Side flashing
Side flashing is rebuilt piece by piece with the shingles with every piece lapped correctly.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Roseland, NJ
A Roseland 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. Call (862) 352-3142 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. Because masonry and roof framing expand, contract and settle at different rates, a rigid seal will crack, which is why flashing is built in overlapping layers. Eventually caulk cracks, fasteners loosen, steel rusts and the top edge of the flashing separates from the brick.
Good flashing is a system, not a single strip of metal. 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.
Before the visit, a little information speeds things up. 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. Visible tar or silicone around the base of the chimney is a sign someone has patched it before, which is worth mentioning.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chimney flashing repair in Roseland, NJ can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Dealing with this in Roseland, NJ right now? Call (862) 352-3142 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The flashing repair process
The goal is a joint that sheds water without relying on sealant.
Inspect the roof line
All four sides of the chimney are checked, because a leak on one side often starts somewhere else. The attic side of the roof deck is checked for rot as well.
Test for leaks
Flashing leaks can be confused with crown, cap or brick leaks, so other sources are ruled out. It makes sure the repair matches the actual source.
Remove old patches
Failed sealant and damaged flashing come off so the new work starts on a clean, sound surface. Any rotted decking found underneath is replaced before new flashing goes on.
Weave in new flashing
Step flashing goes in one piece per shingle course, so every piece overlaps the one below. An apron goes across the front, and an underlayment membrane is often added around the base for extra protection.
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. Copper and coated steel are common choices, since bare aluminum can corrode where it meets mortar.
Add a cricket
On wide chimneys, a cricket is framed and flashed on the uphill side so water and snow are split around the chimney. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
Types of flashing repair
Tar patch removal
Failed tar patches are stripped and replaced with real flashing and the joint is flashed properly.
Crickets
A cricket is added behind a wide chimney or one where water pools to end leaks on the high side.
Counter flashing
The top layer of flashing is renewed and properly let into the mortar joints which closes the most common gap.
Apron flashing
The lower apron is reset over the shingles where water from the chimney face drains off.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Roseland, NJ
Full replacement is the better choice when flashing is corroded, loose along much of its length or buried under layers of failed tar. The old metal comes off completely, and new step flashing, counter flashing, apron and cricket are installed as a system. 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 Roseland home, that is the ideal time to replace the chimney flashing too. Plan it so the masonry side of the job, cutting the reglet and setting counter flashing, happens while the shingles are going on. 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
Flashing leaks in Roseland often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. From Roseland out to neighboring communities such as Caldwell, Pine Brook, North Caldwell and Troy Hills, freeze-thaw and summer heat both work on the joint between the chimney and the roof, and fixing it before the decking rots keeps the repair small.
For chimney flashing repair in Roseland, NJ or nearby towns like Caldwell, Pine Brook, North Caldwell and Troy Hills, call (862) 352-3142 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. 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 Roseland, NJ schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Sweeps who know Roseland
Chimney sweeps in Roseland know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
What the metal looks like decides that. When only the counter flashing has come loose, resetting it is often enough. If it is rusted through, badly bent or buried under old tar, replacement is the better value.
Do I need new chimney flashing when I replace my 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.
How do I know if my chimney flashing is leaking?
The most common sign is a water stain on the ceiling or wall right next to the chimney, or wet wood beside the chimney in the attic. A leak in the firebox is more likely the cap or crown, while a leak along the ceiling beside the chimney is more often the flashing. A water test can confirm it before any work is done.
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. Wide chimneys block a lot of runoff, and without a cricket that water sits against the flashing. For wider chimneys that do not sit on the ridge, a cricket is usually required by code.
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. The real issue is usually the flashing layers underneath, not the bead on top. It is also possible the water is entering higher up, at the crown or through the brick, and only showing at the flashing.
More questions? Call (862) 352-3142
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, whether the drip shows up in the attic, the ceiling or the firebox.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Protecting chimney masonry from rain with a penetrating repellent, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, 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
Looking for something else?
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Call (862) 352-3142 for a local chimney sweep in Roseland and nearby towns.
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