Chimney chase repair for Waterford Lakes 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
Siding to framing, what gets priced
- Siding removed and reused where boards are sound
- Cricket behind a wide chase where needed
- Trim primed, installed and sealed at joints
- Ladder, roof anchor or scaffold access
Chase repair details that keep the wall dry
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 Waterford Lakes 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.
Probing the chase to find the damage boundary
The visible stain is seldom the edge of the damage. Water spreads inside a chase along the sheathing and down the studs, often further than it shows outside. Finding the real boundary is what lets us price the job honestly.
Our technicians use an awl to test wood at joints, corners and the base, a moisture meter to find wet areas that still feel firm, and light taps on stucco to find hollow spots. A high moisture reading on its own does not condemn a board, so wet areas get probed as well. Where access allows, the attic side of the chase gets checked too.
The written estimate then separates the areas we expect to replace from the areas we will confirm once the siding is off. That split lets homeowners in Waterford Lakes see the plan before anyone picks up a pry bar.
Sealant at siding joints versus near the pipe
Sealant has a job on a chase, but a narrow one. At siding joints, trim and the seam with the house, an exterior-grade sealant closes gaps where the siding maker calls for a seal. It is maintenance, not a stand-in for flashing or a barrier. Old sealant is cut out before new goes in.
Near the chimney pipe it is a different matter. Chimney makers can name specific sealants for specific joints at the chase top. DuraVent's instructions, for example, call for a non-hardening waterproof sealant at certain chase-top joints and keep the ventilation openings clear.
Our crew uses the product each maker calls for in each place and never fills the air space with caulk or foam. If old caulk is bridging the gap to the pipe, we remove it and tell you why.
A home inspection note about the chase
Home inspection reports often flag a chase with notes like soft wood at the base, damaged siding, staining, missing flashing or a cover that needs attention. Those notes describe what the inspector saw from outside, not how far the damage goes.
If you are buying or selling, a clear repair scope helps everyone agree on what needs to be done and by whom. Sellers often want the repair done before listing, while buyers may want a firm price to negotiate with. Both need the same thing, a scope that names each layer and each item.
Our technicians inspect the chase against the report, probe the areas it names and give you a written estimate that answers each note. The cover, the chase repair and any roofing are listed separately, so buyers, sellers and agents can see what each item covers for a home in Waterford Lakes.
Other work in Waterford Lakes
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- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair the transition above the fireplace opening.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the unit within its exact installation limits.
Learn more about chimney chase repairWaterford Lakes services
Chase repair questions we hear
Do I need a new cover on top when the chase is repaired?
Only if the cover has failed or no longer fits the repaired top. When it has, the cover goes on its own estimate line and is installed after the top framing is sound. If the cover is in good shape, we take it off carefully and put it back.
Should I repair the chase before putting my home on the market?
A chase with visible rot or leaks tends to come up in a buyer's inspection. Repairing it first, with the work put in writing layer by layer, gives buyers a clear answer. If you would rather sell as is, our written estimate helps both sides agree on the work.
Request your free estimate
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- Free inspection
- No hidden fees
- Family owned and operated
Need an answer now? Call (352) 675-6376
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