Cap flashing
Counter flashing that has pulled out of the mortar is reset into a fresh reglet instead of being held on with caulk.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Clarendon Hills, IL
Leaks at the roof line in Clarendon Hills usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, so the joint sheds water the way it was designed to. Call (331) 301-3221 to reach a local chimney sweep.
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. Because masonry and roof framing expand, contract and settle at different rates, a rigid seal will crack, which is why flashing is built in overlapping layers. Eventually caulk cracks, fasteners loosen, steel rusts and the top edge of the flashing separates from the brick.
Proper flashing has a few distinct parts. 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. 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. 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.
Many chimney flashing repair calls in Clarendon Hills also turn up a need for chimney leak repair or chimney waterproofing.
Need chimney flashing repair in Clarendon Hills? Call (331) 301-3221 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
Here is how a chimney technician typically handles a flashing repair.
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.
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.
Strip failed material
The technician strips off old roofing cement and corroded pieces down to the roof deck. Damaged roof deck is fixed while it is exposed.
Install step flashing
Individual L-shaped step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles up each side of the chimney. A front apron and a waterproof underlayment complete the lower layers.
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. Surface-mounted flashing held on by caulk alone is avoided because it fails quickly.
Divert uphill water
Chimneys wider than about thirty inches usually call for a cricket on the high side under common building codes. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
Types of flashing repair
Step flashing
Side flashing is rebuilt piece by piece with the shingles so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Fixing old patches
Old sealant repairs are cleaned off so the repair does not depend on sealant.
Front flashing
Front flashing is renewed so runoff clears the chimney with the counter flashing lapped over it.
Chimney saddles
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to split water and snow around the chimney.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Clarendon Hills, IL
When flashing is rusted, bent or covered in years of patches, replacing it outright is usually smarter than another repair. It is a full redo of the joint, from the underlayment up to the counter flashing in the mortar. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
In Clarendon Hills, the easiest moment to replace chimney flashing is while the roof is already torn off. 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
Around Clarendon Hills, many chimney leaks trace back to flashing that was patched with tar instead of replaced. Homes in Clarendon Hills and nearby towns like Westmont, Hinsdale, Willowbrook and Oak Brook see the same seasonal cycle of heat, cold, rain and snow that loosens counter flashing and dries out sealant, and fixing it before the decking rots keeps the repair small.
Need chimney flashing repair around Clarendon Hills? Call (331) 301-3221 for a Clarendon Hills 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. 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 Clarendon Hills, IL happens right before the first snow.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Clarendon Hills and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new 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. Many leaks on newer roofs come from reused chimney flashing.
What is a chimney cricket?
A cricket is a little ridge framed behind the chimney so water flows around it instead of pooling against it. On a wide chimney, the back side becomes a dam where water and debris sit and eventually leak through. Common building codes call for a cricket on chimneys wider than about thirty inches, unless the chimney sits at the ridge.
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. Corroded, damaged or heavily patched flashing is usually replaced outright.
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. 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?
Look for stains near the chimney inside, damp or rotted framing in the attic and flashing that is lifted, rusted or covered in tar outside. 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.
More questions? Call (331) 301-3221
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, 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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(331) 301-3221
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