https://ahillcstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Group-of-preschool-student-and-teacher-holding-hands-and-walking-to-home.jpg 1250 2000 AbstraktMarketing /wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FULL-AHI-LOGO-179-300x263.png AbstraktMarketing2024-07-23 15:33:542024-11-14 14:23:48Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Getting Your House in Order During Back-to-School SeasonHow Repairing Chimney Flashing Prevents Water Damage During the Summer
If your chimney has sprung a leak, it’s likely the cause of damaged flashing. While repairing chimney flashing is essential for keeping your home dry, many homeowners neglect to inspect their chimneys regularly, leading to costly structural repairs, water damage, and even health risks. You can protect your home against leaks and prevent unnecessary damage by repairing chimney flashing.
Continue reading to discover the importance of chimney flashing, including topics like:
- What is chimney flashing?
- Why repairing chimney flashing is necessary
- Signs your flashing needs repaired
- How Approved Home Improvements can repair your flashing
What Is Chimney Flashing?
Chimney flashing consists of metal sheets that cover where the chimney meets the roof. Flashing protects chimneys, roofs, and home interiors from succumbing to water damage by acting as an airtight seal. Most chimney flashing is made of aluminum because it’s flexible, resilient, and affordable, but flashing can also be made from materials such as copper, galvanized steel, lead, and PVC.
Chimney Flashing Parts
Several variations of flashing can be applied depending on the area it’s meant to cover. Standard chimney flashing parts include:
- Step Flashing: Step flashing covers the chimney walls using an L-shaped formation between the roof and the chimney, typically placed under shingles.
- Counter Flashing: Counter flashing covers the edge of the flashing base, diverting water down the roof and into the gutters. It’s generally sawed into the mortar joints of a chimney to provide an additional layer of protection.
- Saddle Flashing: Also known as chimney cricket, saddle flashing is shaped like a small roof and placed on the back of your chimney. The wedge forces water to either side of the chimney, preventing water damage and erosion.
Why Repairing Chimney Flashing Is Crucial
Repairing chimney flashing requires annual inspections to remain effective. When maintenance is neglected, chimneys with damaged or missing flashing are likely to experience leaks that compromise structural integrity. When a chimney begins to break down, it could collapse onto your roof and further damage your home.
Repairing chimney flashing during the summer is especially crucial, as heavy rain can cause water to seep into your home and damage anything it may come in contact with. Standing water can also cause foul odors and mold, which negatively impacts the health and comfort of everyone inside.
Regular chimney inspections help prevent leaks and water damage repairs, saving you money and keeping your home dry in the process. Inspectors can detect cracks, penetrations, splitting, or degradation in the sealant that could be causing leaks, then make the necessary repairs to resolve the problem.
Water damage can devastate chimneys and cause many lingering issues. Learn about the problems caused by chimney water damage and how to prevent them from affecting your home.
Signs Your Chimney Flashing Needs Repairs
Repairing chimney flashing is essential to keep your home safe and dry, but if you’re unsure whether it’s necessary, there are a few telltale signs.
Dripping
While dripping could result from a faulty chimney cap or similar issue, it’s likely due to damaged flashing. Dripping can be hard to pinpoint without rainfall, but summer storms should make it easy to spot.
Standing Water or Puddles
Puddles or standing water in your fireplace is a direct result of a chimney leak, commonly due to damaged or poorly installed flashing. Water left unattended in your fireplace can reduce the quality of your firebox, allowing moisture to soak into the lining and creating cracks that require costly repairs.
Rust
Water passing through your chimney for long periods can cause certain parts to rust, including the firebox and chimney damper. Spotting rust hints towards a leak caused by your flashing system and should be dealt with quickly to avoid further repairs.
Mold
An accumulation of moisture can eventually lead to mold growth. This is especially relevant during the summer, when there is active rainfall and high temperatures. A moldy chimney can reduce the air quality of your home and cause serious health issues after prolonged exposure. Contact a professional to remedy the situation immediately.
Brick Discoloration
Water can cause cracked flue tiles, allowing moisture to seep in and damage your chimney’s walls. Continued exposure to water can discolor bricks and the surrounding ceiling, leading to water stains, yellowing, and browning. Not only is this unsightly, but it also means that a much deeper issue is going on with your flashing.
Damaged Flashing
The most apparent sign that your chimney flashing needs to be repaired is noticeable damage. Signs of direct damage to your flashing include deteriorated caulking, rust, and loose or hanging covers. If you’re aware that the condition of your installed flashing has been compromised, contact a repair service immediately.
When your chimney is showing signs of wear and tear that could lead to water damage, it’s best to get in touch with a restoration company that can make the repairs to protect your home—if you live in the St. Louis area, we know the perfect provider.
Repair Your Chimney Flashing Correctly With Approved Home Improvements
Approved Home Improvements provides superb chimney repair and cleaning services for hundreds of clients throughout the St. Louis area, and we’re prepared to bring you the same level of quality. As one of St. Louis’s top chimney repair companies for over three decades, we don’t just offer restoration services and fix problems; we provide knowledge our clients can use to keep their homes safe and comfortable all year.
Our chimney maintenance services include:
- Chimney sweeping
- Chimney repair
- Tuckpointing
- And more
If you’re looking for an affordable chimney sweep that can begin repairing chimney flashing before the next summer storm, contact us today. We’ll perform a detailed chimney inspection and resolve any issues you may have.
Related Postings
https://ahillcstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Group-of-preschool-student-and-teacher-holding-hands-and-walking-to-home.jpg 1250 2000 AbstraktMarketing /wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FULL-AHI-LOGO-179-300x263.png AbstraktMarketing2024-07-23 15:33:542024-11-14 14:23:48Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: Getting Your House in Order During Back-to-School Season
https://ahillcstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/raccoons-in-chimney.jpg 1250 2000 AbstraktMarketing /wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FULL-AHI-LOGO-179-300x263.png AbstraktMarketing2024-07-23 09:00:002024-11-14 14:23:48What to Do When There’s an Animal in Your Chimney
https://ahillcstl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Your-Comprehensive-Look-Into-Tuckpointing-Benefits.jpg 1250 2000 AbstraktMarketing /wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FULL-AHI-LOGO-179-300x263.png AbstraktMarketing2024-07-18 10:20:452024-11-14 14:23:49Your Comprehensive Look Into Tuckpointing Benefits 
