Apron flashing
The apron across the downhill face is replaced or resealed to keep the front edge watertight.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Country Club Hills, IL
A chimney sweep in Country Club Hills can repair or replace the flashing where the chimney passes through the roof, the most common source of chimney leaks into attics and ceilings, so the joint sheds water the way it was designed to. One call to (708) 816-0120 reaches a nearby chimney flashing pro.
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. 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. Years of sun, freezing and thawing loosen the counter flashing, rust thin metal and dry out every bead of caulk.
Proper flashing has a few distinct parts. Along the sides, individual step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles, while counter flashing is let into the mortar joints and lapped over them. On the uphill side, a cricket keeps water from pooling against the chimney, which matters most on wide chimneys.
Before the visit, a little information speeds things up. 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. Visible tar or silicone around the base of the chimney is a sign someone has patched it before, which is worth mentioning.
Many chimney flashing repair calls in Country Club Hills also turn up a need for chimney leak repair or chimney waterproofing.
Dealing with this in Country Club Hills, IL right now? Call (708) 816-0120 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
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.
Look at every side
Each part of the flashing is inspected, along with the condition of the surrounding roofing. The roof deck under the flashing is checked for soft spots.
Confirm the source
Before replacing flashing, the crown, cap and brick are checked, since they can send water down the same path. That keeps you from paying for new flashing when the leak is somewhere else.
Clear the old work
Old tar, caulk and loose or rusted metal are removed, and the shingles around the chimney are lifted where needed. Soft or rotted sheathing under the old flashing is repaired first.
Side flashing
Individual L-shaped step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles up each side of the chimney. The front apron and a self-adhering membrane around the chimney add a second line of defense.
Cut a reglet
Counter flashing is let into a cut in the mortar joint and lapped over the step flashing so water cannot get behind it. The metal is chosen to last, with copper or coated steel used where the flashing meets mortar.
Build a saddle
Where water pools behind the chimney, a cricket, also called a saddle, is built to shed it. It keeps debris and ice from building up behind the chimney.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Counter flashing
Loose counter flashing is replaced and set into the masonry so water cannot run behind the step flashing.
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 before new metal goes on.
Step flashing
Rusted or missing step flashing along the sides is replaced with every piece lapped correctly.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Country Club Hills, 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. Many roofers reuse old chimney flashing when they replace shingles, which is a common reason new roofs leak at the chimney.
For Country Club Hills 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. With the roof open, it makes sense to check the rest of the chimney top as well.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
In Country Club Hills, flashing tends to fail first on older roofs and on chimneys that sit below a long run of roof. From Country Club Hills out to neighboring communities such as Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Markham and Homewood, freeze-thaw and summer heat both work on the joint between the chimney and the roof, which is why a real flashing repair outlasts another round of tar.
Need chimney flashing repair around Country Club Hills? Call (708) 816-0120 for a Country Club Hills chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
What the local climate does to a chimney
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 that piles up behind a chimney and melts slowly is a common source of leaks at the flashing. Most chimney cleaning in Country Club Hills, IL happens right before the first snow.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Country Club Hills and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Flashing Repair questions
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?
Replacing it during a reroof is strongly recommended. Since step flashing is layered with the shingles, replacing it later means disturbing the new roof. Reusing old flashing under new shingles is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
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. If it is rusted through, badly bent or buried under old tar, replacement is the better value.
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. The real issue is usually the flashing layers underneath, not the bead on top. Sometimes the source is the masonry or crown above, not the flashing at all.
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. Where the water appears is a clue: the firebox suggests the top of the chimney, and the ceiling beside it suggests flashing. A controlled water test settles it.
More questions? Call (708) 816-0120
Related services
Chimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, whether the drip shows up in the attic, the ceiling or the firebox.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Protecting chimney masonry from rain with a penetrating repellent, to slow freeze-thaw damage and spalling.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Fixing cracked, thin or crumbling chimney crowns, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
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
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