Chimney chase repair from framing to finish in Fullers
Chase siding repaired or replaced to match, with the barrier and flashing behind it done right.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
Chase repair lines priced before any work
- Two-layer barrier behind stucco on wood sheathing
- Seam and flashing where the chase meets the house
- Firestops, shields and pipe supports reset as listed
- Wiring or insulation moved out of the clearance
The wall behind the siding
Giving water that gets past the siding a way out
Siding and stucco both let a little water through. Section R703.1.1 of the Florida Building Code describes an exterior wall that keeps water from building up inside it, using a water-resistive barrier plus a way to drain water that gets past the cladding back to the outside.
On a chase, that drainage path ends at the bottom edge of the siding or at the flashing on the roof. If the bottom edge is caulked shut or buried in roofing cement, water that should drain out stays in the wall.
We check that the base of each chase wall can drain. Sealant that blocks the path comes out, and the bottom edge is detailed so water leaves the wall at the flashing. That detail is written into the estimate, so it does not get lost between trades.
Soft studs and plates inside the chase
Studs and plates are the bones of a chase. Rot in framing tends to start at the ends, where end grain drinks water, so the bottom plate, the lower ends of the studs and the top plate are the places to check first. Corners matter too, since two walls share the corner studs and both drain toward them.
A stud that takes a probe easily, feels spongy or crumbles in hand has lost its strength. Several soft studs in one corner can let the chase sag or twist, which opens the siding joints and lets in even more water. A soft top plate also lets the cover settle.
Our crew in Fullers replaces rotted plates and studs with new lumber, or sisters sound new wood alongside where the old stud is damaged at one end only. We tell you which method fits each stud, and why, before the wall is closed.
Ceiling stains next to the chase
A brown ring on the ceiling beside the fireplace wall is often the first sign a chase is leaking. Water running down inside the chase can reach the ceiling framing, the top of the fireplace enclosure or the attic floor before it shows.
Roof leaks, plumbing and condensation can leave similar stains, so the stain alone does not prove the chase is the source. Tracing the water back is what counts. A stain that grows after wind-driven rain, but not after a gentle shower, points toward siding joints or the chase top.
Our technicians check the chase, the flashing and the attic side where reachable, and tell you where the water is coming from. If the chase is the source, the ceiling repair is listed apart from the chase work, so you can decide who handles the drywall and paint in your Fullers home. It helps to tell us when the stain appeared and what the weather was doing, since timing narrows the search.
Old patch jobs that hide rot
Many chases have been patched before. Caulk smeared over split siding, roofing tar along the base, a coat of paint over soft wood or a strip of trim nailed over a gap can all hide damage for a while. Some of these fixes went on quickly after a storm, and others were left by a previous owner.
The patch often traps water and makes the rot behind it worse. Tar at the base can block the drainage path, and a trim strip over a split can hold water against the board.
Our technicians look closely at old repairs and probe around them. When a patch is hiding soft wood, we take it off and repair what is behind it. Each old patch we plan to remove gets its own line on your Fullers estimate. If an old patch is sound and covers sound wood, it can stay.
Other work in Fullers
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Chase repair answers for Fullers homes
Can a chase be changed from siding to stucco?
Yes, as long as the framing is sound and flat. Stucco over wood needs a two-layer barrier, corrosion-resistant lath and three coats, so we price it as its own option next to a like-for-like siding repair.
How long will my chase be open to the weather?
That depends on how much of the wall comes off and on curing time if the finish is stucco. We give you the plan at the start, and any open section is covered before the crew leaves each day.
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