Chimney Flashing Repair
Chimneys are the single most common leak source on a pitched roof. Step and counter flashing rebuilt properly stops it; caulk over old flashing does not.
What This Covers
Chimneys are the single most common leak source on a pitched roof, and the most commonly bodged repair. Caulk smeared over failing flashing buys a season. Rebuilt step and counter flashing fixes it, because it works by overlapping layers rather than by adhesive.
Signs You Need This Service
- Staining on the ceiling or wall near the chimney
- Water in the firebox after rain
- Rusted or lifting metal at the chimney base
- Visible caulk repairs from a previous attempt
Materials & Methods
- Step flashing woven into the shingle courses
- Counter flashing cut into the mortar joint, not surface-sealed
- New cricket where the chimney is wide enough to need one
What to Expect
- 01Old flashing removed rather than covered
- 02Counter flashing let into the masonry properly
- 03Photographs of the layered detail before shingles go back
Flashing Explained
| Roof Type | Lifespan | Common Issues | Repair Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step flashing | 20 to 30 years | Rusts, or was never woven in | Interleaved with shingle courses |
| Counter flashing | 20 to 30 years | Surface-sealed instead of let into mortar | Must be cut into the joint |
| Cricket | Matches the roof | Absent on wide chimneys | Splits water around the chimney |
| Sealant only | One season | The shortcut that causes repeat leaks | Not a repair |
What it looks like
Layers, not sealant
Flashing works by overlapping metal. Caulk over old flashing buys a season; rebuilt step and counter flashing fixes it.
Free Inspection — (405) 420-9580
Why EVZone
Why Oklahoma City homeowners call us back
Local crews, straight answers, and a jobsite left cleaner than we found it.
Local crews, here after the storm chasers leave
We meet your adjuster on the roof
Free documented inspections
Magnetic nail sweep before we leave
Straight answers, even when the answer is no
Questions
Chimney Flashing Repair Questions
Can you just caulk the chimney?
We can, and it will buy a season. Flashing works by overlapping layers of metal, not by adhesive, so a lasting repair means rebuilding the step and counter flashing.
Why is the chimney the most common leak?
Because it interrupts the roof. Water running down the slope has to be redirected around a masonry box, and every joint in that detail is a chance to fail.
What is counter flashing?
The upper piece, cut into the mortar joint so water cannot get behind it. Surface-sealing it to the brick instead is the shortcut that causes repeat leaks.
Do I need a cricket behind my chimney?
On a wide chimney, yes. A cricket is a small ridge that splits water around the chimney instead of letting it pool against the back of it.
Can you repair flashing without replacing the roof?
Usually yes. Flashing is a contained repair on an otherwise sound roof.
Service areas
Where we work
Pick your city for local storm history, permit notes, and what roofs are like in your area.
Request a free inspection
Tell us what your roof is doing and we will call you back to get on the schedule.