Chimney flashing repair in Shorewood, IL
Where a chimney comes through the roof, metal flashing has to seal the seam. When it lifts, rusts or splits, water finds its way in. We fit it so that it lasts.
- Step flashing
- Counter-flashing
- Leaks at the roof line
The seam water finds first
A chimney and a roof move a little with every season, and the joint between them is where that movement shows. Flashing is the metal built to bridge that joint.
When it is installed well, each piece overlaps the next, with a second band cut into the mortar above. When it is tarred over or caulked alone, the seal does not last long.
- A water stain on the ceiling by the chimney
- Damp insulation in the attic near the stack
- Rusted or lifted metal at the roof line
- Black tar or caulk smeared on the seam
- Gaps where the metal leaves the brick
- Shingles curling near the chimney
What you get with Chimney flashing repair
A drier house
Properly lapped flashing carries water down the roof and away, not behind the brick.
Protection for the roof deck
Leaks at the chimney soak the sheathing, and flashing stops that.
A repair, not a patch
We build it the way it should be made, rather than adding another coat of tar.
Matched to the roof
Flashing is cut and bent to suit your shingles and your stack.
What we repair
The two parts of a proper flashing, and the leaks they prevent.
- Step flashing running up each side of the stack
- Counter-flashing cut into the mortar above it
- The apron at the low side
- A saddle behind a wide chimney
- Loose metal reseated and joints resealed
- A leak traced back to its source
Why sealant alone does not last
Caulk and roofing tar harden and pull away as the seasons swing between hot and cold. Metal that is woven into the shingles and cut into the brick moves with the roof, so the seam stays closed much longer.
Chimney flashing repair questions
How can I tell the flashing has failed?
Look for rust, lifted edges, a thick layer of tar smeared along the seam, or a stain on the ceiling or on the attic wood beside the chimney.
Is a leak at the chimney always the flashing?
Often, but not always. A cracked crown, bad mortar or a missing cap can all send water the same way, so we look at the whole stack.
Can the flashing be fixed without a new roof?
In most cases yes. We work with the shingles around the chimney, lifting only the ones we need to, and we replace only the flashing that has actually failed.
Do you work in winter?
We can assess the damage and make safe repairs whenever the weather allows it, and we plan the larger jobs for a dry spell so that sealants and mortar can cure.
Other services we provide
Chimney repair
Caps, crowns, flashing, flue pipe and masonry repaired, so water and sparks stay where they belong.
Chimney crown repair
Cracked or crumbling crowns sealed, resurfaced or rebuilt to shed water off the brick.
Masonry restoration
Failing mortar joints and bricks repaired or rebuilt, so the stack stays sound through the next winter.
Ready to book your flashing repair?
Fireplace, stove or insert? Tell us which, leave your number, and we call to set up a visit.