Cap flashing
Loose counter flashing is replaced and set into the masonry so water cannot run behind the step flashing.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Burtonsville, MD
Leaks at the roof line in Burtonsville usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, with step and counter flashing instead of caulk. One call to (240) 358-7617 reaches a nearby chimney flashing pro.
The joint where a chimney passes through the roof is one of the most leak-prone spots on any house, and flashing is what keeps it dry. The chimney and the roof move independently as the house settles and as temperatures swing, so the seal between them has to allow for movement. Years of sun, freezing and thawing loosen the counter flashing, rust thin metal and dry out every bead of caulk.
A correctly flashed chimney uses several pieces that work together. Step flashing is a series of L-shaped pieces woven in with each course of shingles along the sides of the chimney, and counter flashing covers the top edge of the step flashing and is set into a groove cut in the mortar joints. The low side gets an apron, and the high side gets a back pan or, on wider chimneys, a cricket that splits the water around the chimney.
A Burtonsville chimney sweep will want to know a few things about the leak. It helps to know the age of the roof, which side of the chimney the stain is on and whether it only leaks during heavy rain or snowmelt. 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 Burtonsville, MD can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Need chimney flashing repair in Burtonsville? Call (240) 358-7617 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a flashing repair
The goal is a joint that sheds water without relying on sealant.
Inspect the roof line
The technician checks the apron, step flashing, counter flashing and back pan or cricket, plus the shingles around the chimney. The attic side of the roof deck is checked for rot as well.
Rule out the masonry
Before replacing flashing, the crown, cap and brick are checked, since they can send water down the same path. It makes sure the repair matches the actual source.
Clear the old work
Old tar, caulk and loose or rusted metal are removed, and the shingles around the chimney are lifted where needed. Soft or rotted sheathing under the old flashing is repaired first.
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. Copper and coated steel are common choices, since bare aluminum can corrode where it meets mortar.
Build a saddle
Chimneys wider than about thirty inches usually call for a cricket on the high side under common building codes. It solves the most common cause of leaks on the uphill face.
What is included
Flashing work a chimney sweep handles
Tar patch removal
Layers of roofing cement and caulk from earlier patch jobs are removed before new metal goes on.
Apron flashing
The apron across the downhill face is replaced or resealed to keep the front edge watertight.
Crickets
Missing or failed crickets are built or rebuilt and flashed to split water and snow around the chimney.
Side flashing
Loose step flashing is reset or renewed so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Burtonsville, MD
Chimney flashing replacement makes sense when the metal is rusted through, the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar or the flashing has been patched so many times that nothing sound is left. Replacement means removing everything down to the roof deck and installing new step flashing, counter flashing, an apron and, where needed, a cricket. Many roofers reuse old chimney flashing when they replace shingles, which is a common reason new roofs leak at the chimney.
If you are replacing the roof on a Burtonsville home, that is the ideal time to replace the chimney flashing too. Coordinate the chimney sweep and the roofer so the step flashing goes in with the shingles and the counter flashing is set into the brick. While everything is exposed, a quick look at the crown, cap and upper mortar joints can save a second trip onto the roof.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Around Burtonsville, many chimney leaks trace back to flashing that was patched with tar instead of replaced. Across Burtonsville and nearby places including West Laurel, Fulton, Fairland and Scaggsville, the chimneys that leak most are the ones where water and snow collect on the uphill side, which is why a real flashing repair outlasts another round of tar.
For chimney flashing repair in Burtonsville, MD or nearby towns like West Laurel, Fulton, Fairland and Scaggsville, call (240) 358-7617 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. Most homeowners in Burtonsville, MD schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why fix it now
Less damage
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Chimney sweeps in Burtonsville 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
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. When the flashing itself is the problem, sealant just hides it for a season. It is also possible the water is entering higher up, at the crown or through the brick, and only showing at the flashing.
Do I need new chimney flashing when I replace my roof?
Doing it with the new roof is the smart move in most cases. Step flashing is woven in with the shingles, so the roof has to be open to replace it properly anyway. Many leaks on newer roofs come from reused chimney flashing.
What are the signs of bad chimney flashing?
Look for stains near the chimney inside, damp or rotted framing in the attic and flashing that is lifted, rusted or covered in tar outside. 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 would my chimney need a cricket?
A cricket is a little ridge framed behind the chimney so water flows around it instead of pooling against it. Wide chimneys block a lot of runoff, and without a cricket that water sits against the flashing. For wider chimneys that do not sit on the ridge, a cricket is usually required by code.
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
The answer depends on how much of the flashing is still sound. If the flashing is in good shape but the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar, it can often be reset and resealed. If it is rusted through, badly bent or buried under old tar, replacement is the better value.
More questions? Call (240) 358-7617
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Tracing chimney leaks to the real entry point and sealing it, whether the drip shows up in the attic, the ceiling or the firebox.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, applied after repairs so the brick sheds water but can still dry out.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Repairing the concrete slab that caps the top of the chimney, with a proper overhang and drip edge.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Fixing cracked crowns, failing mortar, loose brick, leaky flashing and damaged flue tiles, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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(240) 358-7617
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