Pay Attention to Your Chimney Flashing

Chimney flashing is the material that provides a layer of protection where the chimney and roof meet. Flashing is typically made of aluminum, stainless steel or copper and these overlapping sections of metal are custom fitted around your chimney. As the house settles or shifts, the seam between the chimney stack and the roof becomes vulnerable to water penetration. Flashing is installed in two layers, fitting under the roof shingles and then going up the side of the chimney to create a watertight cover for the seam. Once the metal is placed, we use a urethane caulk around the edges to create a watertight bond. Flashing prevents water from coming into this seam along the edges of the chimney stack where leaks are common.

Every chimney is different, so installing chimney flashing is always a custom project that should be done by an experienced professional. When Total Chimney Care comes to inspect your chimney, we will closely examine your flashing to check for potential problems.  Watch the video below to learn more.

Some common problems include:

• Missing flashing
• Loose caulk that has created gaps that need to be resealed
• Corrosion on the metal flashing that has created holes and decay

Total Chimney Care will bring all the tools and materials to your home. After taking careful measurements of your roof and chimney angles, we will custom fabricate your flashing onsite.

If you are concerned about chimney leaks, flashing is one of the first places to investigate. The seam between your chimney stack and roof is an obvious place for water to get in. Even if the flashing was correctly installed, it can break down over time or become damaged by storms or animals. If you are planning to install a new roof on your home, remember that your flashing will need to be inspected to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced.

There could be other areas in your chimney or on your roof that are allowing water to leak into your home. Professional inspection, repair and/or waterproofing may be needed, so call the experts at Total Chimney Care today.