Chimney reflashing and flashing repairs in South Middle River

Lifting shingles around the stack

On an asphalt shingle roof, the shingles around the chimney are usually lifted rather than torn off. The old step pieces slide out and new ones go in, each tucked under its course. The counter flashing then comes down over them from the brick.

Shingles that have gone brittle may crack as they are lifted. When that seems likely, we say so beforehand and list replacement shingles as a separate item. Keep any spare bundles from the original roof if you have them. They help the area around the chimney blend with the rest of the roof.

Counter flashing on stone chimney faces

Natural or manufactured stone does not give the neat level joints that brick does. The counter flashing has to follow irregular joints, or be set into a cut made through the stone, and each choice affects how well the edge seals.

We look at the joint pattern before recommending a method. Where the stone surface is uneven, the metal may need more folds to follow it, and each fold is another place to seal. The estimate describes the method, so you know how the edge will be held rather than finding a smear of sealant afterward.

Reseal, reset or replace

Flashing repairs fall into a few kinds, and the right one depends on what failed. We explain which kind fits your chimney in South Middle River and why.

A smaller repair is reasonable when the failure is local. A full reflash needs its own reasons, and we write them down so you can weigh them.

• Resealing a reglet or lap where the metal itself is sound
• Resetting counter flashing that has pulled out of its joint
• Replacing pieces on one face where the metal has failed
• Reflashing every face when the whole junction is worn

Roofing laid over older roofing

Some roofs are replaced by laying new roofing over the old layer. At the chimney, that raises the roof surface, and the upturn of the base flashing may end up shorter than intended. The counter flashing may then cover less of it.

If you know the roof has more than one layer, tell us. We check how much upturn remains above the new surface and how far the counter flashing reaches over it. Where the overlap is too short to shed water, the estimate explains how new pieces would restore it.