Front flashing
The apron across the downhill face is replaced or resealed with the counter flashing lapped over it.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Abington, PA
A Abington chimney technician can reset loose flashing, replace rusted pieces and add a cricket where water piles up behind the chimney, so the joint sheds water the way it was designed to. Dial (267) 715-3132 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.
Proper flashing has a few distinct parts. 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. On the uphill side, a cricket keeps water from pooling against the chimney, which matters most on wide chimneys.
A Abington chimney sweep will want to know a few things about the leak. 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 Abington, PA can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Dealing with this in Abington, PA right now? Call (267) 715-3132 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Abington.
Call nowThe process
The flashing repair process
The goal is a joint that sheds water without relying on sealant.
Inspect the roof line
The technician checks the apron, step flashing, counter flashing and back pan or cricket, plus the shingles around the chimney. Where possible, the attic is checked for wet or damaged decking.
Test for leaks
A water test may be used to confirm the flashing is really the problem. It makes sure the repair matches the actual source.
Clear the old work
Failed sealant and damaged flashing come off so the new work starts on a clean, sound surface. 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. The front apron and a self-adhering membrane around the chimney add a second line of defense.
Cut a reglet
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
Where water pools behind the chimney, a cricket, also called a saddle, is built to shed it. It solves the most common cause of leaks on the uphill face.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Step flashing
Loose step flashing is reset or renewed so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Crickets
A cricket is added behind a wide chimney or one where water pools to split water and snow around the chimney.
Cap flashing
Loose counter flashing is replaced and set into the masonry instead of being held on with caulk.
Tar patch removal
Layers of roofing cement and caulk from earlier patch jobs are removed so the repair does not depend on sealant.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Abington, PA
When flashing is rusted, bent or covered in years of patches, replacing it outright is usually smarter than another repair. 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 an Abington 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. With the roof open, it makes sense to check the rest of the chimney top as well.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Flashing leaks in Abington often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. Across Abington and nearby places including Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside, 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 Abington, PA or nearby towns like Roslyn, Willow Grove, Jenkintown and Glenside, call (267) 715-3132 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. That is why chimney cleaning in Abington is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Sweeps who know Abington
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Abington and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Flashing Repair FAQ
Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
That comes down to the condition of the metal. Sound flashing with a loose top edge can usually be reset into a fresh cut in the mortar. If it is rusted through, badly bent or buried under old tar, replacement is the better value.
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. 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.
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. Common building codes call for a cricket on chimneys wider than about thirty inches, unless the chimney sits at the ridge.
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. 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.
Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new roof?
Replacing it during a reroof is strongly recommended. Step flashing is woven in with the shingles, so the roof has to be open to replace it properly anyway. Old flashing reused under a new roof often leaks within a few years.
More questions? Call (267) 715-3132
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Protecting chimney masonry from rain with a penetrating repellent, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
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?
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(267) 715-3132
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