Front flashing
The apron across the downhill face is replaced or resealed with the counter flashing lapped over it.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Renfrew, PA
Leaks at the roof line in Renfrew usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, before the leak rots the roof deck and framing. One call to (724) 412-9261 reaches a nearby chimney flashing pro.
Chimney flashing is the metal that seals the gap between the chimney and the roof, and when it fails, water runs straight into the attic. 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.
A correctly flashed chimney uses several pieces that work together. 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. The low side gets an apron, and the high side gets a back pan or, on wider chimneys, a cricket that splits the water around the chimney.
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. Also mention any tar or caulk patches you can see from the ground, since repeated patching usually means the flashing itself has failed.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chimney flashing repair in Renfrew, PA can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Need chimney flashing repair in Renfrew? Call (724) 412-9261 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
Flashing repair is about rebuilding the layers so water always runs over a joint, never into it.
Check the flashing
Each part of the flashing is inspected, along with the condition of the surrounding roofing. The attic side of the roof deck is checked for rot as well.
Test for leaks
Flashing leaks can be confused with crown, cap or brick leaks, so other sources are ruled out. It makes sure the repair matches the actual source.
Clear the old work
Old tar, caulk and loose or rusted metal are removed, and the shingles around the chimney are lifted where needed. Damaged roof deck is fixed while it is exposed.
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.
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. Surface-mounted flashing held on by caulk alone is avoided because it fails quickly.
Divert uphill water
On wide chimneys, a cricket is framed and flashed on the uphill side so water and snow are split around the chimney. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
Flashing work a chimney sweep handles
Counter flashing
The top layer of flashing is renewed and properly let into the mortar joints instead of being held on with caulk.
Fixing old patches
Layers of roofing cement and caulk from earlier patch jobs are removed and the joint is flashed properly.
Step flashing
Loose step flashing is reset or renewed so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Crickets
A saddle is framed on the uphill side so debris and ice stop collecting there.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Renfrew, PA
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 Renfrew 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. 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
Flashing leaks in Renfrew often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. Across Renfrew and nearby places including Oak Hills, Connoquenessing, Meridian and Meadowood, 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 Renfrew, PA or nearby towns like Oak Hills, Connoquenessing, Meridian and Meadowood, call (724) 412-9261 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. Most homeowners in Renfrew, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Renfrew know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Flashing Repair questions
Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
What the metal looks like decides that. When only the counter flashing has come loose, resetting it is often enough. Corroded, damaged or heavily patched flashing is usually replaced outright.
Why does my chimney flashing keep leaking after it was sealed?
Caulk and roofing tar only seal the surface, and they crack and pull loose as the chimney and roof expand and contract. When the flashing itself is the problem, sealant just hides it for a season. It is also possible the water is entering higher up, at the crown or through the brick, and only showing at the flashing.
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. A leak in the firebox is more likely the cap or crown, while a leak along the ceiling beside the chimney is more often the flashing. A controlled water test settles it.
Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new roof?
Doing it with the new roof is the smart move in most cases. 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.
Why would my chimney need a 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. On a wide chimney, the back side becomes a dam where water and debris sit and eventually leak through. For wider chimneys that do not sit on the ridge, a cricket is usually required by code.
More questions? Call (724) 412-9261
Other services that may help
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
Fixing cracked, thin or crumbling chimney crowns, so water stops soaking into the masonry from the top.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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