Cap flashing
New counter flashing is let into the brick and sealed at the joint.
Roof Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Springfield, NJ
Most leaks around a chimney in Springfield come from the flashing, and a roofer can fix them with new step and counter flashing set into the brick instead of tar, so the leak does not come back next season. Call (908) 562-6898 to reach a local roofer.
The joint between a chimney and the roof is one of the most leak-prone spots on any house. The brick and the roof framing move independently as the house settles and seasons change, so the seal between them has to allow for movement. That is why a single strip of metal glued to the brick with sealant does not last.
Proper chimney flashing has four main parts. Along the front sits a one-piece apron, step pieces run up each side with the shingles, a saddle or cricket diverts water behind, and counter flashing ground into the mortar covers the top edges. The counter flashing is where shortcuts usually show up: instead of being cut into the mortar, it is glued to the face of the brick.
Not every leak around a chimney is a flashing leak. A cracked crown, a missing cap, porous brick or failed mortar joints can soak the masonry, and the water then runs down inside the chimney and shows up exactly where a flashing leak would. A roofer checks the flashing and can point out masonry problems that need a mason.
Depending on what the roofer finds, chimney flashing repair in Springfield, NJ can go hand in hand with flashing repair and roof leak repair.
Need chimney flashing repair in Springfield? Call (908) 562-6898 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
Here is how a roofer typically handles chimney flashing.
Inspect the chimney
The roofer looks at the flashing on all four sides, the mortar joints, the crown and cap and the attic framing around the chimney. If the masonry is clearly the source, the roofer will say so.
Clear the joint
Shingles around the chimney are removed along with the old flashing, tar and caulk. Any decking that has gone soft from years of leaks is replaced.
Set the apron
Ice and water shield goes down first, then the apron across the front and step flashing up each side, one piece per shingle course. Each step piece laps the one below it.
Build a cricket
On the uphill side, a back pan or saddle is fitted, and on wider chimneys a cricket is framed to split the water around it. Without one, a wide chimney acts like a dam.
Cut in the counter flashing
A groove is cut into the mortar, and the counter flashing is set into it, either in one piece or stepped to follow the slope. The overlap allows movement while keeping water out.
What is included
What chimney flashing repair covers
Front flashing
The base flashing on the front is renewed lapped over the shingles below.
Decking repair
Soft sheathing next to the chimney is renewed before the new flashing goes in.
Step flashing
Step pieces up both sides of the chimney are replaced lapped so water runs downhill.
Cricket installation
Water and debris are steered around the chimney which stops one of the most common chimney leaks.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Springfield, NJ
Full replacement of chimney flashing is the answer when the existing pieces are rusted, missing or held on by caulk. Patching a system that was installed wrong rarely works, because the problem is in how the pieces overlap. It is also the right moment to add a cricket or back pan.
Chimney flashing has to tolerate mortar and moisture for decades. Lime in mortar corrodes bare aluminum, so copper, coated steel or coated aluminum are common choices. Ask which metal the roofer plans to use and why.
Related service
Chimney Leak Repair Springfield, NJ
Chimney leak repair starts by finding out whether water comes through the flashing or through the chimney itself. Water that appears only in hard rain at the base points to flashing, while a slow leak that lingers after rain hints at soaked brick or a cracked crown. A careful water test, one side at a time, can tell the two apart.
Leaks through the chimney body need masonry work rather than flashing. Crown cracks, open joints and missing caps are repaired by a mason, and a breathable sealer can cut down how much water the brick absorbs. Those repairs are often done alongside new flashing so the whole leak is solved.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Chimney flashing calls in Springfield come mostly from older brick chimneys that have been reflashed with tar more than once. From Springfield out to neighboring towns such as Vauxhall, Kenilworth, Union and Short Hills, older brick chimneys tend to need counter flashing reset into worn mortar, while newer framed chases more often leak at the chase top or siding joint, so expect the roofer to ask which type is on your house.
Searching for chimney flashing repair near me from Springfield or Vauxhall, Kenilworth, Union and Short Hills? Call (908) 562-6898 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Strong coastal storms push rain into every weak spot at the flashing and valleys. Most homeowners in Springfield, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Springfield and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
What is a chimney cricket?
A cricket, also called a saddle, is a small peaked structure built behind a chimney on the uphill side. Water flowing down the slope hits the cricket and is steered around both sides. Most residential codes call for one behind chimneys wider than about thirty inches.
Who fixes chimney flashing, a roofer or a mason?
A roofer handles the flashing, because it has to be woven into the roof. Cutting the counter flashing into the mortar joint is part of that job. Damage to the crown, brick or mortar beyond that is masonry work.
What causes a chimney leak if the flashing is new?
Water can still get in through the top or sides of the chimney. A cracked crown, a missing cap, open mortar joints or porous brick can let water travel down inside the masonry to the roof line. Sometimes moisture inside the flue itself is to blame. A call to (908) 562-6898 is a good next step.
Can chimney flashing be repaired without replacing it?
A single loose section of counter flashing can be reset without replacing everything. Flashing that was installed wrong or has rusted through needs to be replaced, not resealed. Another coat of tar is a short-term patch.
What are the signs of a chimney flashing leak?
Look for damp spots near the chimney after rain, both in the house and in the attic. From the attic, stained rafters and decking around the brick confirm water is getting in. Outside, look for loose or rusted flashing and old sealant patches. Call (908) 562-6898 to have a roofer check it.
More questions? Call (908) 562-6898
Related services
Flashing Repair
Fixing the metal flashing at walls, dormers, valleys and roof edges, so water runs onto the shingles instead of into the wall.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Stopping water at the pipe boots, flashing, valleys and nail holes where roofs actually leak, so the stain on the ceiling stops growing.
Learn moreRoof Leak Detection
Pinpointing where water actually enters a roof, even when the stain is far away, so the repair goes in the right place the first time.
Learn moreShingle Roof Repair
Replacing missing, creased or cracked shingles, resealing lifted tabs and fixing popped nails, before a small gap turns into a leak.
Learn more
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