Fixing old patches
Failed tar patches are stripped and replaced with real flashing before new metal goes on.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Itasca, IL
Leaks at the roof line in Itasca 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. Dial (331) 301-3229 to talk with a local chimney sweep about the flashing.
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. 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.
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 Itasca, a few details help. It helps to know the age of the roof, which side of the chimney the stain is on and whether it only leaks during heavy rain or snowmelt. 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 Itasca, IL can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Dealing with this in Itasca, IL right now? Call (331) 301-3229 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Itasca.
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.
Inspect the roof line
The technician checks the apron, step flashing, counter flashing and back pan or cricket, plus the shingles around the chimney. 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.
Remove old patches
The technician strips off old roofing cement and corroded pieces down to the roof deck. Damaged roof deck is fixed while it is exposed.
Weave in new flashing
New step flashing is installed piece by piece along the sides, interwoven with each course of shingles. An apron goes across the front, and an underlayment membrane is often added around the base for extra protection.
Seal into the mortar
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.
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
Flashing work a chimney sweep handles
Counter flashing
Counter flashing that has pulled out of the mortar is reset into a fresh reglet which closes the most common gap.
Apron flashing
Front flashing is renewed so runoff clears the chimney where water from the chimney face drains off.
Step flashing
Rusted or missing step flashing along the sides is replaced to stop leaks along the sides of the chimney.
Crickets
Missing or failed crickets are built or rebuilt and flashed so debris and ice stop collecting there.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Itasca, IL
Full replacement is the better choice when flashing is corroded, loose along much of its length or buried under layers of failed tar. Replacement means removing everything down to the roof deck and installing new step flashing, counter flashing, an apron and, where needed, a cricket. Many roofers reuse old chimney flashing when they replace shingles, which is a common reason new roofs leak at the chimney.
In Itasca, 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. 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 Itasca, flashing tends to fail first on older roofs and on chimneys that sit below a long run of roof. From Itasca out to neighboring communities such as Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Addison and Roselle, freeze-thaw and summer heat both work on the joint between the chimney and the roof, and fixing it before the decking rots keeps the repair small.
Need chimney flashing repair around Itasca? Call (331) 301-3229 for an Itasca 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. 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 that piles up behind a chimney and melts slowly is a common source of leaks at the flashing. Most chimney cleaning in Itasca, IL happens right before the first snow.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Sweeps who know Itasca
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Itasca and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Flashing Repair questions
Why does my chimney flashing keep leaking after it was sealed?
Surface sealant cannot keep up with the movement between masonry and roof framing, so it fails. 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.
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. Corroded, damaged or heavily patched flashing is usually replaced outright.
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 water test can confirm it before any work is done.
What is a chimney 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.
Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new 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. Reusing old flashing under new shingles is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
More questions? Call (331) 301-3229
Often needed together
Chimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, 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
Fixing cracked, thin or crumbling chimney crowns, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Fixing cracked crowns, failing mortar, loose brick, leaky flashing and damaged flue tiles, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to an Itasca chimney sweep about chimney flashing repair
Call (331) 301-3229 for a local chimney sweep in Itasca and nearby towns.
(331) 301-3229
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