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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CHIMNEY FLASHING

Homes with chimneys require more maintenance than homes without.  If you’ve recently encountered a chimney leak or noticed rust stains inside your firebox, you may need to repair your chimney flashing.

What is Chimney Flashing?

Chimney flashing is a type of roof flashing that creates a waterproof seal to protect your chimney and roof from water damage and penetration. Essentially, chimney flashing functions as weather stripping for your chimney and is made up of three major parts: step flashing, counter flashing—also called cap flashing—and base flashing.

Step flashing is an L-shaped piece of metal that lies under the roofing shingles and along the brick of your masonry chimney.

Counter or cap flashing is also an L-shaped metal piece, but it is designed to cover the step flashing and embedded into a groove cut in the chimney brickwork.

Base flashing is used at the joint between a vertical surface and the roofing surface, in this case the base of the chimney, guarding against water penetration.

These parts, together with caulk create a waterproof seal.

If the chimney flashing around your chimney fails and begins to leak it could cause serious damage to your roofing, attic, and even interior rooms.

The chimney itself could even sustain damage if the chimney flashing begins to leak. As water penetrates the mortar joints between the bricks of your chimney, the chimney’s structure could become brittle and begin to crumble.  Flashing is installed at the point where your chimney meets your roof and is made out of vinyl, aluminum, copper, or steel, depending on your roofing and the surrounding climate.

What causes flashing damage?

Anything up on your roof, particularly if it’s metal, is susceptible to the elements.  Causes of damage to chimney flashing can include:

• Lightning strikes

• Age-related rust

• Intense heat, season after season

• Heavy winds

• Major hail storms

• Flashing made from inferior materials

• Flashing not properly secured during installation

Aside from faulty products and faulty installation, there isn’t a lot you can do about the various events that can damage chimney flashing.  For this reason, annual inspections are critical so you can keep up with your flashing’s condition and make repairs/replacements when necessary.

Signs You Need to Repair Your Chimney Flashing

Properly installed chimney or roof flashing can last up to 30 years.  Lifespan is determined by surrounding details like where you live, shape and size of your chimney, and the materials used to make it.  Knowing what year your house was constructed helps keep track of the life of your chimney.

Signs it is time for a chimney flashing repair include:

• Leaking from the inside or outside of the chimney

• Sounds and evidence of dripping, like puddles

• Discolored bricks

• Rust stains

• Water stains on interior ceilings or walls adjoining the chimney

• Visible gaps in the caulking around the flashing

Chimney leaks through the flashing can also occur in the late summer/early fall during thunderstorms and in the winter after snow on chimney tops begins to melt down the chimney walls.  One thing to be aware of when it comes to leaks is if you’re noticing water inside your firebox it may not be a chimney flashing issue, it could be an issue with your chimney cap instead.

Due to most chimneys’ locations, you may not notice water damage until it has penetrated further into your roofing.  If it damages the roof flashing there may be constant moisture in your attic or ceiling which can lead to wood rot and drywall damage.

Chimney flashing is the metal or other durable material that skirts the base of your exterior chimney to prevent water from rain and snow from seeping down into interior areas of your home. Because you can’t see it unless you’re up on the roof, chimney flashing can become damaged without you knowing about it.

Damaged flashing that doesn’t get addressed can lead to:

• Mold growth due to moisture collecting in wall boards, ceilings, beams, insulation and other materials that receive little or no air circulation

• Deterioration and rot to the above and other materials within your home

• Progressive damage to the chimney masonry below the roof

Water intrusion from chimney flashing that’s warped or rusted-out causes damage that, like with the flashing itself, isn’t always known right away.

What can the homeowner do to make sure the chimney is watertight?

Make sure you hire a competent repair mason who is familiar with all relevant chimney components.  You may want to have your repair specialist provide you pictures of your repaired chimney when the project is done.  Make sure he checks off all these flashing vulnerabilities with you, and that any related problems have been addressed.

Bottom line- chimney problems need attention as soon as possible.  The risk of water penetrating into your house only increases with time, along with any resulting damage.  Water infiltration issues will only get more difficult and more expensive to correct the longer they go unnoticed.

If you have any signs of water leaks around your fireplace, brick shards in your gutters or in your landscaping, it would pay to give your chimney some attention.  We are here to help, especially if your roofing expert seems to have eliminated any potential problems with the roofing systems.