Front flashing
Front flashing is renewed so runoff clears the chimney to keep the front edge watertight.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Delmont, PA
Leaks at the roof line in Delmont usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, so the joint sheds water the way it was designed to. Call (724) 412-9258 to reach a local chimney sweep.
Chimney flashing is the metal that seals the gap between the chimney and the roof, and when it fails, water runs straight into the attic. Because masonry and roof framing expand, contract and settle at different rates, a rigid seal will crack, which is why flashing is built in overlapping layers. Eventually caulk cracks, fasteners loosen, steel rusts and the top edge of the flashing separates from the brick.
Good flashing is a system, not a single strip of metal. Step flashing interlocks with the shingles on each side, and counter flashing is tucked into a cut in the mortar and folded down over it. On the uphill side, a cricket keeps water from pooling against the chimney, which matters most on wide chimneys.
Before the visit, a little information speeds things up. Mention where the water shows up, how often it leaks and how old the roof is. Visible tar or silicone around the base of the chimney is a sign someone has patched it before, which is worth mentioning.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chimney flashing repair in Delmont, PA can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Dealing with this in Delmont, PA right now? Call (724) 412-9258 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The flashing repair process
Here is how a chimney technician typically handles a flashing repair.
Look at every side
The technician checks the apron, step flashing, counter flashing and back pan or cricket, plus the shingles around the chimney. Where possible, the attic is checked for wet or damaged decking.
Test for leaks
A water test may be used to confirm the flashing is really the problem. That keeps you from paying for new flashing when the leak is somewhere else.
Remove old patches
The technician strips off old roofing cement and corroded pieces down to the roof deck. Any rotted decking found underneath is replaced before new flashing goes on.
Side flashing
Individual L-shaped step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles up each side of the chimney. An apron goes across the front, and an underlayment membrane is often added around the base for extra protection.
Cut a reglet
The top layer is set into the masonry itself, overlapping the step flashing below. The metal is chosen to last, with copper or coated steel used where the flashing meets mortar.
Divert uphill water
Where water pools behind the chimney, a cricket, also called a saddle, is built to shed it. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Cap flashing
The top layer of flashing is renewed and properly let into the mortar joints instead of being held on with caulk.
Step flashing
Side flashing is rebuilt piece by piece with the shingles to stop leaks along the sides of the chimney.
Chimney saddles
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to split water and snow around the chimney.
Tar patch removal
Layers of roofing cement and caulk from earlier patch jobs are removed before new metal goes on.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Delmont, PA
Full replacement is the better choice when flashing is corroded, loose along much of its length or buried under layers of failed tar. It is a full redo of the joint, from the underlayment up to the counter flashing in the mortar. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
For Delmont homeowners planning a new roof, it is worth asking that the chimney flashing be replaced at the same time. Plan it so the masonry side of the job, cutting the reglet and setting counter flashing, happens while the shingles are going on. It is also a good time to have the crown and mortar checked, since the roof around the chimney is already open.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Around Delmont, many chimney leaks trace back to flashing that was patched with tar instead of replaced. Homes in Delmont and nearby towns like Murrysville, Jeannette, Penn and Manor see the same seasonal cycle of heat, cold, rain and snow that loosens counter flashing and dries out sealant, so proper step and counter flashing, and a cricket where needed, is worth doing right once.
For chimney flashing repair in Delmont, PA or nearby towns like Murrysville, Jeannette, Penn and Manor, call (724) 412-9258 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. That is why chimney cleaning in Delmont is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Chimney sweeps in Delmont know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
What is a chimney cricket?
A cricket is a little ridge framed behind the chimney so water flows around it instead of pooling against it. On a wide chimney, the back side becomes a dam where water and debris sit and eventually leak through. For wider chimneys that do not sit on the ridge, a cricket is usually required by code.
Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new roof?
Replacing it during a reroof is strongly recommended. Proper step flashing goes in with the shingles, so it is easiest when they are being replaced. Many leaks on newer roofs come from reused chimney flashing.
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
That comes down to the condition of the metal. When only the counter flashing has come loose, resetting it is often enough. If it is rusted through, badly bent or buried under old tar, replacement is the better value.
How do I know if my chimney flashing is leaking?
Stains beside the chimney, dark wood in the attic and loose or corroded metal at the roof line are the usual giveaways. Water inside the fireplace points higher up, while water along the chimney chase or ceiling points to the roof joint. Testing with a hose confirms which part is leaking.
Why does my chimney flashing keep leaking after it was sealed?
Surface sealant cannot keep up with the movement between masonry and roof framing, so it fails. If the step or counter flashing is missing, rusted or installed wrong, no amount of sealant will fix it. Sometimes the source is the masonry or crown above, not the flashing at all.
More questions? Call (724) 412-9258
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, whether the drip shows up in the attic, the ceiling or the firebox.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Treating chimney brick and mortar with a breathable water repellent, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Delmont chimney sweep about chimney flashing repair
Call now for Delmont chimney flashing repair and help in the towns around it.
(724) 412-9258
Free to call. No forms to fill out.