Fixing old patches
Failed tar patches are stripped and replaced with real flashing before new metal goes on.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Winfield, IL
Leaks at the roof line in Winfield usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, with step and counter flashing instead of caulk. Call (331) 716-1355 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. Because masonry and roof framing expand, contract and settle at different rates, a rigid seal will crack, which is why flashing is built in overlapping layers. Over time, sealant dries out, nails back out, metal rusts and the counter flashing pulls out of the mortar joints.
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. On the uphill side, a cricket keeps water from pooling against the chimney, which matters most on wide chimneys.
A Winfield 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. Also mention any tar or caulk patches you can see from the ground, since repeated patching usually means the flashing itself has failed.
Chimney Flashing Repair is often paired with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing, depending on the cause.
Need chimney flashing repair in Winfield? Call (331) 716-1355 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Winfield.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
The goal is a joint that sheds water without relying on sealant.
Check the flashing
The technician checks the apron, step flashing, counter flashing and back pan or cricket, plus the shingles around the chimney. The attic side of the roof deck is checked for rot as well.
Confirm the source
Flashing leaks can be confused with crown, cap or brick leaks, so other sources are ruled out. That keeps you from paying for new flashing when the leak is somewhere else.
Strip failed material
The technician strips off old roofing cement and corroded pieces down to the roof deck. Soft or rotted sheathing under the old flashing is repaired first.
Weave in new flashing
New step flashing is installed piece by piece along the sides, interwoven with each course of shingles. A front apron and a waterproof underlayment complete the lower layers.
Cut a reglet
A groove, called a reglet, is cut into the mortar joints, and counter flashing is set into it and folded down over the step flashing. The metal is chosen to last, with copper or coated steel used where the flashing meets mortar.
Add a cricket
Where water pools behind the chimney, a cricket, also called a saddle, is built to shed it. It solves the most common cause of leaks on the uphill face.
What is included
Types of flashing repair
Apron flashing
The lower apron is reset over the shingles where water from the chimney face drains off.
Chimney saddles
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to split water and snow around the chimney.
Side flashing
Rusted or missing step flashing along the sides is replaced with every piece lapped correctly.
Cap flashing
Counter flashing that has pulled out of the mortar is reset into a fresh reglet so water cannot run behind the step flashing.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Winfield, IL
Chimney flashing replacement makes sense when the metal is rusted through, the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar or the flashing has been patched so many times that nothing sound is left. Replacement means removing everything down to the roof deck and installing new step flashing, counter flashing, an apron and, where needed, a cricket. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
In Winfield, the easiest moment to replace chimney flashing is while the roof is already torn off. 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. With the roof open, it makes sense to check the rest of the chimney top as well.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Around Winfield, many chimney leaks trace back to flashing that was patched with tar instead of replaced. Homes in Winfield and nearby towns like Wheaton, Carol Stream, West Chicago and Warrenville see the same seasonal cycle of heat, cold, rain and snow that loosens counter flashing and dries out sealant, so proper step and counter flashing, and a cricket where needed, is worth doing right once.
For chimney flashing repair in Winfield, IL or nearby towns like Wheaton, Carol Stream, West Chicago and Warrenville, call (331) 716-1355 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Winters here are cold and long, with lake effect snow in many towns and deep cold snaps that can last for days. Furnaces, wood stoves and fireplaces run hard from fall to spring, which means fast creosote buildup and a lot of stress on liners, crowns and flashing. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. That is why Winfield chimney sweeps are busiest every September and October.
Why call
Why act early
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Winfield and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
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. A leak in the firebox is more likely the cap or crown, while a leak along the ceiling beside the chimney is more often the flashing. A controlled water test settles it.
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. It is also possible the water is entering higher up, at the crown or through the brick, and only showing at the flashing.
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
That comes down to the condition of the metal. When only the counter flashing has come loose, resetting it is often enough. 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. Since step flashing is layered with the shingles, replacing it later means disturbing the new roof. Reusing old flashing under new shingles is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
Why would my chimney need a cricket?
A cricket, also called a saddle, is a small peaked structure built on the uphill side of a chimney to split water and snow around it. Without one, water, leaves and ice collect behind a wide chimney and work their way under the flashing. For wider chimneys that do not sit on the ridge, a cricket is usually required by code.
More questions? Call (331) 716-1355
Often needed together
Chimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
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(331) 716-1355
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