Counter flashing
New counter flashing is let into the brick so it overlaps the step flashing.
Roof Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Millburn, NJ
Most leaks around a chimney in Millburn come from the flashing, and a roofer can fix them with new step and counter flashing set into the brick instead of tar, so the leak does not come back next season. One call to (973) 858-1841 reaches a nearby roofer who handles chimney flashing.
The joint between a chimney and the roof is one of the most leak-prone spots on any house. The brick and the roof framing move independently as the house settles and seasons change, so the seal between them has to allow for movement. Any flashing that is rigidly glued to both the brick and the roof tends to crack loose within a few years.
Proper chimney flashing has four main parts. 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 that is only caulked onto the brick face is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks.
Not every leak around a chimney is a flashing leak. Leaks that continue after new flashing often trace back to the crown, the cap or the brick itself. A careful look covers both the flashing and the visible masonry above it.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Millburn roofer may also recommend flashing repair or roof leak repair.
Need chimney flashing repair in Millburn? Call (973) 858-1841 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
Chimney flashing is rebuilt from the bottom up, like the rest of a roof.
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. A hose test on one side at a time can confirm the source.
Clear the joint
Shingles around the chimney are removed along with the old flashing, tar and caulk. Rotted sheathing next to the chimney is cut out and renewed.
Set the apron
After a self-adhered membrane wraps the base of the chimney, the apron goes on the downhill face and step pieces are woven up both sides with new shingles. Nothing is fastened to the masonry at this stage, so the roof and chimney can move.
Install the back pan
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.
Seal the top edge
Counter flashing is let into a ground-out mortar joint and sealed, overlapping the base flashing below. That two-part design lets the chimney and roof move without tearing the seal.
What is included
What chimney flashing repair covers
Rot repair
Rotted decking around the chimney opening is replaced before the new flashing goes in.
Cricket installation
A cricket is framed behind wide chimneys which stops one of the most common chimney leaks.
Front flashing
A one-piece apron is installed across the downhill face lapped over the shingles below.
Side flashing
Side flashing is woven in with new shingles one piece per course.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Millburn, NJ
Full replacement of chimney flashing is the answer when the existing pieces are rusted, missing or held on by caulk. 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. Copper is a long-lasting choice for counter flashing, while aluminum needs protection from contact with lime in the mortar. The roofer can explain the options that suit your chimney.
Related service
Chimney Leak Repair Millburn, NJ
A chimney can leak at the roof line or from the top down, and the fix is different for each. 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.
Leaks through the chimney body need masonry work rather than flashing. Crown cracks, open joints and missing caps are repaired by a mason, and a breathable sealer can cut down how much water the brick absorbs. A roofer can point out these problems while checking the flashing.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
In Millburn, many chimney flashing problems show up on homes with wide brick chimneys and no cricket behind them. From Millburn out to neighboring towns such as Vauxhall, Springfield, Short Hills and Union, older brick chimneys tend to need counter flashing reset into worn mortar, while newer framed chases more often leak at the chase top or siding joint, which is why the roofer starts by looking at how the chimney is built.
For chimney flashing repair in Millburn, NJ or nearby towns like Vauxhall, Springfield, Short Hills and Union, call (973) 858-1841 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Millburn
Cold winters bring snow, ice and a long stretch of freezing nights. When warm attic air melts the snow, the meltwater runs down and freezes again at the eaves, building ice dams that push water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in Millburn, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Millburn and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Flashing Repair questions
Can chimney flashing be repaired without replacing it?
Small issues, like counter flashing that has pulled out of its mortar joint, can be reset and resealed. Flashing that was installed wrong or has rusted through needs to be replaced, not resealed. Adding more tar on top only delays the next leak.
Who fixes chimney flashing, a roofer or a mason?
A roofer handles the flashing, because it has to be woven into the roof. Roofers routinely grind the mortar joint and set counter flashing. Damage to the crown, brick or mortar beyond that is masonry work.
Why does my chimney need a cricket?
It is a little roof-like peak that sits behind the chimney. It diverts runoff, leaves and snow to each side so they do not collect behind the chimney. Wide chimneys need one under most building codes.
Why is my chimney still leaking after new flashing?
Water can still get in through the top or sides of the chimney. 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) 858-1841 to reach a roofer.
What are the signs of a chimney flashing leak?
Water marks beside the chimney inside the house are the usual first clue. From the attic, stained rafters and decking around the brick confirm water is getting in. From the yard, heavy tar around the base is a good hint that the flashing has been patched before. A roofer reached at (973) 858-1841 can find the source.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1841
Often needed together
Flashing Repair
Flashing repairs at the joints where most roof leaks start, with new metal instead of another layer of caulk.
Learn moreRoof Leak Repair
Stopping water at the pipe boots, flashing, valleys and nail holes where roofs actually leak, before wet decking and insulation turn into rot.
Learn moreRoof Leak Detection
Finding stubborn leaks that earlier patches missed, before anyone tears into the wrong part of the roof.
Learn moreShingle Roof Repair
Shingle by shingle repairs that keep a sound roof in service, matched to the shingles already on the house.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesNeed chimney flashing repair in Millburn, NJ?
Call (973) 858-1841 for a local roofer in Millburn and nearby towns.