Tiffany Haney
Chimneys are notorious for leaking, and the culprit is often the flashing—the sheet metal that keeps the intersection between the chimney and roof watertight. The process of flashing a chimney involves installing two layers of water-shedding metal: flashing and counterflashing. The type of metal used for flashing depends on your location; in the South, it's usually aluminium or galvanised steel, while in the Northeast, masons prefer lead flashing. Flashing a chimney is an advanced DIY project that requires comfort working on a roof and the ability to measure, cut, and bend sheet metal to fit precisely.
Characteristics and Values of Flashing a Chimney Pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent leaks and keep water out of the chimney opening |
| Materials | Lead, copper, aluminum, galvanized steel, sheet metal, roofing nails, roofing cement, roofing paper, shingles, asphalt shingles, roofing membrane, caulking, urethane caulk, silicone-based sealer |
| Tools | Ladder, roof brackets, safety harness, hammer, chisel, tin snips, circular saw, drill |
| Techniques | Measuring, cutting, bending, layering, sealing, embedding, nailing, sawing, drilling |
| Considerations | Chimney type (masonry or metal), roof type, slope, size of chimney, regional techniques, cost, maintenance |
| Difficulty | Advanced DIY project, complex job, requires comfort working on a roof |
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What You'll Learn
Identify leaks or water stains
To identify leaks or water stains, you should regularly inspect your chimney flashing and roof. Small bends or cracks in the flashing may seem minor, but they can compromise the protective galvanised coating, making the metal susceptible to corrosion and leaks.
One way to check for leaks is to run a hose around the area where your chimney and roof meet. After running the water for a few minutes, inspect the inside of the chimney for signs of water or moisture. You can also check for water accumulation or damp walls around your chimney, as this could indicate a leak. Inspect your attic, as dampness or water in this space could also indicate a leak.
Look out for water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney area. These stains can be yellowish-brown and often indicate long-term water exposure. In some cases, the water stains may be accompanied by peeling paint or wallpaper, indicating that the leak has been ongoing for some time.
If you notice rust or corrosion on the firebox or damper, this may indicate a chimney leak. The presence of water can cause metal components to deteriorate over time. White stains, also known as efflorescence, on the chimney exterior can also indicate water penetration.
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Prepare tools and safety equipment
Before you start flashing your chimney, it is important to prepare the necessary tools and safety equipment. This will ensure that you can work safely and efficiently on the roof. Here is a comprehensive list of the tools and safety gear you will need:
Tools:
- Ladder: A sturdy extension ladder is essential to safely access the roof.
- Roof brackets: These provide stability and a secure platform to work on the roof.
- Planks: Use high-quality 2x10 planks to create a safe workspace once you are on the roof.
- Hammer: A basic hand tool, a hammer will be needed for driving nails and removing old flashing and cement.
- Tape measure: This will help you measure the chimney and order the correct size of flashing and saddle.
- Level and square: These tools will ensure that your work is straight and level.
- Tin snips: Straight-cutting tin snips are essential for cutting the sheet metal flashing to the correct size.
- Masonry bit: A 3/16-inch masonry bit is needed for drilling into masonry surfaces.
- Grinder or circular saw: A grinder is useful, but if you don't have one, a circular saw fitted with a dry-cut diamond blade can be used for cutting through mortar and masonry.
- Safety equipment:
- Safety harness: Invest in a good-quality safety harness to prevent falls.
- Lanyard and rope: These are essential components of your fall protection system.
- Roof anchor: A secure anchor point on the roof is necessary for attaching your safety harness and rope.
Additionally, you may want to consider using a sheet metal bending brake if you need to bend the sheet metal flashing into complicated shapes. This tool requires some experience to operate, so it might be worth ordering your flashing from a sheet metal fabricating shop to ensure a precise fit.
Once you have gathered all the necessary tools and safety equipment, carefully inspect them to ensure they are in good working condition. This will help ensure your safety and make your chimney flashing project go smoothly.
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Measure, cut and bend sheet metal
Flashing a chimney is an advanced DIY project, so you need to be comfortable working on a roof. Before you start, set up your ladder, roof brackets, and safety harness to ensure you can work safely and efficiently.
To measure, cut, and bend sheet metal to flash a chimney pan, follow these steps:
Measure
First, measure the dimensions of the chimney and the slope of the roof. For the chimney, measure from the roof to the third mortar joint and add about an inch to determine the height you need. For the roof slope, you'll need to know the width of the chimney and the slope of the roof.
