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What You Need to Know about Chimney Cricket Roofing
Cricket is sometimes also referred to as a saddle. What is cricket in roofing actually? It is the part of the roof that covers the chimney edge at the back.
Its purpose is to divert water from high areas such as chimneys or the joint between two roofing systems by forcing water to flow around instead of going inside. It is common to install cricket with a similar pitch as the roof, but it is not always required.
There is a lot that goes into making a roof and protecting the home that is underneath. More than the average homeowner knows about. The chimney is an important part of the home (for those with a fireplace) and it needs protecting. One way to do this is with a roof cricket. What is a roof cricket? It is a sloped backing that is built on to the chimney to allow water to run down the roof. Without it, water would pool on the roof and wear away the shingles and masonry.
Why You Need to Know About Roof Crickets
As mentioned above, chimneys are a very important part of the roof and they need to be protected, along with the roof itself. Roofs are expensive to repair and you want it to last as long as possible. Also, you want the water to be pushed off the roof appropriately so it doesn’t get backed up and cause problems inside the home. Roof crickets also have other names: chimney saddles or chimney diverters.
How the Roof Cricket Works
The roofer builds the roof cricket on the back side of the chimney. Then, usually the same materials that are on the roof, for example asphalt shingles is then added to the top. Sometimes metal flashing is added on top or another material, depending on the budget of the homeowner. The roofer makes the roof cricket at an angle and part of the building and installation process for the chimney flashing system. The roof cricket is at a slope and needs to be high enough that the water doesn’t reach the peak of it.
To do this, the roof cricket must be set at a higher plane than the rest of the roof.
Crickets can be fabricated of metal, or designed and installed to match the shingles and blend visually with the rest of the roof in shingle roofs. Improper cricket design can result in a structure that is too small or without the proper slope, resulting in poor water diversion, contributing to water pooling and ice dam creation, which in turn create leaks and damage to the roof surface and underlying structure.
Inspecting the Chimney and Roof
Inspecting the chimney at least once a year is important, as there are often leaks near the chimney unless the materials are all in place and doing their job. Summer is a great time to do maintenance and you can get the chimney ready for the fall and winter months when you will be using it. However, you want to inspect more than the chimney.
In addition, looking inside the home is important to see if you have any water stained ceilings. If you do, it can be due to water getting into the home from the roof or other issues. It is important to have a professional check it out to determine the cause.
Because chimneys are notorious for being the source of roofing leaks, it’s important for homeowners to inspect the area around their chimneys every year or two for signs of water pooling, leakage or masonry damage. You should check for loose or missing flashing and look for cracks in the chimney. If you identify a trouble spot, repairing the flashing or sealing the area with caulk can correct small problems.
When to Call a Professional
A roof cricket is important for keeping water out of the chimney, and allowing water to be diverted down the sides of the roof. Call a professional if you want to have a roof cricket added to your chimney, you have leaks on the roof, or you find any issues in your roof inspection checklist. Remember, hiring a professional is worth your time and money to have it done right. Also, it is dangerous for people who are not trained to be on the roof.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
The roofer builds the roof cricket on the back side of the chimney. Then, usually the same materials that are on the roof, for example asphalt shingles is then added to the top. Sometimes metal flashing is added on top or another material, depending on the budget of the homeowner. The roofer makes the roof cricket at an angle and part of the building and installation process for the chimney flashing system. The roof cricket is at a slope and needs to be high enough that the water doesn’t reach the peak of it.