A brown stain on the ceiling next to the chimney, or water in the firebox after rain, usually means the joint between the chimney and the roof is open. That joint is the chimney flashing. It is one of the most common roof leaks, and it is often a repair rather than a full roof replacement.
Flashing, crown, or cap
Step flashing and counterflashing are supposed to move with the roof and still turn water away from the brick. When the metal lifts, rusts through, or was never cut into the mortar, rain runs down the chimney and into the house.
A cracked crown does the same thing from the top. The crown is the concrete slab that sheds water off the flue tiles. Cracks let water into the masonry, then into the firebox. A missing or loose chimney cap lets rain straight down the flue.
Why one crew should look at both
A roofer who only replaces shingles can leave the brick joint open. A mason who only patches brick can leave the metal flashing short. A1 Chimney & Roofing looks at the masonry and the roof together, because the leak is often in the meeting of the two.
After a storm, call before the next rain soaks the ceiling. The emergency line is (855) 822-5521. Read more about roof repair and chimney repair.
