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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.

 

WHY IS CHIMNEY FLASHING IMPORTANT?

Chimney flashing is the material installed around the base of your chimney where it meets the roof.  Its primary purpose is to keep water from seeping into your home through the gap between the chimney and the roof. This might sound simple, but it’s a task that requires precision and quality materials to be effective.

Below are a few key reasons that make chimney flashing a critical material for your roof.

• Waterproofing Protector: One of the main functions of chimney flashing is to prevent water from entering your home.  Water leaks can cause significant damage to your roof, attic, and interior walls, leading to costly repairs.

• Prevents Rot and Mold: When water infiltrates your home, it can lead to wood rot and mold growth.  Both of these issues can compromise the structural integrity of your home and pose health hazards.

• Energy Efficiency: Proper chimney flashing helps maintain your home’s energy efficiency by preventing drafts and heat loss.  This can save you money on heating and cooling bills.

• Longevity of Roofing Materials: Chimney flashing acts as a shield for your roofing materials.  Without it, your roof’s lifespan may be significantly reduced due to exposure to the elements.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Well-maintained chimney flashing also contributes to the overall aesthetics of your home.  It keeps the roofline looking clean and polished.

TYPES OF CHIMNEY FLASHING

Below are insights on three types of chimney flashing:

Step Flashing

This is the type of chimney flashing you need when working with a metal roof.  It offers superior protection against weather conditions, and you can use it on homes in windy areas.  It is also one of the simplest systems to install since it goes underneath your shingles or metal panels. Prevent damage from water leaking into your home. You can do this by consulting with a professional.  Step flashing provides cover for areas where the roof meets a wall. The material is either aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper-based materials depending on what your home’s specific needs may entail.

Apron Flashing

This type of flashing comes with a lip and goes on top of the step flashing material.  It provides additional protection while letting you remove shingles to access your roof’s surface for repairs and general maintenance.  Have a professional seal the apron flashing.  This provides the best protection against leaks and will give it a semi-permanent feature so you can prevent water damage on your home’s foundation.  It goes underneath the apron, and a professional attaches it to brick or stone with nails or wire ties.  Use caulk on seams between two pieces of apron flashing. Water will not get in through any cracks remaining.

Counter Flashing

You can find this at the roofline of your home’s exterior.  It goes around chimneys and stacks making it ideal for preventing water from seeping through cracks around penetrations on your building’s walls.  Water can enter due to poor installation or damage done after years of wear and tear on certain areas that are more vulnerable to leaks like seams and joints.  The durability of aluminum makes it a popular material for buildings. In addition, these same sheets coated with paint will remain corrosion-resistant over an extended period.  They never need maintenance because there is no wearing down from natural wear against its exterior components.

ROOF CRICKETS ARE ALSO NEEDED TO PROTECT YOUR CHIMNEY

This is from the weather and to divert water away from electrical components.  When you want to know how cricket works, this is the short version:

A piece of aluminum with a lip sits between your chimney and roof surface.  When you use it, the cricket acts as an efficient dam keeping water away from potentially dangerous areas underneath where you cannot reach to clean or maintain.  A roof cricket is an important part of your home’s structure. The name comes from its use in directing water away from the chimney. It helps keep it clean and dry for cooking fires or wood-burning stoves to burn at their most efficient temperature level.  A professional will build out these ridges on your roofs using wood boards. Top them off with metal flashing before installation begins so that no leaks end up happening down below!

Keep an Eye Out for Leaky Flashing

If you recently moved into a home or you haven’t done any work to your current chimney in a long time, you should watch for signs of faulty chimney flashing.  Chimney flashing is a very common contributor to chimney leaks and can end up causing major problems if it’s not taken care of right away.

Your roof and attic can become damaged as a result of chimney flashing failure.  Roof damage is nothing to ignore, so if you notice any damage, it’s important to find a roofing professional to fix the job right away.  Not to mention your actual chimney can sustain heavy water damage from poor flashing.  If enough water gets into your chimney, the brick and mortar joints will become brittle and the chimney’s entire structural integrity is now at risk.

In order to avoid this from happening, you need to get a chimney flashing at least once per year.  It’s better to be safe than sorry.  Repairing minor flashing damage is better than having to repair your roof and your chimney because too much water has compromised them.

Leave Chimney Flashing to the Professionals

There are many things that can go wrong when installing or repairing chimney flashing, so it’s in your best interest to leave the job up to the experts.  Chimney flashing is a skill that takes many jobs to perfect and only experienced masons can truly provide the highest quality work.