Why Good Chimney Flashing is Important
Good chimney flashing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider routine home maintenance, however, it plays a crucial role in keeping your household safe.
At Best Chimney Services, we’ve taken care of homeowners’ chimneys since 1989. Whether you’re looking for routine chimney inspections, vital chimney repairs, or other chimney services, we’re here to help. Call Best Chimney Services for reliable chimney services you can lean on. In the meantime, we’re going to discuss the purpose of chimney flashing and how to recognize when it needs repair. But first, let’s delve into what chimney flashing is.
What is Chimney Flashing?
Chimney flashing is the transition piece at the base of the chimney where the chimney meets the roof. The purpose of the flashing is to provide a seal between the chimney and the roof, ensuring that no water can seep into your home. This prevents costly water damage in your chimney and home.
Why Good Chimney Flashing is Important
Chimney flashing is important because it helps you avoid any further chances of water damage. If water were to seep into the gaps between your chimney and roof, leaks caused by heavy rainfall or snow could follow and cause damage to your roof and home. Water build-up could also lead to mold growth, wood rot, corrosion of metal, and damage to masonry. If your chimney faces enough water damage, the brick and mortar will become brittle, risking the entire structural integrity. Good chimney flashing diverts rainwater away from the masonry to minimize harmful intrusion into the home.
How to Know if You Need a Chimney Flashing Repair
Visible Damage
If you notice any visible damage on the paneling around your chimney’s base, that could be a sign for a chimney flashing repair. Inspect the flashing by looking for any signs of wear and tear, such as peeling, staining, or bent edges. If any of the flashing is cracked or missing, then you should schedule a flashing repair immediately.
Water Stains
As we mentioned, the purpose of chimney flashing is to create a seal between the inside of your home and the water outside. Therefore, a major sign that your chimney requires a flashing repair is water damage. Check for this by looking for water stains on your interior walls, like the ceiling and walls near your chimney. This could be an indication of a leak due to damaged flashing.
Loose Flashing
Flashing is meant to be installed tightly against your chimney and the roof to create an airtight lock. If that flashing is loose or pulling away, then the seal has been compromised. Call your chimney technician immediately to have your flashing resealed or replaced.
Roof Wear
You may not have originally considered this, but roof wear is one way to tell if you need a flashing repair. If you have excessive wear on your roof, specifically around your chimney, this could indicate damage to your chimney flashing. We recommend looking for missing shingles around or near the flashing. If you’re having trouble identifying damage and are worried that your flashing needs repair, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
How to Repair Your Chimney Flashing
Your chimney flashing is important to maintaining your chimney’s structural integrity and preventing costly and dangerous damage. Therefore, we urge you to contact a professional chimney company that is experienced in chimney flashing and can ensure that it’s done properly.
Call Best Chimney Services for Good Chimney Flashing
Chimney flashing plays an important role in protecting your home from water damage. For reliable chimney flashing you can count on, call Best Chimney Services for high-quality craftsmanship.
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