Your chimney is constantly exposed to rain, snow, sleet, and hail. With all this precipitation attacking your chimney, it’s no wonder that moisture is one of the leading causes of chimney masonry damage.There are a lot of mechanisms that are put in place to protect your chimney and home from water intrusion. You probably know that your chimney crown and chimney cap protect your home from moisture, however, there is another important component to your chimney that people often forget about – their chimney flashing. At Northeastern Masonry and Chimney, we believe that it is important to understand how all the components of your chimney work. If you know how a part of your chimney works, then it is easier for you to recognize potential chimney issues before they become larger issues. In this blog, we want to share with you what your chimney flashing is and why it is so important to your chimney’s, and your home’s, health.
What is flashing?
Your chimney isn’t installed flush with your roof. In fact, there is a small gap between your chimney and the place where it intersects with the roof. This is to allow a little wiggle room for your chimney as it settles, as well as makes sure your roof doesn’t get too hot due to contact with your chimney. However, this gap does cause issues when it rains and water is allowed to flow freely into the gap and down the side of your chimney and into your home. This is the issue chimney flashing is meant to resolve. Chimney flashing is a strip of metal that attaches to your chimney and covers that gap, allowing water to flow over it and off your roof instead of your home. Due to aging and exposure to the elements, your chimney flashing can become worn, bent, and holey. When this happens, water can leak into your home and cause considerable damage to your roof, roof frame, and chimney masonry. These issues are both costly and could lead to a hazardous situation.
Unfortunately, chimney flashing health is sometimes overlooked by inexperienced or lazy chimney technicians. However, at Northeastern Masonry and Chimney, our technicians have all been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). This means that they have completed intensive training and have been tested on how to properly and safely inspect your chimney. This also means that they have taken an oath to never cut corners when it comes to serving their customers. When you couple our CSIA certification with our 35 years experience in the chimney business, there shouldn’t be any doubt that we are the best option when it comes to inspecting your chimney flashing.
If you think that your chimney might be leaking, or if it’s been a while since your chimney has been inspected, don’t hesitate to contact Northern and Central New York’s and Western Massachusetts’ number one chimney service provider. Call Northeastern Masonry and Chimney today at 518-767-9314, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA chimney technicians today!