Family-owned chimney flashing repair in Merrimac

Where the chimney sits on the roof changes the flashing

A chimney that comes through at the ridge has little water above it. One in the middle of a slope faces the full flow from above. One at the eave may meet a wall, a gutter or a soffit instead of open roofing.

Each location calls for a different flashing layout. We look at where your chimney emerges and how much roof drains toward it before recommending the pieces. The back of a mid-slope chimney usually needs the most attention.

The order of work in a full reflash

A full reflash runs in a set order. Roofing around the chimney is lifted, old flashing and patch material come off, the deck and chimney base are checked, then the apron, step pieces, back pan and counter flashing go on in that order, each lapping the one before it.

The roofing is then restored around the new metal and the counter flashing joint is mortared or sealed. We describe this sequence in your estimate so you know what the roof will look like at each stage and how long the chimney area will be open.

What a written flashing estimate should list

A useful flashing estimate names the faces being repaired, the metal and its thickness, how the counter flashing is anchored, how much roofing is lifted and restored, and what happens to the old material. Vague wording such as reseal chimney leaves you nothing to compare.

Ours spell out each of the items below, so two quotes can be read side by side. Book within 72 hours after the inspection and the estimate shows 10% off, printed on the page.

• Chimney faces included in the repair
• Flashing metal and thickness
• Counter flashing method for your chimney face
• Roofing lifted, reset or replaced
• Removal of old flashing and patch material
• Findings that need a separate decision

Plumbing and roof vents near the chimney

Vent pipes and roof vents close to the chimney have their own boots and flashing. A cracked rubber boot a foot away can make a leak look like it is coming from the chimney junction.

We check any vents within reach of the chimney during the inspection. If a vent boot is the problem, we say so, and you avoid paying for chimney flashing that was never the source. Replacing a cracked boot is a small roofing task, and we tell you who can handle it.