Chimneys · Long Island

Chimney flashing repair.

Chimney flashing repair and installation for homes in Nassau and Suffolk County. If water is coming in near your chimney, the flashing is the first place we look.

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Chimney flashing is the metal that seals the joint where the chimney comes through the roof. The roof and the chimney move differently, and water runs down both, so this joint is one of the most leak-prone spots on any house. Home Crew Construction repairs and installs chimney flashing across Long Island, in Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Quick answer: What causes a leak around a chimney?

Most leaks around a chimney come from failed flashing, the metal that seals the joint between the chimney and the roof. Flashing works loose, rusts, or gets patched with caulk alone, and water gets in. Home Crew Construction repairs and replaces chimney flashing across Long Island, using step flashing and counter-flashing to seal the joint properly.

How it works

Anatomy of a chimney.

Water is the main enemy of a masonry chimney. Each part keeps it out of a different spot.

Illustration. Point at a part to see what it does.

Brick & mortarChimney repointingMortar joints wear out first. Repointing replaces them before water gets into the brick.
FlashingMetal that seals the gap where the chimney meets the roof.
CrownChimney crownsThe sloped concrete slab that seals the top of the masonry.
Flue linerChimney linersThe lining inside the chimney that carries smoke and gases up and out safely.
CapChimney capsA metal cover over the flue that keeps rain, animals and debris out.

How chimney flashing works

Stone chimney with new metal flashing where it meets a cedar shake roof — Stone chimney, new flashing· Home Crew Construction

Proper chimney flashing is built in layers:

Step flashing is woven in with the shingles along the sides of the chimney, one piece for each row.
Counter-flashing is set into the mortar joints of the chimney and folds down over the step flashing, so water can’t get behind it.
Apron flashing covers the front, downhill side of the chimney.
A cricket is a small peaked roof built behind wider chimneys to split water around them instead of letting it pool.

When any of these layers is missing, or has been replaced with a bead of caulk or roofing tar, the chimney will leak sooner or later.

Why does chimney flashing fail?

Illustration · FlashingMetal that seals the gap where the chimney meets the roof.

Caulk instead of flashing. Many chimneys are sealed with a bead of caulk or tar that dries, cracks and lets water in within a few seasons.
Old flashing reused on a new roof. When a roof is replaced without new chimney flashing, the weak spot stays.
Crumbling mortar joints. Counter-flashing is held in the mortar. When the joints crumble, the flashing pulls loose.
No cricket. Wide chimneys without a cricket trap water and debris on the uphill side.
Storm damage. Strong wind can lift and bend flashing, especially at the corners.

If you are planning a new roof, have the chimney flashing replaced as part of the job. It is the easiest time to do it right. Ask about it when you get a quote for roofing.

Need help with chimney flashing?

Free quotes, a reply within 24 hours, and we answer the phone 24/7.

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Signs you need chimney flashing repair

The same wood-clad chimney chase before its new cover, flue exposed — The same chase, before· Home Crew Construction

Water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney.
Damp or stained wood in the attic around the chimney.
Flashing that is rusted, bent, loose or missing.
Gaps between the flashing and the brick.
Heavy caulk or tar smeared around the base of the chimney, a sign of past patch jobs.
Water in the firebox after heavy rain.

Our chimney flashing process

Illustration · Brick & mortarMortar joints wear out first. Repointing replaces them before water gets into the brick.

AssessmentWe check the flashing, the shingles around the chimney, the mortar joints and the crown, and trace where the water is getting in.
Material selectionWe choose flashing metal that suits your roof and stands up to Long Island weather.
Installation or repairWe replace step flashing with the shingles, cut new counter-flashing into the mortar joints, and add a cricket where the chimney needs one.
SealingEvery joint is lapped and sealed so water runs over the flashing, not behind it.
Final checkWe inspect the finished work and clean up before we leave.

Is the leak from the flashing, the chimney or the roof?

Stone chimney on a cedar shake roof, seen from above — Stone chimney on a cedar roof· Home Crew Construction

Water that shows up near a chimney can come from the flashing, the brick and mortar, the chimney crown or the roof itself. Because we do chimney and roof work, we check all of them before we quote. If the problem turns out to be the roof, see roof leak repair and roof flashing repair. If the brick itself is soaking up water, chimney waterproofing may be part of the fix.

Need help with chimney flashing?

Free quotes, a reply within 24 hours, and we answer the phone 24/7.

5.0 on Google

Get a Free Quote Call 631-965-0881

Chimney leaking right now?

We’re open 24/7. If water is coming in around your chimney during a storm, call us. We’ll stop the water first and plan the permanent flashing repair once the weather allows.

Call 631-965-0881 or request a free quote. We reply within 24 hours and serve homes across Nassau and Suffolk County.

Chimney flashing FAQ

Common questions.

Still not sure?

Call 631-965-0881 any time. We'll tell you straight whether it's a repair or a replacement.

Can chimney flashing be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?

Small problems, like a loose section of counter-flashing, can often be repaired. If the flashing is rusted, was installed without step flashing, or is held on with caulk, replacement is the lasting fix.

Should chimney flashing be replaced with a new roof?

Yes. When a roof is replaced, the chimney flashing should be replaced with it. Reusing old flashing under new shingles is a common cause of leaks.

Is caulk enough to seal around a chimney?

No. Caulk and roofing tar dry out and crack after a few seasons. They can stop a leak for a short time, but proper step flashing and counter-flashing are what keep water out.