Front flashing
The lower apron is reset over the shingles to keep the front edge watertight.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Edgewater, NJ
Leaks at the roof line in Edgewater usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, with step and counter flashing instead of caulk. Call (551) 378-0034 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. A chimney and a roof never move together perfectly, so the flashing is made of separate overlapping pieces rather than one solid seal. 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.
A Edgewater chimney sweep will want to know a few things about the leak. 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.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, an Edgewater chimney sweep may also recommend chimney leak repair or chimney waterproofing.
Looking for Edgewater chimney flashing repair? Call (551) 378-0034 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
Flashing repair is about rebuilding the layers so water always runs over a joint, never into it.
Inspect the roof line
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.
Rule out the masonry
Before replacing flashing, the crown, cap and brick are checked, since they can send water down the same path. That keeps you from paying for new flashing when the leak is somewhere else.
Strip failed material
Failed sealant and damaged flashing come off so the new work starts on a clean, sound surface. Soft or rotted sheathing under the old flashing is repaired first.
Install step 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.
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. Copper and coated steel are common choices, since bare aluminum can corrode where it meets mortar.
Divert uphill water
Where water pools behind the chimney, a cricket, also called a saddle, is built to shed it. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
Types of flashing repair
Crickets
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to split water and snow around the chimney.
Tar patch removal
Old sealant repairs are cleaned off before new metal goes on.
Step flashing
Rusted or missing step flashing along the sides is replaced so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Counter flashing
Loose counter flashing is replaced and set into the masonry so water cannot run behind the step flashing.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Edgewater, NJ
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. A common shortcut is to reuse the old flashing during a reroof, and that often leads to a leak within a few years.
In Edgewater, 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 Edgewater, flashing tends to fail first on older roofs and on chimneys that sit below a long run of roof. From Edgewater out to neighboring communities such as Cliffside Park, Fairview, Fort Lee and Palisades Park, freeze-thaw and summer heat both work on the joint between the chimney and the roof, so proper step and counter flashing, and a cricket where needed, is worth doing right once.
Need chimney flashing repair around Edgewater? Call (551) 378-0034 for an Edgewater chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, 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 Edgewater is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Edgewater and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
What the metal looks like decides that. 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.
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. Reusing old flashing under new shingles is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
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. On a wide chimney, the back side becomes a dam where water and debris sit and eventually leak through. Building codes generally require a cricket on chimneys more than about thirty inches wide that do not meet the ridge.
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. Testing with a hose confirms which part is leaking.
Why did caulking my chimney flashing not stop the leak?
Sealants dry out in the sun and split in the cold, so a leak patched with tar usually comes back. The real issue is usually the flashing layers underneath, not the bead on top. The leak may also be coming from the crown, cap or brick, which no flashing repair will touch.
More questions? Call (551) 378-0034
Related services
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
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, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
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