Your chimney chase repair crew in Windhover
Our technicians probe the whole chase, not only the stain, so your Windhover estimate matches the real repair.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
What we check on a framed chase
- Two-layer barrier behind stucco on wood sheathing
- Rotted studs, plates and corners replaced or sistered
- Firestops, shields and pipe supports reset as listed
- Roofer coordination at the chase base
Our approach to chase repair in Windhover
Sistering a stud or replacing it
Not every damaged stud has to come out. When rot is limited to the bottom few inches, a new stud can be fastened alongside the old one, which is called sistering, and the rotted end cut away. When a stud is soft along its length, it is replaced.
Plates are different. A rotted bottom or top plate is replaced in sections, since sistering a plate seldom helps. Corners, where two walls meet, get new framing so the chase stays square. Sistered studs are fastened along their full length, using straight, dry lumber so the new stud stays true.
Any new framing keeps the listed air space around the chimney pipe. We explain each choice on your Windhover job and write down what was sistered and what was replaced, so the next person to open the wall knows what they are looking at.
Reading the chimney label before repairs start
Factory-built fireplaces and chimneys are listed and labeled, and the label names the maker, model and listing. Under R1004.1, factory-built fireplaces are tested to UL 127 and installed per their listing. R1005.3 ties factory-built chimneys for solid-fuel appliances to UL 103, and R1005.4 has chimneys for factory-built fireplaces meet UL 127.
The instructions that go with those labels decide the clearances, shields and supports inside your chase. The fireplace label is often inside the firebox opening or behind a panel, and original paperwork helps if you still have it. The chimney pipe itself may also carry a label on a section near the top of the chase.
Our technicians record the maker and model at the first visit, so the chase work follows the right instructions. If a label is missing or unreadable, we tell you how that limits the repair plan. This step comes before any framing is cut on a chase in Windhover.
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 Windhover, 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.
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 Windhover.
Other work in Windhover
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What homeowners ask about chase work
Will I be able to use my fireplace during the repair?
No. While the chase is open, shields, firestops and the top may be off, so the fireplace stays out of use. We tell you when it is ready again, which is after the chase is closed and the listed parts are back in place.
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.
Request your free estimate
Share the job details and arrange a free inspection with our local team.
- Free inspection
- No hidden fees
- Family owned and operated
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