Chimney chase repair for Lake Formosa homeowners
Stucco over a framed chase rebuilt with two barrier layers, corrosion-resistant lath and three full coats.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
The chase layers we price for Lake Formosa homes
- Stucco rebuilt in three coats over new lath
- Apron and back flashing at the chase base
- Trim primed, installed and sealed at joints
- Ladder, roof anchor or scaffold access
Chase repair facts for Lake Formosa homes
Roof-mounted chases and chases on an outside wall
Some chases start on the roof. The fireplace sits inside the house, the chimney pipe runs up through the attic, and the framed box is built on top of the roof framing. Others are built against an outside wall and run from the ground or a lower roof up past the eaves.
The two types fail in different places. A roof-mounted chase leaks where its walls meet the roofing and at the top. A wall chase adds a long vertical seam against the house and a bottom edge that sits close to soil, mulch and sprinkler spray. Some chases combine both, starting on a lower roof and running up beside a second-story wall.
Our crew in Lake Formosa starts by working out which type you have and how it is supported. That decides where we probe first and whether other trades, like a roofer, belong in the plan.
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.
Repairing the chase or rebuilding it
Many chases can be repaired section by section. A full chimney chase rebuild makes more sense when rot runs through most of the framing, the chase is out of plumb, the finish is failing on every face or you want to change the size or finish anyway.
A rebuild strips the chase down to the chimney pipe, replaces the framing and sheathing, and finishes the box new. It also resets the flashing, the barrier and the top framing, which a patch cannot always reach. A rebuild also lets the new framing be laid out cleanly around the pipe, with every clearance, support and shield set fresh.
Our technicians price both options when both are reasonable, so you can compare. We tell you plainly when a repair would only buy a short time, and when a rebuild is more than you need. Either way, the choice is yours, made with both prices in hand.
What the attic side of the chase can show
On a roof-mounted chase, the attic is the one place to see the chase from inside without opening a wall. Wet stains on rafters around the chimney, dark wood on the roof deck, damp insulation or daylight around the opening all say something about the chase above.
Looking into an attic means staying on the framing and keeping clear of the chimney pipe and any wiring. If the attic is hard to reach, leave it for the inspection. Blown insulation can hide the joists, so step only where you can see framing.
During the free inspection for homes in Lake Formosa, our technicians check the attic side when there is a safe way in. What we find is written into the estimate next to what we saw on the outside of the chase. A damp spot on the attic floor under the chase is often the clearest sign that water is getting past the chase walls.
Other work in Lake Formosa
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Chase repair questions we hear
Can you repair only the rotted part of my chase?
Often, yes. When rot is limited to the base, a corner or the top, our crew removes siding in that area, replaces the damaged wood and laps new barrier and flashing into the old. If probing shows rot running through most of the framing, we price a rebuild alongside the repair so you can compare.
Do you work with my roofer?
Yes. Flashing at the chase base sits between the roof and the chase, so we agree with your roofer on who replaces which pieces before work starts. The written estimate spells out that split.
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- Free inspection
- No hidden fees
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