Cap flashing
The top layer of flashing is renewed and properly let into the mortar joints instead of being held on with caulk.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Apollo, PA
A chimney sweep in Apollo can repair or replace the flashing where the chimney passes through the roof, the most common source of chimney leaks into attics and ceilings, before the leak rots the roof deck and framing. Call (724) 412-9254 to reach a local chimney sweep.
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. 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.
A Apollo chimney sweep will want to know a few things about the leak. Mention where the water shows up, how often it leaks and how old the roof is. If you can see black tar smeared around the chimney, say so, because that usually means earlier patches have already failed.
Many chimney flashing repair calls in Apollo also turn up a need for chimney leak repair or chimney waterproofing.
Need chimney flashing repair in Apollo? Call (724) 412-9254 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The flashing repair process
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. Where possible, the attic is checked for wet or damaged decking.
Confirm the source
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.
Strip failed material
Failed sealant and damaged flashing come off so the new work starts on a clean, sound surface. Any rotted decking found underneath is replaced before new flashing goes on.
Weave in new flashing
Step flashing goes in one piece per shingle course, so every piece overlaps the one below. The front apron and a self-adhering membrane around the chimney add a second line of defense.
Set counter flashing
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.
Divert uphill water
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
What flashing repair covers
Crickets
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to end leaks on the high side.
Apron flashing
The apron across the downhill face is replaced or resealed with the counter flashing lapped over it.
Step flashing
Side flashing is rebuilt piece by piece with the shingles so water runs down the roof instead of under it.
Tar patch removal
Old sealant repairs are cleaned off and the joint is flashed properly.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Apollo, PA
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. It is a full redo of the joint, from the underlayment up to the counter flashing in the mortar. A common shortcut is to reuse the old flashing during a reroof, and that often leads to a leak within a few years.
If you are replacing the roof on an Apollo home, that is the ideal time to replace the chimney flashing too. The step flashing has to be woven in with the new shingles, so the timing between the roofer and the chimney work matters. 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
Flashing leaks in Apollo often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. From Apollo out to neighboring communities such as Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Lower Burrell and Clinton, freeze-thaw and summer heat both work on the joint between the chimney and the roof, and fixing it before the decking rots keeps the repair small.
For chimney flashing repair in Apollo, PA or nearby towns like Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Lower Burrell and Clinton, call (724) 412-9254 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Apollo
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. Most homeowners in Apollo, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why act early
Safer fires
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Apollo and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Common questions about chimney flashing repair
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
That comes down to the condition of the metal. If the flashing is in good shape but the counter flashing has pulled out of the mortar, it can often be reset and resealed. Once flashing has rust holes or years of patches, replacing it is more reliable than another repair.
How do I know if my chimney flashing is leaking?
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. A leak in the firebox is more likely the cap or crown, while a leak along the ceiling beside the chimney is more often the flashing. Testing with a hose confirms which part is leaking.
Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new roof?
Doing it with the new roof is the smart move in most cases. 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.
Why did caulking my chimney flashing not stop the leak?
Caulk and roofing tar only seal the surface, and they crack and pull loose as the chimney and roof expand and contract. The real issue is usually the flashing layers underneath, not the bead on top. The leak may also be coming from the crown, cap or brick, which no flashing repair will touch.
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. 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.
More questions? Call (724) 412-9254
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, before freeze-thaw damage spreads down the chimney.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn more
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(724) 412-9254
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