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If you need to repair a chimney flashing leak, you’ve come to the right place. The chimney flashing lies between your roof and the feature. It serves as protection for both your roof and the chimney joint. It is a recognizable L-shaped section that can get pulled away from your chimney.
In many cases, the only thing keeping it in place is the roofing cement. The damage commonly occurs due to your chimney flashing getting separated from the brick. If it gets pulled, your roof will start leaking rainwater into your home.
Since a leaking roof can hurt the integrity of your roof and house, it should be repaired as soon as possible. That is where Champion Roofing can help. As a premier roofing company, we have the experience, tools, and expertise in maintaining and repairing all sorts of roofing jobs. We can take care of your chimney flashing repair in an affordable, timely, and efficient manner.
Chicago Chimney Flashing Repairs
Two layers make a proper chimney flashing:
- The step flashing – the roof section where L-shaped metal sheets are woven into the shingles and lapped alongside the chimney;
- The counter flashing – the roof section where metal sheets are embedded in the mortar chimney joints and folded down to cover the upper surface of the step flashing;
Suppose you need to repair your chimney flashing in Chicago. In that case, the first step is to send our team of specialists to visit your location and perform the necessary chimney inspection to assess the condition of your chimney flashing.
This will help our experts determine the best course of action and the type of service needed to fix your roof. If your flashing is in good shape, our team will recommend the best steps to keep your roof and chimney in perfect condition.
In most cases, recaulking is the only thing necessary if the flashing appears to be in good condition. On the other hand, most chimney flashing repairs occur due to poorly installed flashing. If your chimney flashing isn’t properly installed, it will take more than caulk to fix it.
Types of chimney repairs in Chicago
Chimneys are constantly exposed to smoke, fire, heat, and all sorts of outdoor elements. Because of that, they are prone to a lot of wear and tear. In other words, your chimney requires regular maintenance and repair if you want to ensure its durability and long lifespan.
If you leave any potential issues to escalate, you risk poor air quality, a fire hazard, and endangering the integrity of your roof and home. At Champion Roofing, we provide a wide range of chimney repairs for homeowners.
Some of the things we can handle include:
- Crowns;
- Chimney relining;
- Tuckpointing or repointing;
- Waterproofing;
- Chimney rebuild;
- Chimney brick and masonry repair;
- Chimney damper repair;
- Chimney cap and crown repair;
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, reliable, and reputable Chicago chimney repair and maintenance service, give Champion Roofing a call, and we’ll take care of your home in no time.
Chicago chimney flashing and roof repair experts
At Champion Roofing, we take pride in providing an extensive range of services that include maintenance, leak repair, roof and chimney replacement, siding, masonry, and taking care of your gutters.
We are fully insured, bonded, and licensed, and our experts have exceptional attention to detail. Tap into the finest roofing expertise in Chicago and get a comprehensive warranty on all our services. Contact us today for a consultation.
Why You Need to Take Care of Chimney Flashing
Your roof is the single most important resource for safeguarding your family’s comfort and safety. It’s easy to take a roof over your head for granted, but a watertight roof is critical for keeping you dry, warm, protected and even financially secure. Flashing consists of thin strips of metal or other materials that channel water away to protect from leaks. Your whole roof is subject to leaks when the flashing fails, but failures are most common around the chimney where it meets the roof.
Chimney flashing is a common term that’s often used for chimneys at the transition where it meets the roof line. Other flashings include pipes, vents and skylights. All these sections of the roof are at risk of water damage. Shingles overlap to channel water off the roof, but a hole in the roof typically doesn’t have this protection unless it’s properly flashed.
You can find flashing leaks around skylights, windows and holes for vent pipes and wiring. Flashing repairs don’t last forever, and a leak around your chimney or other roof installation can result in extensive damage to the roof and your home’s structural integrity. Ideally, you should get your chimney flashing repair annually to catch problems in the early stages before major damages occur.
