Tar patch removal
Old sealant repairs are cleaned off before new metal goes on.
Masonry Repair
Chimney Flashing Repair Mifflinburg, PA
Leaks at the roof line in Mifflinburg usually come from flashing that has pulled loose, rusted through or been patched with tar, so the joint sheds water the way it was designed to. Call (570) 816-1022 to reach a local chimney sweep.
Flashing is the layered metal seal around the base of a chimney, and it is behind more chimney leaks than any other part. Because masonry and roof framing expand, contract and settle at different rates, a rigid seal will crack, which is why flashing is built in overlapping layers. Eventually caulk cracks, fasteners loosen, steel rusts and the top edge of the flashing separates from the brick.
Proper flashing has a few distinct parts. Along the sides, individual step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles, while counter flashing is let into the mortar joints and lapped over them. The low side gets an apron, and the high side gets a back pan or, on wider chimneys, a cricket that splits the water around the chimney.
When you call about a flashing leak in Mifflinburg, a few details help. Mention where the water shows up, how often it leaks and how old the roof is. If you can see black tar smeared around the chimney, say so, because that usually means earlier patches have already failed.
Depending on what the sweep finds, chimney flashing repair in Mifflinburg, PA can go hand in hand with chimney leak repair and chimney waterproofing.
Dealing with this in Mifflinburg, PA right now? Call (570) 816-1022 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How chimney flashing repair works
The goal is a joint that sheds water without relying on sealant.
Inspect the roof line
All four sides of the chimney are checked, because a leak on one side often starts somewhere else. The roof deck under the flashing is checked for soft spots.
Confirm the source
Before replacing flashing, the crown, cap and brick are checked, since they can send water down the same path. It makes sure the repair matches the actual source.
Strip failed material
Failed sealant and damaged flashing come off so the new work starts on a clean, sound surface. Any rotted decking found underneath is replaced before new flashing goes on.
Side flashing
Individual L-shaped step flashing pieces are layered with the shingles up each side of the chimney. An apron goes across the front, and an underlayment membrane is often added around the base for extra protection.
Set counter flashing
The top layer is set into the masonry itself, overlapping the step flashing below. Copper and coated steel are common choices, since bare aluminum can corrode where it meets mortar.
Divert uphill water
On wide chimneys, a cricket is framed and flashed on the uphill side so water and snow are split around the chimney. That removes the spot where water sits and soaks into the flashing.
What is included
What flashing repair covers
Side flashing
Loose step flashing is reset or renewed with every piece lapped correctly.
Cap flashing
Loose counter flashing is replaced and set into the masonry instead of being held on with caulk.
Chimney saddles
A saddle is framed on the uphill side to end leaks on the high side.
Apron flashing
The apron across the downhill face is replaced or resealed with the counter flashing lapped over it.
Related service
Chimney Flashing Replacement Mifflinburg, PA
When flashing is rusted, bent or covered in years of patches, replacing it outright is usually smarter than another repair. The old metal comes off completely, and new step flashing, counter flashing, apron and cricket are installed as a system. Reusing worn flashing under new shingles is one of the most frequent causes of chimney leaks on newer roofs.
If you are replacing the roof on a Mifflinburg home, that is the ideal time to replace the chimney flashing too. Coordinate the chimney sweep and the roofer so the step flashing goes in with the shingles and the counter flashing is set into the brick. While everything is exposed, a quick look at the crown, cap and upper mortar joints can save a second trip onto the roof.
Local help
Chimney Flashing Repair Near Me
Flashing leaks in Mifflinburg often show up after a big storm, heavy snow or a roof replacement that reused the old chimney flashing. Across Mifflinburg and nearby places including Lewisburg, Winfield, Milton and Selinsgrove, the chimneys that leak most are the ones where water and snow collect on the uphill side, and fixing it before the decking rots keeps the repair small.
For chimney flashing repair in Mifflinburg, PA or nearby towns like Lewisburg, Winfield, Milton and Selinsgrove, call (570) 816-1022 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. Most homeowners in Mifflinburg, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why fix it now
Safer fires
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Mifflinburg and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Flashing Repair questions
Why does my chimney flashing keep leaking after it was sealed?
Caulk and roofing tar only seal the surface, and they crack and pull loose as the chimney and roof expand and contract. When the flashing itself is the problem, sealant just hides it for a season. The leak may also be coming from the crown, cap or brick, which no flashing repair will touch.
What is a chimney cricket?
Also known as a saddle, a cricket is a small roof section behind the chimney that diverts runoff to either side. Wide chimneys block a lot of runoff, and without a cricket that water sits against the flashing. Common building codes call for a cricket on chimneys wider than about thirty inches, unless the chimney sits at the ridge.
How do I know if my chimney flashing is leaking?
Stains beside the chimney, dark wood in the attic and loose or corroded metal at the roof line are the usual giveaways. A leak in the firebox is more likely the cap or crown, while a leak along the ceiling beside the chimney is more often the flashing. Testing with a hose confirms which part is leaking.
Do I need new chimney flashing when I replace my roof?
Doing it with the new roof is the smart move in most cases. Step flashing is woven in with the shingles, so the roof has to be open to replace it properly anyway. Many leaks on newer roofs come from reused chimney flashing.
Should I repair or replace my chimney flashing?
The answer depends on how much of the flashing is still sound. When only the counter flashing has come loose, resetting it is often enough. Corroded, damaged or heavily patched flashing is usually replaced outright.
More questions? Call (570) 816-1022
Other services that may help
Chimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn moreChimney Waterproofing
Waterproofing masonry chimneys with vapor-permeable repellents, not paint, as the last step in keeping a chimney dry.
Learn moreChimney Crown Repair
Sealing cracked chimney crowns or rebuilding crumbling ones, so water stops soaking into the masonry from the top.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, matched to what an inspection actually finds.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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Call (570) 816-1022 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Mifflinburg, PA.
(570) 816-1022
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