Have you ever heard of chimney flashing? Whether you answer yes or no, this component of your chimney system plays a vital role in keeping your home safe. So what is chimney flashing exactly and why is it important? Read on to find out the answers to both of those questions!
Multiple parts of your home have flashing. This is a thing piece of material that building contractors use to redirect water and keep it from entering your home. Often, they use flashing at critical joints where two parts of your home intersect, such as where your roof meets your gutters.
Chimney flashing works in the same way. Roofing contractors apply flashing to the base of your chimney, utilizing materials we’ll discuss shortly. Chimney flashing acts as a waterproof barrier to prevent any kind of moisture from penetrating your roof and damaging your home.
Generally speaking, there are four primary types of materials a roofing contractor will use for flashing. They include:
• Aluminum, the most common flashing material and one that is generally rust-proof though less durable;
• Steel, sturdier but prone to rusting and more common with older homes;
• Copper, a rust-proof and incredibly durable option, but more expensive;
• And PVC, though ideally only utilized in warmer regions as it’s prone to cracking.
When a homeowner thinks about their chimney flashing, they typically picture the metal barrier that they can physically see. However, there are actually two additional components, including one that is utilized only in special circumstances.
The first is your base flashing. This part of your flashing slides into the nearby shingles at the base of your chimney. It then bends upward at an angle where it lays against your masonry.
The second part is known as the counter flashing. It acts as the seal between your masonry and your base. The final part of your flashing is something you’ll have only if you have a chimney that is wider than thirty inches. Called saddle flashing, its purpose is to allow rain and snowfall to run off properly.
Chimney flashing is overall relatively durable. However, there are a few signs to keep in mind. If you see any of these, it may mean your flashing has started to fail.
The most obvious is leaks inside of your home. Any sign of water damage is cause for an immediate inspection by your Chimney Solutions technician.
The second sign is cracking or brittle masonry. As this is a porous material, deterioration of your brick and mortar points to water damage. Finally, visible staining on your chimney’s exterior can also point to flashing that has started to fail.
Our company has over twenty years of experience inspecting, sweeping, and troubleshooting chimney systems. From repairing your masonry to waterproofing to general maintenance, we can handle it all.
If your chimney flashing needs repair, let us know. Contact Chimney Solutions, LLC by giving us a call at 317-757-6979 or let us know your need by filling out our short contact form.
Our Service Area
If you live within 20 miles of Marion County, there’s no need to call any other chimney provider! The team here at Chimney Solutions Indiana will be in our marked trucks and clean uniforms and at your door on time! We travel to Zionsville, Carmel, Fishers, Brownsburg, Westfield, Geist, Eagle Creek, Noblesville and all throughout the Indianapolis, IN area.
We believe that education and ongoing training is important, which is why we continuously invest in ourselves and our team to deliver better service to you. We’re Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) – certified and members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), so whenever advancements are made within the industry, we’re among the first to know about it. When you work with Chimney Solutions, you can expect the latest information and the most advanced services and techniques. We strive to exceed expectations on every job from a routine chimney sweep and chimney cleaning to a full chimney restoration.
We’re committed to providing the best service possible and look forward to serving you and your family, year after year. Call 317-757-6979 to get started! >>