Side flashing
Rusted or missing step flashing along the sides is replaced to stop leaks along the sides of the chimney.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Calumet City, IL
A chimney sweep in Calumet City can repair or replace the flashing where the chimney passes through the roof, the most common source of chimney leaks into attics and ceilings, before the leak rots the roof deck and framing. One call to (708) 708-7203 reaches a nearby chimney flashing pro.
Flashing is the layered metal seal around the base of a chimney, and it is behind more chimney leaks than any other part. The chimney and the roof move independently as the house settles and as temperatures swing, so the seal between them has to allow for movement. Eventually caulk cracks, fasteners loosen, steel rusts and the top edge of the flashing separates from the brick.
Good flashing is a system, not a single strip of metal. Step flashing is a series of L-shaped pieces woven in with each course of shingles along the sides of the chimney, and counter flashing covers the top edge of the step flashing and is set into a groove cut in the mortar joints. A front apron covers the downhill face, and on the uphill face a cricket or saddle diverts water and snow around the chimney.
When you call about a flashing leak in Calumet City, a few details help. Note whether the stain is on the uphill or downhill side of the chimney, whether it leaks in every rain or only in heavy storms, and when the roof was last replaced. If you can see black tar smeared around the chimney, say so, because that usually means earlier patches have already failed.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Calumet City chimney sweep may also recommend chimney leak repair or chimney waterproofing.
Need chimney flashing repair in Calumet City? Call (708) 708-7203 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Calumet City.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a flashing repair
Flashing repair is about rebuilding the layers so water always runs over a joint, never into it.
Check the flashing
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
Before replacing flashing, the crown, cap and brick are checked, since they can send water down the same path. It makes sure the repair matches the actual source.
Clear the old work
The technician strips off old roofing cement and corroded pieces down to the roof deck. Damaged roof deck is fixed while it is exposed.
Side 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.
Set counter flashing
Counter flashing is let into a cut in the mortar joint and lapped over the step flashing so water cannot get behind it. Copper and coated steel are common choices, since bare aluminum can corrode where it meets mortar.
Build a saddle
On wide chimneys, a cricket is framed and flashed on the uphill side so water and snow are split around the chimney. It solves the most common cause of leaks on the uphill face.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Chimney saddles
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to split water and snow around the chimney.
Fixing old patches
Old sealant repairs are cleaned off and the joint is flashed properly.
Front flashing
The lower apron is reset over the shingles with the counter flashing lapped over it.
Cap flashing
The top layer of flashing is renewed and properly let into the mortar joints which closes the most common gap.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Calumet City, IL
Chimney flashing replacement makes sense when the metal is rusted through, the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar or the flashing has been patched so many times that nothing sound is left. Replacement means removing everything down to the roof deck and installing new step flashing, counter flashing, an apron and, where needed, a cricket. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
In Calumet City, the easiest moment to replace chimney flashing is while the roof is already torn off. Coordinate the chimney sweep and the roofer so the step flashing goes in with the shingles and the counter flashing is set into the brick. While everything is exposed, a quick look at the crown, cap and upper mortar joints can save a second trip onto the roof.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
In Calumet City, flashing tends to fail first on older roofs and on chimneys that sit below a long run of roof. Across Calumet City and nearby places including Lansing, Burnham, South Holland and Dolton, the chimneys that leak most are the ones where water and snow collect on the uphill side, so proper step and counter flashing, and a cricket where needed, is worth doing right once.
For chimney flashing repair in Calumet City, IL or nearby towns like Lansing, Burnham, South Holland and Dolton, call (708) 708-7203 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Winters here are cold and long, with lake effect snow in many towns and deep cold snaps that can last for days. Furnaces, wood stoves and fireplaces run hard from fall to spring, which means fast creosote buildup and a lot of stress on liners, crowns and flashing. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. Most chimney cleaning in Calumet City, IL happens right before the first snow.
Why call
Why act early
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Calumet City and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
The answer depends on how much of the flashing is still sound. If the flashing is in good shape but the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar, it can often be reset and resealed. If it is rusted through, badly bent or buried under old tar, replacement is the better value.
Why does my chimney flashing keep leaking after it was sealed?
Sealants dry out in the sun and split in the cold, so a leak patched with tar usually comes back. The real issue is usually the flashing layers underneath, not the bead on top. The leak may also be coming from the crown, cap or brick, which no flashing repair will touch.
How do I know if my chimney flashing is leaking?
Stains beside the chimney, dark wood in the attic and loose or corroded metal at the roof line are the usual giveaways. 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 would my chimney need a cricket?
Also known as a saddle, a cricket is a small roof section behind the chimney that diverts runoff to either side. Without one, water, leaves and ice collect behind a wide chimney and work their way under 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. Step flashing is woven in with the shingles, so the roof has to be open to replace it properly anyway. Old flashing reused under a new roof often leaks within a few years.
More questions? Call (708) 708-7203
Related services
Chimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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Call (708) 708-7203 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Calumet City, IL.
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