Cut
You can buy flat sheet metal, called "coil stock", and cut and bend it yourself, or you can buy pre-cut flashing from a sheet metal shop. If you're cutting it yourself, use tin snips to cut the base flashing to fit along the chimney's front. Cut the flashing at a 45-degree angle to bend around one side of the chimney. You can also cut and bend the last step flashing around the top of the chimney.
Bend
Bend one side of the flashing around one edge of the chimney. Fit the flashing up against the front of the chimney, with the bent edge fitting around one corner. Use tin snips to clip the flashing where the other side of the chimney meets the flashing, then bend the clipped flashing around the chimney.
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Install base flashing
Installing base flashing is a crucial step in ensuring your chimney is leakproof. Here is a detailed guide on how to install base flashing for a chimney:
Prepare the Chimney and Roof
Before installing base flashing, it is essential to prepare the chimney and roof area. Cover the roof with a tarp to protect the shingles from any potential damage during the installation process. You should also wear safety goggles and work gloves for your protection.
Measure and Cut the Base Flashing
Measure the dimensions of your chimney and the slope of your roof to determine the required size and angle of the base flashing. Cut a piece of pre-bent base flashing to fit across the bottom of the chimney and over the shingles. Cut it with a 45-degree angle to bend around one side of the chimney. You can use tin snips to cut the base flashing to the required size and shape.
Fit the Base Flashing
Fit the cut flashing up against the front of the chimney, ensuring that it lies flush with the roof and overlaps the roofing shingles. Snug the bent end against one side of the chimney front, then mark, snip, and bend the opposite end.
Secure the Base Flashing
Secure the base flashing in place by pounding galvanized roofing nails through the front edge. Space the nails evenly, about 1 inch apart. You can also apply a jelly bean-sized dollop of caulk at the corner where the chimney meets the roof for added adhesion.
Seal the Base Flashing
Complete the base flashing installation by sealing it with additional strips of membrane. Shingle over the portion of the base flashing that rests on the roof, ensuring proper overlap to divert water effectively.
By following these steps, you will successfully install the base flashing for your chimney, providing a critical layer of protection against leaks and water intrusion.
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Seal with caulk or mortar
Chimneys are notorious for leaking, and the culprit is usually the flashing. To prevent leaks, caulk or mortar can be used to seal the chimney flashing.
Caulking the Chimney
Caulk is a sealant used to fill gaps and cracks, and it can be an effective way to seal chimney flashing and prevent leaks. It is important to use a high-quality urethane caulk designed for masonry repair. The caulk is applied to the corner where the chimney meets the roof, and the flashing is then placed over it. This helps to create a watertight seal. Caulking can also be used to seal the mortar joints between the bricks, adding an extra layer of protection against leaks.
Mortar for Chimneys
Mortar is another material that can be used to seal chimney flashing. It is a paste-like substance made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water. When sealing chimney flashing, the mortar is applied to the joints between the bricks and the flashing to create a watertight seal. This is known as counterflashing, which involves embedding the flashing in the mortar joints and folding it down to cover the step flashing. This process helps to direct water away from the chimney and prevent leaks.
Maintenance
Over time, the caulk or mortar may need to be reapplied to maintain a watertight seal. Regular inspections of the chimney flashing are important to identify any areas where the sealant may have degraded or come loose. Re-caulking and re-mortaring can be done as needed to repair any cracks or gaps that may have formed, helping to ensure the flashing remains effective in preventing leaks.
Cricket Installation
In some cases, a cricket or saddle may be installed to deflect water and snow away from the chimney. A cricket is a small diversion roof that prevents water from accumulating against the chimney. It is typically made from the same material as the roof sheathing and is required by many authorities when the chimney width exceeds a certain limit, usually 30 inches. The cricket is covered with a modified bitumen membrane, which is folded up under the chimney flashing, and then shingles are installed over it to blend with the rest of the roof.
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Frequently asked questions
Chimney flashing is the sheet metal that keeps the intersection between the chimney and the roof watertight. Flashing a chimney involves two layers of water-shedding metal: flashing and counterflashing.
Chimneys are notorious for leaking, and the culprit is almost always the sheet metal flashing. Flashing a chimney correctly is important to prevent leaks.
The type of metal used for flashing depends on where you live. Aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, and lead are common choices for flashing materials. Copper is the longest-lasting but is expensive, while lead is soft and easy to bend to shape.
