Apron flashing
The front of the chimney gets a new apron lapped over the shingles below.
Roof Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Nutley, NJ
A Nutley roofer can rebuild the flashing around a leaking chimney so the joint between brick and shingles sheds water on its own, and check whether the crown or brick is part of the problem. One call to (973) 858-1824 reaches a nearby roofer who handles chimney flashing.
The joint between a chimney and the roof is one of the most leak-prone spots on any house. Masonry and wood framing expand, shrink and settle at different rates, which is why chimney flashing is built in two parts that can slide past each other. That is why a single strip of metal glued to the brick with sealant does not last.
Proper chimney flashing has four main parts. The front gets an apron, the sides get step flashing, the back gets a pan or cricket, and counter flashing tucked into the brick seals the top of it all. Counter flashing that is only caulked onto the brick face is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks.
Water near a chimney can also come through the chimney itself. Brick and mortar absorb rain, and a cracked crown or open joints can let water travel down through the masonry to the roof line. A roofer checks the flashing and can point out masonry problems that need a mason.
Depending on what the roofer finds, chimney flashing repair in Nutley, NJ can go hand in hand with flashing repair and roof leak repair.
Looking for Nutley chimney flashing repair? Call (973) 858-1824 to talk to a local roofer.
Call nowThe process
What happens during chimney flashing repair
Here is how a roofer typically handles chimney flashing.
Inspect the chimney
Every side of the chimney is checked, along with the masonry above the roof and the decking around the opening from the attic. That separates true flashing leaks from water coming through the chimney itself.
Clear the joint
Shingles around the chimney are removed along with the old flashing, tar and caulk. Any decking that has gone soft from years of leaks is replaced.
Add step flashing
After a self-adhered membrane wraps the base of the chimney, the apron goes on the downhill face and step pieces are woven up both sides with new shingles. The step flashing is nailed to the roof deck only, never to the brick.
Install the back pan
Behind the chimney, a metal back pan or a framed cricket keeps water and debris from piling up. Wide chimneys need a cricket under most residential codes.
Set counter flashing
A groove is cut into the mortar, and the counter flashing is set into it, either in one piece or stepped to follow the slope. That two-part design lets the chimney and roof move without tearing the seal.
What is included
Chimney flashing parts
Cricket installation
A cricket is framed behind wide chimneys so water cannot pond against the brick.
Side flashing
Side flashing is woven in with new shingles one piece per course.
Decking repair
Soft sheathing next to the chimney is renewed so the shingles have solid nailing.
Counter flashing
Counter flashing is set into ground-out mortar joints instead of caulked to the face.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Nutley, NJ
Full replacement of chimney flashing is the answer when the existing pieces are rusted, missing or held on by caulk. Patching a system that was installed wrong rarely works, because the problem is in how the pieces overlap. Adding a cricket during replacement solves the uphill pooling at the same time.
Not every flashing metal suits brick. Copper is a long-lasting choice for counter flashing, while aluminum needs protection from contact with lime in the mortar. The roofer can explain the options that suit your chimney.
Related service
Chimney Leak Repair Nutley, NJ
A chimney can leak at the roof line or from the top down, and the fix is different for each. A leak that keeps going after the rain ends often means water stored in the masonry is draining out. A careful water test, one side at a time, can tell the two apart.
Leaks through the chimney body need masonry work rather than flashing. Typical fixes are crown repair, a new cap and repointing of open mortar joints, sometimes followed by a vapor-permeable masonry water repellent. A roofer can point out these problems while checking the flashing.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Chimney flashing calls in Nutley come mostly from older brick chimneys that have been reflashed with tar more than once. From Nutley out to neighboring towns such as Glen Ridge, Rutherford, North Arlington and Clifton, older brick chimneys tend to need counter flashing reset into worn mortar, while newer framed chases more often leak at the chase top or siding joint, which is why the roofer starts by looking at how the chimney is built.
Searching for chimney flashing repair near me from Nutley or Glen Ridge, Rutherford, North Arlington and Clifton? Call (973) 858-1824 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a roof
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Nutley is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Less damage
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Nutley and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Flashing Repair FAQ
Why is my chimney still leaking after new flashing?
Water can still get in through the top or sides of the chimney. Open joints, spalling brick and a damaged crown all let water in above the flashing. Condensation in an unlined or oversized flue can also cause damp spots. A call to (973) 858-1824 is a good next step.
Should a roofer or a mason repair my chimney flashing?
A roofer handles the flashing, because it has to be woven into the roof. Roofers routinely grind the mortar joint and set counter flashing. If the crown, cap or brick is damaged, a mason handles that part.
Is it possible to just reseal chimney flashing?
A single loose section of counter flashing can be reset without replacing everything. If the flashing is corroded or relies on caulk instead of proper lapping, replacing it is the better repair. More sealant over a failing system buys a little time at best.
How do I know if my chimney flashing is leaking?
Look for damp spots near the chimney after rain, both in the house and in the attic. Inside the attic, water trails on the brick or framing are another clue. On the roof, rusted metal, loose counter flashing and heavy tar are warning signs. A roofer reached at (973) 858-1824 can find the source.
What is a chimney cricket?
A cricket is a small ridge framed on the upslope side of a chimney. It splits the water and debris coming down the roof and sends them around the chimney instead of letting them pile up against the brick. Wide chimneys need one under most building codes.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1824
Often needed together
Flashing Repair
Flashing repairs at the joints where most roof leaks start, so water runs onto the shingles instead of into the wall.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Finding where water gets through the roof and sealing it at the source, before wet decking and insulation turn into rot.
Learn moreRoof Leak Detection
Pinpointing where water actually enters a roof, even when the stain is far away, so the repair goes in the right place the first time.
Learn moreShingle Roof Repair
Replacing missing, creased or cracked shingles, resealing lifted tabs and fixing popped nails, matched to the shingles already on the house.
Learn more
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Call (973) 858-1824 to talk to a roofer serving Nutley, NJ.