Chimney Flashing
Madeline Chimney & Masonry Pros Chimney Flashing Repairs
Chimney flashing is one of the most important parts of a chimney. In that, it protects the area around the chimney from leaking water where the roof meets the chimney. It also is one of the most overlooked areas in the maintenance of a home. Chimney flashing is your first line of defense against water damage and is also your last line of defense because if water gets past your Chimney flashing there is nothing also to stop it from penetrating your walls & ceilings. Here in the Maryland and DC area, we get quite a bit of rainwater every year, so whether you have a fireplace that is built with masonry stone or brick you will have to maintain the chimney flashing so that it won’t leak. Chimney flashing lasts about 20 years in the DC metro area, due to the amount of wear and tear in our weather patterns.
Many of the chimney flashings that Madeline Chimney and Masonry Pros repair are the same chimney flashings that were installed when the chimney was built. Many of these chimneys are over 50 years old or more and failing. Most of the time this can be fixed by cutting out the old metal flashing with an angle grinder and replacing it with new chimney flashing. The next thing that we would look for is if the bricks that are above the chimney flashing need to be repaired, missing mortar joints also need to be repaired and re-tuckpointed so that the water can’t bypass the chimney flashing. Last, but not least almost every fireplace crown needs to be checked for cracks, chimney crown cracks are one of the main reasons that chimneys can leak past the chimney flashing.
Signs Your Chimney Needs New Flashing
- Your flashing is missing
- Your flashing is rusted through
- Your flashing is coming loose
- Your flashing is covered with roofing tar
- You are installing new roof shingles or having other roofing work done
- Your Chimney is Leaking Water into your home
Your Chimney Should Last a Lifetime
A brick chimney can last for hundreds of years if it has been constructed right and maintained. Brick chimneys are meant to absorb a certain amount of water and then dry back out by breathing in and out the normal amount of water. That is why it is so important that the chimney or fireplace flashing is in place and working to stop any excess water from entering in through the chimney walls and into the rest of your home. Remember that a chimney’s flashing stands alone and has no backup system to stop water from damaging your walls and ceiling. It’s a good idea to check your chimney flashing every few years to make sure it’s in good condition.
Over time, flashing can become loose or torn, rusted, or cracked. Sometimes the caulk even comes loose. And if it wasn’t installed correctly, chimney flashing is bound to spring a leak. Let us inspect your leaking chimney flashing, so we may determine that a simple re-caulking will solve the problem, or we may suggest starting fresh with flashing that is custom-fit to your particular chimney. Only a professional chimney technician will be able to determine if you truly need new flashing or if your flashing is to blame for your leaking chimney.
Contact the Chimney & Masonry Pros Today
At Madeline Chimney and Masonry Pros, we use a specific technique for overlapping the flashing—weaving custom metal sheet work together, folding it against the chimney, and embedding part of it into the mortar joints to make your chimney watertight. The layering is what works best for wicking water away from your chimney and preventing leaks altogether. We also apply a durable urethane caulk to seal all corners, so you know all of your bases are covered. For Chimney Flashing Service Call Us Today at 301-765-4044. As a masonry contractor in Maryland and serving the DC metro area for over 10 years we have repaired brick and stone chimneys for our many customers.