Repairing Roof Leaks Around Chimneys in Middle Tennessee

Fixing leaky roofs caused by damaged chimney flashing or chase cover

Chimney leaks are one of the most common types of roof leaks that we repair. Most chimney leaks are caused by flashing around the chimney that is worn, corroded or that was improperly installed. Using caulk to repair the flashing is a temporary fix that can fail over time, allowing future water damage.

If you're looking for a proven solution to stop the roof leak around your chimney, contact the roof repair experts at Jewell Roofing & Exteriors today to schedule an on-site consultation and estimate in Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, Gallatin or a surrounding area in Middle Tennessee.

How we fix chimney roof leaks

When water gets behind damaged flashing, it can cause major damage to the roof sheathing and framing and the ceiling and living area below, so it's important to deal with leaks around the chimney immediately. Jewell Roofing & Exteriors offers a variety of solutions for repairing these types of roof leaks, but two of the most common repair options are adding a roof cricket and replacing the rain pan.

Roof Cricket Design & Installation

To solve and prevent roof leaks caused by damaged chimney flashing, the experts at Jewell Roofing & Exteriors typically install what's known as a cricket (also known as a saddle). No, not the insects that we hear chirping outside in the summertime or the thing that you put on a horse. In the roofing industry, a cricket, or saddle, is a ridge that's designed to divert water around the chimney or the transition between different areas of the roof. This type of chimney leak repair should be done by a professional roofing contractor since every chimney and roof is different and requires a unique roof cricket design and installation.

When the sealant around the chimney is worn and water runs directly against the base of the chimney (like in the above photo), this can allow for water intrusion.

A cricket, or pyramid-shaped ridge in front of the chimney is built using 2x4s covered with OSB decking underneath the shingles. This diverts water to the left or right of the chimney and away from the chimney base.

On this roof, a cricket was built to help divert water between the shingle roof and metal roof. OSB was used in front of the chimney and a pitch was added to create a valley, allowing water to flow around the chimney.

It's important that a cricket is built to fit the size of the chimney so that water is diverted evenly off both sides.

Rain Pan Replacement

Rain pans are typically made of metal or galvanized steel and designed to prevent water from entering the chimney chase and firebox. The chimney chase cover is often installed with a rain pan made from low-grade materials that rust quickly. Even a small hole in the rain pan can result in a water leak and extensive water damage inside the home. While it's sometimes possible to repair the chimney rain pan, more often than not, replacement of the rain pan is necessary. A rain pan should be custom fabricated and installed correctly to provide proper protection against water intrusion.

A rusted chimney rain pan on a roof in Goodlettsville, TN.

A custom chimney rain pan is installed.

Get a free roof leak repair estimate

If you're concerned about a roof leak around your chimney, it's best to have a roof inspection completed by a professional contractor. Contact Jewell Roofing & Exteriors for a free on-site estimate in Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, Gallatin and surrounding areas in Tennessee.

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.