Chimneys Are Critical Parts of Your Home
In past generations, more people burned coal and wood for heat, and chimneys were a critical part of the heating system. However, they still serve that function by venting dangerous gases like carbon monoxide. Many chimneys aren’t attached to the frame of the house, so when the house settles or expands and contracts in different weather, leaks around the chimney become more common. Other causes of flashing failure around the chimney include:
- Missing shingles
- Rotted wood
- Loose shingles
- Cracked sealants or crumbling mortar
- Interior attic damage
- Drywall damage
- Major weather events
- Tremors and earthquakes
These causes of flashing leaks are also the primary symptoms that you might need Chimney flashing repair or at least an inspection. Damaged flashing can be patched or resealed , but that’s a temporary fix. Your roof might need replacing, but repairing the flashing around your chimney often solves the problem for years.
Leaks around your chimney aren’t always obvious, but they can cause catastrophic structural damage if not repaired. Moisture enters your home and can damage your drywall, wood, ceiling, and lighting fixtures – and not just in the attic. Mold and mildew often grow as a result of water penetration, and they can further damage your home and generate health risks.
It’s important to hire someone who is professionally skilled in chimney flashing repairs near me. You want the job done safely and correctly. The best roofing contractors fabricate the right size of metal strips to flash the chimney professionally.
The Flashing Process
The good news for homeowners is that a leaking roof is often caused by failures of the chimney flashing or other areas where the roof meets outdoor connections. Flashing can be repaired without installing a new roof. Cracked flashing is the most common cause of a leaking roof because flashing wears out faster than roofing materials.
A professional roofer will clean your chimney area and remove any existing tar and metal. The roofer will inspect your roof for rot, leaks, and damage before making any necessary repairs.
Cracked flashing is common, and your chimney may have shifted over the years. The same holds true for skylights and vent pipes. The most common method of chimney flashing repair is to measure the old metal strips and arrange to cut new strips of the same size. Even experienced roofing experts will take most of a day to install new flashing.
The flashing consists of two metal strips. The base flashing is installed on the roof and bent upwards against the chimney in an “L” shape. The second part is called counter flashing, and it’s used to seal off the top part of the step flashing. That prevents water from penetrating.
Inexperienced or novice roofers don’t usually install properly flashed chimneys because the process involves masonry work. An experienced flashing expert might offer you a choice of aluminium, lead or copper flashing. You should beware of anyone who uses tar alone to flash around your chimney. Tar only lasts 5 years, but an asphalt roof can last 30 years. Aluminium and copper flashing will usually outlast your asphalt.
Why You Should Choose a Professional Roofing Contractor
Roof flashing is an important part of the roofing process, but it’s not always done when inexperienced roofers or amateurs install a roof. Every chimney is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all template for cutting the metal strips for flashing. Storms can damage your chimney, flashing and other parts of your roof, so you should schedule an inspection after a major storm – especially if you observe missing shingles.
A professional can check your roof for leaks, flashing failures and other problems created by improper water flow. Your chimney might be improperly flashed or just sealed with tar. Damaged flashing always grows worse over time as more and more water penetrates. Even a minor leak can soon generate standing pools of water and bigger leaks.
If your roof is covered with wood or asphalt shingles, you could install a chimney flashing yourself if you’re good at construction work. However, the problems are increased if your roof is covered by tile or slate. The flashing techniques for these materials are more complicated and should be left to a professional.
Flashing strips need to be measured, cut, bent and fitted to prevent water from getting below the flashing assembly. For all these reasons, the best option is to schedule a professional roofing service. Choosing a licensed, bonded and insured roofing professional relieves the worries of accidents, major expenses caused by poor repairs, and the possibility of experiencing a health issue while dozens of feet off the ground.
Flashing Repair Saves Money
Despite the fact that chimney flashing repairs are an unexpected and unwelcome expense, the alternative is bigger repair bills and home safety risks. Water and roof damage can result in major repairs, expenses for mold remediation and safety risks caused by improper venting of dangerous gases.
An annual inspection can deliver peace of mind. Stormy weather can bend and break sheet metal strips used in flashing. Water can also cause metal corrosion, and even the strongest metal will begin to rust over the years. Wild animals can also damage your flashing when trying to get into the chimney. Simple shifting in your home can also throw flashing out of whack.
Keeping on top of your roof’s integrity saves money over the long run. You won’t face a major repair bill and can put off installing a new roof – maybe for as long as you own your home. A weatherproof home uses less energy to heat and cool, so you save on utility bills. Chimney flashing repair is a bargain when you consider all the possible expenses generated by neglect.
