Step flashing
Loose step flashing is reset or renewed with every piece lapped correctly.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Swedesboro, NJ
A chimney sweep in Swedesboro can repair or replace the flashing where the chimney passes through the roof, the most common source of chimney leaks into attics and ceilings, with step and counter flashing instead of caulk. One call to (856) 490-5006 reaches a nearby chimney flashing pro.
Chimney flashing is the metal that seals the gap between the chimney and the roof, and when it fails, water runs straight into the attic. A chimney and a roof never move together perfectly, so the flashing is made of separate overlapping pieces rather than one solid seal. Years of sun, freezing and thawing loosen the counter flashing, rust thin metal and dry out every bead of caulk.
Proper flashing has a few distinct parts. Along the sides, individual step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles, while counter flashing is let into the mortar joints and lapped over them. On the uphill side, a cricket keeps water from pooling against the chimney, which matters most on wide chimneys.
A Swedesboro chimney sweep will want to know a few things about the leak. Mention where the water shows up, how often it leaks and how old the roof is. Visible tar or silicone around the base of the chimney is a sign someone has patched it before, which is worth mentioning.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chimney flashing repair in Swedesboro, NJ can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Need chimney flashing repair in Swedesboro? Call (856) 490-5006 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a flashing repair
Flashing repair is about rebuilding the layers so water always runs over a joint, never into it.
Look at every side
The technician checks the apron, step flashing, counter flashing and back pan or cricket, plus the shingles around the chimney. Where possible, the attic is checked for wet or damaged decking.
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
Old tar, caulk and loose or rusted metal are removed, and the shingles around the chimney are lifted where needed. Soft or rotted sheathing under the old flashing is repaired first.
Side flashing
Individual L-shaped step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles up each side of the chimney. A front apron and a waterproof underlayment complete the lower layers.
Set counter flashing
The top layer is set into the masonry itself, overlapping the step flashing below. Copper and coated steel are common choices, since bare aluminum can corrode where it meets mortar.
Add a cricket
On wide chimneys, a cricket is framed and flashed on the uphill side so water and snow are split around the chimney. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Crickets
Missing or failed crickets are built or rebuilt and flashed to end leaks on the high side.
Fixing old patches
Old sealant repairs are cleaned off so the repair does not depend on sealant.
Cap flashing
Loose counter flashing is replaced and set into the masonry which closes the most common gap.
Apron flashing
The lower apron is reset over the shingles where water from the chimney face drains off.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Swedesboro, NJ
Full replacement is the better choice when flashing is corroded, loose along much of its length or buried under layers of failed tar. Replacement means removing everything down to the roof deck and installing new step flashing, counter flashing, an apron and, where needed, a cricket. A common shortcut is to reuse the old flashing during a reroof, and that often leads to a leak within a few years.
For Swedesboro homeowners planning a new roof, it is worth asking that the chimney flashing be replaced at the same time. Coordinate the chimney sweep and the roofer so the step flashing goes in with the shingles and the counter flashing is set into the brick. It is also a good time to have the crown and mortar checked, since the roof around the chimney is already open.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Flashing leaks in Swedesboro often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. From Swedesboro out to neighboring communities such as Beckett, Mullica Hill, Gibbstown and Woodstown, freeze-thaw and summer heat both work on the joint between the chimney and the roof, so proper step and counter flashing, and a cricket where needed, is worth doing right once.
Searching for chimney flashing repair near me from Swedesboro or Beckett, Mullica Hill, Gibbstown and Woodstown? Call (856) 490-5006 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
Chimneys in this climate
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Swedesboro is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why act early
Safer fires
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 Swedesboro and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Flashing Repair FAQ
Why does my chimney flashing keep leaking after it was sealed?
Surface sealant cannot keep up with the movement between masonry and roof framing, so it fails. 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.
Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new roof?
The roof replacement is the best time to do it. Step flashing is woven in with the shingles, so the roof has to be open to replace it properly anyway. Reusing old flashing under new shingles is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
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. Without one, water, leaves and ice collect behind a wide chimney and work their way under the flashing. Common building codes call for a cricket on chimneys wider than about thirty inches, unless the chimney sits at the ridge.
How do I know if my chimney flashing is leaking?
Look for stains near the chimney inside, damp or rotted framing in the attic and flashing that is lifted, rusted or covered in tar outside. Water inside the fireplace points higher up, while water along the chimney chase or ceiling points to the roof joint. Testing with a hose confirms which part is leaking.
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
What the metal looks like decides that. When only the counter flashing has come loose, resetting it is often enough. Once flashing has rust holes or years of patches, replacing it is more reliable than another repair.
More questions? Call (856) 490-5006
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Fixing cracked crowns, failing mortar, loose brick, leaky flashing and damaged flue tiles, matched to what an inspection actually finds.
Learn more
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Call (856) 490-5006 for a local chimney sweep in Swedesboro and nearby towns.
(856) 490-5006
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