney.
Front flashing
The lower apron is reset over the shingles with the counter flashing lapped over it.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Steger, IL
Full replacement is the better choice when flashing is corroded, loose along much of its length or buried under layers of failed tar. The old metal comes off completely, and new step flashing, counter flashing, apron and cricket are installed as a system. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
For Steger homeowners planning a new roof, it is worth asking that the chimney flashing be replaced at the same time. Plan it so the masonry side of the job, cutting the reglet and setting counter flashing, happens while the shingles are going on. It is also a good time to have the crown and mortar checked, since the roof around the chimney is already open.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
In Steger, flashing tends to fail first on older roofs and on chimneys that sit below a long run of roof. Homes in Steger and nearby towns like South Chicago Heights, Crete, Sauk Village and Chicago Heights see the same seasonal cycle of heat, cold, rain and snow that loosens counter flashing and dries out sealant, so proper step and counter flashing, and a cricket where needed, is worth doing right once.
Need chimney flashing repair around Steger? Call (708) 708-7359 for a Steger chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
Chimneys in this climate
This part of the country gets long winters, heavy snow in places and stretches of bitter cold. Heating systems and wood stoves work nearly nonstop for months, so flues collect creosote fast and liners and crowns see a lot of heat and cold. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. That is why Steger chimney sweeps are busiest every September and October.
Why call
Why not wait
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Steger and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
What are the signs of bad chimney flashing?
The most common sign is a water stain on the ceiling or wall right next to the chimney, or wet wood beside the chimney in the attic. Water inside the fireplace points higher up, while water along the chimney chase or ceiling points to the roof joint. Testing with a hose confirms which part is leaking.
Why did caulking my chimney flashing not stop the leak?
Caulk and roofing tar only seal the surface, and they crack and pull loose as the chimney and roof expand and contract. If the step or counter flashing is missing, rusted or installed wrong, no amount of sealant will fix it. It is also possible the water is entering higher up, at the crown or through the brick, and only showing at the flashing.
What is a chimney cricket?
A cricket, also called a saddle, is a small peaked structure built on the uphill side of a chimney to split water and snow around it. Wide chimneys block a lot of runoff, and without a cricket that water sits against the flashing. For wider chimneys that do not sit on the ridge, a cricket is usually required by code.
Do I need new chimney flashing when I replace my roof?
The roof replacement is the best time to do it. Proper step flashing goes in with the shingles, so it is easiest when they are being replaced. Many leaks on newer roofs come from reused chimney flashing.
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
That comes down to the condition of the metal. If the flashing is in good shape but the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar, it can often be reset and resealed. Once flashing has rust holes or years of patches, replacing it is more reliable than another repair.
More questions? Call (708) 708-7359
Often needed together
Chimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, to slow freeze-thaw damage and spalling.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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Call (708) 708-7359 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Steger, IL.
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