Tar patch removal
Layers of roofing cement and caulk from earlier patch jobs are removed so the repair does not depend on sealant.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Somerdale, NJ
A chimney sweep in Somerdale can repair or replace the flashing where the chimney passes through the roof, the most common source of chimney leaks into attics and ceilings, with step and counter flashing instead of caulk. Dial (856) 344-1158 to talk with a local chimney sweep about the flashing.
Flashing is the layered metal seal around the base of a chimney, and it is behind more chimney leaks than any other part. 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. Eventually caulk cracks, fasteners loosen, steel rusts and the top edge of the flashing separates from the brick.
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.
When you call about a flashing leak in Somerdale, a few details help. Mention where the water shows up, how often it leaks and how old the roof is. Visible tar or silicone around the base of the chimney is a sign someone has patched it before, which is worth mentioning.
Chimney Flashing Repair is often paired with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing, depending on the cause.
Need chimney flashing repair in Somerdale? Call (856) 344-1158 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Somerdale.
Call nowThe process
The flashing repair process
The goal is a joint that sheds water without relying on sealant.
Look at every side
All four sides of the chimney are checked, because a leak on one side often starts somewhere else. The roof deck under the flashing is checked for soft spots.
Test for leaks
Before replacing flashing, the crown, cap and brick are checked, since they can send water down the same path. New flashing will not stop a leak that starts at the crown.
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.
Install step 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.
Set counter flashing
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. 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. It keeps debris and ice from building up behind the chimney.
What is included
Flashing work a chimney sweep handles
Side flashing
Loose step flashing is reset or renewed so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Counter flashing
The top layer of flashing is renewed and properly let into the mortar joints instead of being held on with caulk.
Front flashing
Front flashing is renewed so runoff clears the chimney to keep the front edge watertight.
Crickets
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to split water and snow around the chimney.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Somerdale, NJ
Chimney flashing replacement makes sense when the metal is rusted through, the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar or the flashing has been patched so many times that nothing sound is left. Replacement means removing everything down to the roof deck and installing new step flashing, counter flashing, an apron and, where needed, a cricket. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
If you are replacing the roof on a Somerdale home, that is the ideal time to replace the chimney flashing too. The step flashing has to be woven in with the new shingles, so the timing between the roofer and the chimney work matters. 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
Around Somerdale, many chimney leaks trace back to flashing that was patched with tar instead of replaced. Across Somerdale and nearby places including Magnolia, Stratford, Echelon and Lawnside, the chimneys that leak most are the ones where water and snow collect on the uphill side, which is why a real flashing repair outlasts another round of tar.
Searching for chimney flashing repair near me from Somerdale or Magnolia, Stratford, Echelon and Lawnside? Call (856) 344-1158 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Somerdale
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: 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 Somerdale, NJ schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why not wait
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Somerdale and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Flashing Repair FAQ
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. Once flashing has rust holes or years of patches, replacing it is more reliable than another repair.
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. Building codes generally require a cricket on chimneys more than about thirty inches wide that do not meet the ridge.
Do I need new chimney flashing when I replace my 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. Reusing old flashing under new shingles is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
What are the signs of bad chimney flashing?
Stains beside the chimney, dark wood in the attic and loose or corroded metal at the roof line are the usual giveaways. 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.
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. If the step or counter flashing is missing, rusted or installed wrong, no amount of sealant will fix it. The leak may also be coming from the crown, cap or brick, which no flashing repair will touch.
More questions? Call (856) 344-1158
Often needed together
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, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Somerdale chimney sweep about chimney flashing repair
Call now for Somerdale chimney flashing repair and help in the towns around it.
(856) 344-1158
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