Counter flashing
Cap flashing is cut into the masonry so it overlaps the step flashing.
Roof Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Orange, NJ
A roofer in Orange can stop most chimney leaks by replacing the flashing where the chimney meets the roof: step flashing along the sides, counter flashing cut into the mortar, an apron at the front and a back pan or cricket behind, so the leak does not come back next season. Dial (973) 858-1825 to talk with a local roofer about the chimney leak.
The joint between a chimney and the roof is one of the most leak-prone spots on any house. Because the chimney and the roof are separate structures, the flashing has to bridge a joint that never stops moving. Any flashing that is rigidly glued to both the brick and the roof tends to crack loose within a few years.
A correctly flashed chimney uses a system, not a single piece. Along the front sits a one-piece apron, step pieces run up each side with the shingles, a saddle or cricket diverts water behind, and counter flashing ground into the mortar covers the top edges. Counter flashing is the piece that most often fails or is skipped, replaced by surface-mounted metal and a bead of caulk.
Not every leak around a chimney is a flashing leak. Brick and mortar absorb rain, and a cracked crown or open joints can let water travel down through the masonry to the roof line. Sorting out which one is leaking avoids paying for the wrong repair.
Many chimney flashing repair calls in Orange also turn up a need for flashing repair or roof leak repair.
Looking for Orange chimney flashing repair? Call (973) 858-1825 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in Orange.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
The work follows the path water takes, front to back.
Inspect the chimney
The roofer looks at the flashing on all four sides, the mortar joints, the crown and cap and the attic framing around the chimney. That separates true flashing leaks from water coming through the chimney itself.
Remove old metal
Old flashing and sealant come off, and the shingles next to the brick are lifted or removed. Rotted sheathing next to the chimney is cut out and renewed.
Add step flashing
A membrane underlayment goes around the chimney, then the front apron and the side step flashing are installed with the shingles. The step flashing is nailed to the roof deck only, never to the brick.
Build a cricket
Behind the chimney, a metal back pan or a framed cricket keeps water and debris from piling up. Without one, a wide chimney acts like a dam.
Set counter flashing
Counter flashing is let into a ground-out mortar joint and sealed, overlapping the base flashing below. Set into the brick, it lasts far longer than metal glued to the face.
What is included
Chimney flashing parts
Cricket installation
A cricket is framed behind wide chimneys so water cannot pond against the brick.
Decking repair
Rotted decking around the chimney opening is replaced so the shingles have solid nailing.
Apron flashing
The front of the chimney gets a new apron with counter flashing over it.
Step flashing
Step pieces up both sides of the chimney are replaced lapped so water runs downhill.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Orange, NJ
Replacing the flashing outright is the better choice when patches keep failing or the metal has corroded. When the basic design is wrong, repairs only delay the next leak. Adding a cricket during replacement solves the uphill pooling at the same time.
Not every flashing metal suits brick. Lime in mortar corrodes bare aluminum, so copper, coated steel or coated aluminum are common choices. Ask which metal the roofer plans to use and why.
Related service
Chimney Leak Repair Orange, NJ
Chimney leak repair starts by finding out whether water comes through the flashing or through the chimney itself. Water that appears only in hard rain at the base points to flashing, while a slow leak that lingers after rain hints at soaked brick or a cracked crown. A careful water test, one side at a time, can tell the two apart.
When water comes through the chimney, the repair moves up above the roof. Typical fixes are crown repair, a new cap and repointing of open mortar joints, sometimes followed by a vapor-permeable masonry water repellent. The roofer can spot many of these from the roof and tell you who should fix them.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Around Orange, chimney leaks often date back to a reroof where the old chimney flashing was reused or covered in sealant. Across Orange and nearby communities including East Orange, Glen Ridge, Caldwell and Roseland, the chimney type decides the fix: masonry needs counter flashing cut into the brick, and a framed chase needs step flashing behind the siding, so expect the roofer to ask which type is on your house.
For chimney flashing repair in Orange, NJ or nearby towns like East Orange, Glen Ridge, Caldwell and Roseland, call (973) 858-1825 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
What the local climate does to a roof
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder 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 Orange is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why fix it now
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Roofers in Orange know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
What causes a chimney leak if the flashing is new?
When new flashing does not stop the leak, the masonry is the usual suspect. A cracked crown, a missing cap, open mortar joints or porous brick can let water travel down inside the masonry to the roof line. In some cases, condensation inside the flue is the cause. Call (973) 858-1825 to reach a roofer.
Why does my chimney need a cricket?
A cricket, also called a saddle, is a small peaked structure built behind a chimney on the uphill side. It diverts runoff, leaves and snow to each side so they do not collect behind the chimney. Codes generally require one once a chimney is wider than about thirty inches across the slope.
What are the signs of a chimney flashing leak?
Stains on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney after rain are the most common sign. Inside the attic, water trails on the brick or framing are another clue. From the yard, heavy tar around the base is a good hint that the flashing has been patched before. Call (973) 858-1825 to reach a local roofer.
Who fixes chimney flashing, a roofer or a mason?
The flashing belongs to the roof, so a roofer is the right call for it. Roofers routinely grind the mortar joint and set counter flashing. Damage to the crown, brick or mortar beyond that is masonry work.
Is it possible to just reseal chimney flashing?
Minor problems such as a loose counter flashing piece can be refastened into the mortar. Flashing that was installed wrong or has rusted through needs to be replaced, not resealed. Another coat of tar is a short-term patch.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1825
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