Tar patch removal
Failed tar patches are stripped and replaced with real flashing and the joint is flashed properly.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair DuBois, PA
Leaks at the roof line in DuBois usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, so the joint sheds water the way it was designed to. Call (814) 913-0171 to reach a local chimney sweep.
Flashing is the layered metal seal around the base of a chimney, and it is behind more chimney leaks than any other part. 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.
Good flashing is a system, not a single strip of metal. 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.
A DuBois chimney sweep will want to know a few things about the leak. Note whether the stain is on the uphill or downhill side of the chimney, whether it leaks in every rain or only in heavy storms, and when the roof was last replaced. 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.
Looking for DuBois chimney flashing repair? Call (814) 913-0171 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in DuBois.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
Here is how a chimney technician typically handles a flashing repair.
Inspect the roof line
Each part of the flashing is inspected, along with the condition of the surrounding roofing. Where possible, the attic is checked for wet or damaged decking.
Rule out the masonry
Flashing leaks can be confused with crown, cap or brick leaks, so other sources are ruled out. It makes sure the repair matches the actual source.
Clear the old work
The technician strips off old roofing cement and corroded pieces down to the roof deck. Any rotted decking found underneath is replaced before new flashing goes on.
Side flashing
Step flashing goes in one piece per shingle course, so every piece overlaps the one below. An apron goes across the front, and an underlayment membrane is often added around the base for extra protection.
Seal into the mortar
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. Surface-mounted flashing held on by caulk alone is avoided because it fails quickly.
Divert uphill water
Chimneys wider than about thirty inches usually call for a cricket on the high side under common building codes. It solves the most common cause of leaks on the uphill face.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Apron flashing
Front flashing is renewed so runoff clears the chimney to keep the front edge watertight.
Crickets
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to split water and snow around the chimney.
Step flashing
Side flashing is rebuilt piece by piece with the shingles so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Counter flashing
The top layer of flashing is renewed and properly let into the mortar joints instead of being held on with caulk.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement DuBois, PA
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. It is a full redo of the joint, from the underlayment up to the counter flashing in the mortar. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
For DuBois homeowners planning a new roof, it is worth asking that the chimney flashing be replaced at the same time. The step flashing has to be woven in with the new shingles, so the timing between the roofer and the chimney work matters. 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 DuBois often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. Across DuBois and nearby places including Sandy, Treasure Lake, Punxsutawney and Brookville, the chimneys that leak most are the ones where water and snow collect on the uphill side, which is why a real flashing repair outlasts another round of tar.
Searching for chimney flashing repair near me from DuBois or Sandy, Treasure Lake, Punxsutawney and Brookville? Call (814) 913-0171 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around DuBois
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. That is why chimney cleaning in DuBois is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
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 DuBois and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Flashing Repair FAQ
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. Old flashing reused under a new roof often leaks within a few years.
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
What the metal looks like decides that. If the flashing is in good shape but the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar, it can often be reset and resealed. If it is rusted through, badly bent or buried under old tar, replacement is the better value.
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. 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. Testing with a hose confirms which part is leaking.
Why did caulking my chimney flashing not stop the leak?
Caulk and roofing tar only seal the surface, and they crack and pull loose as the chimney and roof expand and contract. When the flashing itself is the problem, sealant just hides it for a season. The leak may also be coming from the crown, cap or brick, which no flashing repair will touch.
Why would my chimney need a 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. For wider chimneys that do not sit on the ridge, a cricket is usually required by code.
More questions? Call (814) 913-0171
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
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Fixing cracked crowns, failing mortar, loose brick, leaky flashing and damaged flue tiles, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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(814) 913-0171
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