Cap flashing
Counter flashing that has pulled out of the mortar is reset into a fresh reglet which closes the most common gap.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Stroudsburg, PA
Leaks at the roof line in Stroudsburg usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, before the leak rots the roof deck and framing. Call (272) 271-1491 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. The chimney and the roof move independently as the house settles and as temperatures swing, so the seal between them has to allow for movement. Years of sun, freezing and thawing loosen the counter flashing, rust thin metal and dry out every bead of caulk.
A correctly flashed chimney uses several pieces that work together. 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. A front apron covers the downhill face, and on the uphill face a cricket or saddle diverts water and snow around the chimney.
When you call about a flashing leak in Stroudsburg, a few details help. 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.
Many chimney flashing repair calls in Stroudsburg also turn up a need for chimney leak repair or chimney waterproofing.
Need chimney flashing repair in Stroudsburg? Call (272) 271-1491 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Stroudsburg.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
Here is how a chimney technician typically handles a flashing repair.
Look at every side
All four sides of the chimney are checked, because a leak on one side often starts somewhere else. The roof deck under the flashing is checked for soft spots.
Test for leaks
A water test may be used to confirm the flashing is really the problem. That keeps you from paying for new flashing when the leak is somewhere else.
Remove old patches
Failed sealant and damaged flashing come off so the new work starts on a clean, sound surface. Damaged roof deck is fixed while it is exposed.
Weave in new flashing
New step flashing is installed piece by piece along the sides, interwoven with each course of shingles. An apron goes across the front, and an underlayment membrane is often added around the base for extra protection.
Cut a reglet
The top layer is set into the masonry itself, overlapping the step flashing below. Surface-mounted flashing held on by caulk alone is avoided because it fails quickly.
Build a saddle
Chimneys wider than about thirty inches usually call for a cricket on the high side under common building codes. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Fixing old patches
Old sealant repairs are cleaned off so the repair does not depend on sealant.
Front flashing
The lower apron is reset over the shingles to keep the front edge watertight.
Crickets
A cricket is added behind a wide chimney or one where water pools to split water and snow around the chimney.
Side flashing
Loose step flashing is reset or renewed with every piece lapped correctly.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Stroudsburg, PA
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. A common shortcut is to reuse the old flashing during a reroof, and that often leads to a leak within a few years.
If you are replacing the roof on a Stroudsburg 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 Stroudsburg often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. From Stroudsburg out to neighboring communities such as Arlington Heights, East Stroudsburg, Penn Estates and Bangor, freeze-thaw and summer heat both work on the joint between the chimney and the roof, which is why a real flashing repair outlasts another round of tar.
Need chimney flashing repair around Stroudsburg? Call (272) 271-1491 for a Stroudsburg chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Stroudsburg
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: 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 Stroudsburg, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why not wait
Less damage
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Stroudsburg and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Flashing Repair questions
What is a chimney cricket?
Also known as a saddle, a cricket is a small roof section behind the chimney that diverts runoff to either side. On a wide chimney, the back side becomes a dam where water and debris sit and eventually leak through. Building codes generally require a cricket on chimneys more than about thirty inches wide that do not meet the ridge.
Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need replacing?
The answer depends on how much of the flashing is still sound. If the flashing is in good shape but the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar, it can often be reset and resealed. Corroded, damaged or heavily patched flashing is usually replaced outright.
Do I need new chimney flashing when I replace my roof?
Doing it with the new roof is the smart move in most cases. Proper step flashing goes in with the shingles, so it is easiest when they are being replaced. Many leaks on newer roofs come from reused chimney flashing.
What are the signs of bad chimney flashing?
Stains beside the chimney, dark wood in the attic and loose or corroded metal at the roof line are the usual giveaways. Water inside the fireplace points higher up, while water along the chimney chase or ceiling points to the roof joint. A water test can confirm it before any work is done.
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. Sometimes the source is the masonry or crown above, not the flashing at all.
More questions? Call (272) 271-1491
Related services
Chimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, 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, to slow freeze-thaw damage and spalling.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, so water stops soaking into the masonry from the top.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Stroudsburg chimney sweep about chimney flashing repair
Call now for Stroudsburg chimney flashing repair and help in the towns around it.
(272) 271-1491
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